WPC) `e̡T?oB=UU3uS$Ya'|:S7\0m!Q:T؈z0>z zYli&GBѠ<;[=ƀȆGI]nS$~*>Nd.@)nx4V"~p+FYgx\&-m ^h59B= ^ {g#k3kd:(ٖ*PotK%yޜp+ݸY&]>(*±ED#^2]2C}e|~q>6/)QghfNgҊSƗMVgs`tEAWd֝Yqrž ?4?JWn1 v6EKe>ƇotH%5Ua.< OI s`knNd5tADT.*jxP` `@EB ` 8ttxP@z tߛ#̜ NO.9902 ####  0      8     FORPUBLICATION   STATEOFTENNESSEE,   8     ) @ Filed:AporilApril12,1999 󛀀    0      8     ) Appellee,     8     ) @ Hon.JulianP.GQuinn ^    0      8     ) @ Judge D  Vs.  0      8     ) *    0      8     ) @ HENRYCOUNTY p  TERESADEIONSMITHHARRIS,    ) @      V    0      8     ) @ SupremeCourt <   Appellant.     8     ) @ No.02S019806CC00053 "   0      8     ) @   APPELLANT     8     FORAPPELLEE: l  ShippWeems     8     JohnKnoxWalkup R DistrictPublicDefender   8     AttorneyGeneral&Reporter 8  Charlotte,Tennessee  0      8     MichaelE.MooreSteveWest 0      8     SolicitorGeneral " West&WestMcKenzie,Tennessee   8     PeterM.Coughlan $V (TRIALONLY)     8     AssistantAttorneyGeneral #  %<   0      8     Nashville,Tennessee  0      8     G.RobertRadford  0      8     DistrictAttorneyGeneral  0      8    XX@VV( OPINION #XX #Ԉ ~/&* %E` ` `   %E ` `   AFFIRMED. 0      8      @   DROWOTA,J. ;J27d %E` ` `   %E` ` `    WegrantedthisappealtodeterminewhethertheconstitutionalharmlesserroranalysisdelineatedinStatev.Howell,868S.W.2d238(Tenn.1993),applies ,  whenajuryrendersanincompleteverdictastooneofthetwoaggravatingcircumstancesuponwhichasentenceoflifeimprisonmentwithoutthepossibilityofparoleisbased. AlthoughweagreethattheincompletefindingiserroneousbecausethejurydidnotapplytheaggravatingcircumstanceprescribedbytheGeneralAssembly,theerrordoesnotimplicateconstitutionalEighthAmendmentconcernsbecausenodeathsentenceisinvolved.Therefore,inthecontextofthisappealfromasentenceoflifeimprisonmentwithoutthepossibilityofparole,theerrorisstatutory,andtheconstitutionalharmlesserroranalysisdelineatedinHowelldoes $ notapply. Astatutoryerrorisnotreversibleunlessiteitheraffirmativelyappearstohaveaffectedtheresultofthetrialonthemerits,  #  1      ׀ortheerrorinvolveda T$ substantialrightwhichmoreprobablythannotaffectedthejudgmentorwouldresultinprejudicetothejudicialprocess.N  #  2      ׀Toestablishthatthejurysreliance '" upontheinvalidaggravatingcircumstancesatisfieseitherofthesestandards,thedefendantmustshowthatthejurygrosslyabuseditsdiscretionbyarbitrarilysentencinghertolifeimprisonmentwithoutthepossibilityofparole.  #  3      ׀The P-#( defendanthasfailedtomakethisshowingX XXX.Accordingly,#XX XX#thejudgmentofthe `  CourtofCriminalAppealswhichupheldherconvictionandsentenceisaffirmed.@) BACKGROUND  H  Thedefendant,TeresaDeionSmithHarris,wasconvictedoffirstdegreefelonymurder.TheevidenceintroducedattheguiltphaseofthetrialestablishedthatonJuly30,1993,thedefendant,herliveinboyfriend,WalterSmothers,andaneighbor,StacyRamsey,spentthedayatthedefendantshousedrinkingtequila,whiskey,andbeer,andsmokingmarijuana.SmotherswasalsotakingValium. Thedefendantsexboyfriend,DavidHamptoncalledherhomeseveraltimesthroughouttheday.SmothersansweredthetelephoneononeoccasionandarguedwithHampton.TheconversationendedwhenSmothersandHamptonagreedtomeetandfight.Laterthatevening,thedefendant,Smothers,andRamseylefttogotoHamptonshouse.SmothersaskedRamseytobringalonghis.20gaugeshotgun. ThetriodepartedinRamseyspickuptruck,andafterleavingthedefendantstwoyoungchildrenattheirgrandmothershome,theydrovearoundCarrollCountyforsometime,drinkingalcoholandsearchingforHamptonshouse.ThedefendanttestifiedthatsheknewthelocationofHamptonshousebutwasafraidtodirectSmotherstoit.Atsomepoint,theytriedtobuymotoroilforRamseystruckbutcouldfindnostoreopen,sotheycontinuedthesearchforHamptonshouse. 4D+0 Ї Eventually,ataround12:00a.m.,thetruckbrokedownonHighway114nearHollowRock.   #  4      ׀Toobtaintransportation,thedefendant,Smothers,and ,  Ramseydecidedtostopthenextvehiclethatapproachedandtakeitfromthedriver.Theydiscussedthattheymightberequiredtokillthedriverofthevehicle.Smothersbelievedthatanapproachingvehiclewouldbemorelikelytostopforayoungwoman,soheurgedthedefendanttoflagdownthevehicle.Sheagreed,andwhentheheadlightsbecamevisible,HarrisstoodonthesideoftheroadandflaggeddowntheapproachingvehiclewhileSmothersandRamseyhidbehindthetruck. Thetruck,aFordRanger,wasdrivenbythevictim,nineteenyearoldDennisBrooks,Jr.HehadjustfinishedhisshiftatSubwayandwastravelinghomeatapproximately12:30a.m.WhenBrooksstopped,RamseyandSmothersemergedfromtheirhidingplace.Smothersheldthe.20gaugeshotgunonBrooksandorderedhimtogetoutofhistruck.RamseyforcedBrookstolieontheground,andthedefendantranuptoBrooks,punchedhimtwoorthreetimesintheback,cursedhim,andtoldhimtoliedownontheground.Attrial,thedefendantclaimedthatheractionswereintendedtoforceBrookstobequietsothatSmotherswouldnotharmhim.However,accordingtonearbyresidentswhowereawakenedbythecommotionandheardthedefendantshouting,thedefendantsvoicesounded meanand veryhateful. SmothersdemandedmoneyfromBrooks,tookhiswalletandforcedhimtogetontothebackofthevictimspickuptruck.ThedefendantandRamseygotinto 2T). thecabofthetruck.Ramseydroveand,asthetruckbegantomove,Smothersdecidedtoclimbintothecabofthetruckthroughtherearslidingglasswindow.SmothersaskedRamseytoslowdownandgavetheguntothedefendanttoholdonBrookswhileheclimbedthroughthewindow.Testimonydivergedastowhathappenednext.Smotherssaidthatwhilethedefendantwasstillholdingthegun,Ramseyaccelerated,causingthetrucktojerkandtheguntodischargeandshootthevictiminthehip.Incontrast,thedefendanttestifiedthatshehadgiventhegunbacktoSmothers,turnedbackaroundintheseat,andthenheardthegundischargeandshootthevictiminthehip.Accordingtothedefendant,Smotherstoldherhehadaccidentallyshotthevictim.Ballisticstestimonyattrialindicatedthattofirethegunwhichwasusedtoshootthevictim,apersonwouldhavetobothpullbackthehammerandpressthetrigger. Inanyevent,afterbeingshot,thevictimbegantoscreamandcryoutinpain.Ramsey,Smothers,andHarrisyelledathimtoshutup.Accordingtothedefendant,SmothersinitiallyagreedtotakeBrookstoahospitalbutdidnotfollowthroughonhispromise,andinsteadthegroupcontinuedtodrivearoundinthecountryforanother20or30minutessearchingforHamptonshouse.Aslightsfromatownbecamevisible,thevictimagainbegantoscreamforhelp.Afraidsomeonewouldhearthescreaming,Smothersputthegununderthevictimschinandfired.SmotherstestifiedthatRamsey,thedefendant,oravoiceinsidehisheadtoldhimtoshootthevictim. Afterthefatalshooting,thetriocontinuedtodrivearoundinthearea.WhilespeedingthroughthetownofHollowRock,theywerepursuedbyapolice 4 +0 officer,butwereabletoevadeapprehensionandeventuallytraveledbacktothedefendantshome.TheydiscussedhowtodisposeofthevictimsbodyanddecidedtoburyhisbodyandtruckwithabackhoetowhichRamseyhadaccess.However,thisplanhadtobeabandonedbecausethebackhoehadaflattire,sotheydecidedtoburythevictimsbodyandburnthevehicle. SmothersobtainedanaxandashovelfromRamseyshome,andthedefendantretrievedabutcherknifefromherkitchen.RamseyandSmothersdrovethevictimstrucktoadesertedareaknownasHauntedBridge.Thedefendantfollowedinhercar.Oncethere,thegroupdecidedtodismemberthevictimsbodytomakeburialeasierandtogivetheimpressionthat nobodyaroundheredidit. Themedicalexaminertestifiedattrialthatthevictimhaddiedfromthegunshotwoundtohishead,butalsostatedthatthegunshotwoundtothevictimshipwouldhaveresultedinexcruciatingpainandalonewouldhavebeensufficienttoresultindeathduetothetremendousamountofbloodloss.Themedicalexamineralsorecountedthepostmortemmutilationofthevictimsbody,testifyingthatthevictimhadbeenstabbednumeroustimesandthathislegs,rightarm,andpenishadbeenseveredfromhisbody.Thevictimschestcavityhadbeencutopenandhishearthadbeenremovedandplacedbackinsidehisabdominalcavity.Themedicalexaminertestifiedthatthevictimshearthaddiscoloredareasonitwhichwereconsistentwithapersonsuckingbloodfromit. AccordingtoSmothers,heandRamseyeachhadseveredoneofthe 4 +0 victimslegsandRamseyhadseveredthevictimsrightarm.Smothersadmittedthathehadremovedthevictimsheart,butsaidhehaddonesobecausethedefendanthadtoldhimthatshe wantedhisheart.Smotherssaidthathe,Ramsey,andthedefendanthadeachheldthevictimsheartandpressedittotheirlips.Thedefendantadmittedstabbingthevictimsbodyonceandtouchingthevictimshearttoherlips,butsheclaimedthatshehadactedatSmothersdirectionandsaidthatshehadbeenafraidtodisobeyhimafterhehadshotandkilledthevictim.Thedefendantotherwisedeniedallparticipationinthemutilation. Aftermutilatingthevictimsbody,thetrioreturnedtothedefendantshome,obtainedgasolineandlanternfuel,anddrovethetruckintoanemptyfield.Afterremovingaradio,speakerandseveralpersonalitems,  #  5      ׀theysetthetruckafire $ withthevictimsmutilatedbodyinsidethecab.RamseyandSmothersdrovethevictimstrucktotheburnsitewiththedefendantfollowinginherowncar.Afterthefirewasignited,theyallreturnedtothedefendantshome.Theyallshoweredandthedefendantlaunderedtheirbloodstainedclothes. Thedayafterthenightofthemurder,thedefendantandSmothersreturnedtothevictimstruckand,discoveringithadnotcompletelyburned,againsetthetruckafire.Theyconcoctedanalibitoconcealtheiractionsandtheeventsofthepreviousnight.Laterthateveningthethree partiedatRamseyshouseuntilaround8:00p.m.andthenwenttoanestablishmentcalledCaseysBarandcontinuedtoconsumealcohol.AccordingtotheowneroftheBar,thedefendantwas moreactivethanusual.Sheplayedpoolandsangwiththejukebox.She 2T). waswearingahatandsunglasseswhichwerelateridentifiedasbelongingtothevictim. ThevictimsparentshadreportedhimmissingontheafternoonofJuly31,1993,thedayfollowingthemurder.Whilesearchingforthevictimwithahelicopter,lawenforcementofficialsspottedthesmokefromhisburningtruck.Aninvestigationfollowed,andratherquickly,lawenforcementofficialsarrestedRamsey,Smothers,andthedefendant.AllthreewereindictedandchargedbyaCarrollCountygrandjuryinatwocountindictmentwithpremeditatedfirstdegreemurderandfirstdegreefelonymurder.TheStatefiledanoticeofintenttoseekthedeathpenaltyastoeachdefendant. Uponrequest,thetrialcourtseveredtheactionandorderedthreeseparatetrials.Thedefendantwastriedfirst.Thevenuewaschangedduetothemagnitudeofpretrialpublicity.ThedefendantstrialwasheldinHenryCounty.Attheendoftheproof,theStateelectedtoproceedonthechargeoffirstdegreefelonymurdercharge.Uponhearingtheproofassummarizedabove,thejuryfoundthedefendantguiltyoffirstdegreefelonymurder. Atthesentencinghearing,theStatesoughtthedeathpenaltyuponthebasisoftwoaggravatingcircumstances: [t]hemurderwasespeciallyheinous,atrocious,orcruelinthatitinvolvedtortureorseriousphysicalabusebeyondthatnecessarytoproducedeath;and [t]hemurderwascommittedforthepurposeofavoiding,interferingwith,orpreventingalawfularrestorprosecutionofthedefendantoranother.Tenn.CodeAnn.3913204(i)(5)and(6)(1997Repl.). 4 +0 TheStatereliedupontheevidencepresentedattheguiltphaseofthetrial.TheStatealsocalledasawitnessthevictimsfather,whoaskedthejurynottoimposethedeathpenalty,buttoimposeinsteadasentenceoflifeimprisonmentwithoutthepossibilityofparole. ThedefendanttestifiedinherownbehalfandalsoofferedthetestimonyofCynthiaTaylor,hersister,Dr.PhillipCarlMorson,astaffphysicianfromWesternMentalHealthInstitute,andDr.GillianBlair,aclinicalpsychologist.Thedefendantexpressedsorrowtothevictimsfamilyforthemurderandsaidthatshewouldnothavestoppedhistruckifshehadknownitwouldeventuallyresultinhisdeath. Fromthetestimonyofthedefendantssister,thejurylearnedthatthedefendant,twentythreeatthetimeoftrial,isthemiddlechildinafamilyofthree,withanoldersister,Taylor,twentyeightatthetimeoftrial,andayoungerbrother,eighteenatthetimeoftrial.ThedefendantsfatherwasemployedasaschoolbusdriverinCarrollCountyandalsoownedasmallengineshop.Hermotherhadsufferedfromsevererheumatoidarthritissinceshortlyafterthedefendantsbirth,andatthetimeoftrialwasunabletowalkwithoutcrutches.Becauseofhermothersillness,thedefendantsgrandmotherhadcaredforheragreatdealuntilthegrandmotherwaskilledinanautomobileaccidentwhenthedefendantwastwelveyearsold.   #  6      ׀Thedefendanthadbegundrinkingalcoholshortlyafterher /%* grandmothersdeathandhadbecomeanalcoholic. 0', Ї Thoughthedefendanthasrepeatedlysoughttreatment,shehasbeenunabletosuccessfullycontroltheaddiction.Thedefendantalsoabusesdrugs,includingmorphineandcocaine.Attheageoffourteen,thedefendantattemptedtocommitsuicidebytakinganoverdoseofTylenoland,asaresult,washospitalizedfortreatment.Thedefendantbecamepregnantandboreherfirstchildwhileshewasenrolledinhighschool.Shewasabletoutilizeahomeboundteachertostaycurrentonherstudies.Eventuallythedefendantreturnedtoclassesandgraduatedeventhoughshecontinuedtousedrugsandalcohol. Followinggraduation,thedefendantagainbecamepregnantandmarriedJimHarris.ThedefendantandHarrisabuseddrugsregularlyduringtheirmarriagewhicheventuallyendedinadivorce.Thereafter,thedefendantmetanddatedDavidHamptonforapproximatelyoneyear.Hamptonabuseddrugsandalsophysicallyabusedthedefendant.Ononeoccasion,thedefendantwashospitalizedasaresultoftheabuse.WhenherrelationshipwithHamptonended,thedefendantbegandatingSmothers.Theyhadlivedtogetherforapproximatelytwotothreeweeksbeforethiskillingoccurred. OncrossexaminationTayloradmittedthatthedefendanthadbeenrebellioussincetheageoftwelve,thatshewouldnotlistentotheinstructionofherparents,andthatshehasmadeverypoorchoiceswithregardtorelationshipswithmen.Taylorsaidthatbothsheandhermotherhadtriedtohelpthedefendant ineverywaybyseekingprofessionalhelpbutthatnoneoftheireffortshadbeensuccessful. 4 +0  Dr.Morson,astaffphysicianatWesternMentalHealthInstitute,testifiedthathehadtreatedthedefendantbeginningonJanuary15,1994,aftershehadattemptedtocommitsuicidewhileincarceratedforthevictimsmurder.Atthattime,thedefendantwasdiagnosedassufferingfrommajordepressionwithpsychoticfeaturesandposttraumaticstressdisorder,withposttraumaticstressdisorderbeingtheprimarydiagnosis.AccordingtoDr.Morson,thetraumaticeventwhichprecipitatedtheonsetofthedefendantsposttraumaticstressdisorderwasherwitnessingandparticipationinthevictimsmurder.Inheradmissionstatement,thedefendanthadsaid Imgoingtokillmyself.IdontdeservetoliveafterwhatIdid. Dr.Morsondescribedthedefendantas averyanxiousperson,averyguiltriddenperson,averydistraughtperson,apersonwhowas...reexperiencingtheeventsoflastsummer,wasactuallyattimesfeelinglikethedeceasedwasintheroomwithher,washearinghisvoicebegging;andwasdriventojustextremeanxietyaboutthis,driventosuicidalattemptsbythis,driventonotwanttobealivebythis,overandoveragain,driventothepointwhereattimesshewassodistractedthatshewasalmostnotthere.Dr.Morsonsaidthedefendantwouldcryandtwistherhaireachtimethesubjectwasbroughtupandfeltextremelyguilty becauseshecouldnotstoptheeventsthathappened;thatshecouldnotstopWalter[Smothers]fromdoingwhathedid;thatshedidnthavethecouragetodoanythingaboutthis....Thedefendantexpressedremorseandregretforheractions,accordingtoDr.Morson,andrepeatedlystatedthat shedidntknowhowshecouldgoonlivingwiththis.ShealsoattemptedtocommitsuicideononeoccasionwhilehospitalizedatWesternState. 4 +0 Ї BaseduponaninterviewandevaluationofthedefendantonFebruary18,1994,Dr.Blair,aclinicalpsychologist,diagnosedthedefendantassufferingfromseveredepressionandposttraumaticstressdisorder.Dr.Blairalsotestifiedthatthedefendanthassubstancedependenceandsomeelementsofapersonalitydisorder.Dr.Blairopinedthatthedefendantispassiveanddependentandmakespoordecisions. Dr.Blairstatedthatthedefendanthadreportedtoherthatshehadbeenrapedandhadbeensexuallyabusedbytherapistsincetheageoftwelve.Thedefendantreportedtheabusetoherparentsbutwasnotbelieved.Accordingtothedefendantsstatement,theallegedperpetratorlateradmittedtheabusebutwasneverprosecuted.Followingtherape,Dr.Blairsaidthedefendantbeganusingvariousdrugsandattemptedsuicidemultipletimes.Dr.Blairopinedthatthedefendantparticipatedinthemurderofthevictimbecausesheisdependentuponmenand,asaresult,followedthedirectionsofWalterSmothers. Oncrossexamination,Dr.Blairadmittedthatanyposttraumaticstressthatthedefendantnowsufferswouldnothaveimpactedheractionsonthenightofthemurder,July30,1993.Also,Dr.Blairconcededthatthedefendantsnoncompliancewithherparentsinstructionscouldbeconsideredinconsistentwithherassessmentofthedefendantasadependentpersonality. Baseduponthisproof,thejuryrejectedthedeathpenaltyandimposedasentenceoflifeimprisonmentwithoutthepossibilityofparole.Thetrialjudgeinstructedthejuryinaccordancewiththelanguageofthestatutewithrespectto 4 +0 thetwoaggravatingcircumstancesuponwhichtheStatehadrelied.Theverdictformreflectedthatthejuryhadfound [t]hemurderwascommittedforthepurposeofavoiding,interferingwith,orpreventingalawfularrestorprosecutionofthedefendantoranother.Tenn.CodeAnn.3913204(i)(6)(1997Repl.).Withrespecttothesecondaggravatingcircumstance,theverdictformindicatedthatthejuryhadfoundonlythat [t]hemurderwasespeciallyheinousandatrocious. Whenthetrialjudgenoticedthevariationbetweenthejurysfindingandtheactualstatutorylanguageoftheaggravatingcircumstance,thefollowingcolloquyoccurred.8 THECOURT:Inoticethatwhereyousetouttheaggravatingcircumstancenumberonethatyoudonothavetheentireaggravatingcircumstancewrittenout.Istheresomereason?  ! ! 8 JURYFOREMAN:Well,wejust  ! ! 8 THECOURT:Wasitintendedtobethatyoufoundtheentirecircumstancethere?  ! !  JURYFOREMAN:Well,justwhatIvegotwrittenout.8 THECOURT:Youvewrittenherethatyoufoundthatthemurderwasespeciallyheinousandatrocious.  ! ! 8 JURYFOREMAN:Yes,sir.  ! ! 8 THECOURT:Youhaveomittedthatitwascruel,involvedtortureorseriousphysicalabusebeyondthatnecessarytoproducedeath.Isthatwhatyouintendedforittobe?  ! !  JURYFOREMAN:Yes,sir.8 THECOURT:Allright,butthenyouhavefoundthatthesecondaggravatingcircumstancethereinitsentiretyiscorrect.  ! !  JURYFOREMAN:Yes,sir.8 THECOURT:Baseduponthatyoufixedasentenceoflife f5,1 imprisonmentwithoutthepossibilityofparole.HaveIreaditcorrectly?  ! !  JURYFOREMAN:Thatscorrect.mb Followingthisexchange,thetrialjudgeenteredajudgmentinaccordancewiththejurysverdictwhichfoundthedefendantguiltyoffirstdegreefelonymurderandimposedasentenceoflifeimprisonmentwithoutthepossibilityofparole. Onappeal,thedefendantchallengedthevalidityofhersentenceandarguedthatsheshouldbegivenanewsentencinghearingbecausethejuryrenderedanincompleteverdictwithrespecttooneofthetwoaggravatingcircumstancesuponwhichthesentencehadbeenbased.AmajorityoftheCourtofCriminalAppealsrejectedherclaimandaffirmedtheconvictionandsentenceimposed.Onejudgedissentedfromthemajoritydecision,concludingthatthejuryhaderroneouslyreturnedanincompleteverdictwithrespecttooneofthetwoaggravatingcircumstances.ApplyingtheanalysisdelineatedinStatev.Howell, T$ 868S.W.2d238(Tenn.1993),thedissentingjudgeconcludedthattheerrorwasnotharmlessbeyondareasonabledoubt. ThereafterwegrantedthedefendantsapplicationforpermissiontoappealandnowaffirmthedecisionoftheCourtofCriminalAppealswhichupheldthedefendantsconvictionoffirstdegreefelonymurderandthesentenceoflifeimprisonmentwithoutthepossibilityofparole. 4 +0 @  # HARMLESSERRORANALYSIS  `  X XXX InthisCourt,thedefendantarguesthat#XX XX_m#sheshouldbegivenanew 8  sentencinghearingbecausethejuryrenderedanincompleteverdictwithrespecttooneoftheaggravatingcircumstancesuponwhichhersentencewasbased.RelyingupontheanalysisdelineatedinHowell,supra,thedefendantarguesthat T theerrorisnotharmless. TheStateconcedesthatthejurysincompletefindingwithrespecttothe(i)(5)aggravatingcircumstanceconstituteserror.However,theStateassertsthattheHowellanalysisdoesnotapplybecausetheerrorisstatutoryratherthan P constitutional.AccordingtotheState,theerrorisharmlessbecauseitdoesnotaffirmativelyappeartohaveaffectedthesentencingverdicttothedefendantsprejudice.Tenn.R.Crim.P.52(a);Tenn.R.App.P.36(b). Toresolvetheissueinthisappealwemustfirstdeterminewhethertheerrorcomplainedofisconstitutionalorstatutory.  #  7      ׀Theanswertothisquestionis x$ importantbecausethetestforharmlessnessofconstitutionalerrorsdiffersfromthatfornonconstitutionalerrors.First,onceaconstitutionalerrorisfound,theburdenshiftstotheStatetoproveharmlessness;theburdendoesnotshifttothestatefornonconstitutionalerrors.JamesC.Scoville,DeadlyMistakes:Harmless +H"& ErrorinCapitalSentencing,54U.Chi.L.Rev.740,74142(1987).Second,the t-$( standardwhichappliestoassesstheharmorprejudiceresultingfromconstitutionalerrorsismoreexactingthanthestandardwhichappliestononconstitutionalerrors.Id.;seealso3AWright&Miller,FederalCriminal   PracticeandProcedure855(2ded.1982). d  Forexample,inTennessee,nonconstitutionalerrorswillnotresultin \  reversalunlesstheerroraffirmativelyappearstohaveaffectedtheresultofthetrialonthemerits,orconsideringthewholerecord,theerrorinvolvesasubstantialrightwhichmoreprobablythannotaffectedthejudgmentorwouldresultinprejudicetothejudicialprocess.Tenn.R.Crim.P.52(a);Tenn.R.App.P.36(b);Statev.Cook,816S.W.2d322,326(Tenn.1991);Statev.Williams,977S.W.2d X 101,105(Tenn.1998).Incontrast,aconstitutionalerrorwillresultinreversal $ unlessthereviewingcourtisconvinced beyondareasonabledoubtthattheerrordidnotaffectthetrialoutcome.Chapmanv.California,386U.S.18,87S.Ct.824,  \ 17L.Ed.2d705(1967);Howell,868S.W.2dat260;Cook,816S.W.2dat326; "( Tenn.R.Crim.P52(a).Finally,andperhapsmostsignificantly,thoughanynonconstitutionalerrormaybeconsideredharmlessinaparticularcase,therearesomeconstitutionalerrorswhichdefyharmlesserroranalysisandwillalwaysrequirereversal.X XXX  #  8      #XX XX6z# )X $ X XXX#XX XXz# Thedefendantreasonsthattheerrorinthiscaseisconstitutionallybased d-$( because,likeHowell,thejuryssentencingdeterminationwasbasedinpartupon 0/%* aninvalidaggravatingcircumstance.Thereisanimportantandvitaldistinction, 0', however,whichthedefendanthasoverlooked.UnlikeHowell,thisappealdoes `  notinvolveasentenceofdeath. InFurmanv.Georgia,408U.S.238,92S.Ct.2726,33L.Ed.2d346(1972), d theUnitedStatesSupremeCourtheldthatthedeathpenaltymaynotbeimposedundersentencingproceduresthatcreateasubstantialriskthatthepunishmentwillbeinflictedinanarbitraryandcapriciousmanner.Therefore,ifaStatedecidestoauthorizecapitalpunishment,thefederalconstitutionrequiresthatittailorandapplyitslawinamannerthatavoidsthearbitraryandcapriciousinflictionofthedeathpenalty.Godfreyv.Georgia,446U.S.420,100S.Ct.1759,1764,64 , L.Ed.2d398(1980).Thisconstitutionalresponsibilityrequiresstates,asafirststep,toadoptprocedurestonarrowtheclassofpersonseligibleforthedeathpenalty.Zantv.Stephens,462U.S.862,877,103S.Ct.2733,2742,77L.Ed.2d  235(1983).Narrowingmaybeaccomplishedeitherbyprovidingrestrictivedefinitionsoffirstdegreeorcapitalmurderorbyutilizingaggravatingcircumstancesatthesentencinghearing.Lowenfieldv.Phelps,484U.S.231, T$ 108S.Ct.546,98L.Ed.2d568(1988).InTennessee,narrowingisaccomplishedbyuseofaggravatingcircumstancesatthesentencinghearing.Statev. '" Middlebrooks,840S.W.2d317(Tenn.1992). )X $  Onceamethodofnarrowingischosen,thestandardsemployedmustbe clearandobjectiveandprovide specificanddetailedguidancewhichbothchannelsthesentencersdiscretionandmakesrationallyreviewabletheprocessforimposingasentenceofdeath.Godfrey,446U.S.at428,100S.Ct.at1765.A 2T). Statesdeathpenaltyschememaynotemployaggravatingcircumstanceswhich 4 +0 aresovaguethattheyfailtochannelthesentencingdecisionofjurorsandresultinarbitraryandcapricioussentencing.Greggv.Georgia,428U.S.153,195n.46, ,  96S.Ct.2909,2935n.46,49L.Ed.2d859(1976).Significantly,inthedeathpenaltycontext,juryfindingsofstatutoryaggravatingcircumstancessimilartothejurysfindinginthiscasehavebeenheldtobeunconstitutionallyvague.Maynard 0 v.Cartwright,486U.S.356,108S.Ct.1853,100L.Ed.2d372(1988)(jury \  imposedthedeathpenaltyuponfindingaggravatingcircumstancethatthemurderwas especiallyheinous,atrocious,orcruelandcourtheldthestatutorylanguageunconstitutionallyvaguebecauseitdidnothing tocuretheunfettereddiscretionofthejuryandtosatisfythecommandsoftheEighthAmendment);Godfrey,446 , U.S.at42829,100S.Ct.at1764(juryfoundthemurderwas outrageouslyorwantonlyvile,horribleorinhumanandthefindingwasheldunconstitutionallyvague becausethereisnothinginthesefewwords,standingalone,thatimpliesanyinherentrestraintonthearbitraryandcapriciousinflictionofthedeathsentence). However,theseEighthAmendmentconstitutionalnarrowingrequirementsandvaguenessprohibitionshavenotbeenextendedtocaseswhichdonotinvolvethedeathpenalty.SeeHarmelinv.Michigan,501U.S.957,995,111S.Ct.2680, )X $ 2701,2702,115L.Ed.2d836(1991).InHarmelin,acaseinvolvingasentenceof +$"& imprisonmentforlifewithoutthepossibilityofparole,JusticeScaliaexplainedtheCourtsreluctancetoextendtheseconstitutionalrequirementsbeyondthecapitalsentencecontextasfollows:8 Thepenaltyofdeathdiffersfromallotherformsofcriminalpunishment,notindegreebutinkind.Itisuniqueinitstotalirrevocability.Itisuniqueinitsrejectionofrehabilitationoftheconvictasabasicpurposeofcriminaljustice.Anditisunique, f5,1 finally,initsabsoluterenunciationofallthatisembodiedinourconceptofhumanity.  ! ! Harmelin,501U.S.at99596,111S.Ct.at2702(quotingFurman,408U.S.at   306,92S.Ct.at2760(Stewart,J.,concurring)). RecentlyinStatev.Butler,980S.W.2d359(Tenn.1998),thisCourt \  adoptedJusticeScaliasrationalethatthedeathpenaltyisuniquetoallotherformsofpunishment.Asaresult,werefusedtoapplythenarrowingrequirementadoptedinMiddlebrooks,supra,toproceedingsinwhichtheStateisseekinga ` sentenceoflifeimprisonmentwithoutthepossibilityofparole.InsteadweheldthattheconstitutiondoesnotbartheStatefromrelyinguponthefelonymurderaggravatingcircumstancetosupportimpositionofasentenceoflifeimprisonmentwithoutthepossibilityofparoleeventhoughthedefendanthasbeenconvictedoffirstdegreefelonymurder. Therefore,whilethejurysfindinginthiscasewouldhaveimplicatedconstitutionalvaguenessconcernshadthejuryimposedasentenceofdeath,  #  9        &  thosesameconstitutionalconcernsdonotapplyoutsidethedeathpenaltycontextandarenotimplicatedinthisappealfromthedefendantssentenceoflifeimprisonmentwithoutthepossibilityofparole. +$"& Ї Accordingly,thejurysincompletefindingwithrespecttotheaggravatingcircumstanceisnotconstitutionalerror,butisinsteadanerroneousdeviationfromthestatutoryschemeadoptedbytheGeneralAssemblytogovernimpositionofsentencesoflifeimprisonmentwithoutthepossibilityofparole.Cf.Statev. d Hodges,944S.W.2d346,352(Tenn.1997)(righttoinstructiononnonstatutory 0 mitigatingcircumstancesderivesfromstatutenotconstitution;thereforerefusaltoinstructonnonstatutorymitigatingcircumstancesisstatutoryratherthanconstitutionalerror). Havingconcludedthattheerrorisstatutoryratherthanconstitutionalinnature,wemustnextexplaintheshowingnecessarytoestablishthattheerrorX XXXhas X affirmativelyormoreprobablythannotaffectedthejudgmenttothedefendantsprejudice.SeeTenn.R.Crim.P.52(a);Tenn.R.App.P.36(b).#XX XX#Toresolvethis  question,wefocusuponthesentencingschemeforfirstdegreemurder. WhenadefendantisconvictedoffirstdegreemurderinacaseinwhichtheStateisseekingthedeathpenalty,threesentencingoptionsexist,lifeimprisonment,lifeimprisonmentwithoutthepossibilityofparole,ordeath.Tenn.CodeAnn.3913204(1997Repl.).AlifesentenceismandatoryifthejuryfindsthattheStatehasnotprovenanystatutoryaggravatingcircumstancesbeyondareasonabledoubt.Tenn.CodeAnn.3913204(f)(1)(1997Repl.).AdeathsentenceisappropriateifthejuryunanimouslyfindsboththattheStatehasprovenatleastoneormorestatutoryaggravatingcircumstancesbeyonda    reasonable    doubtandthattheaggravatingcircumstancesprovenoutweighmitigatingcircumstancesbeyondareasonabledoubt.Tenn.CodeAnn.3913 4d+0 / XX  / XX   / XX   / XX  / XX  204(g)(1)(1997Repl.).However,if,asinthiscase,thejurydeterminesthattheStatehasprovenoneormorestatutoryaggravatingcircumstances,butconcludesthatthecircumstanceorcircumstancessoprovendonotoutweighmitigatingcircumstancesbeyondareasonabledoubt,thejurymayimposeasentenceofeitherlifeimprisonmentorlifeimprisonmentwithoutthepossibilityofparole.Tenn.CodeAnn.3913204(f)(2)(1997Repl.).Indeterminingwhichsentencetoimpose,thestatuteprovidesonlythatthejurymust weighandconsidertheaggravatingandmitigatingcircumstances.Id.Thestatutedoesnotrequirethe   jurytodeterminethattheaggravatingcircumstancesprovenoutweighthemitigatingcircumstancesbyanyspecificlevelofprooftoimposeasentenceoflifeimprisonmentwithoutthepossibilityofparole.Id. X  Inrecognitionofthesubstantialdiscretionaffordedjurorsindeterminingwhichsentencetoimpose,thestatutegoverningappellatereviewdeclaresthat [a]sentenceofimprisonmentforlifewithoutthepossibilityofparoleshallbeconsideredappropriateiftheStateprovedbeyondareasonabledoubtatleastone(1)statutoryaggravatingcircumstancecontainedin3913204(i),andthesentencewasnototherwiseimposedarbitrarily,soastoconstituteagrossabuseofthejurysdiscretion.Tenn.CodeAnn.3913207(g)  (1997Repl.).     #  10      כ )X $  Underthisstatutoryscheme,whenasentenceisbasedinpartupononeor P-#( moreinvalidaggravatingcircumstances,butatleastonevalidaggravatingcircumstanceremains,thejurysrelianceupontheinvalidaggravatingcircumstanceisnotreversibleerrorundereitherTenn.R.Crim.P.52(a)orTenn.R.App.P.36(b)unlessthedefendantdemonstratesthatthejurygrosslyabuseditsdiscretionbyarbitrarilyimposingthesentence. Applyingthatstandardtothefactsinthiscase,itisclearthatthejurysrelianceupontheincompleteaggravatingcircumstanceisharmlesserror.Clearly,onevalidaggravatingcircumstanceremainstosupportthedefendantssentence.Thejuryfoundproofbeyondareasonabledoubtthat [t]hemurderwascommittedforthepurposeofavoiding,interferingwith,orpreventingalawfularrestorprosecutionofthedefendantoranother.Tenn.CodeAnn.3913204(i)(6)(1997Repl.).ThetestimonyofboththedefendantandSmothers,whosaidthatthevictimwasshotthesecondtimebecausehebegantoscreamforhelpastheydroveintoapopulatedarea,supportthejurysfindingofthisaggravatingcircumstance.Thedefendantoffersnospecificargumentwhichdemonstratesthatthejurygrosslyabuseditsdiscretionbyimposingasentenceoflifeimprisonmentwithoutthepossibilityofparolebeyondherassertionthatanewsentencinghearingisnecessarybecausethejuryreliedupontheincompleteaggravatingcircumstance.Furthermore,nothingintherecordsuggeststhatthesentencewasimposedarbitrarilysoastoconstituteagrossabuseofthejurysdiscretion.Insum,thedefendanthasfailedtoestablishthatthejurygrosslyabuseditsdiscretionbyimposingasentenceoflifeimprisonmentwithoutthepossibilityofparole.Accordingly,thejurysrelianceupontheincompleteandinvalidaggravatingcircumstancewasharmlesserrorinthiscase. 4 +0 Ї@,,) CONCLUSION  ,   Forthereasonspreviouslyexplained,weconcludethattheincompletefindingastotheaggravatingcircumstanceconstitutesstatutoryerrorwhich,inthiscase,isharmlessbecausethedefendantfailedtoestablishthatthejurygrosslyabuseditsdiscretionbyarbitrarilyimposingasentenceoflifeimprisonmentwithoutthepossibilityofparole.X XXXAccordingly,#XX XX#thejudgmentoftheCourtof 4  CriminalAppealswhichupheldthedefendantsconvictionandsentenceisaffirmed.   0      8 _____________________________________  0      8 FRANKF.DROWOTA,III  0      8 JUSTICE Concur:  *z!% Anderson,C.J.BirchandHolder,JJ.ͮHayes,Sp.J.SeparateConcurringOpinion