WPCt \B/S}j8nhID ah SbL䁿>cEjblx[GeӳkȞv PR*%]H쵮1!y`k/ag co =l;~)kKŃKMfZjjE4~ahޟmu:Ɏ-6 !NCrijV*bFmlШWjڀ&!nLXer}4 4N|<*1` h,<^Q #)ﺲ ǖ\be|Ql5Pl>󁉦"t+LJB?K_hT`ˊU{{9^`'_֩p_q.bE"w|{< ,*Zg3?=<94!pڛe mMbw6*b# \UNg % 0(U:w~ 4   0! 0 DU p:\)U:Du=-U:  U:""U:m$U:$f$G%U:^((UNE**#%+U:H.-..U:/ B/ 0b(3U:03U:j3-3U:3 4U:5(>5UNf8U:8q8U:_@@c+B 0DBe BU:BCU:DDU:FFU:HU:H#IU:OE?O@O[AOBOECODOEO[FOEGO HOO OOOeOOEOEOEOOOOOEOUOOEOUO[OEOOOEO[O[OUOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEODODOOOOO{OOEOO[OOVODOӀOOy&3|xO   e$ `   3    (XЮXX=X(X(XЮ Priortothesettingoforalargument,theCourtshallreviewtherecordandbriefsand  considerallerrorsassigned.TheCourtmayenteranorderdesignatingthoseissuesitwishes  addressedatoralargument.Tenn.Sup.Ct.R.12.(8(2e$ !   `   0  (#$  0  +K AZ"Arial Regular   e$ `   4    XЮXX=XXXЮ AllthreewerechargedwithMajorsmurder.Brewingtonwaseventuallytriedasan  adultandconvictedoffirstdegreemurder,aggravatedkidnapping,andarmedrobberyandsentencedtoconsecutivesentencesoflife,40years,and35years,respectively.Becausehewasaminor,hewasnoteligibleforthedeathpenalty.SeeStatev.Brewington,No.89232III,1990WL83406 B : (Tenn.Crim.App.June20,1990),perm.app.denied,(Tenn.Oct.1,1990).TammyMiddlebrooks   pledguiltytofirstdegreemurderandwassentencedtolifeimprisonment.,  AZ"Arial Regular :  e$ `   6    =X=X = Thetrialcourtproperlyinstructedunderthispre1989versionof(i)(5),whichwasin  effectatthetimeoftheoffense.Statev.Cazes,875S.W.2d253(Tenn.1994),cert.denied,513U.S.  1086,115S.Ct.743,130L.Ed.2d644(1995).Effectivein1989,theaggravatingcircumstancewasamendedtoreplace depravityofmindwith seriousphysicalabusebeyondthatnecessarytoproducedeath.Tenn.CodeAnn.3913204(i)(5)(1997&Supp.1998#= ~# =# XЮX _# X XЮ). k  e$ `   7    XЮXX=XXXЮ Middlebrooksalsocitesrecentfederalhabeascorpusdecisionsaddressingthe(i)(5)  circumstance.SeeHoustonv.Dutton,50F.3d381(6thCir.1995);Rickmanv.Dutton,854F.Supp.  1305(M.D.Tenn.1994);seealsoCoev.Bell,161F.3d320(6thCir.1998).HoustonandRickman | aredistinguishablefromMiddlebrooksinthatthetrialcourtinthosecaseseitherfailedtodefinethetermsorprovidedonlyincompletedefinitionsofthetermsusedinthe(i)(5)circumstance.Inaddition,thepersuasivenessofHoustonisweakenedbytheStatesconcessionthattheinstructionwas   erroneousinthatcase.SeeHouston50F.3dat387.Moreimportantly,however,thisCourtisnot | t boundbythedecisionsofthefederaldistrictandcircuitcourtsbutonlybythedecisionsoftheUnitedStatesSupremeCourt.E.g.,Statev.McKay,680S.W.2d447,450(Tenn.1984).The   constitutionalityofthisaggravatingcircumstancehasbeenchallengedintheUnitedStatesSupremeCourtinthepast;yetthatCourthasnevergrantedreviewandheldthiscircumstanceunconstitutional.WhilewerecognizethatdenialofcertioraribytheUnitedStatesSupremeCourtisnotarulingonthemerits,see,e.g.,Teaguev.Lane,489U.S.288,296,109S.Ct.1060,1067,103L.Ed.2d334    (1989),wenonethelessadheretothisCourtspriordecisionsupholdingtheconstitutionalityofthisaggravatingcircumstanceuntiltheUnitedStatesSupremeCourtdeterminesthatthiscircumstanceisunconstitutional. ## i Xd#   e$ `   10    XЮXX=XXXЮ TheCourtofCriminalAppealsdecisionwasreleasedpriortoourdecisioninBland.  Aremandisunnecessary,however,sincetheproportionalityreviewoftherecordandothercasesisdenovo.,  AZ"Arial Regular   e$ `   9    XЮXX=XXXЮ Asarelatedissue,Middlebrooksarguesthatthestatement, [t]heStateasksyouto  imposethedeathpenalty,wasalsoimproper.Wedisagreethatthisstatementbyitselfconstitutedastatementoftheprosecutorspersonalopinionorwasinanymannerimproper.,  AZ"Arial Regular   e$ `   8    XЮXX=XXXЮ TheStatearguesthattheissueshouldbetreatedaswaivedfordefensecounsels  failuretoobjectattrialortoraisetheissueinthemotionfornewtrial.Wehaveelectedtoreviewtheissueonitsmerits.,  AZ"Arial Regular,  AZ"Arial Regular \\RA' Legal\   e$ `   1    X/XXXX X/Ԁ Wheneverthedeathpenaltyisimposedforfirstdegreemurderandwhenthejudgmenthas  becomefinalinthetrialcourt,thedefendantshallhavetherightofdirectappealfromthetrialcourttothecourtofcriminalappeals.TheaffirmanceoftheconvictionandthesentenceofdeathshallbeautomaticallyreviewedbytheTennesseesupremecourt.Upontheaffirmancebythecourtofcriminalappeals,theclerkshalldocketthecaseinthesupremecourtandthecaseshallproceedinaccordancewiththeTennesseeRulesofAppellateProcedure.Tenn.CodeAnn.3913206(a)(1)(1997).,  AZ"Arial Regular   e$ `   2    XX#Ԁ Priortothesettingoforalargument,theCourtshallreviewtherecordandbriefsand  considerallerrorsassigned.TheCourtmayenteranorderdesignatingthoseissuesitwishesaddressedatoralargument.Tenn.Sup.Ct.R.12.(hH  Z 6Times New Roman Regularkidnapping Crim appMiddlebrooksKerrickRileyDrowota   e$ `   1     XDpXX=X 6X XDp Wheneverthedeathpenaltyisimposedforfirstdegreemurderandwhenthe  judgmenthasbecomefinalinthetrialcourt,thedefendantshallhavetherightofdirectappealfromthetrialcourttothecourtofcriminalappeals.TheaffirmanceoftheconvictionandthesentenceofdeathshallbeautomaticallyreviewedbytheTennesseesupremecourt.Upontheaffirmancebythecourtofcriminalappeals,theclerkshalldocketthecaseinthesupremecourtandthecaseshallproceedinaccordancewiththeTennesseeRulesofAppellateProcedure.Tenn.CodeAnn.3913206(a)(1)(1997).,  AZ"Arial Regular ## i Xd#  e$ `   5    'XЮXX=X'X'XЮ TheautopsyindicatedthatKerrickMajorswas4'11"tallandweighed112pounds.+K AZ"Arial Regular d   e$ `   3    *X/XXX*XX/ԀAllthreewerechargedwithMajorsmurder.Brewingtonwaseventuallytriedasanadult  andconvictedoffirstdegreemurder,aggravatedkidnapping,andarmedrobberyandsentencedtoconsecutivesentencesoflife,40years,and35years,respectively.Becausehewasaminor,hewasnoteligibleforthedeathpenalty.SeeStatev.Brewington,No.89232III(Tenn.Crim.App.,at ` X Nashville,June20,1990),perm.app.denied,(Tenn.Oct.1,1990).TammyMiddlebrookspledguilty (  tofirstdegreemurderandwassentencedtolifeimprisonment.- -,  AZ"Arial Regular,  AZ"Arial Regular ##iXd#,  AZ"Arial Regular  e$ `   4    ,X/XXX,X'X/ԀTheautopsyindicatedthatKerrickMajorswas4'11"tallandweighed112pounds.,  AZ"Arial Regular   e$ `   5    .XX/ԀThetrialcourtproperlyinstructedunderthispre1989versionof(i)(5),whichwasineffectat  thetimeoftheoffense.Statev.Cazes,875S.W.2d253(Tenn.Crim.App.1994),cert.denied,513  U.S.1086,115S.Ct.743(1995).Effectivein1989,theaggravatingcircumstancewasamendedtoreplace depravityofmindwith seriousphysicalabusebeyondthatnecessarytoproducedeath.Tenn.CodeAnn.3913204(i)(5)(1997#. ~#/#/X/X _#/X X/).(hH  Z 6Times New Roman Regular+K AZ"Arial Regular g  e$ `   6    1X/XXX1XX/Ԁ Middlebrooksalsocitesrecentfederalhabeascorpusdecisionsaddressingthe(i)(5)  circumstance.SeeHoustonv.Dutton,50F.3d381(6thCir.1995);Rickmanv.Dutton,854F.  Supp.1305(M.D.Tenn.1994);seealsoCoev.Bell,161F.3d320(6thCir.1998).Houstonand  RickmanaredistinguishablefromMiddlebrooksinthatthetrialcourtinthosecaseseitherdid ` X notdefineorprovidedonlyincompletedefinitionsofthetermsusedinthe(i)(5)circumstance.Inaddition,thepersuasivenessofHoustonisweakenedbytheStatesconcessionthatthe   instructionwaserroneousinthatcase.See50F.3dat387.Moreimportantly,however,this   CourtisnotboundbythedecisionsofthefederaldistrictandcircuitcourtsbutonlybythedecisionsoftheUnitedStatesSupremeCourt.Statev.McKay,680S.W.2d447,450(Tenn. H @ 1984).TheconstitutionalityofthisaggravatingcircumstancehasbeenchallengedintheUnitedStatesSupremeCourtinthepast;yetthatcourthasnevergrantedreviewandheldthiscircumstanceunconstitutional.WhilewerecognizethatdenialofcertioraribytheUnitedStatesSupremeCourtisnotarulingonthemerits,seeTeaguev.Lane,489U.S.288,296,109 h`  S.Ct.1060,1067,103L.Ed.2d334(1989),wenonethelessadheretothisCourtspriordecisionsupholdingtheconstitutionalityofthisaggravatingcircumstanceuntiltheUnited   ^ StatesSupremeCourtdeterminesthatthiscircumstanceisunconstitutional. ,  AZ"Arial Regular   e$ `   7    6X/XXX6XX/ԀTheStatearguesthattheissueshouldbetreatedaswaivedfordefensecounselsfailureto  objectattrialortoraisetheissueinthemotionfornewtrial.Wehaveelectedtoreviewtheissueonitsmerits. Y 4)  .(5MIDDLEB2.OPN(MIDDLEB2.OPN/  (3$ !   ,  AZ"Arial Regular   e$ `   7    8X/XXX8XX/ TheStatearguesthattheissueshouldbetreatedaswaivedfordefensecounsels  failuretoobjectattrialortoraisetheissueinthemotionfornewtrial.Wehaveelectedtoreviewtheissueonitsmerits.,  AZ"Arial Regular   e$ `   8    :X/XXX:XX/ԀAsarelatedissue,Middlebrooksalsoarguesthattheargument, [t]heStateasksyouto  imposethedeathpenalty,wasalsoimproper.Wedisagreethatthisstatementbyitselfconstitutedastatementoftheprosecutorspersonalopinionorwasinanymannerimproper.,  AZ"Arial Regular   e$ `   9    <X/XXX<XX/ԀTheCourtofCriminalAppealsdecisionwasreleasedpriortoourdecisioninBland.A  remandisunnecessary,however,sincetheproportionalityreviewoftherecordandothercasesisde  novo.,  AZ"Arial Regular,  AZ"Arial Regular   e$ `   1    ?X/XX=X?X X/ Wheneverthedeathpenaltyisimposedforfirstdegreemurderandwhenthe  judgmenthasbecomefinalinthetrialcourt,thedefendantshallhavetherightofdirectappealfromthetrialcourttothecourtofcriminalappeals.TheaffirmanceoftheconvictionandthesentenceofdeathshallbeautomaticallyreviewedbytheTennesseesupremecourt.Upontheaffirmancebythecourtofcriminalappeals,theclerkshalldocketthecaseinthesupremecourtandthecaseshallproceedinaccordancewiththeTennesseeRulesofAppellateProcedure.Tenn.CodeAnn.3913206(a)(1)(1997).,  AZ"Arial Regular   e$ `   2    AX/XX=XAX(X/ Priortothesettingoforalargument,theCourtshallreviewtherecordandbriefsand  considerallerrorsassigned.TheCourtmayenteranorderdesignatingthoseissuesitwishes  addressedatoralargument.Tenn.Sup.Ct.R.12.,  AZ"Arial Regular   e$ `   3    CX/XX=XCXX/ AllthreewerechargedwithMajorsmurder.Brewingtonwaseventuallytriedasan  adultandconvictedoffirstdegreemurder,aggravatedkidnapping,andarmedrobberyandsentencedtoconsecutivesentencesoflife,40years,and35years,respectively.Becausehewasaminor,hewasnoteligibleforthedeathpenalty.SeeStatev.Brewington,No.89232III,1990WL83406(Tenn. ` X Crim.App.June20,1990),perm.app.denied,(Tenn.Oct.1,1990).TammyMiddlebrookspledguilty (  tofirstdegreemurderandwassentencedtolifeimprisonment.,  AZ"Arial Regular  e$ `   4    EX/XX=XEX'X/ TheautopsyindicatedthatKerrickMajorswas4'11"tallandweighed112pounds.,  AZ"Arial Regular :  e$ `   5    GX=XH= Thetrialcourtproperlyinstructedunderthispre1989versionof(i)(5),whichwasin  effectatthetimeoftheoffense.Statev.Cazes,875S.W.2d253(Tenn.1994),cert.denied,513U.S.  1086,115S.Ct.743,130L.Ed.2d644(1995).Effectivein1989,theaggravatingcircumstancewasamendedtoreplace depravityofmindwith seriousphysicalabusebeyondthatnecessarytoproducedeath.Tenn.CodeAnn.3913204(i)(5)(1997&Supp.1998#G ~#H=#HX/X _#HX X/).,  AZ"Arial Regular+K AZ"Arial Regular ~  e$ `   6    JX/XX=XJXX/ Middlebrooksalsocitesrecentfederalhabeascorpusdecisionsaddressingthe(i)(5)  circumstance.SeeHoustonv.Dutton,50F.3d381(6thCir.1995);Rickmanv.Dutton,854F.Supp.  1305(M.D.Tenn.1994);seealsoCoev.Bell,161F.3d320(6thCir.1998).HoustonandRickman  aredistinguishablefromMiddlebrooksinthatthetrialcourtinthosecaseseitherfailedtodefinethetermsorprovidedonlyincompletedefinitionsofthetermsusedinthe(i)(5)circumstance.Inaddition,thepersuasivenessofHoustonisweakenedbytheStatesconcessionthattheinstructionwas   erroneousinthatcase.SeeHouston50F.3dat387.Moreimportantly,however,thisCourtisnot   boundbythedecisionsofthefederaldistrictandcircuitcourtsbutonlybythedecisionsoftheUnitedStatesSupremeCourt.E.g.,Statev.McKay,680S.W.2d447,450(Tenn.1984).The H @ constitutionalityofthisaggravatingcircumstancehasbeenchallengedintheUnitedStatesSupremeCourtinthepast;yetthatCourthasnevergrantedreviewandheldthiscircumstanceunconstitutional.WhilewerecognizethatdenialofcertioraribytheUnitedStatesSupremeCourtisnotarulingonthemerits,seee.g.,Teaguev.Lane,489U.S.288,296,109S.Ct.1060,1067,103L.Ed.2d334(1989), h`  wenonethelessadheretothisCourtspriordecisionsupholdingtheconstitutionalityofthisaggravatingcircumstanceuntiltheUnitedStatesSupremeCourtdeterminesthatthiscircumstanceis    unconstitutional.,  AZ"Arial Regular   e$ `   7    LX/XX=XLXX/ TheStatearguesthattheissueshouldbetreatedaswaivedfordefensecounsels  failuretoobjectattrialortoraisetheissueinthemotionfornewtrial.Wehaveelectedtoreviewtheissueonitsmerits.,  AZ"Arial Regular   e$ `   8    NX/XX=XNXX/ Asarelatedissue,Middlebrooksarguesthattheargument, [t]heStateasksyouto  imposethedeathpenalty,wasalsoimproper.Wedisagreethatthisstatementbyitselfconstitutedastatementoftheprosecutorspersonalopinionorwasinanymannerimproper.,  AZ"Arial Regular   e$ `   9    PX/XXXPXX/ TheCourtofCriminalAppealsdecisionwasreleasedpriortoourdecisioninBland.  Aremandisunnecessary,however,sincetheproportionalityreviewoftherecordandothercasesisdenovo.,  AZ"Arial Regular 0  e$ `   2     =6X=XJusticeDrowotaandformerJusticeOBriendissentedastothisholdingin  Middlebrooks.840S.W.2dat34750(Drowota,J.,dissenting). ~  e$ `   7    SX/XX=XSXX/ Middlebrooksalsocitesrecentfederalhabeascorpusdecisionsaddressingthe(i)(5)  circumstance.SeeHoustonv.Dutton,50F.3d381(6thCir.1995);Rickmanv.Dutton,854F.Supp.  1305(M.D.Tenn.1994);seealsoCoev.Bell,161F.3d320(6thCir.1998).HoustonandRickman  aredistinguishablefromMiddlebrooksinthatthetrialcourtinthosecaseseitherfailedtodefinethetermsorprovidedonlyincompletedefinitionsofthetermsusedinthe(i)(5)circumstance.Inaddition,thepersuasivenessofHoustonisweakenedbytheStatesconcessionthattheinstructionwas   erroneousinthatcase.SeeHouston50F.3dat387.Moreimportantly,however,thisCourtisnot   boundbythedecisionsofthefederaldistrictandcircuitcourtsbutonlybythedecisionsoftheUnitedStatesSupremeCourt.E.g.,Statev.McKay,680S.W.2d447,450(Tenn.1984).The H @ constitutionalityofthisaggravatingcircumstancehasbeenchallengedintheUnitedStatesSupreme   7 Courtinthepast;yetthatCourthasnevergrantedreviewandheldthiscircumstanceunconstitutional.WhilewerecognizethatdenialofcertioraribytheUnitedStatesSupremeCourtisnotarulingonthemerits,seee.g.,Teaguev.Lane,489U.S.288,296,109S.Ct.1060,1067,103L.Ed.2d334(1989),  wenonethelessadheretothisCourtspriordecisionsupholdingtheconstitutionalityofthisaggravatingcircumstanceuntiltheUnitedStatesSupremeCourtdeterminesthatthiscircumstanceisunconstitutional.,  AZ"Arial Regular   e$ `   8    UX/XX=XUXX/ TheStatearguesthattheissueshouldbetreatedaswaivedfordefensecounsels  failuretoobjectattrialortoraisetheissueinthemotionfornewtrial.Wehaveelectedtoreviewtheissueonitsmerits.,  AZ"Arial Regular   e$ `   9    WX/XX=XWXX/ Asarelatedissue,Middlebrooksarguesthattheargument, [t]heStateasksyouto  imposethedeathpenalty,wasalsoimproper.Wedisagreethatthisstatementbyitselfconstitutedastatementoftheprosecutorspersonalopinionorwasinanymannerimproper.,  AZ"Arial RegularYZ[\]C<< CLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(3$ !  (3$ !  ($$   1  ^^' dxdP Pd Z"  aXXX=Xa\XaX   Ad FILEDaXXa\  July6,1999CecilCrowson,Jr.AppellateCourtClerkdAh $$$$'dxd,cAZ"Arial Regular !  OOOOXXX=X  *,XXXX*† TR[A' Legal3'A' Legal3'T!p){.GO=LHXdd=GOOOGO GOGO GOGO=DpXHXdd=ӜGOOOOOOrX_`<,(j 8` `@E ` 8ttxP,  rOOOINOOTHESUPREMECOURTOFTENNESSEE  МOOOOOtX_`>.*jx!` `@E` 8ttxPM tOOOOtX_`>.*jx!` `@Eo` 8ttxPM tߛOATNASHVILLE   `  `     h      D  p   FORPUBLICATION   ~  `     h      D  p   OOFILED:OOOOJulyOOOJulyOOOO6OOO7OOO,1999OO________________O OO X P STATEOFTENNESSEE, h      D )    `     h      D ) p DAVIDSONCRIMINAL    `  Appellee, h      D )    `     h      D ) `     h      D )OOOOVsOOOO. `     h      D ) p HON.ANNLACYJOHNS,    `     h      D ) p   OOJUDGE tl  `     h      D )DONALDRAYMIDDLEBROOKS,   D ) @8  `     h      D ) `  OOAppellant. h OO     D ) p NO.OOOO01S01OOOO9802CR00017    ForAppellant:   h      D ForAppellee:   LionelR.Barrett,Jr. h      D JohnKnoxWalkup vn Nashville,Tennessee h      D AttorneyGeneral&Reporter \T RichardOOOOMcGeeOOOO   h      D MichaelE.Moore (!  Nashville,Tennessee h      D SolicitorGeneral "  `   `     h      D KathyMorante `     h      D DeputyAttorneyGeneral `     h      D Nashville,Tennessee `     h      D AtTrial:  X(P!%  `     h      D VictorS.JohnsonIII `     h      D DistrictAttorneyGeneral `     h      D RogerD.Moore `     h      D AssistantDistrictAttorneyGeneral `     h      D JohnC.Zimmerman `     h      D AssistantDistrictAttorneyGeneral `     h      D Nashville,Tennessee `     h      D  p HXX@88(OPINION#XXH#Ԉ 4-3 AFFIRMED    h      D  p     ANDERSON,C.J.  :39 - X',XXX-  &7 Dp XXdXXd7p ` ThiscaseisbeforeusforautomaticreviewoftheCourtofCriminalAppeals  affirmanceofadeathsentenceimposeduponDonaldRayMiddlebrooksinaDavidsonCountyresentencinghearingforfirstdegreemurder.OHOHOOHOOOO>OHOHOHO  #  1      OO    ` Middlebrooksinitiallywasconvictedoffelonymurderandsentencedtodeathbasedonthejurysfindingthatevidenceoftwoaggravatingcircumstancesthatthemurderwas especiallyheinous,OOatrocious,OOorcruelinthatitinvolvedtortureordepravityofmind,Tenn.CodeAnn.OO392203(OOiOO)(5)(1982)(nowOOcodifiedinTenn.CodeAnn.OO3913204(OOiOO)(5)(1997&OOSuppOO.1998)),OOandthatthevictimwaskilledinthecommissionofafelony,Tenn.CodeAnn.OO392203(OOiOO)(7)(1982)(nowOOcodifiedinTenn.CodeAnn.3913204OO(OOiOO)(7)(1997&Supp.1998))OO񀄄outweighedevidenceofmitigatingcircumstances. ` Onappeal,thisCourtaffirmedMiddlebrooksOOconvictionOObutremandedthecaseforresentencingbecausethe(i)(7)felonymurderaggravatingcircumstanceusedtoimposethedeathsentenceduplicatedtheoffenseoffelonymurderandthereforefailedtonarrowtheclassofdeatheligibledefendantsunderArticleI,OOSectionOO16oftheTennesseeConstitution.Statev.Middlebrooks,840S.W.2d317 %" (Tenn.1992),cert.dismissed,510U.S.124,114S.Ct.OO651,126L.Ed.2d555OO `'X $ (1993).OQ  #  2      כO ,)$"&  ` Attheresentencinghearing,thejuryagainsentencedMiddlebrookstodeath basedontheaggravatingcircumstancethat themurderwasespeciallyheinous, .',  ){.p7 XXd XXd77 Dp XXdXXd7  O ){.p7 XXd XXd77 Dp XXdXXd7   ){.p7 XXd XXd77 Dp XXdXXd7   ){.p7 XXd XXd77 Dp XXdXXd7   ){.p7XXd XXd77 Ю XXdXXd7  OO ){.p7XXd XXd77 Ю XXdXXd7  OO ){.p7LXXd XXd77 / XXdXXd7   ){.p7LXXd XXd77 / XXdXXd7   ){.p7LXXd XXd77 / XXdXXd7   ){.p7LXXd XXd77 / XXdXXd7   ){.p7LXXd XXd77 / XXdXXd7  OOOatrocious,OOorOOcruelOOinthatitinvolvedtortureordepravityofmind.Tenn.CodeAnn.  O ){.p7 XXd XXd77 Dp XXdXXd7   ){.p7 XXd XXd77 Dp XXdXXd7   ){.p7 XXd XXd77 Dp XXdXXd7   ){.p7 XXd XXd77 Dp XXdXXd7  OO ){.p7XXd XXd77 Ю XXdXXd7  OO ){.p7LXXd XXd77 / XXdXXd7   ){.p7LXXd XXd77 / XXdXXd7   ){.p7LXXd XXd77 / XXdXXd7   ){.p7LXXd XXd77 / XXdXXd7   ){.p7LXXd XXd77 / XXdXXd7   ){.p7LXXd XXd77 / XXdXXd7   ){.p7LXXd XXd77 / XXdXXd7  O392203(i)(5).TheCourtofCriminalAppealsaffirmedMiddlebrookssentence. O ){.p7LXXd XXd77 / XXdXXd7  OAfterthecasewasdocketedasadeathpenaltyappealinthisCourt,weenteredanorderspecifyingthreeissuesfororalargument:(1)whetherTenn.CodeAnn.392203(i)(5),theaggravatingcircumstanceappliedinthiscase,wasconstitutional;(2)whethertheprosecutorsclosingargumentviolatedMiddlebrooksrighttodueprocess;and(3)whetherthesentenceofdeathisdisproportionate.OHOHOOHOO OO@OHOHOHO  #  3      OO    ` Afterreviewingtherecord,theCourtofCriminalAppealsdecision,theissuesraised,andtheapplicablelaw,wehavedeterminedbeyondareasonabledoubtthatnoneoftheallegederrorsaffectedthesentenceimposedbythejury;moreover,theevidencesupportsthejuryssentenceofdeathO,Oandthesentenceisnotdisproportionateorarbitraryasappliedtothedefendant.Wehavealsodeterminedthattheaggravatingcircumstance,Tenn.CodeAnn.392203(i)(5),wasconstitutionallyappliedinthiscase.Accordingly,weaffirmthesentenceofdeathbyelectrocution.  FACTUALBACKGROUND  %"    ` Webeginbyreviewingtheevidenceintroducedattheresentencinghearing.Onthedayofthemurder,April26,1987,DonaldRayMiddlebrooks,atwentyfouryearoldwhitemale,hiswife,TammyMiddlebrooks,aseventeenyearoldwhitefemale,andtheirfriendRogerBrewington,asixteenyearoldwhitemale,hadsetupamakeshiftfleamarketinEastNashville.WhenKerrickMajors,thefourteenyearoldblackmalevictim,andfourofhisfriendswalkedoverandbeganlookingattheitemsonthetable,TammyMiddlebrooksyelled Hey,yallniggersleaveourstuffalone. 5.4  ` DonaldMiddlebrooksandBrewingtonchasedafterMajorsandtheotherboys.ShannonStewarttestifiedthatashefledfromthescene,hesawBrewingtongrabMajorsanddraghimtowardthetable,whereMiddlebrooksstruckMajorsinthefaceandknockedhimdown.StewartheardMiddlebrooksorderMajorsto shutupnigger.TheboyswhomadeittosafetytoldMajorsmotherwhathadhappened.Majorsmothercalledthepoliceandalsosearchedforherson.ThenextdayMajorsnakedbodywasfoundlyingfaceupinadrycreekbedunderafoammattressinthewoodsneartheareawhereMajorshadbeenabducted. `  ` Bruises,scrapes,abrasions,andburnscoveredMajorsbody.Awovenbeltwasstrappedaroundhisleftwrist.Alargelacerationwasslicedacrosshisrightwrist.Twolargelacerationsmadebyasharpinstrumentformedan Xacrosshischest.Abloodyandswollengashwasabovehislefteye.Hisnosewasbloody,red,badlyOOburned,OOandhadpiecesofskinmissing.HislipswereswollenandϜlaceratedO,Oandtheinsideofhismouthwasbloodyandlacerated.HistesticleswerebadlyOOswollen,OOandhislegswerecoveredinblooddowntohisfeet.Therewasurineondifferentpartsofhisbodyandonaragtiedinatightknotaroundhisneckthathadbeenusedasagaginhismouth.Abloodysticklaynexttohishead.Finally,thereweretwodeepstabwoundsinhischestacoupleofinchesapart. ` Theautopsyindicatedthatthecauseofdeathwasastabwoundtothechestandthatthemurderweaponhadbeenplungedtoadepthof3.3inches.The XcarvedintoMajorschestwasinflictedbeforethestabwounds,andatleastoneofthestabwoundswasmadepriortohisdeath.Majorswasaliveandconsciousthroughouttheinflictionoftheinjuriesandwounds.Majorslivedaminimumoffivetosixminutesandamaximumofthirtyminutesfromthetimeofthestabwounds.Healsowouldhavebeenconsciouspartofthetimewhilebleedingtodeathafterbeingstabbed. X9P28  ` Twodaysafterthemurder,BrewingtonvoluntarilynotifiedthepolicethatDonaldMiddlebrooksandTammyMiddlebrookswereinvolvedinthemurder.HeshowedtheofficersabloodstainedknifewithabrassknucklehandlethathadbeenusedonMajors.BrewingtonalsotoldtheofficerswheretofindMiddlebrooksandhiswife.OHOHOOHOO OOBOHOHO%HO  #  4      OO 80  ` Afterbeingarrested,MiddlebrooksgaveavideotapedconfessiontothepoliceinwhichheadmittedhisowninvolvementbutdescribedBrewingtonastheleader.AccordingtoMiddlebrooks,afterdraggingMajorsintothewoods,BrewingtontiedMajorshandsandthenslappedhim,beathimwithbrassknuckles,urinatedinhismouth,andmadehimswallow.MiddlebrookssaidthatBrewingtonalsobeatMajorstesticles,threatenedtocut itopen,beathismouthandtonguewithastick,andstuckastickinMajorsanus.WheneverMajorsresistedorscreamed,Brewingtoncontinuedtobeatandslaphim.BrewingtontoldMajorshewastakinghim backtothedaysofOORoots.OOBrewington droppedtheknife 0 ( repeatedlyontopofMajors,gaggedhim,andslashedhiswrist.MiddlebrooksstatedthatTammyMiddlebrooksalsoslappedMajorsandburnedhisnosewithacigarettelighter. ` MiddlebrookssaidthatMajorswascryingandbeggingthemtostop.WhenMajorspleadedthatallhewantedtodowasto gotoschoolandgetaneducation,Brewingtonreplied Fyou,nigger.MiddlebrooksalsosaidthatMajorscriesweregettingonhisnervessoheaskedBrewingtontostop.AccordingtoMiddlebrooks,BrewingtonthenkissedMajorsontheforeheadandtoldhimthatitwas thekissofdeath. 3,2  ` Inthevideotapedconfession,MiddlebrooksadmittedstabbingMajorsonceandstrikinghimacrosshislegswithaswitch.MiddlebrooksexplainedthatbothheandBrewingtonstabbedMajorsonce.Inapriorstatement,however,Middlebrooksclaimedtohaveinflictedbothstabwounds.HealsoclaimedhedidnotstopthetorturebecausehewasafraidofBrewingtonandis scaredtofight.Atanotherpoint,MiddlebrookscontendedthathestabbedMajorstoprovehewas coolerthanBrewington. ` AccordingtotheStatesproof,fourteenyearoldMajorswassmallforhisage.OHOHOOHOO"OODOHOHO+HO  #  5      OOHewasdescribedasagoodstudentwholovedschool.Hewasnotaviolent 4, person,nordidhecarryaweapon.Sincehismurder,hismothershealthhasdeteriorated.Shehasbeenonmedicationandwillnotleavethehouseexceptfordoctorappointments.Shehashadanervousbreakdown,suffersfrompanicattacks,andhasnotbeenabletosleepatnightsincethemurder.MajorsolderbrotherblameshimselfforMajorsdeathandnowsuffersfrommoodswings. ` ShannonStewarttestifiedthathehadspokenwithMiddlebrooksthemorningofthemurder.MiddlebrookshadtoldStewartthathewasamemberoftheKKK,thathe hatedniggers,andthathepunchedablackmanjustforsayinghello.StewartalsotestifiedthatheoverheardMiddlebrooksorderMajorsto shutupnigger. ` Thedefenseintroducedmitigationevidenceasfollows:Middlebrookscousins,JamesandCarolSueLittle,andhishalfsister,SharonFuchs,testifiedaboutMiddlebrookschildhood.MiddlebrooksgrewupinTexas.Hisfatherdiedwhenhewasfour.Hismotherremarriedandhadanotherchild,OOMs.OOOOFuchs,OObeforesheagaindivorced.MiddlebrooksOOmothereitherOOleftthechildrenatnightwithrelativesorelsewouldtakethemtobarswithher. 706 Ї ` Accordingtotheproof,MiddlebrooksmotherwouldoftenbringmentotheϜhouseO,Oandthechildrensometimesheardorsawtheirmotherhavingsex.Ms.Fuchstestifiedthatsometimesthesemenwouldmolestherwhilehermotherwatched.Shefurthertestifiedthatshe,Middlebrooks,andotherchildreninthefamilyweremolestedbydifferentfamilymembers.Forexample,MiddlebrookswasoftenleftalonewithamalerelativewhohadsexuallyabusedOOhim,OOandMiddlebrooksmotherwouldgrabhimbetweenhislegsandalsowatchhimusetheϜbathroom.OO񛀀AccordingtoSharonFuchs,thesmalltowninwhichtheygrewuplackedcounselingservicesorsocialserviceagencieswheretheycouldseekhelpforsexualabuse.Accordingtoher,nooneinthefamilyeverdiscussedoradmittedthefamilysproblems. ` TheprooffurtherindicatedthatMiddlebrookswasoftenangryandgotintotrouble.HewassenttoaMethodistHomeforChildreninWacofortwoyears.Later,hewastwicesenttoprison.Betweenprisonstays,Middlebrooksstartedtohaveseizures.Ononeoccasionheclimbedawatertowerandthreatenedtocommitsuicide.Hewashospitalizedmorethanonceatamentalinstitution. ` Apsychologist,Dr.JeffreyL.Smalldon,performedneuropsychologicalandpsychologicalevaluationsofMiddlebrooks.Fromtheseevaluations,interviews,testing,andprioreducationandmedicalrecords,SmalldonconcludedthatMiddlebrookshasasevereborderlinepersonalitydisorder.Middlebrooksexhibitedseveralcharacteristicsofthedisorderincludinginconsistentbehavior,instabilityofmood,amarkedidentitydisturbance,impulsiveandrecklessbehavior,poorangercontrol,andrecurringsuicidalorselfdestructiveacts.SmalldontestifiedthatthedocumentsfromothermentalhealthprofessionalswhohaveevaluatedMiddlebrooksindicatethathesuffersfromsubstanceabuse,psychoticpersonalitydisorder,andschizophrenia.Middlebrooksalsosuffersamilddegreeoforganicbrainimpairmentwhichcauseshimtobemoreimpulsiveandlessabletodelayhis X9P28 responses.Finally,SmalldontestifiedthatMiddlebrookshasalsoexhibitedcharacteristicsofadultswhoweresexuallyabusedaschildren. ` Duringcrossexamination,Dr.SmalldonadmittedthatMiddlebrooksconfessedtoagreaterinvolvementinMajorsdeaththanhehadinthevideotapedconfession.Forinstance,SmalldondisclosedthatMiddlebrooksadmittedtohimthatitwashisideatoholdMajorsforransom,thathehelpedtieMajorsup,andthatheurinatedonMajors.Inanattempttoresolvethediscrepanciesbetweenthevideotapedconfessiontothepoliceandtheconfessionmadetohimintheinterview,SmalldonexplainedthatMiddlebrooksisachronicliar.Dr.SmalldonconcededthatMiddlebrookshadneverexpressedanyremorsetohim.SmalldonagreedthatthereweresomeindicationsinthemedicalrecordsofMiddlebrooksmalingering,buttestifiedthattheseindicationswerenotinconsistentwithmentalillness. ` Inrebuttal,theStateintroducedthetestimonyoftwoexpertsindicatingthatMiddlebrookswasexaggeratinghismentalillnesssymptoms,thathewascompetenttostandtrial,thathedidnothaveadefenseofinsanity,andthathewasnotcommittable.OneexperttestifiedthathecouldnotsaywhetherMiddlebrookswasmentallyill.Theotherexperttestifiedthathemadenofindingofmentalillnessanddidnotconsiderapersonalitydisordertobeamentalillness. ` Afterconsideringtheevidence,thejuryconcludedthattheaggravatingfactorsetforthinTenn.CodeAnn.392203(i)(5),thatthemurderwas especiallyheinous,atrocious,orcruelinthatitinvolvedtortureordepravityofmind,outweighedtheevidenceofmitigatingfactors.Accordingly,thejurysentencedMiddlebrookstodeathforthemurderofKerrickMajors.̜OO X9P28 @  CONSTITUTIONALITYOFPRE1989VERSIONOF(i)(5)    ` Thefirstissuedesignatedfororalargumentisconstitutional.MiddlebrooksarguesthattheaggravatingcircumstancesetforthinTenn.CodeAnn.392203(i)(5)(1982)thatthemurderwas especiallyheinous,OOatrocious,OOorcruelinthatitinvolvedtortureordepravityofmindisunconstitutionallyvagueandthatitsapplicationtothiscaseOOviolatesGOGOOOArticleI,OOGOGOSectionOOOO1GOGO6OOoftheTennesseeConstitutionandtheSixth,Eighth,andFourteenthAmendmentstotheUnitedStatesConstitution.OHOHOOHOOOOFOHOHO-HO  #  6      OO    ` Atthesentencinghearing,thetrialcourtinstructedthejurythat nodeathpenaltyshallbeimposedunlessyouunanimouslyfindthattheStatehasprovenbeyondareasonabledoubtthatthemurderwasespeciallyheinous,atrocious,orOOcruelOOinthatitinvolvedtortureordepravityofmind.Itfurtherinstructed,however,thatthejurywastofollowthesedefinitions:8 ` Heinousmeansgrosslywickedorreprehensible,abominable,odious,vile. ` !` ! 8 ` Atrociousmeansextremelyevilorcruel,monstrous,exceptionallybad,abominable. ` !` ! 8 ` Cruelmeansdisposedtoinflictpainorsuffering,causingsuffering,painful. ` !` ! 8 ` Torturemeanstheinflictionofseverephysicalormentalpainuponthevictimwhileheremainsaliveandconscious. ` !` ! 8 ` Depravitymeansmoralcorruption,wickedorperverseact. ` !` !  ` Webeginwiththeprinciplethatanyaggravatingcircumstancemustfurnishaprincipledguidanceforthejurytochoosebetweendeathandalessersentence.E.g.,Godfreyv.Georgia,446U.S.420,100S.Ct.1759,64L.Ed.2d398(1980). 3,1 Inapplyingthisprinciple,wehaveconsistentlyupheldtheconstitutionalityofTenn. 4-3 CodeAnn.OO392203(i)(5)(1982)OOandhaverejectedthecontentionthatitisvagueoroverbroad.Statev.Blanton,975S.W.2d269,280(Tenn.1998);Statev.Black,  815S.W.2d166,181(Tenn.1991);Statev.Barber,753S.W.2d659,670(Tenn.   1988).Moreover,inStatev.Williams,690S.W.2d517(Tenn.1985),wecarefully l d reviewedthisaggravatingcircumstanceandclarifieditsapplicationbyspecificallydefiningeachtermandqualifiercontainedin(i)(5).TheseWilliamsdefinitionswere   includedinthetrialcourtschargetothejuryinthiscase.WethereforerejectMiddlebrooksclaimthattheaggravatingcircumstancewasvagueoroverbroad. ` NotwithstandingthisCourtsprecedent,MiddlebrooksreliesonseveralUnitedStatesSupremeCourtdecisions.N NSeeShellv.Mississippi,498U.S.1,111S.Ct.  313112L.Ed.2d1(1990);Waltonv.Arizona,497U.S.OO639,OO110S.Ct.3047,111  L.Ed.2d511(1990);Maynardv.Cartwright,486U.S.356,108S.Ct.OO1853,OO100L.  Ed.2d372(1988);OOGodfreyNNOONN NNN,446U.S.420,100S.Ct.1759.NNN NNOOInStatev.Thompson, d\ 768S.W.2d239,252(Tenn.1989),wedistinguishedthelanguageoftheaggravatingcircumstancein(i)(5)fromthelanguagecondemnedasunconstitutionallyvagueinGodfreyandMaynardbypointingoutthatthe especially #  heinous,atrocious,orcruellanguageinTennesseesstatutedoesnotstandalonebutismodifiedandlimitedbythephrase inthatitinvolvedtortureordepravityofmind.OONNNSNNNNIdNNN.;NNN.NNNNNNNNat25NNN5NNN2NNNNNNNNNN;NNNNNNNNNNsNeeNNNNNNOONNalsoStatev.VanTran,864S.W.2d465,479(Tenn.1993) ,)$"& (heinous,atrocious,orcrueldefinedandlimitedby tortureordepravityofmind).Thisrequirementsatisfiestheconstitutionalmandateofnarrowingandbothlimitsandguidesthesentencerinchoosingwhethertoimposeasentenceofdeath.OHOHOOHOOOOOROOOIOHOHO0HO  #  7      כOO .', Furthermore,theproofinthiscaseN NN NaspreviouslysummarizedO,Oissufficientto  establishbothtortureanddepravityofmindasdefinedbypriordecisionsofthisCourt.N NNN NN@" PROSECUTORIALMISCONDUCT  80  ` Thesecondissuedesignatedfororalargumentconcernsprosecutorialmisconduct.Middlebrookscontendsthattheprosecutorengagedinmisconductduringhisclosingargumentinthreeseparateanddistinctways:firstbyemphasizingthevictimsfamilysdesirethatthedeathpenaltybereturned;secondbyintroducingandarguingracialissues;andfinally,bymakingextensivereferencestotheBibleandscripture.MiddlebrooksarguesthatthemisconductviolatedhisrighttodueprocessandledtoarbitraryandunreliablesentencinginviolationoftheEighthandFourteenthAmendmentstotheUnitedStatesConstitutionandArticleI,OONNNSectionsNOO8and16oftheTennesseeConstitution.TheStatemaintainsthattheargumentwasnotimproperandthat,evenifdeemedtobeimproper,wasnotreversibleerror. ` Ingeneral,closingargumentissubjecttothetrialcourtsdiscretion.Counselforboththeprosecutionandthedefenseshouldbepermittedwidelatitudeinarguingtheircasestothejury.Statev.Bigbee,885S.W.2d797,OO80N7NGOGON9NOO(Tenn.1994). `'X $ Argumentmustbetemperate,predicatedonevidenceintroducedduringthetrial,relevanttotheissuesbeingtried,andnototherwiseimproperunderthefactsorlaw.E.g.,Statev.Keen,926S.W.2d727,736(Tenn.1994). ,%*  ` WewillreviewMiddlebrookscontentionswiththesestandardsinmind.̜OO@' VictimsFamily  5.4 † TR[A' Legal[A' LegalA' LegalA' LegalT  O† TR[A' Legal[A' LegalA' LegalA' LegalT  OO† TR[A' Legal[A' LegalA' LegalA' LegalT  OO† TR[A' Legal[A' LegalA' LegalA' LegalT  † TR[A' Legal[A' LegalA' LegalA' LegalT  † TR[A' Legal[A' LegalA' LegalA' LegalT  † TR[A' Legal[A' LegalA' LegalA' LegalT  † TR[A' Legal[A' LegalA' LegalA' LegalT  OO† TR[A' Legal[A' LegalA' LegalA' LegalT  † TR[A' Legal[A' LegalA' LegalA' LegalT  † TR[A' Legal[A' LegalA' LegalA' LegalT  OHO† TR[A' Legal[A' LegalA' LegalA' LegalT  † TR[A' Legal[A' LegalA' LegalA' LegalT  † TR[A' Legal[A' LegalA' LegalA' LegalT  † TR[A' Legal[A' LegalA' LegalA' LegalT  † TR[A' Legal[A' LegalA' LegalA' LegalT  † TR[A' Legal[A' LegalA' LegalA' LegalT  HOGO† TR[A' Legal[A' LegalA' LegalA' LegalT  GON† TR[A' Legal[A' LegalA' LegalA' LegalT  NN† TR[A' Legal[A' LegalA' LegalA' LegalT  † TR[A' Legal[A' LegalA' LegalA' LegalT  † TR[A' Legal[A' LegalA' LegalA' LegalT  NN† TR[A' Legal[A' LegalA' LegalA' LegalT  † TR[A' Legal[A' LegalA' LegalA' LegalT  NN† TR[A' Legal[A' LegalA' LegalA' LegalT  NN† TR[A' Legal[A' LegalA' LegalA' LegalT  NN† TR[A' Legal[A' LegalA' LegalA' LegalT  N ` WithrespecttothewishesofKerrickMajorsfamily,OHOHOOHOOOOOOTOOOKOOO7OHOHO2HO  #  8      OOtheprosecutormadethe  followingarguments:N† TR[A' Legal[A' LegalA' LegalA' LegalT  N8 ` Wearenotaskingyoutokillanybody.Eachoneofyousaidyoufollowthelaw,andifthepunishment,underthelaw,shouldbedeath,yousworethatyoucouldimposethatverdict.Thatisyouroath. ` !` ! 8 ` KerrickMajorslaysinhisgrave,sixfeetunder,butthelastmemoryoflookingupandseeingthisdefendantthrusthisknifeintohimtwice,hecriesoutforjustice. ` !` ! 8 ` Hisfamilyasksyoutoimposethedeathpenalty.TheStateasksyoutoimposethedeathpenalty.Thefactssupportit.Hedeservesit.Justicedemandsitonthefactsandthelaw. ` !` !  ` InStatev.Nesbit,978S.W.2d872(Tenn.1998),weheldthatevidenceand 4, argumentregardingtheimpactofacrimeonthevictimsfamilyarenotperse  improperorinadmissibleunderTennesseestatutoryorconstitutionallaw:OO N[NtN]NheOOimpactofthecrimeonthevictimsOONimmediateNfamilyOOisoneofthosemyriadfactorsencompassedwithinthestatutorylanguagenatureandcircumstancesofthecrime.IdOO.OOat890(quotingTenn.CodeAnn.OO3913204(c)N(1997&Supp.1998)N).OO 0 ( NorissuchevidenceorargumentbarredbytheEighthAmendmenttotheUnitedStatesConstitution.Paynev.Tennessee,501U.S.808,825,111S.Ct.2597, #  2608,115L.Ed.2d720(1991).OO-X: X0*X'-OOO-X X0*X'-O ` Victimimpactevidenceandargument,however,mustberelevanttothespecificharmtothevictimsfamily.Itmustbelimitedto informationdesignedtoshowthoseuniquecharacteristicswhichprovideabriefglimpseintothelifeoftheindividualwhohasbeenkilled,thecontemporaneousandprospectivecircumstancessurroundingtheindividualsOOdeathN,NOOandhowthosecircumstancesfinancially,emotionally,psychologicallyorphysicallyimpacteduponmembersofthevictimsfamily.Nesbit,978S.W.2datOO891N(footnoteomitted)N;OOStatev.Burns,979 3,2 S.W.2dOO276N,282NOO(Tenn.1998).Moreover,wespecificallynotedthat admissionof 5.4 avictimsfamilymemberscharacterizationsandopinionsaboutthecrime,thedefendant,andtheappropriatesentenceviolatestheEighthAmendment.Nesbit,  978S.W.2dat888n.OO8(citingOOPayneNNHOHONv.TennesseeN,OO501U.S.808,111S.Ct.OO2597N,115L.NNEd.2dNN񛀛720NNNHOHON(1991)NOOandBoothv.   Maryland,482U.S.496,107S.Ct.2529,96L.Ed.2d440(1987)). l d  ` Applyingtheseprinciplesindicatesthattheprosecutorsstatement, [h]isfamilyasksyoutoimposethedeathpenaltywasimproper.OOOOOOOOOVOOOMOOO9O  #  9      כOOAlthoughevidenceto   thiseffectwasnotintroducedduringthesentencinghearing,andwouldhavebeeninadmissible,theprosecutorsstatementclearlyisanimpropercharacterizationofthefamilysviewastotheappropriatesentence.@, Race    ` MiddlebrooksarguesthattheprosecutorengagedinmisconductbyintroducingevidenceofhisracialanimustowardAfricanAmericansandlaterarguingthatracewasafactorinthekilling.HecontendsthatShannonStewartstestimonythatMiddlebrookstoldhimhewasamemberoftheKKK,hatedblacks,andusedthe Nword,aswellastheevidenceofracialepithetsusedbyMiddlebrooksandBrewingtonbeforeandduringthekillingO,Owerenotrelevanttothestatutoryaggravatingcircumstanceandwereprejudicialtohisdefense.Hefurthercontendsthattheprosecutorerredbymakingreferencetothisevidenceduringclosingargument. ` TheStateargues,andtheCourtofCriminalAppealsagreed,thattheevidenceandargumentwererelevanttothefactsandcircumstancesoftheoffenseandwereproperrebuttalofMiddlebrookstheorythatBrewingtonwasprimarily responsibleforthecrimeandrebuttalofMiddlebrooksmitigatingevidence.We 3,2 reachedasimilarconclusioninaddressingtheissueinMiddlebrooksinitialappealtothisCourt: 8 ` OON NTheOOtestimonyisclearlyrelevanttoshowpremeditationandamotiveforthevictimsbrutalslaying.ThetestimonyisalsorelevanttocontradictthedefendantsstatementthatRogerBrewingtonwastheleaderinthecommissionoftheoffense.Inaddition,giventherelevancyofthesestatements,wefindthattheprejudicialeffectdidnotsubstantiallyoutweightheirprobativevalue. ` !` ! OONNNMiddlebrooksNNNN,N840OOS.W.2dat330.    ` WeagainconcludethatthetestimonyofMiddlebrooksracialanimOoOustowardAfricanAmericansandhisuseofracialepithetstowardKerrickMajorsbeforeandalsoduringtheoffensewasproperlydeemedrelevantandadmissibletorebutthetheoryofdefenseandthemitigatingevidence.Theprosecutor,therefore,didnotengageinanymisconductbyusingandarguingthisevidence. ` @% BiblicalReferences  JB  ` Finally,MiddlebrookscontendsthattheprosecutorimproperlymadereferencestotheBibleduringclosingargument.8 ` [Defensecounsel]hasaskedyoutoconsidersomethingelse.HehasaskedyoutoconsiderthebookwherethewordsofourLordarewritten,vengeanceismine. ` !` ! 8 ` Thislady[victimsmother]hascometothiscourtroom,notforvengeance,buttoturnthisovertoyou,thelaw.Ifshewasaftervengeance,thiscasewouldhavenevermadeithere. ` !` ! 8 ` Thesamebookthatsaysvengeanceisminesayswhoeversheddethmansblood,whoeversheddethmansblood,thenbymanshallhisbloodbeshed.TheLordmeantforthesystemoflawsandjusticetogovernsocietieswherevertheyare,andyouarethetooloftheLord,thatpartofjustice[objectionbydefensecounsel]. ` !` ! Whendefensecounselobjected,theStateresponded,andmaintainsonappeal,thatitsargumentwasafairresponsetothefollowinginappropriatestatementmadeinclosingbydefensecounsel:8 ` Wedonotapologizeforaskingformercy,askingforleniencyorsympathy....Ourlifeisgivenbyourcreator,anditisnottobetakenlightlybymanorourgovernmentusingtheguiseofdueprocessand >:639 thejudicialsystemasathinlyveiledguiseforvengeance;vengeance,whichIthinkourcreatorsaysishisandnotours. ` !` !  ` WehavecondemnedBiblicalandscripturalreferencesinaprosecutorsclosingargumentsofrequentlythatitisdifficultnottoconcludethattheremarksinthiscaseweremadeeitherwithblatantdisregardforourdecisonsoralevelofastonishingignoranceofthestateofthelawinthisregard.Statev.Cribbs,967   S.W.2d773,OO783N84NOO(Tenn.1998);Statev.Cauthern,967S.W.2d726,737(Tenn.   1998);Statev.Stephenson,878S.W.2d530,541(Tenn.1994);Statev.Bates,804   S.W.2d868,881(Tenn.),certNN.NNdenied,502U.S.841,112S.Ct.131,116L.Ed.2d h` 98OO(199N0NN1N).OOAswesaidinCribbs, [i]nthefaceofthisclearandlongstanding 4, precedent,therepeatedintroductionbyprosecutorsofsuchreferencesintotrialsofseriouscriminaloffensesisinexplicable.IdNNNNNN.NNatOO78N3NN4N.OO   ` Theobviousdangerinsuchreferencesbybothprosecutorsanddefensecounselistheriskthatasentencingdecisionmaybemadenotuponthefactsandthelawbutonanappealtothebiasorpassionofthejury.TheprosecutormetanimproperBiblicalreferencewithasimilarlyimproperBiblicalreferencethatdidnotmerelyrespondtodefensecounselsargument.Theprosecutorwentbeyondwhatcouldconceivablybedeemedafairresponseinliterallyequatingthejurywith thetooloftheLord.Aswehavereiteratedtimeandtimeagain,theprosecutorhasalegalandethicaldutytorefrainfromthissortofmisconduct.Thus,weagreewithMiddlebrooksthattheprosecutorsargumentwasimproper.@##$ EffectoftheErrors \0T).   ` Whereargumentisfoundtobeimpropertheestablishedtestfordetermining (2 +0 whetherthereisreversibleerrorthatrequiresresentencingiswhethertheimproperconduct affectedtheverdicttotheprejudiceofthedefendant.Harringtonv.State, 5.4 385S.W.2d758,759(Tenn.1965);Bigbee,885S.W.2dat809.Inmakingthis 706 determination,wemustconsider:1)theconductcomplainedof,viewedinlightof X9P28 thefactsandcircumstancesofthecase;2)thecurativemeasuresundertakenbythecourtandtheprosecution;3)theintentoftheprosecutorinmakingtheimproperOONstatementNNargumentsN;OO4)thecumulativeeffectoftheimproperconductandanyothererrorsintherecord;and5)therelativestrengthOONorNNandNOOweaknessofthecase.OONIdNNBigbeNNNe,885S.WNNNeNN,885 l d S.W.2dat809.NNNN.NOO ` ThefirstthreefactorsweighinfavorofMiddlebrooksargument.TheprosecutorOOmadeNNNN NNNN NNNN NNNN NNNN NNNN NNN NNoneNNoneNN NOOimproperargumentOO OOO OthatindicateditwasO Othewishofthevictimsfamilythatadeathsentencebereturned . ThestatementabouttheOOfamilyNsNOO h` wisheswasbriefandisolated,albeitimproper.Thedefensedidnotobjecttoandthetrialcourtdidnottakeanycurativeaction.NN NNN NTheprosecutormadeasecondimproperargumentN N paraphrasingscriptureandequatingthejuryasthe tooloftheLord.The   tooloftheLordremarktriggeredanobjectionfromdefensecounsel.Despitetheseriouserrorandthedefendantsobjection,thetrialcourttooknocurativeaction.AttheveryOOleastN,NOOthetrialcourtshouldhaveinstructedthejurytodisregardtheprosecutorsargumentandtodecidethecasebasedontheevidenceandthelaw.E.g.,Cauthern,967S.W.2dat737(prosecutorsbiblicalreferenceshouldhave #  triggeredOOsuaNNNNsponteOOcurativeaction). ` AstotheprosecutorsintentwithrespecttotheOOOargumentregardingthefamilysOwisheOsofthefamilyargumentOOsO,OOthereislittlebasistoarriveataconclusion.Astothebiblicalreferences,however,theStatescontentionthatitwasmerelyaresponsetodefensecounselsargumentisunconvincing.Whilewedonotcondonedefensecounselssimilarlyimpropercomment,theprosecutormadehiscommentsinthefaceofthisCourtsconsistentadmonitionsthatsuchremarksareinflammatoryandhighlyimproper.Asdiscussedabove,itisdifficultnottoconcludethatsuchrecurringmisconductiseitherintentionaloralarminglyuninformed.  706 !p7 Ю XXd XXd7  O!p7 Ю XXd XXd7  OO!p7 / XXd XXd7  OO!p7 / XXd XXd7  OO!p7 / XXd XXd7  OO!p7 / XXd XXd7  OO!p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  OO!p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  OO!p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  OO!p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  OO!p7 / XXd XXd7  ON!p7 / XXd XXd7  NN!p7 / XXd XXd7  NN!p7 / XXd XXd7  NN!p7 / XXd XXd7  NN!p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  NN!p7 / XXd XXd7  NN!p7 / XXd XXd7  NN!p7 / XXd XXd7  NN!p7 / XXd XXd7  NN!p7 / XXd XXd7  NN!p7 / XXd XXd7  NN!p7 / XXd XXd7  NN!p7 / XXd XXd7  N ` Theremainingfactors,however,weighagainstafindingofreversibleerror. Theimproperremarks,althoughserious,werearelativelysmallportionoftheO!p7 / XXd XXd7  ON!p7 / XXd XXd7  NN!p7 / XXd XXd7  NN!p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  NN!p7 / XXd XXd7  NN!p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  NN!p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  NN!p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  NN!p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p7 / XXd XXd7  !p# i Xd#  Nprosecutorsargument,whichotherwisefocusedonthefactsandcircumstancesofthecrimeandarebuttalofthedefendantsmitigatingproof.O OThejurywasalsoO!p7 / XXd XXd7  Oinstructedthatargumentsofcounselarenotconsideredevidence.Finally,O O the 80 cumulativeeffectoftheimproperconductoftheprosecutorwasfaroutweighedbythestrengthoftheevidencethatsupportedthejurysfindingthattheaggravatingcircumstanceoutweighedproofofanymitigatingfactors. ` Thecircumstancesoftheoffensewereshockingintheirgruesomeness,OObrutalityO,OOOandinhumanity.Medicalevidenceestablishedthenatureandseverityoftheinjuries,bruises,cuts,abrasions,andwoundssufferedbythevictim.Thevictimwasbeatenandcutintheface,mouth,body,legs,andtesticles.Theevidencefurtherindicatedthatan Xhadbeencarvedintothevictimschestbeforehisdeathfromstabwounds.Thevictimwasaliveandconsciousformuchoftheabuseinflicteduponhim,andwasconsciousandaliveforaperiodoftimeafterbeingstabbed. ` MiddlebrooksbyhisownadmissionfullyparticipatedinthecaptureofKerrickMajorsandintheinflictionofseverephysicalandmentalpaintothevictimbyactsofunimaginablecruelty,despitetheyoungvictimspleasforhislife.Finally,afterthreetofourhoursofrepeatedsadisticacts,Middlebrooksstabbedthevictim. ` TheevidencewasoverwhelminginsupportofthejurysfindingsthattheStatehadproventhisaggravatingcircumstancebeyondareasonabledoubtandthatthisevidencewasnotoutweighedbyevidenceofmitigatingfactors.Accordingly,weconcludethattheprosecutorsmisconductdidnotprejudiciallyaffectthejurysverdict. X9P28  XЮXXXЮ ` Inreachingthisconclusion,ouranalysishasfocusedonwhetherthe  misconductaffectedtheverdicttotheprejudiceofthisdefendant.AsinCribbs,  OOCauthernOO,OOOO O, OOOOOandsimilarcases,wehaveconcludedthattheevidenceofthe   aggravatingcircumstanceissosubstantialthatitjustifiesupholding O  Othe O  O O O  O Ojurysverdictdespitethemisconduct.Inviewofthepatternofsuchprosecutorialmisconduct O  Ointhetrialcourt,asreflectedonappealinthisCourtandtheCourtofCriminalAppeals O  O, O O  O Oweshouldwarnoffendingprosecutorsoftheconsequences.Thosewhointerpretthesecasesasprecedentfortheviewthatimproperclosingargumentandmisconductofthisnaturewillbeheldharmlesserrorinallcasesdosoattheirownprofessionalperilandattheriskthatthemisconduct,evenifitdoesnotprejudiciallyaffecttheverdict,maybedeemedtobeprejudicialtothejudicialprocessasawholeandthereforerequireanewtrialorresentencing.Tenn.R.App.P.OO36O(b)O.OO#XЮXX XЮ# ` O OWealsoobservethatinadditiontoanyactiontakenbytheappellatecourts,theprofessionalmisconductofprosecutorsismoreefficientlyandauthoritativelyaddressedatthetriallevelwherecourtsareinabetterpositiontoviewtheconduct,assessitsimpact,andchoosetheappropriateactiontoensureafairtrial.Forexample,thetrialjudgecanorderthecessationofoffendingstatementsandcangivecurativejuryinstructions.Inegregiouscases,thetrialjudgemaysuaspontestopaprosecutorsprejudicialargument.O O ,)$"&  ` O OInaddition,thetrialcourtsmayconsiderdirectsanctionstodeter ,%* prosecutorialmisconduct,includingcontemptcitations,fines,andrecommendationsfordisciplinaryactiontotheBoardofProfessionalResponsibility.Weencouragethetrialcourtstoconsiderthesesanctionswherethemisconductisflagrant.See (2 +0 UnitedStatesv.Wilson,149F.3d1298(11thCir.1998).O OO 3,2 O̜O  706 OOO   PROPORTIONALITY      ` Acomparativeproportionalityreviewmustbeundertakenincapitalcases  pursuanttoTenn.CodeAnn.OO3913206(c)(O4OO1O)O(D)OOO(1997).Inconductingacomparativeproportionalityreview,webeginwiththepresumptionthatthesentenceofdeathisproportionatetothecrimeofOOfirstOOOOdegreeOOmurder.Statev.Hall,958 80 S.W.2dOO679O,699OOO(Tenn.1997).Theanalysiscomparesthenatureofthecrimeanddefendanttothecrimesanddefendantsinvolvedinothercasesinwhichthedeathpenaltyhasbeensought.Thisanalysisseekstoidentifyaberrant,arbitrary,orcapricioussentencesbydeterminingwhetherthedeathpenaltyinagivencaseis disproportionatetothepunishmentimposedonothersconvictedofthesamecrime.Statev.Bland,958S.W.2dOO651O,OO662OOO(Tenn.1997)(quoting,Pulleyv.  Harris,465U.S.37,OO42O43O,OO104S.Ct.871,875,79L.Ed.2d29(1984)).OOOOOOOOOOOO;O  #  10      OO   ` Incomparingsimilarcases,weconsidermanyfactors,including(1)themeansofdeath;(2)themannerofdeath;(3)themotivationforthekilling;(4)theplaceofdeath;(5)thesimilarityofthevictimscircumstancesincludingage,physicalandmentalconditions,andthevictimstreatmentduringthekilling;(6)theabsenceorpresenceofpremeditation;(7)theabsenceorpresenceofprovocation;(8)theabsenceorpresenceofjustification;and(9)theinjurytoandeffectsonnondecedentvictims.Bland,958S.W.2dat667.Incomparingsimilardefendants, ,)$"& weconsiderfactorssuchas:(1)thedefendantspriorcriminalrecordorpriorcriminalactivity;(2)thedefendantsage,race,andgender;(3)thedefendantsmental,emotionalorphysicalcondition;(4)thedefendantsinvolvementorroleinthemurder;(5)thedefendantscooperationwithauthorities;(6)thedefendantsremorse;(7)thedefendantsknowledgeofhelplessnessofvictim(s);and(8)thedefendantscapacityforrehabilitation.OOId.OOOOOat667.OOO 3,2  5.4  ` Withoutonceagainrecitingthegruesomefactsinfulldetail,therecordrevealsthatMiddlebrooksparticipatedinthebrutaltortureofthevictimforapproximatelyfourhoursbeforefinallystabbinghim.Thevictimwasmocked,urinatedupon,severelybeaten,cut,rapedwithastick,andhisgenitalswerebeaten.Thevictimwasaliveandconsciousthroughoutthistortureandkeptpleadingthathejustwantedtogotoschoolandgetaneducation. ` Theevidencesuggestsseveralpossiblemotives.MiddlebrooksconfessionindicatedthathestabbedMajorstoprovethathewas coolerthanOOBrewingtonOO.MiddlebrooksconfessionalsosuggestedthatthetortureandkillingOOwOasOOereOOOinretaliationagainstthevictimforknockingoveranitemonMiddlebrooksandhiscodefendantsfleamarkettable.MiddlebrooksalsostatedhestabbedMajorstoendthetortureandputMajorsoutofhismisery.Theevidencealsostronglyindicatesthatthetortureandkillingwereraciallymotivated.However,thereisnotoneshredofevidencetosuggestthatMiddlebrookswasjustifiedorthatMajorsdidanythingtoprovokethisattackinanyway.Majorswasasmallfourteenyearoldboywhowasunarmedanddefenselessagainsthisattackers. ` Middlebrooks,atwentyfouryearoldwhitemale,apparentlysufferedfrommentalproblems.However,thereisnoevidencethatMiddlebrooksfeltanyremorseforthecrimes.AlthoughMiddlebrooksclaimshisroleinthemurderwasslight,theevidenceshowsthatMiddlebrookshelpeddragthischildintothewoodsandparticipatedinactsofOOtortureOOinflicOO Oinflicted OOinflictedbyhimself,hiswife,andBrewingtonOOOonahelplessOOvictim.!O!OOOMoreover,Middlebrooks,whilegivingconflictingstatements,admittedstabbingthevictimatleastonce.ThereisnoevidencethatMiddlebrooksassistedorcooperatedwithauthorities;tothecontrary,heinitiallyresistedarrestandthenprovidedaconfessionthatattemptedtominimizehisroleintheoffense.Despitetheintroductionofmitigatingevidenceinthesentencingphase,therewaslittletoshowastrongpotentialforrehabilitation. X9P28  `  ` Ourreviewrevealsnumerouscasesanddefendantssimilartothisoneinwhichweconcludedthatthedeathpenaltywasneitherarbitrarynordisproportionate.InOStatev.OHall,958S.W.2d679OOOOO(Tenn.1997)O,thedefendantkilledthevictimwithagas l d bombthatinflictedthirddegreeburnstomorethanninetypercentofthevictimsbody.LikeMiddlebrooks,Hallwastwentyfouryearsoldatthetimeofthemurder.LikeMiddlebrooks,Hallwasdiagnosedashavingaborderlinepersonalitydisorder.Oneoftheaggravatingcircumstancesfoundbythejurytosupportthesentenceofdeathwasthepresentformof(i)(5)that [t]hemurderwasespeciallyheinous,OOatrocious"O,"OOOorcruelinthatitinvolvedtortureorseriousphysicalabusebeyondthatnecessarytoproducedeath.Tenn.CodeAnn.OO3913204(i)(5)#O#O(1997$O&Supp.1998$O).OOLikethepresentcase,thevictiminHallwasaliveandconsciousformuchof  thetorture.     ` InStatev.Hodges,944S.W.2d346(Tenn.1997),thedefendantstrangled 0 ( thevictimwhohadbeenboundhandandfootandrenderedhelpless.Hodgeswastwentyfourwhenhecommittedthiscrime.Hodgesvictimwasalive,conscious,helpless,andpleadingformercyasthedefendantstrangledhim.Hodgesmitigatingevidence,similartoMiddlebrooks,consistedofproofthathehadbeensexuallyabusedasachildandthathesufferedfromanantisocialpersonalitydisorder.Despitethismitigatingevidence,thejurysentencedHodgestodeathbasedinpartuponthefindingthatthemurderwas especiallyheinous,OOatrocious%O,%OOOorcruelinthatitinvolvedtortureorseriousphysicalabusebeyondthatnecessarytoproducedeath.Tenn.CodeAnn.3913204(i)(5). ` InOStatev.OBlanton,975S.W.2d269O(Tenn.1998)O,thetwentynineyearolddefendant,alongwith 3,2 othercodefendants,escapedfromprisonandkilledanelderlycouple.Theevidenceindicatedthatthedefendanttwiceshotonevictim,andhenotonlyshotbutstabbedtheothervictimatotalofthirteentimesasshewasstrugglingtoget X9P28 away.Theevidenceindicatedthatshelivedforaslongasfifteenminutesfollowingtheinflictionofherwounds.LikeMiddlebrooksvictim,Blantonsvictimsufferedphysicallyandpsychologicallybeforedying.Further,likeMiddlebrookskillingofMajors,Blantonsattackuponhisvictimwasunprovoked.Inmitigation,Blantonsubmittedproofofhislowintelligence,hisimpoverishedchildhood,andthetroubledrelationshipswithinhisfamily.Hehadalso,likeMiddlebrooks,arguedthattheevidenceimplicatedothersforthekilling.Blantonsjuryreturnedasentenceofdeathbasedinpartuponthefindingofthe(i)(5)aggravatingcircumstance. ` InStatev.Teel,793S.W.2d236(Tenn.1990),thetwentyyearolddefendant 4, luredafourteenyearoldgirlintothewoodswhereherapedandkilledher.TeelwasyoungerthanMiddlebrooks,andhisvictimwasexactlythesameageandofsimilarvulnerabilityasMiddlebrooksvictim.Inmitigation,Teelsubmittedproofthathehadalowlevelofeducation,didnotknowhisfather,andhadlosthismotherwhenhewasfourteen.Teelsjuryreturnedasentenceofdeathbasedinpartuponthefindingthattheevidenceestablishedthe(i)(5)aggravatingcircumstance. `  ` InStatev.Alley,776S.W.2d506(Tenn.1989),OOthedefendant,almostthirty %" yearsold,abductedthenineteenyearoldvictimandrapedherbypushingatreelimbintohervaginatoadepthoftwentyinches.Thevictimsufferedsevereinternalinjuries,hemorrhaging,andmultipleinjuries,bruises,andabrasionstoherentirebody.Alleysubmittedsubstantialevidencethathehadaborderlinepersonalitydisorder,ifnotamultiplepersonalitydisorder.Despitethisevidence,thejuryreturnedadeathsentencebasedinpartuponthefindingthatthemurderwas especiallyheinous,OOatrocious&O,&OOOorcruelinthatitinvolvedtortureordepravityofmind,thesolefactoruponwhichthejurybasedMiddlebrooksdeathsentence. ` InStatev.Pike,978S.W.2d904(Tenn.1998),theeighteenyearold 706 defendantluredthenineteenyearoldvictimintothewoodswhereforapproximately X9P28 anhour,thedefendantbeatthevictimandslicedherbodysomanytimesthatthemedicalexaminercouldnotevencataloguethemultiplicityofwounds.Thedefendantfinallybeatthevictimtodeathwithachunkofasphalt.Asinthiscase,thevictimwasalive,conscious,andpleadingforherlifethroughoutthetorture.Alsolikethiscase,evidenceindicatedthatthevictimscriesformercyonlyirritatedandincitedthedefendant.Pikesubmittedproofofhertroubledchildhood,yet,likeMiddlebrooks,Pikeshowednoremorseforheractions.Thejuryreturnedadeathsentencebasedinpartuponthefindingthatthemurderwas especiallyheinous,OOatrocious'O,'OOOOO(Oand(O)Oor)OOOcruelinthatitinvolvedtortureorseriousphysicalabusebeyondthatnecessarytoproducedeath.Tenn.CodeAnn.3913204(i)(5). ` InOStatev.OCauthern,967S.W.2d726OOOOO(Tenn.1998)O,thenineteenyearolddefendant,alongwith  hiscodefendant,brokeintoamarriedcoupleshomewhereherapedthewifeandstrangledboththehusbandandthewife.Theevidenceindicatedthatbothcouldhavelivedforaslongasthreetosixminutesfromthetimethebloodsupplywascutoff,butthattheycouldhavebeenunconsciousinapproximatelythirtyseconds.SimilartoMiddlebrooksmitigatingevidence,Cauthernsubmittedproofofhistroubledchildhood,thathedidnotknowhisfatherandthatheonlyhadseenhismotherthreetimessincebirth.UnlikeMiddlebrooks,Cauthernalsosubmittedthefavorableevidenceofhisattemptsatrehabilitation,suchascompletingthegraduateequivalencyexamandaparalegalcourse,evidenceofhisgoodbehavior,andevidenceofhisabilitytogetalongwithothers.Cauthernsjurynonethelessreturnedadeathsentencebasedsolelyonthefindingthattheevidenceestablishedthe(i)(5)aggravatingcircumstance.̀ `  (2 +0  ` InStatev.Caughron,855S.W.2dOO5*O45*O+O26+OOO(Tenn.1993),thetwentysevenyear 3,2 olddefendantandhisgirlfriendbrokeintothevictimshome,beather,rapedher,tiedhertothebed,strangledher,anddrankherbloodfromshotglassesthedefendanthadbroughtwithhim.Caughronsvictimsufferedfrommultipleinjuries X9P28 andbeggedforherlife.Inmitigation,Caughronsubmittedproofthathehadalowlevelofintelligenceandanabusiveandunstablechildhood.LikeMiddlebrooksjury,Caughronsjuryreturnedadeathsentencebasedsolelyuponthefindingthatthemurderwas especiallyheinous,OOatrocious,O,,OOOorcruelinthatinvolvedtortureordepravityofmind. `  ` InStatev.OGuinn,709S.W.2d561(Tenn.1986),thedefendantrapedand   murderedtheseventeenyearoldvictim.TheevidenceindicatedthatOGuinnsvictimhadsufferedasevereandbrutalbeatingandhadbeenrapedwithahard,woodenormetalobjectbeforeshewasstrangledtodeath.Inmitigation,OGuinnsubmittedproofofhisstrainedrelationshipwithhisfather.Thejuryreturnedadeathsentencebasedsolelyonthefindingthatthemurderwas especiallyheinous,OOatrocious-O,-OOOorcruelinthatinvolvedtortureordepravityofmind.Weaffirmed. ` InStatev.Bush,942S.W.2d489(Tenn.1997),thedefendantstabbedthe 0 ( elderlyvictim,thebestfriendofhisgrandmother,fortythreetimes.Theevidenceindicatedthatthevictimcouldhavebeenrenderedunconsciousineitherthreetofourminutesortwentytothirtyminutes,dependingupontheorderinwhichthewoundswereinflicted.Bushsubmittedproofofhisphysicallyabusivechildhoodandhistoryofmentalproblems,suchasaborderlinepersonalitydisorderandOOpossibl.Oy.OOO/Oe/OOOschizophrenia.Thejuryreturnedadeathsentencebasedinpartuponthefindingthattheevidenceestablishedthe(i)(5)aggravatingcircumstance. ` InOStatev.ONesbit,978S.W.2d872O(Tenn.1998)O,thenineteenyearolddefendanttorturedthe \0T). twentyyearoldvictimforatleastsixhoursbeforeshootingheronceinthehead.Thevictimsustainedburnstoherbodyfromsixhourstominutesbeforeherdeath.Shehadalsobeenstruckonthebottomofherfeetwithalong,hard,thinobjectsuchasarodorcoathanger.Nesbitpresentedproofofhisgoodbehaviorinjailandtestimonyfromhisfamilydescribinghimashonest,sincere,andresponsible. X9P28 UnlikeMiddlebrooks,Nesbittestifiedtoexpresshisremorseforwhathadhappened.AlsounlikeMiddlebrooks,Nesbitcooperatedwithpoliceafterhisapprehension.LikeMiddlebrooksjury,Nesbitsjuryreturnedadeathsentencebasedsolelyonthefindingthatthemurderwas especiallyheinous,OOatrocious0O,0OOOorcruelinthatitinvolvedtortureorseriousphysicalabusebeyondthatnecessarytoproducedeath. ` InOStatev.OBland,958S.W.2d651OOOOO(Tenn.1997)O,thenineteenyearolddefendant,withoutany   provocation,chasedandtwiceshotanunresistingvictimandthenshotthevictimseveralmoretimesasthevictimsoughtrefugeunderatruck.Theevidenceindicatedthatthevictimcouldhavelivedandsufferedpainfromtwotofifteenminutesandcouldhavebeenconsciousuptofourorfiveminutes.Inmitigation,Blandpresentedhisowntestimonyaswellashisfamilystestimonythathehadneverknownhisfatherandhadbeenraisedbyhismotherandgrandmother.Blandfurthertestifiedthathehadalowlevelofeducation.Blandsjurysentencedhimtodeathbaseduponthesolefindingthatthemurderwas especiallyheinous,OOatrocious1O,1OOOorcruelinthatitinvolvedtortureorseriousphysicalabusebeyondthatnecessarytoproducedeath. ` InStatev.McNish,727S.W.2d490(Tenn.1987),thetwentynineyearold `'X $ defendantbludgeonedthehelplessseventyyearoldvictiminherhomewithaglassvase.Thevictimwasfoundaliveandpartiallyconsciousimmediatelyfollowingthebeating,thoughshediedashorttimelater.Inmitigation,McNishrelieduponhisowntestimonyaswellasthatofhisparents,relatives,andfriends.McNishalsoreliedupontheabsenceofanypriorcriminalrecordand,likeMiddlebrooks,theevidenceofhisextremementaloremotionaldisturbance.Thejuryreturnedadeathsentencebaseduponthesolefindingthatthemurderhadbeen especiallyheinous,OOatrocious2O,2OOOorcruelinthatitinvolvedtortureordepravityofmind.  706  ` Thoughnotwocasesareidentical,theoffensesandthedefendantsinthe abovecasesbearmanysimilaritieswiththepresentcase.Inallofthecases,themurderwasinflicteduponahelplessandinnocentvictimwithoutanyexplanationorprovocation.Inallofthecases,thevictimswerealiveandconsciouswhilesufferingseverementalorphysicalpain.Inseveralofthecases,thevictimssufferedsevereandbrutalbeatingssimilartothetorturesufferedbyKerrickMajorsatthehandsofMiddlebrooksandBrewington.Inallofthecases,thejuryfoundthattheevidencesatisfiedeitherthepre1989orthepresentversionofthe heinous,OOatrocious3O,3OOOorcruelaggravatingcircumstance.Additionally,inatleasteightcases,thedefendantsweretheexactsameageoryoungerthanMiddlebrooks.Insevenofthecases,thedefendantsofferedmitigatingproofoftheirmentalproblemsandbackgroundsthatborestrikingsimilaritytotheevidenceintroducedbyMiddlebrooks. ` Finally,severalofthecasesrejectMiddlebrookscontentionthatthedeathpenaltyisarbitraryordisproportionatebecauseacodefendantwhowasmoreinvolvedinthekillingreceivedalessersentence.Bland,958S.W.2datOO64O514O5O655O;OO #  Cauthern,967S.W.2dat741;see6O6O6O6OalsoStatev.Henley,774S.W.2d908,918 %" (Tenn.19O89OO90O),cert7O7O.7O7Odenied,497U.S.1031,110S.Ct.3291,111L.Ed.2d800 `'X $ OO(198O908O9O899O);OOStatev.Poe,755S.W.2d41,49(Tenn.1988),cert@O@O.@O@Odenied,490U.S.1085, ,)$"& 109S.Ct.2111,104L.Ed.2dOO:O860:O;O671;OOOOO(198O=O0=O>O?O9?O).OOInBland,weclearlystatedthat: *#( 8 ` [e]venifadefendantreceivesadeathsentencewhenthecircumstancesoftheoffensearesimilartothoseofanoffenseforwhichadefendanthasreceivedalifesentence,thedeathsentenceisnotdisproportionatewheretheCourtcandiscernsomebasisforthelessersentence.Moreover,wherethereisnodiscerniblebasisforthedifferenceinsentencing,thedeathsentenceisnotnecessarilydisproportionate. ` !` ! J958S.W.2datOO665AO(citationomittAOBOAOdAOBOCOeCODOdDOCO)CO.OOOurtaskis toassurethatnoaberrantdeath 5.4 sentenceisaffirmed.IdEOEO.EOEOAfterreviewingthecasesdiscussedherein,aswellas 706 numerousotherfirstdegreemurdercasesinvolvingsentencesofdeathandlife X9P28 imprisonment,weconcludewithoutanyhesitationthatthepenaltyimposedbythejuryinthiscaseisnotaberrantandisneitherexcessivenordisproportionatetothepenaltyimposedforsimilarcrimes.   CONCLUSION  80    ` InaccordancewiththemandateofTenn.CodeAnn.3913206(c)(1)   (1997) andtheprinciplesadoptedinpriordecisionsofthisCourt,wehave   consideredtheentirerecordinthiscauseandfindthatthesentenceofdeathwasnotimposedinanyarbitraryOOfashionFO,FOOOandthattheevidencesupportsthejurysfindingthattheaggravatingcircumstanceoutweighedmitigatingcircumstancesbeyondareasonabledoubt.Wehaveconsideredthedefendantsassignmentsoferrorandhavedeterminedthatnonerequirereversal.Withrespecttoissuesnotspecificallyaddressedherein,weaffirmthedecisionoftheCourtofCriminalAppeals,authoredbyJudgeCurwoodWittandjoinedinbyJudgeJoeG.RileyandSpecialJudgeJoeH.Walker,III.Therelevantportionsofthatopinionarepublishedhereafterasanappendix. ` Thedefendantssentenceofdeathbyelectrocutionisaffirmed.ThesentenceshallbecarriedoutasprovidedbylawontheOO11thOOdayofOONovember,OO1999,unlessotherwiseorderedbythisCourtorotherproperOOauthorities.Costsofthisappeal@O@Oshallbeassessedagainstthedefendant,forwhichexecutionshallissueifnecessary.OO `     h      p    `     h     ________________________________ `     h     RILEYANDERSON,CHIEFJUSTICE (2 +0 ̜ OPanelOOConcurO: 4-3  Drowota,Birch,HolderandBarker,JJ. 5.4 МO >:639 МOO3OOO