ÿWPCÏ 9‹ƒZò‘>Ž^GÇ>úæ¤%O(¢ßÊw !È¢âm€îê)Âëràá p“7‘¨²éhà¥\ lùëúÓǨâ¯ÉØd5%®ˆàØÙ‰îí»IP†uR–°R¨·µ[áDB‹M®¿˜-×ÝXÃò*E—[ó~4§GŸÖ|S¼wß PÕ­ŒÇ’Sdy!u\[¦Ûæ?g»:ãeÓÀîRœlbü™‘ÑNˆNÄg%MßS>®? ÛҞα(\ä³ÿ]Ë×À=²/²©Bå´ñHIçð½|ì !¤ ÓrL¯ðh€™*{]’cÂÀLFgÁztúš]?cî\œ„G/înʨl†¶¸Èë^:öUzÑï±B.ßBz]‘úL.|Çqç×±]Ù>RÿoæŠÈû“<ïJè/=⺶ʡ.ÙKYÈ’óöóýØ#ò“ÄÑ*ÏÍ-«&ˆr¡  `?p‡–º žñÃóJ¶¨õcÛêàåÊ c•lÚ7ãºPõ[ß^¹¢x /w12n=N›Æ ¶ÛI”y*czÜ\‡hâzÝtêÑN:Îuƒq ¶H+±+§¥c@¾K}®Ê#³GÌÓy]¼*¿&ßÐm¨b#É\ %% ^ + 0ˆ7 UN¿ w 4 z% ÒŸ q € m‚ UN™ Æç Æ­ ÆsÆ9ÕÿNÔ 0DÖÖE¨bÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ 0ëÌÌÌÌ B·· 0¤Ô D3x D-« 0KØØ AS#Æv 0¤< 0Dà A«$˜\\IB01S08\KNOXCLERK3ÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0»T›R1Þ (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regularóbï.ê:i¢×+00 ˜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.wpt3|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 ËÝ ƒRE$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôáÝò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔConsistent€with€the€practice€of€this€court,€we€refer€to€this€defendant€by€the€name€used€in€the€indictment.€€WeÐ ° Ðnote,€however,€that€the€defendantððs€medical€bills€and€certain€pleadings€filed€by€her€defense€counsel€refer€to€her€asÐ tÄý Ðð ðAnnette€Merica,ðð€rather€than€ð ðAnet€America.ðð€(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó  ANETCockeTalleyDandridgeKestnerSchmutzerSheltonsPruittshad hadHensley S]heLovelltatersmutter[edWhittenM[r]sPappasBolinkn[e]wMariahPruittShelton- ù-(|G2E$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€C»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôáÝò»»Ô d(|3‡„$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€C»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3‡„$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€C»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€C»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÑ  ÑÔ€¼C»»»ÔÑ8€yXXdì»»d8Ñà@ttìàÔ‡îSÔCÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€CRIMINAL€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@WW$ìàAT€KNOXVILLEÔ#†¼C»îîSÔ #ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  Óà @ àà @` àAugust€18,€2004€SessionÐ üL ÐÔ‡XyX»¼CÔÌò òÔ#†¼C»XXy#ÔSTATE€OF€TENNESSEEòòóó€v.€RANDY€PRUITT€and€ANET€AMERICAÔ‡XyX»¼CÔó óÐ úJ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òDirect€Appeal€from€the€Criminal€Court€for€Cocke€CountyÐ ú J Ðà@@øøìàNos.€8929,€9129€€€€€€Rex€Henry€Ogle,€JudgeÐ æ 6 ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<©` AßÐ ªú  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€E2004„00891„CCA„R3„CD€„€Filed€October€18,€Ô_Ô2004Ô_ÔÐ ¥õ  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<|` AßÐ }Í  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓThe€defendants,€who€are€brother€and€sister,€were€each€convicted€by€a€Cocke€County€jury€of€assault,Ð xÈ  Ða€Class€A€misdemeanor,€and€sentenced€by€the€trial€court€to€serve€11€months,€29€days€on€supervisedÐ d´ Ðprobation.€€Both€defendants€challenge€the€sufficiency€of€the€evidence€on€appeal.€€We€conclude€thatÐ P  Ðsufficient€evidence€was€presented€from€which€a€rational€trier€of€fact€could€reasonably€find€bothÐ <Œ Ðdefendants€guilty€of€assault.€€Accordingly,€we€affirm€the€judgments€of€the€trial€court.€Ô#†¼C»XXy”#ÔÔ‡XyX»¼CÔÐ (x ÐÓ¼ÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgments€of€the€Criminal€Court€Affirmedó óÐ P ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼C»àXy#ÔÔ‡XyX.¼CÔAlan€E.€Glenn,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòDavid€G.€Hayesóó€and€òòJamesÐ Ø( ÐÔ_ÔCurwoodÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔWittÔ_Ô,€Jr.,€JJ.óó,€joined.Ð Ä ÐÌP.€Richard€Talley,€Dandridge,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellants,€Randy€Pruitt€and€Anet€America.Ð œì ÐÌPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€and€Reporter;€Seth€P.€Kestner,€Assistant€Attorney€General;€AlÐ tÄ ÐC.€Schmutzer,€Jr.,€District€Attorney€General;€and€James€B.€Dunn,€Assistant€District€AttorneyÐ `° ÐGeneral,€for€the€appellee,€State€of€Tennessee.Ô#†¼C»XXyþ#ÔÔ‡XyX»¼CԀРL œ ÐÓÏÓÌà@@OO&ìàò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼C»XXyµ #ÔÔ‡XyX»¼CÔÐ $"t! ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼C»XXy= #ÔÔ€XyX»¼CÔò òòòÓ  ÓÓ  ÓFACTSÐ ü#L# ÐÓÌ ÓÌó óóóà  àThis€case€arose€out€of€a€fight€between€next„door€neighbors.€€The€husband€and€wife€victims,Ð Ô%$!% ÐJohnny€and€Joanne€Shelton,€and€the€defendantsðð€parents,€Wade€and€Edith€Pruitt,€were€involved€overÐ À&"& Ðthe€years€in€a€series€of€boundary€line€disputes€that€led€to€increasingly€hostile€relations€between€their€Ð ¬'ü"' Ðfamilies.€€On€the€afternoon€of€July€28,€2002,€a€physical€altercation€began€between€Joanne€SheltonÐ ˜(è#( Ðand€Anet€America׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€and€quickly€escalated€into€a€general€brawl€in€which€several€members€of€theÐ „)Ô$)ý ÐÔ_ÔShelton€and€Pruitt€families,€as€well€as€one€or€two€other€neighbors,€took€part.€€The€Sheltons€sworeÐ ° Ðout€warrants€against€the€Pruitts,€and€Wade€and€Edith€Pruitt,€Randy€Pruitt,€and€Anet€America€wereÐ œì Ðsubsequently€charged,€variously,€with€assaulting€Mr.€and€Mrs.€Shelton€and€their€daughter,€KimberlyÐ ˆØ ÐShelton.€€Following€a€joint€trial,€the€jury€acquitted€the€elder€Pruitts€of€all€charges;€acquitted€RandyÐ tÄ ÐPruitt€of€the€assault€of€Joanne€Shelton;€convicted€Randy€Pruitt€of€the€assault€of€Johnny€Shelton;Ð `° Ðacquitted€Anet€America€of€the€assault€of€Kimberly€Shelton;€and€convicted€Anet€America€of€theÐ L œ Ðassault€of€Joanne€Shelton.€Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àAt€the€defendantsðð€trial,€Johnny€Shelton€testified€he€had€lived€at€145€Brookfield€Drive€forÐ  ` Ðapproximately€thirty„five€years.€€He€said€he€and€his€next„door€neighbor,€Wade€Pruitt,€had€had€ð ðsomeÐ ü L  Ðwordsðð€years€ago€over€Mr.€Pruittððs€encroachment€on€his€property€with€a€sewer€line€and€a€fence,€andÐ è 8  Ðhad€engaged€in€a€series€of€boundary€line€disputes€since€that€time.€€Mr.€Shelton€said€the€Pruitts€erectedÐ Ô$  Ða€fence€as€tall€as€his€house,€ð ðstarted€beating€and€banging€up€[his]€car€and€stuff,ðð€and€continuallyÐ À  Ðharassed€his€family€by€ð ðdragging€[them]€in€and€out€of€courtðð€with€false€claims€that€they€hadÐ ¬ü  Ðvandalized€his€fence€and€property.€€As€a€result,€he€installed€a€surveillance€camera€outside€his€homeÐ ˜è  Ðdirected€toward€the€Pruittsðð€property.€Ð „Ô  ÐÌà  àMr.€Shelton€testified€he€was€in€his€backyard€on€the€afternoon€of€July€28,€2002,€cleaning€hisÐ \¬ Ðswimming€pool€liner€that€had€been€stained€by€some€beans€the€Pruitts€had€thrown€over€the€fence,Ð H˜ Ðwhen€he€heard€his€wife€scream.€€In€response,€he€ran€to€the€front€yard,€where€he€saw€his€wife€and€AnetÐ 4„ ÐAmerica€ð ðlocked€up€togetherðð€on€the€ground,€with€Ms.€America€holding€his€wife€by€her€hair.€€As€heÐ  p Ðwas€attempting€to€separate€the€women,€Wade€and€Randy€Pruitt€ran€up€and€began€kicking,€stomping,Ð  \ Ðand€beating€his€wife€while€she€was€still€on€the€ground.€€Mr.€Shelton€testified€he€was€hit€three€timesÐ øH Ðas€well,€at€least€once€each€by€Wade€and€Randy€Pruitt.€€He€said€his€wife€was€beaten€unconscious€andÐ ä4 Ðtransported€by€ambulance€to€the€hospital,€and€he€received€bruises€to€both€sides€of€the€face€and€twoÐ Ð  Ðblack€eyes,€and€went€directly€to€the€emergency€room€after€taking€out€a€warrant€against€the€Pruitts.€Ð ¼  ÐÌà  àMr.€Shelton€testified€his€daughter,€Kimberly,€who€was€in€the€pool€when€the€fight€broke€out,Ð ”ä Ðcame€to€the€front€in€response€to€Mrs.€Sheltonððs€screams,€and€his€daughterððs€friend,€Tina€Hensley,€wasÐ €Ð Ðpresent€as€well.€€He€identified€the€videotape€recorded€by€his€homeððs€surveillance€camera€at€the€timeÐ l¼ Ðof€the€fight,€subsequently€admitted€as€an€exhibit,€which€contains€a€view€of€the€fence€between€theÐ X ¨ Ðproperties,€part€of€the€street€in€front€of€the€Sheltonsðð€house,€and€a€portion€of€the€Sheltonsðð€drivewayÐ D!” Ðand€front€yard,€but€does€not€show€the€actual€fight.€€After€the€videotape€was€played€before€the€jury,Ð 0"€  ÐMr.€Shelton€testified€the€object€he€threw€over€the€fence€in€one€of€the€last€frames€was€one€of€theÐ #l! Ðpotatoes€that€the€Pruitts€had€earlier€thrown€into€his€yard.€Ð $X" ÐÌà  àOn€cross„examination,€Mr.€Shelton€testified€his€neighbors€across€the€street€had€a€surveillanceÐ à%0!$ Ðcamera€mounted€on€their€house,€but€he€did€not€think€the€camera€had€been€turned€on€at€the€time€andÐ Ì&"% Ðknew€nothing€of€his€daughterððs€having€had€possession€of€the€videotape.€€He€acknowledged€theÐ ¸'#& Ðvideotape€admitted€into€evidence€showed€that€he€armed€himself€with€a€stick€before€returning€to€theÐ ¤(ô#' Ðfight.€€However,€he€denied€that€his€wifeððs€voice€could€be€heard€after€the€conclusion€of€the€fight,Ð ° Ðtestifying€that€it€was€instead€the€voice€of€the€ð ðlittle€deaf€girlðð€from€across€the€street.Ð œì ÐÌà  àKimberly€Shelton€testified€Ms.€America€was€on€top€of€her€mother€in€their€yard€when€sheÐ tÄ Ðcame€around€the€house.€€She€said€she€was€attempting€to€pick€her€mother€up€when€Mrs.€Pruitt€cameÐ `° Ðup€behind€her,€grabbed€her€around€the€waist,€and€started€pulling.€€According€to€her€testimony,€Ms.Ð L œ ÐAmerica€and€Wade€Pruitt€continued€their€assault€on€her€mother€during€that€time,€with€Ms.€AmericaÐ 8 ˆ Ðð ðwildly€hittingðð€and€Mr.€Pruitt€kicking€and€stomping€her€mother.€€Ms.€Shelton€testified€she€receivedÐ $ t Ða€blow€on€the€face€from€Ms.€America€and€a€kick€on€the€hip€from€Wade€Pruitt€in€the€process,€but€herÐ  ` Ðinjuries€were€mild€compared€to€the€ones€her€parents€received€and€she€did€not€seek€medical€attention.€Ð ü L  ÐOn€cross„examination,€she€testified€she€had€no€idea€if€her€neighbors€had€a€surveillance€tape€thatÐ è 8  Ðshowed€the€actual€fight.€Ð Ô$  ÐÌà  àJoanne€Shelton€testified€the€altercation€began€when€Ms.€America€began€ð ðmouthingððÐ ¬ü  Ðobscenities€about€the€Sheltonsðð€deceased€daughter,€and€she€called€in€response,€ð ðYou€come€on€downÐ ˜è  Ðhere,€young€lady.€.€.€.€.€Come€on€down,€or€are€you€going€to€be€like€your€damned€old€daddy€and€run.ðð€Ð „Ô  ÐShe€testified€that€Ms.€America,€her€fist€fortified€with€steel€knuckles,€responded€to€the€challenge:Ð pÀ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à[Ms.€America]€come€across€the€ditch€line€in€on€me.€€And€she€hit€me.€Ð H˜ ÐAnd€at€first€I€thought€it€was€a€bracelet,€like€I€had€on.€€And€she€hauledÐ 4„ Ðoff€and€hit€me,€and€it€wasnððt€a€bracelet,€it€was€a€pair€of€steel€knucksÐ  p Ð[sic].Ð \` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àAnd€when€she€hit€me,€I€done€like€this,€I€„€„€with€my€fist.€€IÐ ä4 Ðsaid,€ð ðThis€is€for€Sheila€Shelton€Lovell.ðð€And€I€did€„€„€everyone,€IððllÐ Ð  Ðtell€you,€I€did,€I€hit€her.€€I€hit€her.€€I€was€mad.€€They€had€no€right.€€IÐ ¼  Ðmean,€just€keep€your€mouth€shut€on€my€daughter.€€Thatððs€the€onlyÐ ¨ø Ðway€they€could€ever€get€me€to€correspond€to€even€acknowledge€them.€Ð”ä` x` x ÐÌMrs.€Shelton€testified€that€Randy€Pruitt€hit€her€and€Wade€Pruitt€kicked€her€repeatedly€as€she€lay€onÐ l¼ Ðthe€ground,€and€identified€the€medical€bills€she€incurred€as€a€result€of€her€injuries.€€Ð X ¨ ÐÌà  àOn€cross„examination,€Mrs.€Shelton€denied€she€had€ever€vandalized€the€Pruittsðð€property.€Ð 0"€  ÐShe€further€denied€she€had€ever€had€problems€with€any€other€neighbors€or€with€the€electric€meterÐ #l! Ðreaders.€€She€admitted,€however,€that€her€meter€was€now€located€in€someone€elseððs€yard.€€SheÐ $X" Ðacknowledged€the€obscene€words€she€attributed€to€Ms.€America€are€not€audible€on€the€videotape,Ð ô$D # Ðwhile€she€can€be€heard€yelling€obscenities€at€Ms.€America€and€asking€if€she€has€any€ð ðtaters€andÐ à%0!$ Ðbeans,ðð€immediately€after€Ms.€America€is€heard€calling€for€her€daughter,€who€had€ridden€her€bicycleÐ Ì&"% Ðdown€the€street.€€Mrs.€Shelton€explained€that€Ms.€America€ð ðmutter[ed]ðð€the€obscenities€about€herÐ ¸'#& Ðdeceased€daughter€and€that€the€ð ðtaters€and€beansðð€question€was€a€reference€to€the€mixed€produce€theÐ ¤(ô#' ÐPruitts€had€earlier€thrown€over€the€fence€into€her€yard.Ð )à$( Ðâ âÐ |*Ì%) Ðà  àTina€Hensley,€who€said€she€was€not€involved€in€the€fight€and€was€the€one€who€called€theÐ ° Ðâ âpolice,€testified€she€and€Mrs.€Shelton€were€talking€in€the€Sheltonsðð€driveway€when€she€noticed€Ms.Ð œì ÐAmerica€standing€ð ðin€a€ditch€line.ðð€€She€said€ð ðthere€.€.€.€were€words€exchanged,ðð€and€ð ðthe€next€thingÐ ˆØ Ð[she]€kn[e]wðð€Ms.€America€walked€over€to€Mrs.€Shelton€and€the€two€began€to€fight.€€Although€theÐ tÄ Ðwomen€began€the€fight€in€the€Sheltonsðð€yard,€they€soon€rolled€out€into€the€street,€where€a€number€ofÐ `° Ðother€people€quickly€joined€in.€€Ms.€Hensley€described€the€chaotic€scene:€Ð L œ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àò òA.à ¸ àó óOkay.€€And€then€I€was€trying€to€separate€Joanne€and€Anet,€andÐ $ t ÐI€was€„€„€Joanne€was€trying€to€stand€up.€€And€the€next€thing€I€know€„€„Ð  d Ðand€I€didnððt€even€know€anybody€was€there€at€the€time€except€for€theÐ  P  Ðthree€of€us.€€Randy€ran€and€tackled€Joanne€as€she€was€trying€to€standÐ ì <  Ðup.€€And€.€.€.€ÐØ( ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àò òQ.à ¸ àó óð ðRandyðð€being€the€Defendant,€Randy€Pruitt?а ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àò òA.à ¸ àó óYes.ÐŒÜ ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àò òQ.à ¸ àó óOkay.Ðh¸` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àò òA.à ¸ àó óAnd€he€tackled€Joanne,€and€she€was€laying€on€the€groundÐ D” Ðagain,€and€he€rolled€off€of€her.€€And€then€thatððs€when€I€turned€aroundÐ 4„ Ðand€saw€everybody.€€I€mean,€there€was€like€numerous€people€out€inÐ  p Ðthe€street€hitting€and€screaming,€and€everybody€was€in€everybodyððsÐ  \ Ðface.ÐøH` x` x ÐÌà  àBill€Campbell,€the€Sheltonsðð€neighbor€from€across€the€road,€testified€the€fight€began€whenÐ Ð  ÐMrs.€Shelton,€who€was€sweeping€potatoes€out€of€her€driveway,€yelled€at€Ms.€America€that€she€hadÐ ¼  Ðbetter€stop€her€children€from€throwing€potatoes€in€her€yard.€€He€said€that€Ms.€America€responded€byÐ ¨ø Ðjumping€on€Mrs.€Shelton€in€her€driveway€and€slapping€her.€€In€rapid€succession,€Ms.€AmericaððsÐ ”ä Ðbrother,€father,€and€mother€ran€to€join€the€fight:€€€Ð €Ð ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àAnd€here€come€Wadeððs€boy.€€He€come€down€the€road€running,€like,Ð X!¨ Ðout€there,€and€knocked€Joanne€out€in€the€road,€beating€her€with€hisÐ D"”  Ðfist.€€And€here€come€Wade€kicking€at€her.€€And€here€comes€mom.€Ð 0#€! ÐThey€all€on€that€one€woman€out€there,€that€one€woman,€beating€herÐ $l" Ðup.€€And€I€ainððt€„€„€Iððve€been€hit€by€him.Ð%X #` x` x ÐÌMr.€Campbell€testified€Wade€Pruitt€ð ðstruck€[him]€a€lick€with€a€pair€of€knucksðð€when€he€went€acrossÐ à&0"% Ðthe€street€to€find€out€what€was€going€on.€€Although€he€described€previous€confrontations€he€had€hadÐ Ì'#& Ðwith€both€Wade€and€Randy€Pruitt€and€testified€he€had€a€surveillance€camera€directed€at€the€PruittsððÐ ¸($' Ðhouse€in€an€effort€to€catch€the€individuals€who€had€been€vandalizing€his€property,€he€denied€he€wentÐ ¤)ô$( Ðacross€the€street€to€join€the€fight€or€that€he€cut€Wade€Pruitt€with€his€pocketknife€during€the€melee.€Ð *à%) ÐÐ |+Ì&* Ðà  àOfficer€Tony€Whitten€of€the€Cocke€County€Sheriffððs€Department€testified€there€wereÐ ° Ðapproximately€thirty€people€in€the€yard€when€he€responded€to€the€Sheltonsðð€residence.€€He€said€heÐ œì Ðspoke€to€Mr.€Shelton€in€an€effort€to€determine€what€had€happened,€and€observed€that€he€had€a€knotÐ ˆØ Ðon€his€right€eye€and€red€marks€on€the€left€side€of€his€face.€€However,€he€did€not€charge€anyone€at€theÐ tÄ Ðscene.€€Officer€Josh€Holt€of€the€Dandridge€Police€Department€testified€the€fight€was€over€and€Mrs.Ð `° ÐShelton,€who€appeared€to€have€been€beaten,€was€lying€in€the€yard€when€he€arrived.€€He€said€thereÐ L œ Ðwere€potatoes€in€the€yard€and€driveway€and€what€appeared€to€be€beans€in€the€swimming€pool.€Ð 8 ˆ ÐAlthough€he€did€not€charge€anyone€at€the€scene,€he€advised€those€present€of€their€rights€and€theÐ $ t Ðprocedure€for€obtaining€a€warrant€from€a€magistrate.€Ð  ` ÐÌà  àAnet€America€testified€her€family€had€experienced€ongoing€problems€with€the€Sheltons€overÐ è 8  Ðthe€years.€€Among€her€claims€was€that€the€Sheltons€had€shot€their€elderly€family€dog,€fired€gunshotsÐ Ô$  Ðthrough€her€bedroom€wall€and€her€truck,€repeatedly€cut€down€the€line€her€family€had€strung€betweenÐ À  Ðthe€surveyorððs€stakes€while€they€were€in€the€process€of€building€their€boundary€line€fence,€thrownÐ ¬ü  Ðfood€items€and€trash€over€the€fence€into€their€yard,€vandalized€her€fatherððs€truck,€and€hung€a€chickenÐ ˜è  Ðleg€over€the€fence.€€In€addition,€she€said€that€Mrs.€Shelton€had€spray€painted€their€yard€and€spat€atÐ „Ô  Ðher€and€called€her€names€when€she€tried€to€mow€her€parentsðð€lawn.€Ð pÀ ÐÌà  àMs.€America€testified€the€July€28,€2002,€fight€began€after€she€went€outside€to€call€her€eleven„Ð H˜ Ðyear„old€daughter,€Mariah,€and€Mariahððs€cousin,€Riley,€home€to€lunch,€and€Mrs.€Shelton€beganÐ 4„ Ðcursing€her.€€She€said€she€did€not€reply,€but€instead€stepped€out€into€the€roadway€in€order€to€see€theÐ  p Ðchildren,€who€had€ridden€their€bicycles€past€the€Sheltonsðð€home.€€When€she€did€so,€she€saw€Mariah,Ð  \ Ðwho€was€crying,€shake€her€head€to€indicate€she€was€not€going€to€return€home€past€the€SheltonsððÐ øH Ðhouse.€€Ms.€America€testified€she€was€walking€down€the€street€past€the€Sheltonsðð€house,€with€the€soleÐ ä4 Ðintention€of€bringing€the€children€safely€home,€when€Mrs.€Shelton€suddenly€punched€her€in€theÐ Ð  Ðmouth.€€She€insisted€she€was€never€in€the€Sheltonsðð€yard,€said€nothing€to€Mrs.€Shelton,€and€wasÐ ¼  Ðminding€her€own€business€when€attacked.€Ð ¨ø ЀÌà  àIn€Ms.€Americaððs€account,€it€was€she,€rather€than€Mrs.€Shelton,€who€ended€up€on€the€groundÐ €Ð Ðunder€attack€by€multiple€individuals:€Ð l¼ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àI€knew€M[r]s.€Shelton€had€put€her€fist€in€my€mouth.€€But€then,Ð D!” Ðafter€that,€I€was€on€the€ground€not€long€after€that.€€The€deaf€girl€thatÐ 0"€  ÐMr.€Shelton€was€talking€about€was€to€my€right,€at€my€hands,€pullingÐ #l! Ðmy€hands€and€hitting€me€under€the€arm.€€And€I€know€this€for€the€fact:Ð $X" ÐShe€had€a€pair€of€pink€shorts€on€with€a€pink€pair€of€panties€on.€€AndÐ ô$D # ÐI€pulled€them€off€of€her.€€I€just€retch€up€(sic)€and€I€just€pulled€them€offÐ à%0!$ Ðof€her,€just€try€to€get€her€away€from€me.€ÐÌ&"%` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àJohnny€Shelton€was€down€at€my€right€foot,€kicking€and€hittingÐ ¤(ô#' Ðand€pulling€my€leg.€€M[r]s.€Shelton€was€to€the€left€leg€pulling€andÐ )à$( Ðâ âhitting€and€coming€up€and€down,€hitting€me.€€Just€hitting€me.€AndÐ |*Ì%) Ðtheir€daughter€was€to€the€left,€my€left€arm,€doing€the€same,€like€theyÐ ° Ðwere€trying€to€pull€me€to€the€yard.Мì` x` x Ðâ âÌà  àMs.€America€testified€Ms.€Hensley€was€initially€involved€in€the€fight€as€well,€but€later€left.€Ð tÄ ÐShe€said€her€brother,€Randy,€first€came€to€her€assistance,€followed€by€her€father€and€later€her€mother,Ð `° Ðbut€she€was€unaware€of€what€happened€between€them€and€the€Sheltons€because€she€wasÐ L œ Ðconcentrating€on€trying€to€get€to€her€feet.€€After€the€fight€was€over,€she€and€her€family€walked€homeÐ 8 ˆ Ðand€her€sister€took€her€to€the€emergency€room€for€treatment€of€the€injuries€she€had€sustained,€whichÐ $ t Ðincluded€a€bloody€mouth,€scratched€elbows€and€knees,€and€marks€around€her€neck.€€Her€sisterÐ  ` Ðstopped€en€route€to€the€hospital€in€an€effort€to€take€out€warrants€against€the€Sheltons,€but€was€refusedÐ ü L  Ðby€the€magistrate.€Ð è 8  ÐÌà  àMs.€America€acknowledged€on€cross„examination€that€she€did€not€see€who€hung€the€chickenÐ À  Ðleg€on€the€fence,€vandalized€her€fatherððs€truck,€shot€her€dog,€or€fired€gunshots€through€her€truck€andÐ ¬ü  Ðbedroom€and€admitted€she€had€not,€therefore,€taken€out€any€warrants€against€the€Sheltons€based€onÐ ˜è  Ðthose€incidents.€€She€denied€she€spoke€to€Mrs.€Shelton€before€the€fight€and€testified€that€the€variousÐ „Ô  Ðgestures€she€can€be€seen€making€in€the€videotape€occurred€when€she€placed€her€hand€to€her€ear€inÐ pÀ Ðan€attempt€to€get€Mariah€to€talk€to€her,€and€when€she€motioned€for€the€children€to€come€toward€her.Ð \¬ ÐShe€said€she€did€not€see€her€father,€mother,€or€brother€hit€anyone.€Ð H˜ ÐÌà  àRandy€Pruittððs€daughter,€ten„year„old€Riley€Pruitt,€testified€she€and€Mariah€refused€to€returnÐ  p Ðhome€when€Ms.€America€called€them€because€Mrs.€Shelton€had€been€ð ðswinging€a€stickðð€in€herÐ  \ Ðdriveway€as€they€rode€their€bicycles€past€her€house,€and€they€were€afraid€she€would€hit€them€on€theirÐ øH Ðreturn€trip.€€When€Ms.€America€started€down€the€road€after€them,€Mrs.€Shelton€ð ðjumped€out€and€hitÐ ä4 Ð[Ms.€America]€in€the€mouth€with€her€fist.ðð€€After€that,€she€saw€ð ðseven€people€on€[Ms.€America]Ð Ð  Ðbeating€her.ðð€€Riley€testified€that€the€fight€occurred€in€the€road.€€On€cross„examination,€she€statedÐ ¼  Ðthat€she€did€not€know€whether€the€stick€in€Mrs.€Sheltonððs€hands€could€have€been€a€broom.€Ð ¨ø ÐÌà  àRandy€Pruitt€testified€he€was€upstairs€in€his€parentsðð€house€changing€his€clothes€when€heÐ €Ð Ðheard€a€commotion€outside€and€realized€a€fight€was€in€process.€€Without€stopping€to€put€on€his€shoes,Ð l¼ Ðhe€ran€out€to€find€Ms.€America€lying€on€her€back€on€the€street€in€front€of€the€Sheltonsðð€house,€withÐ X ¨ ÐMr.€Shelton€and€the€deaf€girl€holding€her€down€and€Mrs.€Shelton€ð ðraising€up€and€down€with€her€fist,Ð D!” Ða„hitting€her.ðð€€The€witness€testified€the€crowd€scattered€as€he€ran€through€it,€and€Mr.€SheltonÐ 0"€  Ðjumped€on€his€back.€€He€said€he€turned€around,€hit€Mr.€Shelton,€and€then€turned€back€to€see€that€Mrs.Ð #l! ÐShelton€had€his€sister€by€her€hair.€€Next,€his€father€came€up€and€both€he€and€the€Sheltonsðð€daughter,Ð $X" ÐKimberly,€began€telling€Mrs.€Shelton€to€turn€Ms.€America€loose.€€ð ðExcept€for€some€fussing,ðð€theÐ ô$D # Ðaltercation€essentially€ended€at€that€point.€€On€cross„examination,€the€witness€acknowledged€he€hadÐ à%0!$ Ða€prior€arrest€for€assault.€Ð Ì&"% ÐÌà  àEdith€Pruitt€denied€she€hit€Kimberly€Shelton€or€anyone€else€and€testified€the€fight€was€overÐ ¤(ô#' Ðby€the€time€she€reached€the€scene.Ð )à$( ÐÌÐ  h+¸&* Ðà@òò&ìàò òòòANALYSISˆÐ ° ÐÌóóó óà  àThe€sole€issue€the€defendants€raise€on€appeal€is€whether€the€evidence€was€sufficient€to€sustainÐ ˆØ Ðtheir€convictions€for€assault.€€When€the€sufficiency€of€the€convicting€evidence€is€challenged€onÐ tÄ Ðappeal,€the€relevant€question€of€the€reviewing€court€is€ð ðwhether,€after€viewing€the€evidence€in€theÐ `° Ðlight€most€favorable€to€the€prosecution,€òòanyóó€rational€trier€of€fact€could€have€found€the€essentialÐ L œ Ðelements€of€the€crime€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt.ðð€€òòJackson€v.€Virginiaóó,€443€U.S.€307,€319,€99€S.Ð 8 ˆ ÐCt.€2781,€2789,€61€L.€Ed.€2d€560,€573€(1979);€òòsee€alsoóó€òòState€v.€Evansóó,€838€S.W.2d€185,€190„92Ð $ t Ð(Tenn.€1992);€òòState€v.€Andersonóó,€835€S.W.2d€600,€604€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1992)òòóó;€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.Ð  ` Ð13(e)€(ð ðFindings€of€guilt€in€criminal€actions€whether€by€the€trial€court€or€jury€shall€be€set€aside€if€theÐ ü L  Ðevidence€is€insufficient€to€support€the€findings€by€the€trier€of€fact€of€guilt€beyond€a€reasonableÐ è 8  Ðdoubt.ðð).€€All€questions€involving€the€credibility€of€witnesses,€the€weight€and€value€to€be€given€theÐ Ô$  Ðevidence,€and€all€factual€issues€are€resolved€by€the€trier€of€fact.€€òòSeeóó€òòState€v.€Pappasóó,€754€S.W.2dÐ À  Ð620,€623€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1987)òòóó.€€ð ðA€guilty€verdict€by€the€jury,€approved€by€the€trial€judge,Ð ¬ü  Ðaccredits€the€testimony€of€the€witnesses€for€the€State€and€resolves€all€conflicts€in€favor€of€the€theoryÐ ˜è  Ðof€the€State.ðð€€òòState€v.€Graceóó,€493€S.W.2d€474,€476€(Tenn.€1973).€€Our€supreme€court€stated€theÐ „Ô  Ðrationale€for€this€rule:Ð pÀ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThis€well„settled€rule€rests€on€a€sound€foundation.€€The€trialÐ H˜ Ðjudge€and€the€jury€see€the€witnesses€face€to€face,€hear€their€testimonyÐ 4„ Ðand€observe€their€demeanor€on€the€stand.€€Thus€the€trial€judge€andÐ  p Ðjury€are€the€primary€instrumentality€of€justice€to€determine€the€weightÐ  \ Ðand€credibility€to€be€given€to€the€testimony€of€witnesses.€€In€the€trialÐ øH Ðforum€alone€is€there€human€atmosphere€and€the€totality€of€theÐ ä4 Ðevidence€cannot€be€reproduced€with€a€written€record€in€this€Court.ÐÐ ` x` x ÐòòÌBolin€v.€Stateóó,€219€Tenn.€4,€11,€405€S.W.2d€768,€771€(1966)€(citing€òòCarroll€v.€Stateóó,€212€Tenn.€464,Ð ¨ø Ð370€S.W.2d€523€(1963)).€€A€jury€conviction€removes€the€presumption€of€innocence€with€which€aÐ ”ä Ðdefendant€is€initially€cloaked€and€replaces€it€with€one€of€guilt,€so€that€on€appeal,€a€convictedÐ €Ð Ðdefendant€has€the€burden€of€demonstrating€that€the€evidence€is€insufficient.€€òòSeeóó€òòState€v.€Tuggleóó,€639Ð l¼ ÐS.W.2d€913,€914€(Tenn.€1982).Ô‡ XyXXXyÔÐ X ¨ ÐÌà  àÔ#†XyXX XyÛg#ÔBoth€defendants€contend€the€proof€at€trial€shows€that€Mrs.€Shelton€was€the€aggressor€and€thatÐ 0"€  ÐMs.€America€acted€in€self„defense€and€Randy€Pruitt€in€defense€of€Ms.€America.€€The€State€respondsÐ #l! Ðby€arguing€that€the€jury€was€entitled€to€resolve€the€conflicting€testimony€in€favor€of€the€State€and€thatÐ $X" Ðthe€evidence,€viewed€in€that€light,€was€sufficient€for€it€to€find€both€defendants€guilty€of€assault.€€€WeÐ ô$D # Ðagree€with€the€State.Ð à%0!$ ÐÌÔ‡ XyXXXyÔà  àThis€was€a€classic€case€involving€the€credibility€of€witnesses.€€Before€reaching€its€verdicts,Ð ¸'#& Ðthe€jury€heard€the€conflicting€testimony€about€who€had€done€what€to€whom€in€the€past,€who€initiatedÐ ¤(ô#' Ðthe€fight€on€July€28,€where€the€fight€began,€and€what€occurred€during€the€fight.€€It€also€receivedÐ )à$( Ðinstructions€from€the€trial€court€on€self„defense€and€defense€of€third€persons.€€However,€by€its€guiltyÐ |*Ì%) Ðverdicts,€the€jury€obviously€accredited€the€Stateððs€witnesses€over€the€witnesses€for€the€defense,€orÐ h+¸&* Ðat€least€that€portion€of€their€testimony€concerning€who€initiated€the€physical€altercation€and€whetherÐ ° ÐAnet€America€and€Randy€Pruitt€were€justified€in€their€use€of€force€against€the€victims.€€This€was€itsÐ œì Ðprerogative€as€the€trier€of€fact,€and€we€will€not€disturb€its€findings.€€Proof€was€presented€that€Ms.Ð ˆØ ÐAmerica€initiated€the€fight€by€entering€the€Sheltonsðð€property€and€attacking€Mrs.€Shelton,€causingÐ tÄ Ðbodily€injury€to€her,€and€that€Randy€Pruitt€caused€bodily€injury€to€Mr.€Shelton€by€striking€him€in€theÐ `° Ðface€when€he€ran€to€join€the€fight.€€We,€therefore,€conclude€that€the€evidence€is€sufficient€to€sustainÐ L œ Ðthe€defendantsðð€convictions€for€assault.€€Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà@FF%ìàò òòòCONCLUSIONóóó óˆÐ  ` ÐÌà  àAfter€a€thorough€review€of€the€record€and€the€partiesðð€briefs,€we€conclude€that€the€evidenceÐ è 8  Ðis€sufficient€to€sustain€the€defendantsðð€convictions.€€Accordingly,€we€affirm€the€judgments€of€the€trialÐ Ô$  Ðcourt.€Ô#†XyXX XyNj#ÔÐ À  ÐÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð ˜è  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àALAN€E.€GLENN,€JUDGE