ÿWPC” „½ð åÒm–Ó¾iÍ.ëé-NÜ€ÑÉ¢VEˆ(ƒaº¥³^}@ÉH‘ U8~¹ÅÞzÏ(ô6”‘%¨V¶½Vz´ •<Žn#Œ$ÅÙj´îo1°£E¤£3Oýð!]|Q£uÿùÝgsâ'‚S*‡˜6Øt Í^·ÒÔÔÐ`©Ákˆ44fÎC·‡ óî¸V‹½n3pQé~<¥k‘¤¦%g2¿G+*$Ó‹3ƒ¼ØD ¦ÂSÚ”R•hŠ¥×b1Õ ˆce¨Ó~¹ì6±·eúçqþ•¤ÆÈ‹Q”‰ê²ù£»pxŠ­7[p^M„:Mc@–`êw `~[„ÁëR9¶ŠÝ#òû˜ŒŽP[OÃv”›È(’„±`ÓØ ÐýÛ¬8ëε8ŒV;ÔÇJ“šô¾—• Ì«H»9 ''c‚Ì„@!¿“ñä= ‹žH I/|‡*~¾Ø†iýÇBìz¾aW®øªYú7©Ëðü^׉·ÿ`?ºê¤Ð—‘©¯'ðbã–>@ƒéüÓ…nqš&JÿÜH'ðcd€ð0Ç©Ø\iE¨òî,q„S—,"C3O¢ç/=â*ð§‡ßø@ÈCêVí}u†3ËçŒI8«“ÙÐ1# ®UN¹ % 0( e 5U:?U:ywš³NM 0 ÆO 0D^ YegûoU:j ¤ 4© m½ Ô Øã » U :à ÷ý U:ô4.b÷jU:aU:› BÕU:ò¾,Bê,÷,U:#U:]U:—ÑU:æU:      U:Z˜HP LaserJet 5/5M - StandardHPPCL5G,,,,0nLÐ(ÈhH  Z 6Times New Roman RegularX($¡¡ , øð AZ‹"Arial Regular,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regulare Df Eg h i Dj k l Dm Dn o p q Hr Hs Dt Du Uv Ew •x +y +z { E| } D(v(2b$¤¤Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÒ4°ÒÒ„°ÒÔ€X­~XXXÔÔ€ô‚µôXX­~Ôà Œ àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóóhx7%  ñÝ ƒ  ¼$ÝÓ=€;NX°XdÐd=ÓÒ4°ÒÒ„°ÒÔ€X;NXXXÔÔ€ôTÕôXX;NÔà Œ àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝOral€argument€was€heard€in€this€case€on€May€12,€1998,€in€Memphis,€Shelby€County,Ð  ÐCounty,€Tennessee,€as€part€of€this€Courtððs€S.C.A.L.E.S.€(ò òSó óupreme€ò òCó óourt€ò òAó ódvancing€ò òLó óegalÐ ÐÈ Ðò òEó óducation€for€ò òSó ótudents)€project., øð AZ"Arial Regular ûÝ ƒ b$ÝÒ4°ÒÒ„°ÒÔ€X»BXXXÔÔ€ôt»ôXX»BÔà Œ àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝIn€1995€the€legislature€amended€the€statute€to€omit€the€word€"reckless."€Ð  Ðu%&øð ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ3|x}  ÎÝ ƒ b$ÝÒ4°ÒÒ„°ÒÔ€X»BXXXÔÔ€ôt»ôXX»BÔà Œ àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝThis€holding€does€not€preclude€a€harmless€error€analysis€in€all€cases€involving€verdictÐ  Ðform€errors.€€A€harmless€error€analysis€in€this€case€simply€cannot€be€employed€as,€for€the€reasonsÏset€forth€above,€the€verdict€forms€are€void€and€cannot€operate€to€sentence€the€defendant€to€death., øð AZ"Arial Regular íÝ ƒ b$ÝÒ4°ÒÒ„°ÒÔ€X»BXXXÔÔ€ôt»ôXX»BÔà Œ àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝTennessee€Supreme€Court€Rule€12€provides€in€pertinent€part€as€follows:€ð ðPrior€to€theÐ  Ðsetting€of€oral€argument,€the€Court€shall€review€the€record€and€briefs€and€consider€òòallóó€errorsÐ ÐÈ Ðassigned.€€The€Court€may€enter€an€order€designating€those€issues€it€wishes€addressed€at€oral€Ïargument.ðð, øð AZ‹"Arial Regular *Ý ƒ  ¼$ÝÓ=€;NX°XdÐd=ÓÒ4°ÒÒ„°ÒÔ€X;NXXXÔÔ€ôTÕôXX;NÔà Œ àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝTennessee€Supreme€Court€Rule€12€provides€in€pertinent€part€as€follows:€ð ðPrior€to€theÐ  Ðsetting€of€oral€argument,€the€Court€shall€review€the€record€and€briefs€and€consider€òòallóó€errorsÐ ÐÈ Ðassigned.€€The€Court€may€enter€an€order€designating€those€issues€it€wishes€addressed€at€oral€Ïargument.ðð íÝ ƒ b$ÝÒ4°ÒÒ„°ÒÔ€ X›dXXXÔÔ€ ô´¯ôXX›dÔà Œ àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝTennessee€Supreme€Court€Rule€12€provides€in€pertinent€part€as€follows:€ð ðPrior€to€theÐ  Ðsetting€of€oral€argument,€the€Court€shall€review€the€record€and€briefs€and€consider€òòallóó€errorsÐ ÐÈ Ðassigned.€€The€Court€may€enter€an€order€designating€those€issues€it€wishes€addressed€at€oral€Ïargument.ðð, øð AZ"Arial Regular, øð AZ‹"Arial Regular d, øð AZ‹"Arial Regular ´Ý ƒ b$ÝÒ4°ÒÒ„°ÒÔ€X»BXXXÔÔ€ôt»ôXX»BÔà Œ àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝOral€argument€was€heard€in€this€case€on€May€12,€1998,€in€Memphis,€Shelby€County,Ð  ÐCounty,€Tennessee,€as€part€of€this€Courtððs€S.C.A.L.E.S.€(ò òSó óupreme€ò òCó óourt€ò òAó ódvancing€ò òLó óegalÐ ÐÈ Ðò òEó óducation€for€ò òSó ótudents)€project. 8Ý ƒ  ¼$ÝÓ=€&;NX°XdÐd=ÓÒ4°ÒÒ„°ÒÔ€'X;NXXXÔÔ€'ôTÕôXX;NÔà Œ àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝIn€1995€the€legislature€amended€the€statute€to€omit€the€word€"reckless."€Ð  Ð íÝ ƒ b$ÝÒ4°ÒÒ„°ÒÔ€%X»BXXXÔÔ€%ôt»ôXX»BÔà Œ àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝTennessee€Supreme€Court€Rule€12€provides€in€pertinent€part€as€follows:€ð ðPrior€to€theÐ  Ðsetting€of€oral€argument,€the€Court€shall€review€the€record€and€briefs€and€consider€òòallóó€errorsÐ ÐÈ Ðassigned.€€The€Court€may€enter€an€order€designating€those€issues€it€wishes€addressed€at€oral€Ïargument.ðð, øð AZ‹"Arial Regular, øð AZ"Arial Regular, øð AZ‹"Arial Regular Ý ƒ  ¼$ÝÓ=€);NX°XdÐd=ÓÒ4°ÒÒ„°ÒÔ€*X;NXXXÔÔ€*ôTÕôXX;NÔà Œ àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝThis€holding€does€not€preclude€a€harmless€error€analysis€in€all€cases€involving€verdictÐ  Ðform€errors.€€A€harmless€error€analysis€in€this€case€simply€cannot€be€employed€as,€for€the€reasonsÏset€forth€above,€the€verdict€forms€are€void€and€cannot€operate€to€sentence€the€defendant€to€death., øð AZ"Arial Regular, øð AZ‹"Arial Regular, øð AZ‹"Arial RegularÝ ƒ!ÝÝ  ݚѰÑѰÑÒ4°ÒÒ„°Òñw ñÑTR[´ AØ' Legal3Ø' AØ' Legalÿ3Ø'TÑñw ñÔ  ÔÑ  ÑÔ€0X»BXXXÔÑ7€\¬XXdðdÈ7ÑÑ  ÑÑ  ÑÔ‡0ôt»ôX0X»BÔÔ"*US ú\ú\ú (ú:!ú&ú)*Ôñs ñÔ ƒÝ Ô1\21\1999€(3:38pm)Ô!  Ô:€Ô.xƒhG:\IB013S2\OPINION\ACTIVE\CARTER\CIRC'D\CARTERPR.OPNxÔG:\IB013S2\OPINION\ACTIVE\CARTER\CIRC'D\CARTERPR.OPNÔ/  Ôñs ñÔ#†0X»BXô0ôt»9#Ôñt ñÌñt ñò òñw ñÑTR[ì AØ'ÿLegal Red3Ø' AØ'ÿLegal Redÿ3Ø'TÑñw ñà@PPDàIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEˆÌà@ºº*DàAT€JACKSONˆÌà@&Dà(HEARD€AT€MEMPHIS)ˆÌÌÌÌó óñ] ñ›ñ] ñà Œ àñ] ñ›ñ] ñà ä à›ò òà < àà ” àà ì àà D àà œ àœñ] ñà ô àñ] ñFOR›€PUBLICATIONó óÐ ¨   ÐÌñw ñœñw ñà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì àà D àà œ àò òFiled:ó ó€òò€€€€€February€1,€1999à€T$T$MT$àóóˆÐ ˆ€ ÐÌœñu ñÌñu ññv ñ›ñu ñÌñu ññv ñ›ÌÌSTATE€OF€TENNESSEE,à@##/Dà)ˆÐ 80  Ðà@##/Dà)ˆÌà Œ àAPPELLEE,à@##/Dà)ˆà œ àSHELBY€CRIMINALÐ  Ðà@##/Dà)ˆÌv.à@##/Dà)ˆà œ àHon.€Jon€Kerry€BlackwoodÐ øð Ðà@##/Dà)ˆÌPRESTON€CARTER,à@##/Dà)ˆà œ àNo.€02S01„9705„CR„00045Ð ØÐ Ðà@##/Dà)ˆÌà Œ àAPPELLANT.à@##/Dà)ˆÐ ¸° ÐÌÌÌÌÌòòFOR€APPELLANTóó:à < àà ” àà ì àà D àòòFOR€APPELLEEóó:Ð X P ÐÌGlenn€I.€Wrightà < àà ” àà ì àà D àJohn€Knox€WalkupÐ 8"0 ÐMemphisà ä àà < àà ” àà ì àà D àAttorney€General€and€ReporterÐ (#  ÐÌThomas€F.€Bloomà < àà ” àà ì àà D àMichael€E.€MooreÐ %  ÐNashvilleà ä àà < àà ” àà ì àà D àSolicitor€GeneralÐ ø%ð! ÐÌà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì àà D àAmy€L.€TarkingtonÌòòFOR€AMICUS€CURIAE€TENNESSEEóóà D àAssistant€Attorney€GeneralÐ È(À!$ ÐòòASSOCIATION€OF€CRIMINALóóà ì àà D àNashvilleÐ ¸)°"% ÐòòDEFENSE€LAWYERSóó:Ð ¨* #& ÐÌW.€Mark€WardÌMemphisÌÌÌÌÌÌà@oo)Dàò òÔ‡0èÓ’èX0X»BÔO€P€I€N€I€O€Nó óÔ#†0X»BXè0èÓ’R #ԈР3,/ ÐÌœñ^ ñÌñ^ ññ` ñ›ñ` ññ_ ññ^ ñÌñ^ ññ_ ñ›ÌÌÌœñ` ñò òñ` ñAFFIRMED›€IN€PART;ÌREVERSED€IN€PART€AND€REMANDED€œñ` ñó óñ` ñ›à€  CT$àHOLDER,€J.ˆÐ  F:>36 Ðñt ñœñt ñÓÓà Œ àà@,Dàò òOPINIONó óˆÐ  ÐÌà Œ àIn€this€capital€case,€the€defendant,€Preston€Carter,€pled€guilty€and€wasÏconvicted€on€two€counts€of€felony€murder.€€A€jury€sentenced€him€to€death€onÏboth€counts,€finding€that€the€murders€of€Thomas€and€Tensia€Jackson€wereÏespecially€heinous,€atrocious,€and€cruel.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„2„203(i)(5).€€TheÏjury€imposed€sentences€of€death€based€upon€the€presence€of€this€soleÏaggravating€circumstance.ÌÌà Œ àOn€direct€appeal€to€the€Tennessee€Court€of€Criminal€Appeals,€theÏdefendant€raised€numerous€issues.€€The€appellate€court€affirmed€both€hisÏconvictions€and€sentences.€€The€defendant€has€appealed€to€this€Court.€€OnÏDecember€29,€1997,€we€entered€an€order€limiting€oral€argument€to€seven€issues€Ïand€set€oral€argument€at€the€May€term€of€Court€in€Memphis.ñ` ñ׃!×ñ` ññ` ñ׃×ñ` ñÝ ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€S.€Ct.Ð h` ÐR.€12.ñ` ññx ññy ñ׃è×ñy ññy ñ׃$è×ñy ññx ññx ñ׃è×ñx ññ` ññ` ñ׃è×ñ` ñÝ ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ׀РH!@ ÐÌà Œ àWe€have€thoroughly€reviewed€the€issues€addressed€by€the€parties'€œbriefsñ` ñò ò,ó ó›ñ` ñÏand€carefully€examined€the€law,€the€record,€and€the€opinion€of€the€Court€ofÏCriminal€Appeals.€€We€have€found€that€the€defendant's€contentions€as€to€theÏvalidity€of€the€indictments€are€devoid€of€merit.€€We,€therefore,€affirm€theÏconvictions€of€first€degree€felony€murder.€Ìâ âñe ñà Œ à€ñe ñÐ h.`'* Ðà Œ àThe€defendant€has€raised€several€issues€involving€his€sentencing€trial.ñg ñÏâ âñg ññf ñ€Ð H0@), Ðñf ñAmong€the€errors€was€a€challenge€to€ñ` ñò òñ` ñthe€trial€judgeððs€use€of€outdated€verdictÏformsñ` ñó óò ò€to›€the€sentencing€verdict€œformsó óò òñ` ñ.ñ` ñó óñ` ñ›€€Because€we€find€œñ` ñò òñ` ñthe›€use€of€the€outdated€verdict€œformsñ` ñò òó ó›€the€error€in€theÏverdict€œformsó ó›ñ` ñ€to€be€ñq ñof€ñq ñsuchÏñr ñaÏñr ñfundamental€ñh ñerrorñh ññi ñnatureñi ñ,€we€must€reverse€the€defendantððs€sentences€and€remand€for€aÏnew€sentencing€hearing.€€€We€shall€address€alleged€errors€in€the€sentencingÏphase€which€may€be€relevant€on€remand.ÌÌÔ  Ôà@uu&Dàò òFACTUAL€BACKGROUNDó óˆÐ (  ÐÌà Œ àThe€defendant€pled€guilty€to€two€counts€of€first€degree€felony€murder.€€TheÏscant€record€before€us,€therefore,€consists€only€of€testimony€and€evidenceÏpresented€during€the€sentencing€phase€of€the€defendantððs€trial.€ÌÌà Œ àThe€defendant,€Preston€Carter,€along€with€two€other€men,€Curly€D.€IveryÏand€Lewis€Anderson,€went€to€a€Memphis€apartment€complex€during€the€earlyÏmorning€hours€of€May€28,€1993,€intending€to€rob€a€drug€dealer.€€The€defendantÏand€Anderson,€however,€went€to€the€wrong€apartment€and€knocked€on€the€doorÏof€the€apartment€where€Thomas€and€Tensia€Jackson€resided€with€their€three„¼year„old€daughter.€€Co„defendant€Ivery€waited€in€the€car.€€€ÌÌà Œ àMr.€Jackson€went€to€the€door€but€did€not€open€it.€€The€defendant€and€co„¼defendant€Anderson€asked€Mr.€Jackson€ð ðif€he€[had]€anything.ðð€€Mr.€Jackson,Ïrefusing€to€open€the€door,€asked€Anderson€what€he€was€talking€about.€€TheÏdefendant€realized€they€had€gone€to€the€wrong€apartment€and€began€to€backÏaway€when€Anderson€said,€"Preston,€Ô_ÔfuckÔ_Ô€it,€if€he€Ô_Ôain'tÔ_Ô€got€no€drugs,€he€mustÏhave€money."ÌÐ È7À04 Ðà Œ àThe€defendant€handed€his€sawed„off€shotgun€to€Anderson€and€kicked€inÏthe€apartment€door.€€Apparently,€Mrs.€Jackson€hid€in€the€bathroom.€€At€gunpoint,Ïthe€men€ordered€Mr.€Jackson€to€instruct€his€wife€to€exit€the€bathroom.€€The€menÏthen€forced€Mr.€Jackson€to€lie€on€the€floor.€€The€defendants€demanded€money.€ÏWhen€Mrs.€Jackson€exited€the€bathroom,€Anderson€attacked€and€raped€her.€ÏThe€defendant€retrieved€his€sawed„off€shotgun€from€the€bed€and€continuedÏsearching€for€anything€of€value.€€The€record€is€unclear€as€to€where€the€Ô_ÔJacksonsÔ_Ô'Ïthree„year„old€daughter,€Ô_ÔTierneyÔ_Ô,€was€during€this€time.ÌÌà Œ àThe€defendantððs€account€of€the€story€was€that,€while€he€was€bent€overÏsearching€under€the€couch,€Mr.€Jackson€came€at€him€with€a€butcher€knife.€€TheÏdefendant€then€turned€and€pointed€the€shotgun€at€Mr.€Jackson.€€The€defendantÏclaimed€Mr.€Jackson€then€ran€into€a€closet€in€his€daughter's€bedroom.€ÌÌà Œ àThe€defendant€shot€Mr.€Jackson€at€close€range€while€Mr.€Jackson€satÏhuddled€in€his€daughter's€bedroom€closet.€€The€shotgun€pellets€entered€the€rightÏside€of€his€forehead€and€moved€through€his€skull€to€the€back€left€side€of€his€Ïhead.€€The€multiple€pellets€shattered€the€skull€and€exploded€the€brain.€€TheÏexplosive€effect€of€the€shotgun€tore€open€the€right€side€of€his€head.€€As€a€result,€Ïthe€medical€examiner€had€to€reconstruct€the€skull€in€order€to€determine€theÏlocation€of€the€entrance€wound.€€After€shooting€Mr.€Jackson,€the€defendantÏreturned€to€the€master€bedroom€and€found€Mrs.€Jackson€in€the€bathroom.€ÏAnderson€was€getting€dressed.€ÌÌà Œ àMrs.€Jackson€asked€about€her€husband,€and€Anderson€responded€byÏdemanding€money.€€Mrs.€Jackson€began€to€scream,€and€Anderson€threw€aÏjewelry€box€at€her.€€The€defendantððs€account€of€the€last€moments€of€Mrs.Ð È7À04 ÐJacksonððs€life€was€as€follows:€€"She€had€backed€up€all€the€way€in€there€andÏbefore€I€shot€her€she€was€begging€and€pleading€me,€'ñ` ñò òñ` ñPñ` ñó óñ` ñlease€don't€shoot€me,€I'llÏdo€anything,€please€don't€shoot.'"€ÌÌà Œ àThe€defendant€shot€Mrs.€Jackson€at€close€range€in€the€head.€€TheÏshotgun€pellets€entered€near€her€left€eye€and€moved€to€the€back€of€the€head.€ÏThe€county€medical€examiner€said€Tensia€Jackson€tried€to€shield€her€face€withÏher€hands.€€The€shotgun€pellets€created€an€opening€measuring€three€inches€byÏsix€inches€and€exploded€her€brain.€€No€drugs€or€alcohol€were€found€in€either€ofÏthe€victims'€bodies.€ÌÌà Œ àThe€bodies€were€discovered€about€3:45€a.m.€after€Kenny€Jackson,€Mr.ÏJackson's€brother,€stopped€at€the€apartment€to€take€ñ` ñò òñ` ñMr.€Jacksonñ` ñó óñ` ññ` ñò ò€himó óñ` ñ›€to€the€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔbakeryÏwhere€they€worked.€€The€apartment€had€been€ransacked;€drawers€were€pulledÏfrom€dressers€and€their€contents€strewn;€the€Ô_ÔJacksonsÔ_Ô'€bed€was€torn€apart.€ÏWhen€Kenny€Jackson€found€the€apartment€ransacked,€he€notified€Mrs.€Jackson'sÏbrother,€Derrick€Lot.€€Mr.€Lot€€searched€the€apartment€and€looked€into€a€closetÏwhere€he€found€three„year„old€Tierney.€€TierneyÔ_Ô's€white€nightgown€wasÏsplattered€with€blood.€€Ô_ÔTierneyÔ_Ô€was€lying€next€to€her€father.€€She€was€unharmed.€ÏMr.€Lot€told€jurors,€€"[There]€was€blood€all€over€the€wall.€€There€was€blood€on€theÏfloor,€blood€on€her,€blood€„„€it€was€blood€everywhere."€€When€Ô_ÔTierneyÔ_Ô€saw€herÏuncle,€she€raised€her€head€up€and€began€to€cry.€€Ì€Ìà Œ àThe€defendant€pled€guilty€to€two€counts€of€felony€murder€committed€in€theÏperpetration€of€aggravated€burglary.€€A€sentencing€hearing€was€held€toÏdetermine€whether€he€would€receive€life€in€prison€or€death.ÌÐ È7À04 Ðà Œ àThe€defendant€testified€at€the€hearing.€€He€stated€œthatñ` ñò òñ` ñ,ñ` ñó óñ` ñ›€at€the€time€of€theÏshooting,€he€was€under€the€influence€of€alcohol€and€not€in€his€"right€state€ofÏmind."€€He€testified€he€was€sorry€for€what€happened€but€blamed€Anderson€forÏsetting€the€whole€series€of€events€in€motion.€Ì€Ìà Œ àThe€defendant€acknowledged€his€previous€convictions€of€burglary€in€1991Ïand€theft€in€1993.€€In€March€1993,€he€was€charged€with€aggravated€robbery€andÏconvicted€in€September€1994.€€œñj ñTñj ñhe›€defendant€was€on€probation€when€he€killedÏthe€victims.€€He€admitted€to€drinking€alcohol,€smoking€marijuana,€using€cocaine,Ïand€using€weapons,€all€in€violation€of€his€probation.ÌÌÔ  Ôà@šš!Dàò òSUFFICIENCY€OF€THE€INDICTMENTó óˆÐ ¨  ÐÌà Œ àThe€defendant€challenges€the€sufficiency€of€the€felony€murder€indictmentsÏfor€failing€to€allege€the€appropriate€mental€state€of€recklessness.€€The€StateÏargues€the€defendant€has€waived€this€issue€by€virtue€of€pleading€guilty€to€theÏcharges.€€In€the€alternative,€the€State€asserts€that€the€indictment€correctlyÏcharges€the€offenses.ÌÌà Œ àBy€his€guilty€pleas,€the€defendant€admitted€to€every€essential€element€ofÏthe€offense€pleaded€in€the€indictment.€€Nonetheless,€on€appeal€the€defendantÏcan€challenge€the€jurisdiction€of€the€court€to€render€judgment,€raising€the€issue€ofÏthe€sufficiency€of€the€indictment.€€Tennessee€Rule€of€Criminal€Procedure€12(b)(2)Ïstates€that€waiver€provisions€do€not€apply€to€defects€indicating€a€court€lackedÏjurisdiction€or€the€indictment€failed€to€state€an€offense.€€Those€defects€may€beÏ"noticed€by€the€court€at€any€time€during€the€pendency€of€the€proceedings."€ÏTenn.€R.€Ô_ÔCrimÔ_Ô.€P.€12(b)(2).€€Pursuant€to€Tennessee€Rule€of€Appellate€ProcedureÐ È7À04 Ð13(b),€"[Ô_Ôt]heÔ_Ô€appellate€court€shall€also€consider€whether€the€trial€and€appellateÏcourt€have€jurisdiction€over€the€subject€matter,€whether€or€not€presented€forÏreview."€€Furthermore,€a€no€contest€plea€or€plea€of€guilty€does€not€waive€aÏchallenge€to€the€court's€jurisdiction.€€òòSeeóó€òòUnited€States€v.€Helleróó,€579€F.2d€990,Ð ¨   Ð998€(6th€Cir.€1978).ÌÌà Œ àThus,€this€issue€was€not€waived€by€the€failure€to€object€before€the€guiltyÏpleas€or€the€failure€to€raise€the€issue.ÌÌà Œ àWe€now€turn€to€the€specific€challenges€to€the€indictments€which€read:ÌÌÓÓà8 Œ àPreston€Carter€.€.€.€during€the€period€of€time€between€May€27,€1993Ïand€May€29,€1993,€in€Shelby€County,€Tennessee,€and€before€theÏfinding€of€€this€indictment,€.€.€.€did€òòunlawfullyóó€kill€[Tensia€andÐ ˆ€ ÐThomas€Jackson]€during€the€perpetration€of€Aggravated€Robbery,Ïin€violation€of€T.C.A.€39„13„202€against€the€peace€and€dignity€of€theÏState€of€Tennessee.Ð Œ ü!Œ ü! ÐÌÓì3ÓÌ(Emphasis€added).€€At€the€time€of€the€offenses,€felony€murder€was€defined€as€"a€Ïòòrecklessóó€killing€of€another€committed€in€the€perpetration€of,€or€attempt€toÐ ø%ð! Ðperpetrate€any€first€degree€murder,€arson,€rape,€robbery,€burglary,€theft,Ïkidnapping€or€aircraft€piracy."€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„202(a)(2)€(1991)Ï(emphasis€added).ñ` ñ׃×ñ` ññ` ñ׃"×ñ` ñÝ ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€defendant€contends€that€Ô‡X»BXX0X»BÔthe€indictments€do€not€allegeÐ ˜+$' Ðall€essential€elements€of€the€offenseÔ#†0X»BXXX»B§7#Ô€because€the€indictments€fail€to€include€theÐ x-p&) Ðmens€rea€of€recklessness.€€The€defendant,€therefore,€argues€that€the€court€wasÏwithout€jurisdiction.ÌÌà Œ àIn€òòState€v.€Hillóó,€this€Court€held:Ð ø4ð-1 ÐÓÓÌà8 Œ àthat€for€offenses€which€neither€expressly€require€nor€plainlyÏdispense€with€the€requirement€for€a€culpable€mental€state,€anÏindictment€which€fails€to€allege€such€mental€state€will€be€sufficientÏto€support€prosecution€and€conviction€for€that€offense€so€long€asÐ Œ ü!Œ ü! ÐÌà8 Œ àà8ä Œ ü!Œ ü!à(1)à < àthe€language€of€the€indictment€is€sufficient€€toÐ ¨   Ðmeet€the€constitutional€requirements€of€notice€to€theÏaccused€of€the€charge€against€which€the€accusedÏmust€defend,€adequate€basis€for€entry€of€a€properÏjudgment,€and€protection€from€double€jeopardy;Ð ä ¤ä ¤ ÐÌà8 Œ àà8ä Œ ü!Œ ü!à(2)à < àthe€form€of€the€indictments€meets€theÐ H@  Ðrequirements€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€40„13„202;€andÐ ä ¤ä ¤ ÐÌà8 Œ àà8ä Œ ü!Œ ü!à(3)à < àthe€mental€state€can€be€logically€inferred€fromÐ  Ðthe€conduct€alleged.Ð ä ¤ä ¤ ÐÌÓ09ÓÌòòHillóó,€954€S.W.2d€725,€726„27€(Tenn.€1997).€€Alleging€the€mental€state€was€aÐ ÈÀ Ðrequirement€of€every€indictment€at€common€law.€€òòId.óó€at€729.€€In€òòHillóó,€we€notedÐ ¨  Ðthat€Ô‡X»BXX0X»BÔit€is€necessary€to€charge€the€mens€Ô_ÔreaÔ_Ô€Ô#†0X»BXXX»B>#Ôif€the€statutory€definition€of€theÐ ˆ€ Ðoffense€includes€a€mens€Ô_ÔreaÔ_Ô.€€òòId.óó€€This€Court€has€relaxed€the€strict€pleadingÐ h` Ðrequirements€of€common€law€as€noted€in€òòState€v.€Ruffóó,€978€S.W.2d€95,€100Ð H!@ Ð(Tenn.€1998),€by€holding€that€an€indictment€which€includes€a€reference€to€theÏcriminal€statute€that€sets€forth€the€mens€rea€is€sufficient€to€give€a€defendantÏnotice€of€the€applicable€mental€state.€€"Thus,€where€the€constitutional€andÏstatutory€requirements€outlined€in€òòHillóó€are€met,€an€indictment€that€cites€theÐ È(À!$ Ðpertinent€statute€and€uses€its€language€will€be€sufficient€to€support€a€conviction."€ÏòòId.óó€at€100.Ð ˆ,€%( ÐÌà Œ àIn€this€case,€both€felony€murder€indictments€referenced€the€appropriateÏstatute.€€This€reference€provided€notice€to€the€defendant€of€the€applicable€mensÏrea,€notice€of€the€offense€upon€which€to€enter€the€judgment,€and€protection€fromÏsubsequent€prosecution€on€the€same€offense.€€òòId.óó€at€99;€òòHillóó,€954€S.W.2d€at€726„Ð è5à.2 Ð27.€€The€indictment€also€meets€the€requirements€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Ð È7À04 Ðððœ40-13-202ñk ñ.€ñk ññl ñ›€indictment›€implies›€recklessness.›€ñl ñ›€òòSeeóó€òòState€v.€Marshallóó,€870€S.W.2d€532,€539€(Tenn.€Ô_ÔCrimÔ_Ô.€App.Ð  Ð1993);€òòseeóó€òòalsoóó€òòÔ_ÔHagnerÔ_Ô€v.€United€Statesóó,€285€U.S.€427,€52€Ô_ÔS.CtÔ_Ô.€417,€76€Ô_ÔL.EdÔ_Ô.Ð èà Ð861€(1932).€€The€language€of€the€felony€murder€counts€was€legally€sufficientÏunder€òòRuffóó.Ð ¨   ÐÌÔ  Ôò òÓ  ÓDEFENDANT'S€STATEMENTÐ h`  ÐÓXEÓÌó óà Œ àThe€defendant€next€contends€the€trial€court€erred€in€refusing€to€suppressÐ (  Ðhis€statements€to€authorities.€€He€claims€thatÔ‡X»BXX0X»BÔ€he€could€not€have€voluntarilyÐ  Ðwaived€his€constitutional€rights€Ô#†0X»BXXX»B:F#Ôbecause€he€was€under€the€influence€of€alcoholÐ èà Ðand€drugs;€thus,€his€statement€was€involuntary.ÌÌà Œ àThe€Court€of€Criminal€Appeals€deemed€this€issue€waived€because€theÏdefendant€pled€guilty€and€failed€to€Ô‡X»BXX0X»BÔpreserve€the€issue€forÔ#†0X»BXXX»B¶G#Ô€appellate€review€byÐ h` Ðcertifying€the€question€under€Tenn.€R.€App.€3(b)€and€Tenn.€R.€Ô_ÔCrimÔ_Ô.€P.Ï37(b)(2)(iv).€ÌÌà Œ àIn€capital€cases,€this€Court€has€considered€challenges€to€statementsÏmade€by€defendants€even€though€the€defendants€pled€guilty.€€The€Court€has€notÏrequired€a€defendant€to€preserve€or€certify€the€suppression€issue€beforeÏreviewing€it.€€In€òòState€v.€Ô_ÔNicholsÔ_Ôóó,€877€S.W.2d€722,€732€(Tenn.€1994),€this€CourtÐ ˆ,€%( Ðconsidered€a€challenge€to€a€trial€court's€suppression€ruling€in€a€situation€in€which€Ïthe€defendant€pled€guilty.€€òòSeeóó€òòalsoóó€òòState€v.€Keenóó,€926€S.W.2d€727,€741€(Tenn.Ð H0@), Ð1994)€œ(ñ` ñò òñ` ñconsideringñ` ñó óò ò€Court›€œconsidersó ó›ñ` ñ€suppression€issue€after€defendant€pled€guilty€to€first€degreeÏfelony€murder).€€In€òòState€v.€Batesóó,€804€S.W.2d€868,€871€(Tenn.€1990),€this€CourtÐ 4-0 Ðconsidered€a€challenge€to€a€trial€court's€ruling€on€suppression.€€We€noted€that€theÏdefendant€did€not€waive€his€objection€to€the€trial€court's€order.Ð È7À04 Їà Œ àAddressing€the€merits€of€the€defendant's€claim,€the€defendant€argues€thatÏhis€confession€was€involuntary€because€he€was€under€the€influence€of€alcoholÏand€drugs.€€Unless€the€evidence€preponderates€against€a€trial€court's€findings,€aÏtrial€court's€determination€that€a€confession€was€given€knowingly€and€voluntarilyÏwill€be€binding.€€òòState€v.€Henningóó,€975€S.W.2d€290€(Tenn.€1998);€òòState€v.€Odomóó,Ð ˆ€ Ð928€S.W.2d€18,€23€(Tenn.€1996);€€òòKeenóó,€926€S.W.2d€at€741;€òòÔ_ÔNicholsÔ_Ôóó,€877Ð h`  ÐS.W.2d€at€732;€òòState€v.€Ô_ÔO'GuinnÔ_Ôóó,€709€S.W.2d€561,€566€(Tenn.€1986).€€€AmpleÐ H@  Ðevidence€exists€to€support€the€finding€that€the€confession€was€voluntary€and€thusÏadmissible.ÌÌà Œ àAt€the€suppression€hearing,€the€defendant€admitted€he€(1)€was€given€theÏòòMirandaóówarning€three€times€and€(2)€understood€the€nature€of€the€rights€read€toÐ ¨  Ðhim€because€he€had€been€arrested€before.€€Although€he€claimed€to€haveÏconsumed€a€fifth€of€gin,€fifteen€twelve„ounce€beers,€and€three€marijuanaÏcigarettes€laced€with€cocaine€between€the€shooting€and€the€questioning€byÏpolice,€Sgt.€Michael€Houston€described€the€defendant€as€normal€andÏcooperative.€€The€defendant€was€described€as€"pretty€truthful"€when€answeringÏquestions€about€the€shooting.€€The€defendant€gave€officers€consent€to€search€hisÏhouse€and€even€initialed€an€identification€tag€placed€on€the€murder€weapon€afterÏit€was€found€in€his€apartment.€€Another€officer€corroborated€the€description€of€theÏdefendant.€€Once€at€the€police€station,€where€the€defendant€was€MirandizedÏagain,€he€gave€a€statement,€reviewed€the€written€answers,€initialed€each€page,Ïand€signed€the€statement.€ÌÌà Œ àOn€cross„examination,€the€defendant€admitted€the€statements€were€notÏâ âthe€result€of€coercion€or€threats.€His€statements,€he€acknowledged,€were€givenÐ è5à.2 Ðfreely€and€voluntarily.€€The€record€supports€the€trial€court's€finding€that€theÏconfession€was€voluntary€and€thus€admissible.Ìâ âÌÔ  Ôò òÓ  ÓAGGRAVATING€CIRCUMSTANCE€(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô)(5)ó óÐ ¨   ÐÓÒTÓÌà Œ àThe€defendant€argues€that€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„204(iÔ_ÔÔ_Ô)(5)€was€not€anÏappropriate€basis€for€sentencing€him€to€death.€€His€argument€is€premised€on€theÏfollowing:€€(1)€€that€the€trial€court€erred€by€failing€to€instruct€the€jury€that€theÏdefendant€must€have€intended€to€torture€the€victims;€and€(2)€the€evidence€isÏinsufficient€to€support€the€application€of€(iÔ_ÔÔ_Ô)(5).€€We€disagree.ò òÐ èà ÐÌÔ  ÔÓ  ÓJury€instructionó óÐ ¨  ÐÓ2WÓÌà Œ àThe€defendant€argues€that€(iÔ_ÔÔ_Ô)(5)€required€the€jury€to€find€that€theÏdefendant€had€the€specific€intent€to€torture€the€victim.€€The€defendantÏacknowledges€that€the€jury€was€instructed€on€the€definition€of€"torture"€pursuantÏto€òòState€v.€Williamsóó,€690€S.W.2d€517,€529€(Tenn.€1985).€€Circumstance€(iÔ_ÔÔ_Ô)(5)Ð %  Ðdoes€not€require€a€mens€Ô_ÔreaÔ_Ô.€€The€aspect€of€torture€focuses€on€theÏcircumstances€of€the€killing.€€òòState€v.€Blantonóó,€975€S.W.2d€269€(Tenn.€1998).€Ð È(À!$ ÐThe€(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô)(5)€circumstance€states:€€"The€murder€was€especially€heinous,€atrocious,Ïor€cruel€in€that€it€involved€torture€or€serious€physical€abuse€beyond€thatÏnecessary€to€produce€death."€€The€torture€prong€of€(i)(5)€only€requires€a€juryÏfinding€that€the€victim€remained€conscious€and€sustained€severe€physical€orÏmental€pain€and€suffering€between€the€infliction€of€the€wounds€and€the€time€ofÏdeath.€€Whether€the€defendant€intended€the€victim's€suffering€is€irrelevant€underÏ(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô)(5).€€òòÔ_ÔBlantonÔ_Ôóó,€975€S.W.2d€at€281.€€This€issue€is€without€merit.Ð è5à.2 ÐÐ È7À04 ÐÔ  Ôò òÓ  ÓSufficiency€of€evidenceó óÐ  ÐÌÓ‹\Óà Œ àThe€defendant€argues€that€the€evidence€does€not€support€the€"heinous,Ïatrocious,€or€cruel"€aggravating€circumstance€for€both€murders.€€We€find€theÏproof€is€sufficient€to€support€the€jury's€finding€of€mental€torture€beyond€aÏreasonable€doubt.€€ÌÌà Œ àJurors€evaluated€the€proof€and€determined€the€victims€suffered€severeÏmental€pain.€€As€to€both€killings,€the€jury€wrote€on€the€verdict€forms:€€"heinous,"Ï"atrocious,"€"cruel,"€and€€"torture."€ò òÐ èà Ðó óÌà Œ à"Torture"€is€defined€as€"the€infliction€of€severe€physical€or€mental€painÏupon€the€victim€while€he€or€she€remains€alive€and€conscious."€€€òòWilliamsóó,€690Ð ˆ€ ÐS.W.2d€at€529.€€Both€Mr.€and€Mrs.€Jackson€were€shot€once€and€diedÏinstantaneously.€€Therefore,€the€issue€facing€the€Court€is€whether€the€evidenceÏsupports€a€finding€that€the€victims€suffered€mental€torture.€€After€reviewing€theÏevidence€in€the€light€most€favorable€to€the€State,€this€Court€must€determineÏwhether€a€rational€trier€of€fact€could€have€found€the€existence€of€the€aggravatingÏcircumstance€of€mental€torture€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt.€€òòState€v.€NesbitÔ_Ôóó,€978Ð È(À!$ ÐS.W.2d€872€(Tenn.€1998).€ÌÌà Œ àThe€anticipation€of€physical€harm€to€oneself€is€torturous.€€òòÔ_ÔNesbitÔ_Ôóó,€978Ð h.`'* ÐS.W.2d€at€886„87;€€òòState€v.€Hodgesóó,€944€S.W.2d€346,€358€(Tenn.€1997),€òòcertóó.Ð H0@), Ðòòdeniedóó,€€___U.S.€___,€118€S.Ct.€567,€139€L.Ed.2d€407€(1997).€€This€mentalÐ (2 +. Ðtorment€is€intensified€when€a€victim€either€watches€or€hears€a€spouse,€parent,€orÏchild€being€harmed€or€killed,€or€anticipates€the€harm€or€killing€of€that€closeÏrelative€and€is€helpless€to€assist.€€òòSeeóó€òòState€v.€Soto„Ô_ÔFongÔ_Ôóó,€928€P.2d€610€(Ariz.Ð È7À04 Ð1996),€òòcertóó.€òòdeniedóó,€___€U.S.€___,€117€S.Ct.€1826,€137€L.Ed.2d€1033€(1997)Ð  Ð(killing€is€especially€cruel€when€a€victim€suffers€mental€anguish€by€watching€orÏhearing€the€defendant€kill€another€or€while€waiting€his€own€fate€while€parent€orÏspouse€is€killed);€òòseeóó€òòalsoóóòòState€v.€Gilliesóó,€662€P.2d€1007,€1020€(Ariz.€1983)Ð ¨   Ð(uncertainty€as€to€ultimate€fate€relevant€to€establish€cruelty);€òòDampier€v.€Stateóó,Ð ˆ€ Ð268€S.E.2d€349€(Ga.€1980);€òòHawkins€v.€Stateóó,€891€P.2d€586€(Okla.€CrimÔ_Ô.€App.Ð h`  Ð1994)€(mental€suffering€includes€uncertainty€over€one's€ultimate€fate).ÌÌà Œ àThe€evidence€demonstrates€that€the€defendant€armed€himself€with€aÏsawed„off€shotgun€and€went€to€the€Ô_ÔJacksonsÔ_Ô'€apartment€in€the€middle€of€theÏnight.€€He€kicked€in€the€apartment€door€and,€along€with€Anderson,€demandedÏmoney€and€drugs.€€They€continued€to€make€the€demands€even€though€theÏcouple€repeatedly€said€they€did€not€know€what€the€two€men€were€talking€about.€ÏAlthough€the€defendant€quickly€realized€he€and€Anderson€had€the€wrongÏapartment,€he€pursued€the€senseless€attack€on€the€unsuspecting€family.€Ì€Ìà Œ àMr.€Jackson€certainly€endured€mental€torture.€€He€was€forced€to€lure€hisÏwife€out€of€the€safety€of€the€bathroom.€€He€knew€the€men€were€violent€becauseÏthe€defendant€was€armed€with€a€shotgun€and€had€kicked€in€his€door.€€After€luringÏhis€wife€out€of€the€bathroom,€she€was€raped.€€Although€Mr.€Jackson€was€not€inÏthe€bedroom€when€the€attack€on€his€wife€occurred,€he€surely€knew€or€at€leastÏstrongly€suspected€that€his€wife€was€being€injured€or€raped€because€AndersonÏrepeatedly€told€the€defendant€to€close€the€bedroom€door.€€Mr.€Jackson,€who€wasÏheld€at€gunpoint,€was€helpless€to€assist€his€wife.Ì€Ìà Œ àñ` ñò òBecause€the€childððs€uncle€found€her€beside€her€dead€father,€ó óò òñ` ñTñ` ñó óñ` ñhe€jury€could€have€reasonably€inferred€that€the€child€was€placed€in€theÏcloset€or€entered€the€closet€prior€to€the€shooting€of€her€fatherñ` ñò òñ` ñ€because€the€childððsÐ È7À04 Ðuncle€found€her€beside€her€dead€father.€€ñ` ñó óñ` ñThe€jury€could€even€infer€that€her€fatherÏtried€to€protect€her€in€the€closet.€€Her€nightgown€was€covered€with€blood.€€Thus,€aÏjury€could€find€that€she€was€there€when€the€defendant€placed€the€shotgun€to€Mr.ÏJackson's€head€and€pulled€the€trigger.€Ìà Œ àÌà Œ àMr.€Jackson€inevitably€feared€for€his€daughter's€safety€during€the€time€theÏtwo€were€in€the€closet€before€he€was€shot.€€Mr.€Jackson€feared€for€the€safety€ofÏhis€wife€whom€he€knew€was€with€one€of€the€attackers€in€another€room.€€Mr.ÏJackson's€anguish€over€the€safety€of€his€family€was€compounded€by€fear€of€what€Ïñ` ñò òñ` ñfate€he€mightñ` ñó óò ò€wouldó óñ` ñ›€suffer.Ì€Ìà Œ àMrs.€Jackson€certainly€endured€mental€torture.€€While€she€was€beingÏraped€in€the€bedroom,€she€surely€wondered€what€was€happening€to€her€husbandÏand€daughter€in€the€other€part€of€the€apartment.€€While€she€was€being€attacked,ÏMrs.€Jackson€would€certainly€have€heard€the€shotgun€blast€and€wondered€if€herÏhusband€and€daughter€were€both€still€alive.€€She€would€also€realize€that€her€ownÏlife€was€at€risk€because€the€robbery€had€escalated€into€a€murderous€attack.€ÏWhen€the€defendant€entered€the€bedroom,€she€asked€what€had€happened€to€herÏhusband.€€She€screamed€when€the€men€responded€only€by€demanding€money.€ÏAnderson€threw€a€jewelry€box€at€Mrs.€Jackson,€and€the€defendant€backed€Mrs.ÏJackson€into€the€small€bathroom.€€As€she€tried€to€shield€herself€with€her€hands,Ïshe€certainly€thought€about€her€fate€and€the€fate€of€her€husband€and€daughter.€ÏThe€defendant€admitted€that€in€the€last€moments€of€her€life€she€begged€andÏpleaded€with€him€not€to€shoot.€€She€offered€to€"do€anything."€€The€defendant€shotÏMrs.€Jackson€at€close€range.Ìâ âÐ è5à.2 Ðà Œ àWe€find€the€proof€is€sufficient€to€support€the€jury's€finding€of€mental€tortureÏâ âbeyond€a€reasonable€doubt.€€€ÌÔ‡X»BXX0X»BÔò òÌÔ  ÔÓ  ÓVALIDITY€OF€VERDICT€FORMó óÐ ¨   ÐÓ(tÓÌà Œ àThe€defendant€committed€his€offenses€in€1993€and€was€sentenced€inÏ1995.€€The€trial€judge,€however,€submitted€to€the€jury€outdated€verdict€forms€thatÏwere€used€before€the€sentencing€laws€changed€in€1989.€€€The€pre„1989€formsÏpermitted€sentences€of€death€to€be€imposed€on€a€lower€burden€of€proof€than€thatÏrequired€by€the€1989€amendment.€€The€defendant€argues€that€submission€of€theÏimproper€forms€denied€him€his€fundamental€right€to€be€sentenced€to€death€basedÏupon€the€appropriate€burden€of€proof.ÌÌà Œ àThe€State€advances€two€alternatives€in€rebuttal€to€the€defendant'sÏassertions.€€First,€the€State€urges€this€Court€to€find€that€the€error€is€waivedÏbecause€defense€counsel€failed€to€raise€an€objection€when€the€pre„1989€verdictÏforms€were€submitted€to€the€jury.€€Alternatively,€the€State€argues€that€the€trialÏjudge€verbally€instructed€the€jury€as€to€the€proper€standard€and€that€the€jury€isÏpresumed€to€have€followed€those€instructions.ÌÌà Œ àWe€find€the€State's€waiver€position€to€be€devoid€of€merit.€€Pursuant€toÏòòState€v.€Stephensonóó,€878€S.W.2d€530,€553„54€(Tenn.€1994),€we€hold€that€theÐ h.`'* Ðsubmission€of€outdated€verdict€forms€in€this€case€substantially€affected€theÏdefendant's€fundamental€right€to€be€sentenced€to€death€based€on€the€properÏstandard€of€proof.€€òòSeeóó€òòalsoóó€òòCamago€v.€Stateóó,€940€S.W.2d€464,€469€(Ark.€1997)Ð 4-0 Ð(holding€submission€of€a€verdict€form€containing€improper€sentencing€standardÏnot€waived€because€Ô#†0X»BXXX»Bús#ÔÔ‡X»BXX0X»BÔthe€error€concerned€a€matter€œñm ñððñm ññn ñð ðñn ñessential›€to€the€juryððsÐ È7À04 Ðimposition€of€the€death€penalty€itselfððÔ#†0X»BXXX»B~z#ÔÔ‡X»BXX0X»BÔ€and€the€error€was€not€cured€by€subsequentÐ  Ðjuror€polling).€€An€error€that€affects€a€substantial€right€of€a€defendant€may€beÏraised€at€any€time€where€necessary€to€do€substantial€justice.€€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.Ï36(b);€Tenn.€R.€Crim.€P.€52(b);€òòStephensonóó,€878€S.W.2d€at€553„54.€€Accordingly,Ð ¨   Ðwe€shall€address€the€merits€of€the€defendant's€claim.ÌÌà Œ àPrior€to€1989,€a€defendant€could€be€sentenced€to€death€provided€the€juryÏfound€no€mitigating€circumstances€sufficiently€substantial€to€outweigh€theÏstatutory€aggravating€circumstances.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„2„203(g)€(ThisÏsection€was€transferred€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„204€in€1990).€€€FollowingÏthe€Sentencing€Reform€Act€of€1989,€however,€the€legislature€codified€a€higherÏburden€of€proof€for€sentencing€in€capital€cases.€€The€post„1989€burden€of€proofÏmandates€that€any€aggravating€circumstances€not€only€be€proven€beyond€aÏreasonable€doubt€but€that€the€aggravating€circumstances€must€also€outweighÏany€mitigating€circumstances€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Ïðð39„2„204(g).€ÌÌà Œ àThe€jury€was€properly€instructed€as€to€the€post„1989€standard.€€While€theÏjury€was€presumed€to€follow€the€trial€judge's€instructions,€the€jury€deliberated€withÏand€signed€the€pre„1989€sentencing€verdict€forms€which€stated€in€pertinent€part:ÌÌÓÓà8 Œ àWe,€the€Jury,€unanimously€find€that€there€are€no€mitigatingÏcircumstances€sufficiently€substantial€to€outweigh€the€statutoryÏaggravating€circumstances€so€listed€above.Ó½€ÓÐ Œ ü!Œ ü! ÐÌFollowing€the€juryððs€deliberations€with€these€forms,€the€judge€read€from€theÏâ âincorrect€verdict€forms€œñ` ñò òñ` ñwhenñ` ñó óò ò€inó óñ` ñ›€sentencing€the€defendant€to€deathÔ#†0X»BXXX»BT{#ÔÔ‡X»BXX0X»BÔ.€€We€hold€thatÐ è5à.2 Ðthe€juryððs€use€œñ` ñò òñ` ñofñ` ñó óñ` ñ›€and€signing€of€the€improper€verdict€forms€rebut€the€presumptionÏthat€the€jury€followed€the€trial€judgeððs€verbal€instructions.Ìâ âÌà Œ àOur€legislature€has€mandated€that€a€jury,€when€sentencing€a€defendant€toÏdeath,€must€"[s]ignify€that€the€state€has€proven€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt€thatÏthe€statutory€aggravating€circumstance€or€circumstances€outweigh€any€mitigatingÏcircumstances."€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„204(g)(2)(A)(ii).€€A€jury€must€signifyÏthis€finding€by€signing€a€form€that€substantially€complies€with€the€form€set€forth€inÏour€statute.€€Tenn€Code€Ann.€Ô#†0X»BXXX»B‚#ÔÔ‡X»BXX0X»BÔððÔ#†0X»BXXX»Bn…#ÔÔ‡X»BXX0X»BÔ€€Ô#†0X»BXXX»B´…#ÔÔ‡X»BXX0X»BÔ39„13„204€(g)(2)(B).€€The€œñ` ñò òñ` ñstatutoryñ` ñó óñ` ñ›€form€œñ` ñò òñ` ñstatesñ` ñó óò ò›Ð  Мcontains›€a€œstatementó óñ` ñ:›€Ð  Ðð ðWe,€the€jury,€unanimously€find€that€the€state€has€proven€beyond€a€reasonableÏdoubt€that€the€statutory€aggravating€circumstance€or€circumstances€outweighÏany€mitigating€circumstances.ðð€€Ô#†0X»BXXX»Bø…#ÔÔ‡X»BXX0X»BÔTenn€Code€Ann.€Ô#†0X»BXXX»B«‡#ÔÔ‡X»BXX0X»BÔððÔ#†0X»BXXX»Bü‡#ÔÔ‡X»BXX0X»BÔ€€Ô#†0X»BXXX»BBˆ#ÔÔ‡X»BXX0X»BÔ39„13„204€(g)(2)(B).Ô#†0X»BXXX»B†ˆ#ÔÔ‡X»BXX0X»BÔ€€ByÐ ¨  Ðsigning€the€verdict€form,€jurors€signify€they€have€followed€the€legislative€mandateÏand€employed€the€correct€standard.€Ìà Œ àÌà Œ àIn€òòState€v.€œStephensonóóñ` ñò òñ` ñ,ñ` ñó óñ` ñ›€€this€Court€reversed€a€death€sentence€because:€Ð (#  Ð(1)€€Ô#†0X»BXXX»B܈#ÔÔ‡X»BXX0X»BÔthe€court€gave€conflicting€instructions€as€to€the€burden€of€proof;€Ô#†0X»BXXX»BKŠ#ÔÔ‡X»BXX0X»BÔand€(2)€theÐ %  Ðsentencing€verdict€form€failed€to€signify€the€jury€used€the€œñ` ñò òñ` ñbeyond„a„ñ` ñó óñJ ñò òñJ ññG ñtheñG ññJ ñó óñJ ññ` ñreasonableñ` ñò òñ` ñ„¼ñ` ñó óñ` ñdoubt›€standard.€€òòStephensonóó,€878€S.W.2d€at€557„58.€€Under€the€capitalÐ È(À!$ Ðsentencing€statute,€the€death€penalty€may€be€imposed€òòonlyóóupon€a€unanimousÐ ¨* #& Ðfinding€that€any€aggravating€circumstances€outweigh€any€mitigatingÏcircumstances€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt.€€òòId.óó€at€555.€€In€òòStephensonóó,€thisÐ h.`'* ÐCourt€found€the€verdict€form€failed€to€conform€to€the€legislative€mandate.€Ô#†0X»BXXX»BЊ#ÔÔ‡X»BXX0X»BÔÐ H0@), ÐÌà Œ àThe€jury's€signing€of€the€pre„1989€verdict€forms€in€this€case€signifies€thatÏâ âthe€defendant€was€sentenced€to€death€under€a€standard€that€did€not€comportÐ è5à.2 Ðwith€the€legislative€mandate.€€Accordingly,€the€defendant's€sentences€of€deathÏare€premised€upon€verdict€forms€that€are€illegal,€void,€and€of€no€effect.Ìâ âÌà Œ àThis€Court€is€charged€with€ensuring€that€a€sentence€of€death€is€notÏimposed€in€any€arbitrary€fashion.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„206(c)(1)(A).€€Ô#†0X»BXXX»Bž#ÔÔ‡X»BXX0X»BÔAs€weÐ ˆ€ Ðstated€more€than€100€years€ago:ÌÌÓÓà8 Œ àIf€the€least€departure€from€the€mode€or€extent€of€punishmentÏprescribed€by€the€law€of€the€land€for€the€commission€of€crime€isÏencouraged€or€tolerated,€how€great€a€departure€will€be€allowed?ÏWhere€is€a€limit€to€be€found?€€The€laws€of€the€land€prescribing€theÏmode€and€extent€of€punishment€will€be€practically€nullified,€andÏstand€as€dead€letters€upon€the€statute€books;€and€in€lieu€thereof,Ïthe€mode€and€extent€of€punishment€which€may€be€inflicted€uponÏpersons€convicted€of€crime€will€be€regulated€by,€and€depend€aloneÏupon,€the€taste,€fancy,€whim,€caprice,€partiality€or€prejudice€of€theÏparticular€court€or€jury€trying€the€offender,€and€such€taste,€fancy,Ïwhim,€caprice,€œñ` ñò òpartiallyñL ñ€ñL ñó óò òñ` ñpartialityñ` ñó óñ` ñ›€or€prejudice,€will€be€the€law€of€the€case.ÓSÓòòЈ€Œ ü!Œ ü! ÐÌMurphy€v.€Stateóó,€47€Tenn.€516,€523„24€(1870).€€We€cannot€find€this€errorÐ H!@ Ðharmless€as€the€verdict€forms€sentencing€the€defendant€to€death€are€void€and€ofÏno€effect.ñ` ñ׃×ñ` ññ` ñ׃(×ñ` ñÝ ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€To€uphold€two€death€sentences€based€upon€illegal€verdicts€wouldÐ %  Ðcountenance€a€degree€of€arbitrariness€and€capriciousness€in€the€defendantððsÏdeath€sentences€that€is€incompatible€with€our€duty.Ô#†0X»BXXX»Bù#ÔÔ‡X»BXX0X»BÔ€€òòÔ#†0X»BXXX»Bã•#ÔÔ‡X»BXX0X»BÔSeeóó€òòState€v.€Coffeyóó,€389Ð È(À!$ ÐS.E.2d€48,€65€(N.C.€1990)€(holding€that€the€signing€of€a€proper€verdict€containingÏthe€proper€sentencing€standard€was€mandatory€to€support€a€sentence€of€death).Ô#†0X»BXXX»B*–#ÔÔ‡X»BXX0X»BԀРˆ,€%( ÐÔ#†0X»BXXX»BB—#ÔÔ‡X»BXX0X»BÔWe€cannot€œñ` ñò òñ` ñcondoneñ` ñó óò òñP ñ€ñP ñcountenanceó óñ` ñ›€error€of€such€a€prejudicial€nature.Ô#†0X»BXXX»Bš—#ÔÔ‡X»BXX0X»BÔ€€Accordingly,€theÐ h.`'* Ðdefendant's€sentences€of€death€are€reversed€and€this€case€is€remanded€forÏresentencing€to€be€conducted€in€a€manner€consistent€with€this€opinion.ÌÔ#†0X»BXXX»BI˜#Ô€à Œ àÐ 4-0 ÐÔ  Ôò òÓ  ÓCONCLUSIONó óÐ  ÐÓs™ÓÌà Œ àAs€to€the€verdict€forms€employed€in€this€case,€we€have€determined€thatÏthe€completed€forms€which€omitted€the€œbeyondñ` ñò òñ` ñ„a„ñ` ñó óñ` ñreasonableñ` ñò òñ` ñ„ñ` ñó óñ` ñdoubt›€standard€didÏnot€comply€with€the€law.€€The€results€are€facially€void€verdicts€based€upon€aÏlower€standard€of€proof€resulting€in€prejudicial€error€affecting€the€œverdicts.ño ñ€€WeÏare€unable€to€conclude€that€such€fundamental€error€is€harmless€beyond€aÏreasonable€doubt.€ño ñ›€€TheÏsentences€of€death€are€reversed,€and€the€case€is€remanded€for€resentencing.€€AllÏaspects€of€the€new€sentencing€hearing€should€be€conducted€in€conformity€withÏthis€opinion.€€ÌÌà Œ àBecause€of€the€remand€for€resentencing,€we€œñ` ñò òñ` ñwillñ` ñó óò òñR ñ€ñR ñdid›€œó óñ` ññp ñ€ñp ñnot›€address€theÏdefendantððs€challenge€to€the€removal€of€a€potential€juror.€€We€also€pretermitÏstatutory€review€of€the€proportionality€of€the€death€sentence€imposed€against€theÏdefendant€as€otherwise€required€by€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€Ô‡X»BXX0X»BÔððÔ#†0X»BXXX»B£#Ô€39„13„206(c)(1)(D).Ð h` ÐÌà Œ àThe€costs€of€this€appeal€are€taxed€to€the€œState.ñ` ñò òñ` ñ›Ìœñ` ñó óñ` ñ›ÌÌÓÓà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì àà D àòòà€T$T$MT$àóóˆÐ È(À!$ Ðà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì àà D àJANICE€M.€HOLDER,€JUSTICEÌÌÌÌœò òñz ñCñz ññ{ ññz ñONCUñz ññ{ ññ| ñoncurringñ| ññ} ñPanelñ} ñ:ó ó›Ð x-p&) ÐÌAnderson,€C.J.ÌDrowota,€Birch,€and€Barker,€J.J.