ÿWPCF ޤS–‘tJ£ÅkqïQñŒ¼Ú G¨ò\”\‚åI§{Ý?¨cJßáÞ,ìÙâNdï ÚSŸµÁS‡–l­ß©ÜີΦ? zŠƒÐ䱉R;>ìAZéÝe—Å~o†¾j›^IJ͗è™iãs—«1ÝÙjH͉¼$Gu°ê’ 9ЪHn\ò¨O°÷†¾·ŠÙbC}窛7įDZO£¾cþ;_/ØøÙ)Â5°Avªñr“¤K]¤¢ pó÷;Û>-ˆöΛT{ŸþÇÏ,Ê^tÈúÜc\\ý“±ÃÈ•ÕÚCÚýóÊœVûuëþÞÇu>sp´Æ_„÷ã¤c †WKéãHïveܰiè:ÑÈ ¿0ÿà&¹»ÿ•( ]8³ì(LJIÅ&S üx·Z8¹æ‰‰ãrQpÂ_ië«Ý@·,;CêÍÈK(1%d$PllQ*p?EOþŸ ‘õs“<Úe1)ŽJ¬ñIœYúÈR`8eë0.mÐÂï¬^½‚†KÙ1Ž×Û5Ã0¹âè*¾w=èJ®‰vb"ú7–t/ëEÓøÂMûOdãùAD¶ÂèÄó‡K·ónS¥NªñÁ„&#‡$IàGÛ.b %\^ b 0ˆnU(NöwD4H\ zkÒå· m¹ #ÁÐ ‘ Æ™ Æ_ Æ% Æë 0D±NõU@÷÷E777777777777777777777777b999999999999999999999999999999999999 0ëAAAA B,, 0¤I D5í D-" 0KOO ASšÆí 0¤³ 0DW A«›»Ù±z+ (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman RegularÖJ~'”e¢3|x ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ˜HP LaserJet 4000 Series PCL 6ÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0 Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(ÖÃ9 Z‹(Times New Roman - ù-(|G2=$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€•»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô¿mò»»Ô d(|3¿m$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€•»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV)ÿÿ!dxdx)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3¿m$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€•»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€•»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼•»»»ÔÑ8€I™XXdì»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ttìàÔ‡ît•ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€CRIMINAL€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†¼•»îît #ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓAssigned€on€Briefs€October€17,€2001Ð üL ÐÔ‡XI™X»¼•ÔÌò òÔ#†¼•»XXI™ #ÔSTATE€OF€TENNESSEEòòóó€v.€BENJAMIN€HERNANDEZ,€IIIÔ‡XI™X»¼•Ôó óÐ úJ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òDirect€Appeal€from€the€Criminal€Court€for€Putnam€CountyÐ ú J Ðà@@øøìàNo.€97„0174€€€€€€Leon€C.€Burns,€Jr.,€JudgeÐ æ 6 ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<©` AßÐ ªú  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€M2000„00225„CCA„R3„CD€„€Filed€November€21,€Ô_Ô2001Ô_ÔÐ ¥õ  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<|` AßÐ }Í  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓThe€defendant€was€indicted€for€premeditated€first€degree€murder,€convicted€of€the€lesser„includedÐ xÈ  Ðoffense€of€second€degree€murder,€and€sentenced€to€25€years€in€the€Department€of€Correction.€€In€thisÐ d´ Ðappeal,€the€defendant€alleges:€(1)€the€evidence€was€insufficient€to€sustain€his€conviction;€(2)€the€stateÐ P  Ðfailed€to€provide€him€with€exculpatory€evidence;€(3)€the€state€destroyed€evidence,€thereby€deprivingÐ <Œ Ðhim€of€due€process;€and€(4)€the€trial€court€erroneously€failed€to€grant€a€continuance€or€mistrial€whenÐ (x Ða€witness€became€ill€and€was€unavailable€to€testify.€€After€a€thorough€review€of€the€record,€we€affirmÐ d Ðthe€judgment€of€the€trial€court.Ð P ÐÓ¬ÓÓ  ÓÔ#†¼•»XXI™‚#ÔÔ‡XI™X»¼•ÔÌÓÙÓò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Criminal€Court€AffirmedÔ#†¼•»XXI™#ÔÔ‡XI™X»¼•Ô€Ô#†¼•»XXI™¬#ÔÔ‡XI™X»¼•Ôó óÐ Ø( ÐÓÓÌÒr°ÒòòÓ& ÓÓ  ÓÔ#†¼•»àXI™ï#ÔÔ‡XI™X.¼•ÔJoe€G.€Riley,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòDavid€H.€Wellesóó€and€òòJerry€L.Ð ° ÐSmith,€JóóJ.,€joined.Ô#†¼•»XXI™‡ #ÔÔ‡XI™X»¼•ÔÐ œì ÐÌMichael€H.€Knowlton€(at€trial€and€on€appeal)€and€Joseph€F.€Edwards€(at€trial),€Ô_ÔCookevilleÔ_Ô,Ð tÄ ÐTennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Benjamin€Hernandez,€III.€€Ð `° ÐÌPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€and€Reporter;€Elizabeth€T.€RyanÔ#†¼•»XXI™[ #ÔÔ‡XI™X»¼•Ô,€Assistant€AttorneyÐ 8!ˆ  ÐGeneral;€William€Edward€Gibson,€District€Attorney€General;€and€Ô#†¼•»XXI™Ñ #ÔÔ‡XI™X»¼•ÔDavid€A.€Patterson€andÐ $"t! ÐBenjamin€W.€Ô_ÔFannÔ_ÔÔ#†¼•»XXI™{ #ÔÔ‡XI™X»¼•Ô,€Assistant€District€Attorneys€General,€for€the€appellee,€State€of€Tennessee.€Ð #`" йÓX ÓÔ#†¼•»XXI™ #ÔÔ‡XI™X»¼•ÔÌò òÓ  ÓOPINIONó óÔ#†¼•»XXI™Î #ÔÔ‡XI™X»¼•ÔÐ Ô%$!% ÐÓñ ÓÌòòóóÔ#†¼•»XXI™*#ÔÓ  ÓÔ€XI™X»¼•Ôà@QQ! àò òTRIAL€TESTIMONYó óˆÐ ¬'ü"' ÐÌà  àNina€Turner€testified€she€had€a€good€relationship€with€her€fiancee,€Danny€Johnson,€theÐ „)Ô$) Ðvictim.€€On€December€31,€1996,€she€and€the€victim€went€to€two€friendsðð€residences.€€She€statedÐ p*À%* Ðthe€victim€consumed€alcohol€at€both€residences.€€She€and€the€victim€began€arguing€concerningÐ \+¬&+ Ðher€desire€to€return€home,€so€she€dropped€the€victim€off€at€a€bar€at€approximately€10:40€p.m.€Ð H,˜', ÐShe€then€proceeded€home€and€went€to€bed.€€At€approximately€1:30€a.m.,€she€received€a€phoneÐ 4-„(-ý ÐÔ_Ôcall€from€the€victim€requesting€her€to€pick€him€up€at€the€bar.€€When€she€refused€his€request,Ð ° Ðhe€threatened€to€burn€her€home.€€€€€Ð œì ÐÌà  àIn€response€to€his€threat,€Turner€left€with€her€mother€and€children,€who€also€residedÐ tÄ Ðthere,€and€went€to€the€justice€center€to€obtain€a€warrant.€€Turner€stated€she€was€denied€theÐ `° Ðwarrant€because€she€was€not€the€legal€owner€of€the€residence,€and€her€mother€refused€to€enterÐ L œ Ðthe€building€because€ð ðshe€did€not€have€her€teeth.ðð€€They€left€the€justice€center€and€drove€to€aÐ 8 ˆ Ðgas€station€where€Turner€phoned€the€victim,€who€refused€to€talk€with€her.€€They€drove€to€herÐ $ t Ðsister's€residence,€arriving€at€approximately€2:30€a.m.,€and€spent€the€night.€€Turner,€herÐ  ` Ðchildren,€and€her€mother€returned€to€their€residence€at€approximately€7:00€a.m.€and€found€theÐ ü L  Ðside€door€open.€€Upon€entering,€they€saw€the€victimððs€body€on€the€floor€and€phoned€the€police.€Ð è 8  ÐThe€autopsy€revealed€the€victim€suffered€multiple€gunshot€wounds.€€Ð Ô$  ÐÌà  àTurner€further€testified€the€victim€was€a€friend€of€David€Leonard,€Robert€LeonardððsÐ ¬ü  Ðolder€brother.€€She€stated€she€was€not€close€to€either,€ð ðdid€not€careðð€for€Robert,€and€had€neverÐ ˜è  Ðdated€or€had€a€sexual€encounter€with€either.€€Ð „Ô  ÐÌà  àRobert€Leonard€testified€he€was€acquainted€with€the€defendant€and€the€victim.€€HeÐ \¬ Ðdescribed€the€defendant€as€his€friend,€but€stated€the€defendant€and€the€victim€were€not€friends.€Ð H˜ ÐHe€testified€that€on€December€31,€1996,€he,€the€defendant,€and€Patricia€Blackman,€theÐ 4„ Ðdefendantððs€girlfriend,€attended€a€party€until€approximately€12:15€a.m.,€when€they€went€toÐ  p ÐLeonardððs€residence.€€The€victim€phoned€approximately€15€minutes€after€their€arrival,€andÐ  \ ÐLeonard's€girlfriend€chastised€him€for€phoning€so€late€because€of€a€sleeping€child.€€The€victimÐ øH Ðphoned€again€within€three€minutes.€€The€defendant€answered,€stating,€ð ð[Y]ou€disrespected€me,Ð ä4 Ð[and]€I€know€where€you€live,€and€I'll€go€kick€your€a„„.ðð€€The€defendant€then€hung€up€and€stated,Ð Ð  Ðð ðLet's€go€over€there.ðð€€Leonard€testified€the€defendant€then€drove€him,€his€younger€brotherÐ ¼  ÐTimothy€Leonard,€Timothy€Leonard's€friend€Eric€Dishman,€and€Blackman€to€Nina€Turner'sÐ ¨ø Ðresidence,€where€the€victim€was€located.€€Ð ”ä ÐÌà  àThe€defendant,€followed€by€Robert€and€Timothy,€walked€up€the€stairs€to€the€residence'sÐ l¼ Ðside€door€while€Blackman€and€Dishman€remained€in€the€vehicle.€€The€defendant€then€knockedÐ X ¨ Ðon€the€door,€and,€although€the€refrigerator€was€partially€barricading€the€door,€the€victim€openedÐ D!” Ðit€slightly,€holding€a€knife,€and€said,€ð ðIt's€you,€punk.ðð€€The€victim€then€moved€the€refrigeratorÐ 0"€  Ðto€the€side,€opened€the€door,€and€the€defendant€fired€three€or€four€shots.€€The€trio€then€fled€toÐ #l! Ðthe€vehicle,€and€the€defendant€argued€with€Blackman,€stating€he€thought€she€and€Dishman€wereÐ $X" Ðengaged€in€sexual€activity,€and€he€ð ðwould€shoot€[Dishman]€and€he€didn't€care€because€he'd€justÐ ô$D # Ðshot€a€man.ðð€€Ð à%0!$ ÐÌà  àRobert€Leonard€further€testified€the€defendant€refused€to€drive€them€home,€insteadÐ ¸'#& Ðtaking€them€to€his€residence.€€There,€the€defendant€consumed€more€alcohol€and€argued€withÐ ¤(ô#' ÐBlackman,€who€ran€outside€of€the€residence€and€yelled€that€the€defendant€had€just€committedÐ )à$( Ða€murder.€€The€defendant€followed€her€outside€and€hit€her.€€When€the€defendant€returned,€heÐ |*Ì%) Ðhid€the€gun€in€the€air€conditioning€vent;€however,€he€later€instructed€Dishman€to€remove€itÐ h+¸&* Ðsince€Dishman's€hands€were€of€the€size€that€could€reach€inside€the€duct€work.€€RobertÐ ° Ðrecognized€the€pistol€as€the€one€his€father€kept€in€the€arm€of€the€recliner€at€the€LeonardÐ œì Ðresidence.€€Ð ˆØ ÐÌà  àRobert€Leonard€further€stated€that€on€a€later€date€the€defendant€got€in€an€argument€andÐ `° Ðbragged€that€he€was€ð ðnot€worried€about€killing€someone€else;€[because]€he€killed€somebody.ðð€Ð L œ ÐFurthermore,€Robert€testified€the€defendant€confessed€to€Robert's€father€that€he€killed€theÐ 8 ˆ Ðvictim.€€€€Ð $ t ÐÌà  àTBI€Forensic€Agent€Don€Carmon€testified€he€conducted€ballistics€testing€on€bulletÐ ü L  Ðfragments€and€cartridge€casings€recovered€from€the€scene.€€Carmon€testified€the€cartridgeÐ è 8  Ðcasings€were€consistent€with€the€bullet€fragments.€€On€cross„examination,€Carmon€stated€aÐ Ô$  Ðlatent€fingerprint€analysis€was€not€requested€on€the€casings,€and€such€an€examination€wouldÐ À  Ðordinarily€be€done€prior€to€his€ballistics€testing.€€Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà  àTimothy€Leonard€testified€he€was€15€years€old€at€the€time€of€the€victim's€death,€and€heÐ „Ô  Ðand€Eric€Dishman€were€at€the€Leonard€residence€on€December€31,€1996.€€At€approximatelyÐ pÀ Ð1:00€a.m.,€Robert€Leonard,€Blackman,€and€the€defendant€entered€the€residence.€€The€victimÐ \¬ Ðcalled,€and€the€defendant€talked€with€him.€€Timothy€testified€the€defendant€said€the€victimÐ H˜ Ðð ðdisrespectedðð€him,€and€the€defendant€told€the€victim,€ð ðI'll€kill€you,€or€I'll€whip€you.ðð€€€€Ð 4„ ÐÌà  àTimothy€Leonard€further€stated€the€defendant€then€drove€him,€Dishman,€Robert,€andÐ  \ ÐBlackman€to€the€residence€where€the€victim€was€located.€€€He€and€Robert€exited€the€vehicleÐ øH Ðand€followed€the€defendant€to€the€side€door€of€the€residence,€while€Dishman€and€BlackmanÐ ä4 Ðremained€in€the€vehicle.€€The€victim€and€the€defendant€briefly€exchanged€words,€and€theÐ Ð  Ðdefendant€fired€five€or€six€shots.€€They€then€proceeded€to€the€defendant's€residence,€and,€whileÐ ¼  Ðdriving,€the€defendant€pointed€the€weapon€at€Dishman€accusing€him€of€ð ðdoing€somethingðð€withÐ ¨ø ÐBlackman€while€the€defendant€was€out€of€the€car.€€Timothy€further€corroborated€RobertððsÐ ”ä Ðtestimony€concerning€the€defendant's€placement€of€the€weapon€in€the€air€conditioning€duct.€Ð €Ð ÐTimothy€additionally€stated€the€defendant€threatened€to€kill€him€if€he€informed€anyone€of€theÐ l¼ Ðmurder.€€Ð X ¨ ÐÌà  àEric€Dishman€testified€he€was€14€years€old€at€the€time€of€the€shooting.€€He€stated€theÐ 0"€  Ðdefendant€was€angry€when€talking€on€the€phone€at€the€Leonard€residence;€they€drove€to€theÐ #l! Ðvictimððs€residence;€he€heard€gunshots;€the€defendant€threatened€to€kill€him€if€he€told€anyoneÐ $X" Ðhe€shot€the€victim;€and€the€defendant€threatened€to€kill€him€if€he€was€ð ðmessing€with€[his]Ð ô$D # Ðgirlfriend.ðð€€Ð à%0!$ ÐÌà  àBryce€Dallas€testified€the€defendant€threatened€him€on€January€10,€1997,€stating€ð ðhe'dÐ ¸'#& Ðalready€killed€once€recently€and€that€it€wouldn't€bother€him€to€kill€again.ðð€€Ð ¤(ô#' Ðâ âÐ )à$( Ðà  àMichael€Gregory,€an€inmate€in€the€Putnam€County€Jail,€testified€he€met€the€defendantÐ ° Ðin€jail€in€January€1997.€€He€further€testified€the€defendant€stated€he€shot€the€victim€because€theÐ œì Ðvictim€ð ðdisrespectedðð€him.€€Ð ˆØ Ðâ âÌà  àThe€defense€offered€the€testimony€of€Karen€Dubree,€Sharon€Norton,€Reba€Sanders,€andÐ `° Ðthe€defendant.€€Ð L œ ÐÌà  àKaren€Dubree€testified€she€and€her€boyfriend€had€a€New€Yearððs€Eve€party€and€wereÐ $ t Ðdrinking€with€the€victim.€€Nina€Turner€accompanied€the€victim€but€was€not€drinking.€€DubreeÐ  ` Ðstated€Turner€was€angry€with€the€victim€because€ð ðshe€didnððt€want€to€be€with€him€[and]€[s]heÐ ü L  Ðhad€other€plans€that€did€not€include€him.ðð€€Dubree€further€testified€Turner€requested€to€leaveÐ è 8  Ðthe€victim€at€her€residence,€and€when€she€refused,€Turner€said€she€would€shoot€the€victim€ifÐ Ô$  Ðshe€had€a€gun.€€Dubree€described€the€victim€and€Turnerððs€relationship€as€ð ðlove/hate,ðð€and€theÐ À  Ðvictim€ð ðtormented€her.ðð€€Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà  àSharon€Norton€testified€that€while€at€Dubreeððs€New€Yearððs€Eve€party,€Turner€ð ðtoldÐ „Ô  Ð[her]€about€how€[the€victim€and€she]€had€been€fighting,€and€.€.€.€if€her€father€would€have€let€herÐ pÀ Ðhave€a€gun€that€he€owned,€she€would€have€shot€[the€victim].ðð€€Norton€further€stated€TurnerÐ \¬ Ðwanted€to€leave€the€victim€at€the€party€and€go€to€Robert€Leonardððs€house.€€Ð H˜ ÐÌà  àReba€Sanders,€Turnerððs€cousin,€was€her€neighbor€in€1996.€€She€testified€Turner€told€herÐ  p Ðat€some€time€prior€to€the€homicide€that€the€victim,€while€drunk,€knocked€down€her€door,Ð  \ Ðchoked€her€and€caused€a€bruised€eye€and€red€marks€on€her€throat.€€€€Ð øH ÐÌà  àThe€defendant€testified€he€went€to€Robert€Leonardððs€house€on€New€Yearððs€Eve,€andÐ Ð  ÐRobert€told€him€about€his€sexual€relationship€with€Turner.€€Robert€further€told€him€TurnerÐ ¼  Ðdisliked€the€victim.€€After€their€discussion,€the€defendant€and€Robert€left€the€residence€inÐ ¨ø Ðsearch€of€Turner€and€beer.€€While€driving,€they€saw€Turnerððs€car€at€a€gas€station,€stopped,€andÐ ”ä ÐRobert€talked€with€her.€Ð €Ð ÐÌà  àSubsequently,€the€defendant€and€Robert€picked€up€Blackman€and€eventually€wound€upÐ X ¨ Ðat€Robertððs€residence.€€The€defendant€testified€the€victim€phoned€the€residence.€€Robert€thenÐ D!” Ðgave€the€phone€to€the€defendant,€telling€him€to€ð ð[t]ry€and€calm€[the€victim]€down.ðð€€AlthoughÐ 0"€  Ðtheir€conversation€began€in€a€friendly€manner,€the€victim€stated,€ð ðI€know€heððs€sleeping€withÐ #l! Ðherðð€and€began€cursing€the€defendant,€so€the€defendant€gave€the€phone€to€Robert.€€Robert€andÐ $X" Ðthe€victim€argued€and€ð ðcuss[ed]ðð€at€each€other,€and€Robert€stated,€ð ð[T]hat€mother„€f„„„„r€hungÐ ô$D # Ðup€on€me.ðð€€Robert€then€called€the€victim,€they€argued,€and€ð ðthere€was€more€cussing.ðð€Ð à%0!$ ÐAccording€to€the€defendant,€Robert€then€hung€up€the€phone,€stating,€ð ðIððll€show€him.€€Iððll€fixÐ Ì&"% Ðhim.ðð€€Ð ¸'#& ÐÌà  àThe€defendant€testified€Robert€then€got€his€fatherððs€gun,€removed€the€bullets,€replacedÐ )à$( Ðthe€bullets,€and€requested€the€defendant€to€take€him€to€the€victimððs€house.€€The€defendant,Ð |*Ì%) ÐBlackman,€Dishman,€Robert,€and€Timothy€then€went€to€the€residence.€€Upon€arrival,€Robert,Ð h+¸&* ÐTimothy,€and€the€defendant€exited€the€vehicle;€Robert€knocked€on€the€door;€and€RobertÐ ° Ðinformed€the€victim€they€ð ðneed[ed]€to€talk.ðð€€The€defendant€stated€he€then€looked€toward€theÐ œì Ðvehicle€and€thought€he€saw€Blackman€and€Dishman€engaging€in€sexual€activity.€€As€heÐ ˆØ Ðhollered€at€her,€he€heard€gunshots;€then€he,€Timothy,€and€Robert€got€back€in€the€vehicle.€€TheÐ tÄ Ðdefendant€testified€Robert€shot€the€victim.€€Ð `° ÐÌà  àThe€defendant€conceded€they€returned€to€his€residence€where€he€helped€hide€theÐ 8 ˆ Ðweapon,€and€he€had€to€get€ð ðroughðð€with€Blackman€when€she€went€outside€screaming€about€theÐ $ t Ðshooting.€€The€defendant€conceded€he€took€the€gun€to€Indianapolis€ð ðto€get€rid€of€[it],ðð€butÐ  ` Ðdenied€that€he€told€fellow€inmate€Gregory€he€shot€the€victim.€€Ð ü L  ÐÌà  àBased€on€this€evidence,€the€jury€convicted€the€defendant€of€second€degree€murder.€€€€Ð Ô$  ÐÌÌà@7 7  àò òI.€€SUFFICIENCY€OF€THE€EVIDENCEˆÐ ˜è  Ðó óÌà  àThe€defendant€contends€the€evidence€was€insufficient€to€support€his€conviction.€€WeÐ pÀ Ðdisagree.Ð \¬ Ðò òÌA.€€Standard€of€Reviewó óÐ 4„ ÐÌÔ‡XI™XXXI™Ôà  àWhen€an€accused€challenges€the€sufficiency€of€the€evidence,€this€court€must€review€theÐ  \ Ðrecord€to€determine€if€the€evidence€adduced€during€the€trial€was€sufficient€ð ðto€support€theÐ øH Ðfindings€by€the€trier€of€fact€of€guilt€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt.ðð€€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(e).€ThisÐ ä4 Ðrule€is€applicable€to€findings€of€guilt€predicated€upon€direct€evidence,€circumstantial€evidenceÐ Ð  Ðor€a€combination€of€direct€and€circumstantial€evidence.€òòState€v.€Breweróó,€932€S.W.2d€1,18Ð ¼  Ð(Tenn.€Crim.€App.1996).€€In€determining€the€sufficiency€of€the€evidence,€this€court€does€notÐ ¨ø Ðreweigh€or€reevaluate€the€evidence.€€òòState€v.€Cabbageóó,€571€S.W.2d€832,€835€(Tenn.1978).€€ToÐ ”ä Ðthe€contrary,€this€court€is€required€to€afford€the€state€the€strongest€legitimate€view€of€theÐ €Ð Ðevidence€contained€in€the€record€as€well€as€all€reasonable€and€legitimate€inferences€which€mayÐ l¼ Ðbe€drawn€from€the€evidence.€€òòState€v.€Tuttleóó,€914€S.W.2d€926,€932€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.1995).Ð X ¨ ÐÌà  àThe€trier€of€fact,€not€this€court,€resolves€questions€concerning€the€credibility€of€theÐ 0"€  Ðwitnesses,€the€weight€and€value€to€be€given€the€evidence€as€well€as€all€factual€issues€raised€byÐ #l! Ðthe€evidence.€€òòId.óó€€In€òòState€v.€Graceóó,€the€Tennessee€Supreme€Court€stated,€ð ð[a]€guilty€verdictÐ $X" Ðby€the€jury,€approved€by€the€trial€judge,€accredits€the€testimony€of€the€witnesses€for€the€StateÐ ô$D # Ðand€resolves€all€conflicts€in€favor€of€the€theory€of€the€State.ðð€€493€S.W.2d€474,€476€(Tenn.Ð à%0!$ Ð1973).€€€Ð Ì&"% ÐÌÔ#†XI™XXXI™_C#Ôò òB.€€Analysisó óÐ ¤(ô#' ÐÌà  àRobert€and€Timothy€Leonard€both€testified€they€witnessed€the€defendant€shoot€theÐ |*Ì%) Ðvictim.€€Eric€Dishman€testified€the€defendant€threatened€to€kill€him€if€he€told€anyone€he€shotÐ h+¸&* Ðthe€victim.€€Bryce€Dallas€testified€the€defendant€threatened€him,€stating€he€had€recently€killedÐ ° Ðand€would€kill€again.€€Furthermore,€Michael€Gregory€testified€the€defendant€confessed€to€theÐ œì Ðshooting.€€Although€the€defendant€denied€shooting€the€victim,€it€is€well€within€the€province€ofÐ ˆØ Ðthe€jury€to€determine€witness€credibility.€€òòState€v.€Oodyóó,€823€S.W.2d€554,€558€(Tenn.€Crim.Ð tÄ ÐApp.€1991).€€Viewing€the€evidence€in€a€light€most€favorable€to€the€state,€the€evidence€wasÐ `° Ðmore€than€sufficient€to€support€the€conviction.Ð L œ ÐÌÌà@F F  àò òII.€€EXCULPATORY€EVIDENCEó óˆÐ  ` ÐÌà  àThe€defendant€contends€the€state€failed€to€provide€him€with€a€security€video€obtainedÐ è 8  Ðfrom€a€local€motel€which€may€have€contained€conversations€of€the€victim€on€the€phone€shortlyÐ Ô$  Ðbefore€he€was€killed.€€The€state€contends€the€issue€is€waived€because€the€defendant€failed€toÐ À  Ðtimely€file€a€motion€for€new€trial.€Ð ¬ü  ÐÌò òA.€€Motion€for€New€Trialó óÐ „Ô  ÐÌÔ‡XI™XXXI™Ôà  àA€motion€for€new€trial€ð ðshall€be€made€.€.€.€within€thirty€days€of€the€date€the€order€ofÐ \¬ Ðsentence€is€entered.ðð€€Tenn.€R.€Crim.€P.€33(b).€€This€provision€is€mandatory,€and€the€time€forÐ H˜ Ðfiling€may€not€be€extended.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€R.€Crim.€P.€45(b);€òòsee€alsoóó€òòState€v.€Martinóó,€940€S.W.2dÐ 4„ Ð567,€569€(Tenn.€1997);€òòState€v.€Dodsonóó,€780€S.W.2d€778,€780€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1989).€€TheÐ  p Ðthirty€(30)€day€provision€is€jurisdictional,€and€an€untimely€motion€is€a€nullity.€€òòDodsonóó,€780Ð  \ ÐS.W.2d€at€780.€€It€deprives€the€appellant€of€the€opportunity€to€argue€on€appeal€any€issues€thatÐ øH Ðshould€have€been€raised€in€the€motion€for€new€trial.€€òòMartinóó,€940€S.W.2d€at€569.€€òòóóFurthermore,Ð ä4 Ðthe€untimely€filing€of€a€motion€for€new€trial€does€not€toll€the€time€for€filing€a€notice€of€appeal;Ð Ð  Ðthus,€an€untimely€motion€for€new€trial€will€also€result€in€an€untimely€notice€of€appeal.€€òòSeeóóÐ ¼  ÐòòState€v.€Davisóó,€748€S.W.2d€206,€207€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1987).€€Unlike€the€untimely€filing€ofÐ ¨ø Ðthe€notice€of€appeal,€this€court€does€not€have€the€authority€to€waive€the€untimely€filing€of€aÐ ”ä Ðmotion€for€new€trial.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€4(a);€òòState€v.€Givhanóó,€616€S.W.2d€612,€613€(Tenn.Ð €Ð ÐCrim.€App.€1980).€€However,€this€court,€in€its€discretion,€may€take€notice€of€plain€error€whichÐ l¼ Ðaffects€a€substantial€right€of€the€defendant€where€it€may€be€necessary€to€do€substantial€justice.€Ð X ¨ ÐTenn.€R.€Crim.€P.€52(b);€òòState€v.€Johnsonóó,€980€S.W.2d€414,€418€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1998).€€Ô#†XI™XXXI™CP#ÔÐ D!” ÐÌò òB.€€Analysisó óÐ #l! ÐÌà  àThe€judgment€was€entered€October€29,€1998,€and€the€motion€for€new€trial€was€not€filedÐ ô$D # Ðuntil€December€16,€1998,€clearly€beyond€the€30„day€requirement.€€The€issue€is€waived.Ð à%0!$ ÐFurthermore,€we€are€unable€to€find€plain€error€under€Tenn.€R.€Crim.€P.€52(b).€€Ð Ì&"% ÐÌà  àDuring€a€jury„out€conference,€the€Assistant€District€Attorney€General€stated€the€tapeÐ ¤(ô#' Ðwas€viewed€by€law€enforcement,€and€they€determined€it€contained€nothing€pertinent€to€theÐ )à$( Ðcase.€€The€officers€had€returned€the€tape€to€the€motel,€and€the€Assistant€District€AttorneyÐ |*Ì%) ÐGeneral€stated€the€tapes€were€ð ðprobably€in€[the€motelððs]€possession.ðð€€There€is€no€indicationÐ h+¸&* Ða€request€was€made€or€subpoena€issued€by€the€defendant€for€the€tape.€€Similarly,€at€the€motionÐ ° Ðfor€new€trial,€there€was€no€indication€that€the€defendant€requested€or€subpoenaed€the€tape€fromÐ œì Ðthe€motel.€€Nor€is€there€any€indication€the€defendant€sought€testimony€at€that€hearing€from€theÐ ˆØ Ðofficer€who€viewed€the€tape.€€Obviously,€the€tape€is€not€in€the€record€for€our€review.€€We€areÐ tÄ Ðunable€to€speculate€as€to€the€contents€of€the€tape.€€Certainly,€there€is€no€showing€of€plain€error.€Ð `° ÐòòSeeóó€òòState€v.€Smithóó,€24€S.W.3d€274,€282€(Tenn.€2000)€(requiring€that€the€record€clearly€establishÐ L œ Ðwhat€occurred€in€the€trial€court,€and€a€breach€of€a€clear€and€unequivocal€rule€of€law€in€orderÐ 8 ˆ Ðto€establish€plain€error).€€This€issue€is€without€merit.€€Ð $ t ÐÌÌà@¡ ¡  àò òIII.€€DESTRUCTION€OF€EVIDENCEó óˆÐ è 8  ÐÌà  àThe€defendant€alleges€the€stateððs€ballistics€testing€of€the€bullet€casings,€subsequent€toÐ À  Ðhis€request€for€fingerprint€analysis,€constituted€illegal€destruction€of€evidence.€€Specifically,Ð ¬ü  Ðhe€contends€his€due€process€rights€were€violated€because€the€ballistics€testing€destroyed€theÐ ˜è  Ðability€to€conduct€any€further€fingerprint€analysis.€€The€state€again€argues€the€issue€is€waivedÐ „Ô  Ðfor€failure€to€file€a€timely€motion€for€new€trial.€€However,€this€issue€is€not€waived€because€ifÐ pÀ Ðit€were€sustained,€it€would€result€in€dismissal€of€the€case.€€òòSeeóó€òòState€v.€Electroplating,€Inc.óó,€990Ð \¬ ÐS.W.2d€211,€220€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1998)€(noting€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€3(e)€waiver€does€not€applyÐ H˜ Ðwhen€the€issue,€if€meritorious,€would€result€in€dismissal€of€the€prosecution).€€We,€therefore,Ð 4„ Ðaddress€the€issue€on€its€merits.€€Ð  p ÐÌò òA.€€òòFergusonóó€Requirementsó óÐ øH ÐÌà  àThe€state€has€a€duty€to€preserve€all€evidence€subject€to€discovery€and€inspection€underÐ Ð  ÐTenn.€R.€Crim.€P.€16.€€òòState€v.€Fergusonóó,€2€S.W.3d.€912,€917€(Tenn.€1999).€€Once€it€isÐ ¼  Ðdetermined€the€state€failed€in€its€duty€to€preserve€evidence,€we€must€consider€the€followingÐ ¨ø Ðfactors€to€determine€the€consequences€of€the€breach:€ð ð(1)€[t]he€degree€of€negligence€involved;Ð ”ä Ð(2)€[t]he€significance€of€the€destroyed€evidence,€considered€in€light€of€the€probative€value€andÐ €Ð Ðreliability€of€secondary€or€substitute€evidence€that€remains€available;€and€(3)€[t]he€sufficiencyÐ l¼ Ðof€the€other€evidence€used€at€trial€to€support€the€conviction.ðð€€òòId.óó€€The€primary€objective€is€toÐ X ¨ Ðprotect€the€defendantððs€right€to€a€ð ðfundamentally€fair€trial.ðð€€òòIdóó.€€Ð D!” ÐÌÓ  Óò òB.€€Failure€to€Preserve€Bullet€Casingsó óÐ #l! ÐÌÓ  Óà  àWe€must€initially€determine€whether€the€state,€in€fact,€failed€to€preserve€the€evidence.€Ð ô$D # ÐAlthough€it€may€be€the€stateððs€handling€of€the€casings€made€it€impossible€for€a€subsequentÐ à%0!$ Ðfingerprint€analysis,€the€record€does€not€necessarily€establish€this.€€A€chronologicalÐ Ì&"% Ðexamination€of€the€record€before€us€is€appropriate.€€Ð ¸'#& ÐÌà  àDefendant€filed€a€motion€on€August€12,€1997,€requesting€the€state€to€perform€aÐ )à$( Ðfingerprint€analysis€on€the€bullet€casings.€€Although€the€motion€was€apparently€heard€onÐ |*Ì%) ÐFebruary€26,€1998,€no€such€transcript€is€in€the€record.€€On€March€6,€1998,€the€trial€courtÐ h+¸&* Ðentered€an€order€referring€to€the€February€26òòthóó€hearing€and€ordered€the€state€to€ð ðprovide€theÐ ° Ðdefendantððs€experts€copies€of€all€fingerprints€taken€from€the€crime€scene.€.€.€for€independentÐ œì Ðanalysis.ðð€€On€May€14,€1998,€defendant€filed€a€motion€requesting€state€payment€of€expert€feesÐ ˆØ Ðfor€ð ðGary€W.€Jones,€an€expert€in€fingerprint€analysis.ðð€€No€order€relating€to€this€request€is€inÐ tÄ Ðthe€record.€€Ð `° ÐÌà  àOn€May€22,€1998,€defendant€filed€a€motion€to€suppress€and/or€dismiss€alleging€theÐ 8 ˆ ÐDistrict€Attorneyððs€office€failed€to€advise€the€officer€to€request€a€fingerprint€analysis,€and€theÐ $ t Ðð ðevidence€was€destroyed.ðð€€The€motion€refers€to€an€attached€crime€laboratory€ballistics€report;Ð  ` Ðhowever,€that€report€is€silent€as€to€whether€fingerprint€analysis€would€still€be€possible.€€NoÐ ü L  Ðorder€regarding€this€motion€appears€in€the€record.€€Ð è 8  ÐÌà  àJust€prior€to€the€beginning€of€the€jury€trial€on€September€1,€1998,€defense€counselÐ À  Ðbrought€the€motion€to€the€attention€of€the€trial€court,€stating€it€had€not€been€heard.€€Upon€beingÐ ¬ü  Ðquestioned€by€the€trial€court€as€to€whether€he€had€any€indication€the€casings€would€haveÐ ˜è  Ðdetectable€fingerprints,€defense€counsel€said€the€stateððs€ballistics€expert€should€be€able€toÐ „Ô  Ðtestify€ð ðwhether€or€not€there€would€still€be€any€proof€that€there€was€anything€on€there.ðð€€TheÐ pÀ Ðstate€argued€a€fingerprint€analysis€would€not€be€exculpatory€even€if€defendantððs€prints€were€notÐ \¬ Ðpresent€and€someone€elseððs€were.€€Ð H˜ ÐÌà  àThereafter,€during€his€trial€testimony,€the€ballistics€expert€testified€a€fingerprint€analysisÐ  p Ðwas€not€requested.€€When€defense€counsel€asked€if€a€fingerprint€analysis€could€be€performedÐ  \ Ðafter€the€ballistics€testimony,€the€expert€stated,Ð øH ÐÌà8  àà8` à€€€You€would€have€to€ask€the€latent€examiner.€€Iððm€not€sure€if€itÐ Ð  Ðwould€be€viable€to€do€so€or€not.€€I€would€imagine€they€wouldÐ ¼  Ðhave€to€take€elimination€prints€from€me€and€some€others.€€Ð¨ø` ¶` ¶ ÐÌNeither€defense€counsel€nor€the€state€asked€any€further€questions,€and€the€witness€was€excused.€Ð €Ð ÐNo€further€testimony€was€introduced€relating€to€the€viability€of€securing€a€fingerprint€analysis.€Ð l¼ ÐÌà  àBased€upon€the€record€before€us,€we€are€unable€to€conclude€evidence€has€beenÐ D!” Ðdestroyed,€and€are€unable€to€necessarily€conclude€it€was€impossible€to€obtain€a€fingerprintÐ 0"€  Ðanalysis.€€Although€this€may€be€the€case,€defendant€has€not€cited€us€to€any€portion€of€the€recordÐ #l! Ðwhich€clearly€establishes€this€impossibility.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Crim.€App.€R.€10(b);€òòState€v.€Schalleróó,Ð $X" Ð975€S.W.2d€313,€318€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1997)€(noting€failure€to€make€appropriate€referencesÐ ô$D # Ðto€the€record€ordinarily€waives€the€issue).€€Ð à%0!$ ÐÌà  àNevertheless,€we€note€the€state€did€not€raise€this€point€at€trial€or€on€this€appeal.€€WeÐ ¸'#& Ðelect€to€address€the€issue€on€its€merits.€€Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌò òÌÐ h+¸&* ÐC.€€Analysis€of€òòFergusonóó€Factorsó óÐ ° ÐÌà  àWe€first€address€the€degree€of€negligence€involved.€€òòSeeóó€òòFergusonóó,€2€S.W.3d€at€917.€Ð ˆØ ÐThe€defendant€specifically€requested€the€fingerprint€analysis€by€motion€filed€in€August€1997.€Ð tÄ ÐIt€appears€the€District€Attorneyððs€office€was€negligent€in€not€adequately€communicating€to€theÐ `° Ðofficer€to€request€the€analysis;€however,€there€is€no€evidence€of€bad€faith.€€In€fact,€unsuccessfulÐ L œ Ðefforts€were€made€at€the€crime€scene€to€secure€fingerprints€in€the€kitchen.€€We€conclude€theÐ 8 ˆ Ðstate€was€guilty€of€simple€negligence,€as€opposed€to€gross€negligence.€€òòSee€idóó.€at€918€(findingÐ $ t Ðsimple€as€opposed€to€gross€negligence).€€Ð  ` ÐÌà  àNext,€we€apply€òòFergusonóó€factor€two,€requiring€a€determination€of€the€degree€ofÐ è 8  Ðsignificance€of€the€destroyed€evidence.€€òòSee€idóó.€at€917.€€The€defendant€contends€the€spent€shellÐ Ô$  Ðcasings€might€have€Robert€Leonardððs€fingerprints€on€them,€which€would€be€consistent€withÐ À  Ðdefendantððs€testimony.€€Even€if€the€defendant€is€correct€in€his€assumption,€the€presence€ofÐ ¬ü  ÐRobert€Leonardððs€fingerprints€on€the€bullet€casings€would€not€be€determinative.€€It€isÐ ˜è  Ðundisputed€the€weapon€belonged€to€Leonardððs€father,€with€whom€Robert€resided.€€It€was€theÐ „Ô  Ðstateððs€theory€that€the€defendant€got€the€pistol€from€the€recliner€at€the€Leonard€residence.€€TheÐ pÀ Ðstate€did€not€endeavor€to€prove€the€defendant€loaded€the€pistol.€€There€was€also€testimony€thatÐ \¬ ÐLeonardððs€father€allowed€family€members€and€guests€to€use€his€weapons.€€The€presence€ofÐ H˜ ÐRobert€Leonardððs€fingerprints€would€be€probative€as€to€the€person€who€at€some€time€loadedÐ 4„ Ðthe€pistol,€but€not€necessarily€probative€as€to€the€person€who€shot€the€victim.€€In€short,€theÐ  p Ðpresence€of€Leonardððs€prints€on€the€casings€would€not€exonerate€the€defendant.€Ð  \ ÐÌà  àFinally,€we€apply€òòFergusonóó€factor€three,€requiring€a€determination€of€the€sufficiency€ofÐ ä4 Ðthe€remaining€evidence.€€òòSee€idóó.€€The€evidence€of€the€defendantððs€guilt€was€indeed€strong.€Ð Ð  ÐRobert€and€Timothy€Leonard€testified€they€witnessed€the€defendant€shoot€the€victim;€EricÐ ¼  ÐDishman€testified€he€heard€the€shots,€and€the€defendant€threatened€to€kill€him€if€he€told€anyoneÐ ¨ø Ðhe€shot€the€victim;€Bryce€Dallas€testified€the€defendant€threatened€him€on€January€10,€1997,Ð ”ä Ðstating€he€had€recently€killed€someone€and€would€do€it€again;€and€inmate€Michael€GregoryÐ €Ð Ðtestified€the€defendant€confessed€to€the€shooting.€€This€factor€does€not€favor€dismissal.Ð l¼ ÐÌà  àWe€conclude€there€was€no€showing€of€fundamental€unfairness,€and€dismissal€of€theÐ D!” Ðcase€was€not€warranted.€€This€issue€is€without€merit.Ð 0"€  ÐÌÌà@   àò òIV.€€CONTINUANCE€/€MISTRIALˆÐ ô$D # ÐÌà  àó ó€The€defendant€contends€the€trial€court€erroneously€failed€to€grant€a€continuance€orÐ Ì&"% Ðdeclare€a€mistrial€when€a€witness€became€ill,€hospitalized,€and€unavailable€to€testify.€€Ð ¸'#& ÐÌà  àAlice€Pearl€Goolsby,€Nina€Turnerððs€mother€and€a€subpoenaed€defense€witness,€becameÐ )à$( Ðill€in€court€during€the€stateððs€case„in„chief.€€She€was€then€taken€to€the€hospital€and€wasÐ |*Ì%) Ðunavailable€to€testify€for€the€remainder€of€the€proceedings.€€The€defendant€argued€herÐ h+¸&* Ðtestimony€would€have€shown€inconsistencies€in€Turnerððs€testimony€regarding€TurnerððsÐ ° Ðrelationship€with€the€victim.€€The€defendant€also€argued€Goolsbyððs€testimony€would€showÐ œì ÐTurner€had€a€motive€to€kill€the€victim,€or€have€him€killed,€because€she€did€not€have€a€goodÐ ˆØ Ðrelationship€with€the€victim.€€The€trial€court€concluded€the€testimony€was€not€material€to€theÐ tÄ Ðcase.Ð `° ÐÌà  àFirst,€we€note€this€issue€is€waived€because€the€defendant€failed€to€file€a€timely€motionÐ 8 ˆ Ðfor€new€trial.€€òòÔ‡XI™XXXI™ÔSeeóó€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€4(a);€òòGivhanóó,€616€S.W.2d€at€613.€€However,€we€choose€toÐ $ t Ðreview€this€issue€to€determine€if€plain€error€has€affected€a€substantial€right€of€the€defendant.€Ô#†XI™XXXI™ìˆ#ÔÐ  ` ÐÔ‡XI™XXXI™ÔTenn.€R.€Crim.€P.€52(b);€òòJohnsonóó,€980€S.W.2d€at€418.€€€€Ô#†XI™XXXI™Š#ÔÐ ü L  ÐÌà  àThe€granting€or€denial€of€a€continuance€is€a€matter€left€to€the€discretion€of€the€trialÐ Ô$  Ðjudge,€whose€decision€will€not€be€disturbed€absent€a€clear€showing€of€gross€abuse€of€thisÐ À  Ðdiscretion€to€the€prejudice€of€the€defendant.€€òòState€v.€Hurleyóó,€876€S.W.2d€57,€65€(Tenn.€1993).€Ð ¬ü  ÐLikewise,€a€reviewing€court€will€not€overturn€a€denial€of€a€mistrial€absent€an€abuse€ofÐ ˜è  Ðdiscretion.€€òòState€v.€Brownóó,€53€S.W.3d€264,€284€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€2000).€€Ð „Ô  ÐÌà  àWe€find€no€abuse€of€discretion€here€and€no€plain€error.€€Other€witnesses€testified€aboutÐ \¬ ÐTurnerððs€ð ðlove/hateðð€relationship€with€the€victim.€€We€have€further€reviewed€Goolsbyððs€pre„Ð H˜ Ðtrial€statement€upon€which€defendant€relies€and€find€nothing€significant€that€would€haveÐ 4„ Ðaffected€the€outcome€of€the€trial.€€This€issue€lacks€merit.€€Ð  p ÐÌÌà@ee# àò òCONCLUSIONó óˆÐ ä4 ÐÌà  àBased€on€the€foregoing,€we€affirm€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court.Ð ¼  ЀÌÌÌà0  àà0` f!f!àà0¸ ` f!` f!àà0¸ f!¸ f!àà0hf!f!àà0Àhf!hf!àà  à¼___________________________________€ÐX ¨Àf!Àf! Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àJOE€G.€RILEY,€JUDGE