ÿWPCÔ; ï>„X'?EfW›UqÙ‡ÊïD1>Ûð|Æj®ôgÈZ™¨U¼¥Éy _Ôf úê …yb—1ݸç@’éhêý$WqmÀ]wß>}{n=ß“wDñúß¼b80åîoÌQŒÑžÌdhÝŸ æÕ2Ê ¡=蟉¯‡;¥·Ã{›(Ð-\¸æÖYM&dFKõ©÷yÕ e}“{nd& Áú+±lôTOO}³ÚG]¯¯Úm>¹ÉÞmdèuc É':«€–â<ìd–g½À;“8¯lI/ ¶Â̹ìxWsÛ£ìYˆô(¬VfÒ‚zÞªÊÓ°ä)±V°:’‡–]3£ûr¾ŽkfŠF zQƒœó® è vävŠDvšáZgû,Ñ$¨U' ƒµ¾¯)’YÂÉ_–UMˆç6e§º•G·†ÐZÉ:pE`‡Ñ …P o`;ºèp:ú(ÇÍ5î&Ïò`gLB­× µÒàá'o_A×ÏÔN)ò%y¿µãÊ`_†pÈ~gÌÄ·p[= Û˜ãšBƒ8ŸúF½ÌR+MzÖÞ9aðg³ÂE©Ÿ·W²t[¶Ä×ÀÇþ7Ç#͞ɢ‚ý²¦˜ð8½çô L¿G…'׺># d %on­u 04"UBVUN˜fæLU/:Tw@Ž 0cÎ41 0ÒE  9& U :_ ¡™ ": ž\¨ú¢å¸UN³U:;I 1m]bÊU":ÒU/:  BFBcUN¥ ãó 0cÖ#C9$¿|)€;+ AQ»/Æ 0 0DÒ0 0D1¡Z1 0Dû2U:?3 D/y3/¨3 B×6ô6 D3õ7(8U:6969696969696969dp9˜HP LaserJet 4SiHPPCL5MS,ü,,,,,ü0nLhÎX«<þ6X9`(*Courier 12pt10cpiXXxþ6X@ÉJQX@( ¤T$¡¡Ó  Ó<þ6X9`(*Courier 12pt10cpi(ÈhH  Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular \Ñ\R AØ'ÿ Legal\Ñ,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular ½D‚½ƒ½D„½[…½†½D‡½ˆ½D‰½Ó€“½(" $Ô€X·XXXÔòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóF&hH H ´ \H ô(‚(2Àó$¤¤Ý ƒ¤T!ÝÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÔ€X&·XXXÔÔ€ôYôXX&·Ôà Ø àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó3|x“½ /Ñ , ÑÑ#€Pÿÿd#Ñ, øð AZ"Arial Regular —Ý ƒ i$ÝÓ  ÓÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÔ€Xá¸XXXÔÔ€ôÉ¡ ôXXá¸Ôà Ø àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝPrior€to€the€third€resentencing€hearing,€the€trial€judge€denied€a€motion€for€recusal€and€òòsuaÐ ,  Ðsponteóó€changed€the€venue€from€Hamblen€to€Johnson€County.€€The€Court€of€Criminal€AppealsÐ ì À Ðgranted€an€extraordinary€appeal,€found€that€the€trial€court€had€erred€by€changing€venue€without€theÏdefendantððs€consent,€but€concluded€that€the€refusal€of€the€trial€judge€to€recuse€himself€was€notÏerror.€€òòState€v.€Smithóó,€906€S.W.2d€6€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1995). Ý ƒ Àó$ÝÓ  ÓÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÔ€X&·XXXÔÔ€ôYôXX&·Ôà Ø àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ‡ôfÛ ôôôYÔTennessee€Supreme€Court€Rule€12€provides€in€pertinent€part€as€follows:€ð ðPrior€to€theÐ ,  Ðsetting€of€oral€argument,€the€Court€shall€review€the€record€and€briefs€and€consider€òòallóó€errorsÐ ô È Ðassigned.€€The€Court€may€enter€an€order€designating€those€issues€it€wishes€addressed€at€oralÏargument.ðð€ ”Ý ƒ Àó$ÝÓ  ÓÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÔ€X&·XXXÔÔ€ôYôXX&·Ôà Ø àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ‡ôfÛ ôôôYÔTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„206(a)(1)€(1997€Repl.)€provides€as€follows:€Ô#†ôYô ôôfÛ©#ÔÔ‡ôfÛ ôôôYÔð ð[w]henever€theÐ ,  Ðdeath€penalty€is€imposed€for€first€degree€murder€and€when€the€judgment€has€become€final€in€theÏtrial€court,€the€defendant€shall€have€the€right€of€direct€appeal€from€the€trial€court€to€the€Court€ofÏCriminal€Appeals.€€The€affirmance€of€the€conviction€and€the€sentence€of€death€shall€beÏautomatically€reviewed€by€the€Tennessee€Supreme€Court.€€Upon€the€affirmance€by€the€Court€ofÏCriminal€Appeals,€the€clerk€shall€docket€the€case€in€the€Supreme€Court€and€the€case€shall€proceedÏin€accordance€with€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Appellate€Procedure.ðð žÝ ƒ i$ÝÓ  ÓÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÔ€Xá¸XXXÔÔ€ôÉ¡ ôXXá¸Ôà Ø àòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝSince€the€victim€impact€evidence€and€argument€in€this€case€was€so€minimal,€the€dissentððsÐ ,  Ðfinding€of€prejudicial€error€is€equivalent€to€a€holding€that€victim€impact€evidence€and€argument€isÏinadmissible€in€all€cases.€€€€€€€ Ñ ` Ñ ÛÝ ƒ i$ÝÓ  ÓÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÔ€Xá¸XXXÔÔ€ôÉ¡ ôXXá¸Ôà Ø àòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝThough€Smith€was€not€entitled€to€the€ð ðbeyond€a€reasonable€doubtðð€weighing€standardÐ ,  Ðsince€this€offense€was€committed€before€the€statute€was€amended€in€1989,€any€error€in€this€regardÏinured€to€the€defendantððs€benefit.€€òòState€v.€Bushóó,€942€S.W.2d›€489,€506€n.10€(Tenn.€1997). Ñ Ð Ñ(ÈhH  Z 6Times New Roman Regular*ìF#AZ‹"Arial Regular Ý ƒ i$ÝÓ  ÓÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÔ€Xá¸XXXÔÔ€ôÉ¡ ôXXá¸Ôà Ø àòòÚ  Ú10Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝThe€jury€also€found€a€second€aggravating€circumstance€in€òòHarriesóó,€that€the€murder€wasÐ ,  Ðcommitted€during€the€course€of€a€felony,€robbery.€€However,€under€òòState€v.€Middlebrooksóó,€840Ð ê ¾ ÐS.W.2d€317€(Tenn.€1992),€the€jury€should€not€have€been€permitted€to€rely€upon€that€aggravatingÏcircumstance€to€support€imposition€of€the€death€penalty.€€However,€the€òòMiddlebrooksóó€error€inÐ f : ÐòòHarriesóó€previously€has€been€held€to€be€harmless€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt€under€òòState€v.€Howellóó,Ð $ ø Ð868€S.W.2d€238€(Tenn.€1993). Ý ƒ i$ÝÓ  ÓÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÔ€Xá¸XXXÔÔ€ôÉ¡ ôXXá¸Ôà Ø àòòÚ  Ú13Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝThe€jury€in€òòBoydóó€also€found€a€second€aggravating€circumstance,€the€murder€wasÐ ,  Ðcommitted€during€the€course€of€a€felony,€robbery.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð39„2„203(i)(7)(1982€Repl.)Ï[currently€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„204(i)(7)€(1998€Supp.)].€€Again,€under€òòMiddlebrooksóó,€òòsupraóó,€theÐ ¨ | Ðjury€should€not€have€been€permitted€to€rely€upon€the€felony€murder€aggravating€circumstance€toÏsupport€imposition€of€the€death€penalty;€however,€this€Court€recently€held€the€error€to€be€harmlessÏbeyond€a€reasonable€doubt.€€òòState€v.€Boydóó,€959€S.W.2d€557€(Tenn.€1998).$#De37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)- ù-,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular d 8Ý ƒ i$ÝÓ  ÓÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÔ€Xá¸XXXÔÔ€ôÉ¡ ôXXá¸Ôà Ø àòòÚ  Ú14Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝThe€jury€in€òòColemanóó€also€found€a€second€aggravating€circumstance,€the€murder€wasÐ ,  Ðcommitted€during€the€course€of€a€felony,€robbery.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð39„2„203(i)(7)(1979€Repl.)Ï[currently€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„204(i)(7)€(Supp.€1998)].[Cite€to€CCA€opinion€before€thisÏdecision€released€depending€upon€Courtððs€ruling€on€this€application€at€the€March€conference).€€(ÈhH  Z 6Times New Roman Regular ÙÝ ƒ i$ÝÓ  ÓÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÔ€Xá¸XXXÔÔ€ôÉ¡ ôXXá¸Ôà Ø àòòÚ  Ú12Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝThe€jury€in€òòHowellóó€also€found€a€second€aggravating€circumstance€„„€the€murder€wasÐ ,  Ðcommitted€during€the€course€of€a€felony,€robbery.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð39„2„203(i)(7)(1982€Repl.)Ï[currently€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„204(i)(7)€(Supp.€1998)].€€Under€òòMiddlebrooksóó,€òòsupraóó,€the€juryÐ ¨ | Ðshould€not€have€been€permitted€to€rely€upon€the€felony€murder€aggravating€circumstance€to€supportÏimposition€of€the€death€penalty,€but€this€Court€held€the€error€to€be€harmless€beyond€a€reasonableÏdoubt.€òòId.óó€at€270.€(;³Æ$´´Ô2DeÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  à 9Ý ƒ i$ÝÓ  ÓÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÔ€Xá¸XXXÔÔ€ôÉ¡ ôXXá¸Ôà Ø àòòÚ  Ú16Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝWÔ‡ ôÉ¡ ô ôôÉ¡Ôe€have€reviewed€several€other€cases€in€which€the€defendants€received€a€sentence€ofÐ ,  Ðlife€imprisonment.€€The€similar€cases€in€which€the€State€sought€the€death€penalty€areÏdistinguishable€from€this€case.€€For€example,€Ô#†ôÉ¡ ô ô ôÉ¡«#Ôin€some€of€these€cases,€the€defendant€was€aÐ ¨ | Ðparticipant€in€the€robbery€and€not€the€person€who€actually€shot€the€victim.€€òòSeeóó€òòe.g.óó€òòState€v.€MonaÐ f : ÐLisa€Watsonóó,€C.C.A.€No.€24€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.,€at€Jackson,€August€14,€1991);€òòState€v.€KevinÐ $ ø ÐWatleyóó,€C.C.A.€No.€37€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.,€at€Nashville,€July€3,€1985).€€In€another€case,€theÐ â ¶ Ðdefendant€was€only€seventeen„years„old€at€the€time€the€murder€was€committed.€€òòState€v.€LemuelÐ  t ÐEmerson€Holmesóó,€C.C.A.€No.€50€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.,€at€Jackson,€March€12,€1981).€€According€to€theÐ ^2 ÐRule€12€report,€the€defendant€in€still€another€case€chose€to€present€substantial€mitigating€proof,Ïunlike€the€defendant€in€this€case.€€òòState€v.€Lyonsóó,€596€S.W.2d€104€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1979).€€ µÝ ƒ i$ÝÓ  ÓÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÔ€Xá¸XXXÔÔ€ôÉ¡ ôXXá¸Ôà Ø àòòÚ  Ú11Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝThough€the€jury€in€òòCribbsóó€should€not€have€been€allowed€to€rely€upon€the€felony€murderÐ ,  Ðaggravating€circumstance€to€support€imposition€of€the€death€penalty,€this€Court€held€the€error€to€beÏharmless€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt.€€òòId.óó€at€789. vÝ ƒ i$ÝÓ  ÓÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÔ€Xá¸XXXÔÔ€ôÉ¡ ôXXá¸Ôà Ø àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝWhile€trial€strategy€is€a€matter€within€the€discretion€of€the€district€attorney,€we€note€that€theÐ ,  ÐState€should€offer€some€proof€regarding€the€circumstances€of€the€offense€in€its€case„in„chief€whenÏseeking€the€death€penalty€at€a€resentencing›€hearing.€€The€proof€need€not€be€as€detailed€as€thatÏoffered€at€the€guilt„innocence€phase€of€the€trial;€however,€òòsomeóó€proof€is€essential€to€ensure€bothÐ f : Ðindividualized€sentencing€by€the€jury€and€effective€comparative€proportionality€review€by€theÏappellate€courts.€€òòSeeóó€òòState€v.€œNichols›óó,€877€œS.W.2d›€722,€731€(Tenn.€1994)(rejecting€a€defendantððsÐ ä ¸ Ðclaim€that€proof€regarding€the€circumstances€of€the€offense€is€not€admissible€at€œresentencing›Ïhearings€and€holding€that€such€proof€is€necessary€to€provide€individualized€sentencing).€€In€thisÏcase,€the€defendant€offered€his€statement€which€included€a€description€of€the€circumstances€of€theÏoffense.€€)*+-/Cþÿ<< CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(3¯$¢¢Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý(3¯$££Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý —Ý ƒ i$ÝÓ  ÓÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÔ€Xá¸XXXÔÔ€ôÉ¡ ôXXá¸Ôà Ø àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝThe€aggravating€circumstance€now€provides:ðð[t]he€defendant€was€previously€convicted€ofÐ ,  Ðone€(1)€or€more€felonies,€other€than€the€present€charge,€whose€statutory€elements€involve€the€useÏof€violence€to€the€person.ðð($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó ó, øð AZ"Arial Regular11'÷ÿ dxd %Ý ƒ i$ÝÓ  ÓÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÔ€ Xá¸XXXÔÔ€ ôÉ¡ ôX Xá¸Ôà Ø àòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝIn€this€case,€the€dissent€advocates€the€adoption€of€procedures€utilized€in€New€Jersey€andÐ ,  Ðopines€that€our€decision€in€òòNesbitóó€permits€victim€impact€evidence€which€is€ð ðwholly€undefined,Ð ê ¾ Ðamorphous,€and€unduly€prejudicial,€a€result€prohibited€by€Article€I,€section€8€of€the€TennesseeÏConstitution.ðð€€The€dissentððs€conclusion€is€puzzling€in€light€of€the€fact€that€the€procedures€adoptedÏby€this€Court€in€òòNesbitóó€closely€mirror€those€utilized€in€New€Jersey,€with€the€only€apparent€differenceÐ $ ø Ðbeing€the€New€Jersey€requirement€of€a€written€victim€impact€statement.üÿP Pd ÷Ý ƒ*¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ€5X&·XXXÔÔ€5}JX5X&·ÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€5X&·X5}JÔÐ  ÐÌMay€17,€1999ÌÌCecil€Crowson,€Jr.ÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdAhÔó ó 'ÿÿdxd Ý ƒ i$ÝÓ  ÓÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÔ€Xá¸XXXÔÔ€ôÉ¡ ôXXá¸Ôà Ø àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝSmith€had€left€Angela€OððQuinn›€alongside€the€road€a€short€distance€from€Webbððs€store.,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular ZÝ ƒ i$ÝÓ  ÓÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÔ€Xá¸XXXÔÔ€ôÉ¡ ôXXá¸Ôà Ø àòòÚ  Ú15Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝFor€example,€in€examining€the€Rule€12€reports,€we€discovered€a€similar€case€fromÐ ,  ÐJefferson€County,€òòState€v.€Gene€Lynchóó,€in€which€the€jury€imposed€a€life€sentence€and€the€trial€judgeÐ ê ¾ Ðcommented€on€the€Rule€12€report€that€the€sentence€should€have€been€death.€€Lynch€waived€hisÏright€to€appeal.€€The€juryððs€decision€to€afford€mercy€to€Lynch€does€not€invalidate€Smithððs€deathÏsentence.Ý ƒ¤T!ÝÓ  ÓÝ  ݛѰÑÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÑTR[¤ AØ'Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÑ  ÑÔ€XÁXXXÔÓ  ÓÔ‡ X&·XXXÁÔÑ€ÑÑ  ÑÑ7€ &· XXdædÈ7ÑÑ€åÑÑ€ŸWÑÑ€†ÑÑ€§ÑÓ=€Æ_XÐXdÐd=Óœñ“½ññ“½ññ“½ññ‰½ñœñ‰½ñßr€(23<,(j 8` `€€@E» ` 8ttxPóð  rßñ“½ññ‰½ññ‰½ññ“½ññ“½ñ›à@ž ž Ìàò òÔ‡ ¼˜R¼X X&·ÔIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEˆÌñ“½ññ“½ñà@(ÌàAT€KNOXVILLEÔ#† X&·X¼ ¼˜RŒ#Ôó óˆÐ  Ðñ“½ñœßt€(23>.*jx` `€€@EËL ` 8ttxP0 ©  tß›ñ“½ñà@KK$Ìà(HEARD€AT€NASHVILLE)ˆÌÌÌÌà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àà è àòòFOR€PUBLICATIONóóÐ È À ÐÌSTATE€OF€TENNESSEE,à à àà 8 àà  à)à è àœò òFiled:ó óñ‚½ñ€ñ‚½ññƒ½ññ‚½ñMayñ‚½ññƒ½ññ„½ñò òñ„½ññ…½ñMay€17ñ…½ññ†½ññ…½ñtñ…½ññ†½ññ‡½ñ,€1999ñ‡½ññ„½ñó óñ„½ñ›Ð ”Œ Ðà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  à)Ìà Ø àAppellee,à ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  à)à è àœHamblen›€CountyÐ f^  Ðà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  à)Ìv.à Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  à)à è àHon.€Lynn€W.€Brown,Ð 2*  Ðà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  à)à è àJudgeÐ   ÐLEONARD€EDWARD€SMITH,à 8 àà  à)Ð þö  Ðà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  à)Ìà Ø àAppellant,à ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  à)à è àSupreme€CourtÐ Ê Ðà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  à)à è àNo.€œ03S01›„9710„CC„00129Ð °¨ ÐÌÌòòÌFOR€APPELLANTóó:à ˆ àà à àà 8 àòòà  àFOR€APPELLEE:óóÐ H@ ÐÌJ.€Robert€œBoatright›à ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àJohn€Knox€WalkupÐ   МKingsport›,€Tennesseeà à àà 8 àà  àAttorney€General€&€ReporterÐ úò ÐÌLarry€S.€œWeddington›à à àà 8 àà  àMichael€E.€MooreРƾ ÐBristol,€Tennesseeà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àSolicitor€GeneralÐ ¬¤ Ðà Ø àà 0 àÌà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àAmy€L.€œTarkington›Ìà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àSenior€Assistant€Attorney€GeneralÌà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àNashville,€TennesseeÌÌà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àH.€œGreely›€Wells,€Jr.Ìà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àDistrict€Attorney€GeneralÌÔ#†XÁXX X&·Ý#ÔÔ€.X·XXXÁÔà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àSecond€Judicial€DistrictÐ Ü&Ô# Ðà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àœBlountville›,€TennesseeÌÌà@ÌÌ.ÌàˆÌÌÔ‡.„6¯ „X.X·ÔÌÌÌÌà@VV(Ìàò òO€P€I€N€I€O€Nó óÔ#†.X·X „.„6¯é#ԈР,1$*, ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌTRIAL€COURT€ANDÌñ‰½ñÑ åŸWÑÑ, ÑÑ7€Æ_XdÈ XXdæ7ÑÑ` °ÑÑ  ÑÑ åŸWÑÑ , ÑÑ#€Pÿÿd#ÑÑ ` ÑÑ  Ññ‰½ñCOURT€OF€CRIMINAL€APPEALS€AFFIRMED.à @ àà ˜ àà ð àœDROWOTA›,€J.€Ð ;ü36 ÐÓÓÐ ô;ì47w ÐÑ åŸWÑÑ, ÑÑ7€Æ_XdÈ XXdæ7ÑÑ` °ÑÑ  Ññ‰½ñÑ åŸWÑÑ, ÑÑ7€XdÈ XXdæ7ÑÑ` °ÑÑ  Ññ‰½ñà Ø àIn€this€automatic€appeal,Ô‡X·XX.X·Ô׃×Ý ƒ  ÝÔ€X‡¸ XXX·ÔÔ€X‡¸ X XX‡¸ÔÔ€X‡¸ X XX‡¸ÔÔ€X‡¸ X XX‡¸ÔÔ€X‡¸ X XX‡¸ÔÔ€X‡¸ X XX‡¸ÔÔ€X‡¸ X XX‡¸ÔÔ€X‡¸ X XX‡¸ÔÔ€X‡¸ X XX‡¸ÔÔ€X‡¸ X XX‡¸ÔÔ€X‡¸ X XX‡¸ÔÔ€X‡¸ X XX‡¸ÔÔ€X‡¸ X XX‡¸ÔÔ€X‡¸ X XX‡¸ÔÔ€X‡¸ X XX‡¸ÔÔ€ X&·X XX‡¸ÔòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô#†.X·XX X&·i#Ô€the€defendant,€Leonard€Edward€Smith,€raisesÐ ,  Ðnumerous€challenges€to€the€decision€of€the€Court€of€Criminal€Appeals€which€affirmedÏhis€sentence€of€death€for€the€1984€murder€of€Novella€Webb.€€AÔ‡X·XX.X·Ôfter€carefullyÐ ì À Ðexamining€the€entire€record€and€the€law,€including€the€thorough€opinion€of€the€CourtÏof€Criminal€Appeals€and€the€briefs€of€the€defendant€and€the€State,€this€Court€enteredÏan€Order€limiting€review€at€oral€argument€to€the€following€three€issues:׃×Ý ƒ  ÝÔ€X‡¸ XXX·ÔÔ€X‡¸ X XX‡¸ÔÔ€X‡¸ X XX‡¸ÔÔ€X‡¸ X XX‡¸ÔÔ€X‡¸ X XX‡¸ÔÔ€X‡¸ X XX‡¸ÔÔ€X‡¸ X XX‡¸ÔÔ€X‡¸ X XX‡¸ÔÔ€X‡¸ X XX‡¸ÔÔ€X‡¸ X XX‡¸ÔÔ€X‡¸ X XX‡¸ÔÔ€X‡¸ X XX‡¸ÔÔ€X‡¸ X XX‡¸ÔÔ€X‡¸ X XX‡¸ÔÔ€X‡¸ X XX‡¸ÔÔ€ X&·X XX‡¸ÔòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ׀РŒ`  ÐÓÓà8 Ø à(1)€Whether€the€trial€court€was€correct€in€allowing€the€defendant€toÏcontrol€the€presentation€of€mitigating€evidence€and€to€waive€closingÏargument€against€counselððs€advice;Ð Ø À!Ø À! ÐÌà8 Ø à(2)€Whether€the€admittance€of€victim€impact€testimony€and€argumentÏat€the€sentencing€hearing€constituted€reversible€error;Ð Ø À!Ø À! ÐÌà8 Ø à(3)€Whether€the€sentence€of€death€is€arbitrary€or€disproportionate€inÏviolation€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„206(c)(1)(A)„(D)€(1997€œRepl›.).Ð Ø À!Ø À! ÐÓNÓÌà Ø àAfter€fully€considering€the€record€and€the€defendantððs€claims,€we€conclude€thatÏnone€of€the€alleged€errors€have€merit.€€Contrary€to€Smithððs€assertions,€the€trial€courtÏhad€no€authority€to€override€the€will€of€a€competent€and€informed€defendant€and€forceÏSmith€to€present€mitigation€evidence€and€closing€argument€in€his€capital€sentencingÏhearing.€€Moreover,€the€trial€court€did€not€err€in€allowing€the€State€to€present€victimÏñ‰½ñцÑÑTR[¤ AØ'ÿ Legal[¤ AØ'Legal AØ'ÿ Legal AØ'ÿ LegalTÑÑ  ÑцÑÑTR[¤ AØ'ÿ Legal[¤ AØ'Legal AØ'ÿ Legal AØ'ÿ LegalTÑÑ  Ññ‰½ñimpact€evidence€and€argument€during€the€capital€sentencing€hearing.€€Finally,€theÏevidence€supports€the€juryððs€findings€as€to€the€aggravating€and€mitigatingÐ *î# ÐцÑÑTR[¤ AØ'ÿ Legal[¤ AØ'Legal AØ'ÿ Legal AØ'ÿ LegalTÑÑ  Ññ‰½ñцÑÑTR[¤ AØ'ÿ Legal[¤ AØ'Legal AØ'ÿ Legal AØ'ÿ LegalTÑÑ  ÑцÑÑTR[  AØ'ÿ Legal[  AØ'Legal AØ'ÿ Legal AØ'ÿ LegalTÑÑ  Ññ‰½ññ‡½ñцÑÑTR[  AØ'ÿ Legal[  AØ'Legal AØ'ÿ Legal AØ'ÿ LegalTÑÑ  Ññ‡½ñcircumstances,€and€the€sentence€of€death€is€not€arbitrary€or€disproportionate€to€theÐ ,  Ðsentence€imposed€in€similar€cases,€considering€the€nature€of€the€crime€and€theÏdefendant.€€Accordingly,€the€judgment€of€the€Court€of€Criminal€Appeals€upholding€theÏdefendantððs€sentence€of€death€is€affirmed.Ô#†.X'MXX Xá¸ê#ÔÐ d ÐÌÌà@ðð)Ìàòòò òBACKGROUNDóóó óˆÐ ð  Ðà Ø àIn€1984€the€defendant,€Leonard€Edward€Smith,€his€friend,€David€Hartsock,€andÏhis€girlfriend,€Angela€OððQuinn,€robbed€two€small€grocery€stores€in€rural€SullivanÏCounty.€€Armed€with€a€.32€caliber€pistol,€Hartsock€entered€Maloneððs€Grocery€alone,Ïwhile€Smith€and€OððQuinn€waited€for€him€outside€the€store€in€Smithððs€car.€€During€theÏcourse€of€the€robbery,€Hartsock€shot€and€killed€John€Pierce.€€The€trio€left€MaloneððsÏGrocery€and€proceeded€to€Webbððs€store€near€the€Carter„Sullivan€County€line.€€BothÏSmith€and€œHartsock›€entered€Webbððs€store.Ô‡X'MXX.X'MÔ׃4×Ý ƒ  ÝÔ€X×Ñ XXX'MÔÔ€ Xá¸X XX×ÑÔòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô#†.X'MXX Xá¸"#Ô€€Smith€was€carrying€the€gun,€and€duringÐ <" Ðthe€robbery,€he€shot€and€killed€Novella€Webb.€€The€victim€and€her€husband€ownedÏand€operated€the€store.ÌÌà Ø àThe€defendant€was€charged€with€two€counts€of€first€degree€murder€for€theÏkillings€of€Pierce€and€Webb.€€The€offenses€were€joined€for€trial,€and,€at€SmithððsÏrequest,€venue€for€the€trial€was€changed€from€Sullivan€to€Hamblen€County.€€SmithÏwas€convicted€on€both€counts€of€first€degree€felony€murder.€€At€the€conclusion€of€theÏproof,€the€State€withdrew€its€notice€of€intent€to€seek€the€death€penalty€with€respectÏto€the€Pierce€murder,€and€the€trial€court€imposed€a€life€sentence.€€However,€the€juryÐ 3ð(, ÐѧÑÑ Ð XÑÑ  Ññ‡½ñѧÑÑ Ð XÑÑ  Ññ‡½ñimposed€a€sentence€of€death€for€the€Webb€murder.€€On€his€first€direct€appeal,€thisÏCourt€affirmed€Smithððs€conviction€and€life€sentence€for€the€killing€of€Pierce,€butÏreversed€Smithððs€conviction€of€first€degree€murder€and€sentence€of€death€for€theÏWebb€murder.€€Concluding€that€the€offenses€should€not€have€been€joined€for€trial€andÏalso€finding€prosecutorial€misconduct€during€final€argument,€this€Court€reversed€andÏremanded€the€case€for€a€new€trial.€€òòState€v.€Smithóó,€755€S.W.2d€757€(Tenn.€1988)Ð Œ`  Ð(ð ðSmith€Iðð).ÌÌà Ø àSmith€was€re„tried€and€again€convicted€of€first€degree€felony€murder€andÏsentenced€to€death€for€the€Webb€killing.€€On€the€second€direct€appeal,€this€CourtÏaffirmed€the€conviction,€but€again€vacated€the€death€sentence,€finding€that€the€juryÏhad€been€improperly€allowed€to€consider€the€life€sentence€imposed€for€the€PierceÏmurder€in€considering€whether€or€not€Smith€should€be€sentenced€to€death€for€theÏWebb€murder,€and€that€the€felony€supporting€the€conviction€of€first€degree€murderÏhad€been€improperly€used€to€establish€the€felony€murder€aggravating€circumstanceÏin€violation€of€òòState€v.€Middlebrooksóó,€840€S.W.2d€317€(Tenn.€1992).€€The€case€wasÐ L&  Ðremanded€to€the€trial€court€for€a€third€sentencing€hearing.€€òòSeeóó€òòState€v.€Smithóó,€857Ð ,(  ÐS.W.2d€1€(Tenn.€1993)€(ð ðSmith€IIðð).ÌÔ‡ Xá¸XX.X'MÔÌà Ø àThis€case€is€Smithððs€appeal€from€theÔ#†.X'MXX Xá¸\+#Ô€third€sentencing€hearing€which€was€heldÐ ¸-Œ#& Ðin€Hamblen€County.€Ô‡X'MXX.X'MÔ׃×Ý ƒ  ÝÔ€X×Ñ XXX'MÔÔ€ Xá¸X XX×ÑÔòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€TÔ#†.X'MXX Xá¸",#Ôhe€State€again€sought€and€obtained€the€death€penalty€for€theÐ œ/p%( Ðmurder€of€Novella€Webb.€€The€State€introduced€very€little€proof€regarding€theÏcircumstances€of€the€offense€at€this€third€sentencing€hearing.׃'×Ý ƒ  ÝÔ€Xá¸XX.X'MÔòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€After€waiving€openingÐ  à Ðstatement,€the€State€introduced€proof€to€establish€the€single€aggravatingÏcircumstance€upon€which€it€relied€to€support€imposition€of€the€death€penalty€„„€ð ð[t]heÏdefendant€was€previously€convicted€of€one€(1)€or€more€felonies,€other€than€theÏpresent€charge,€which€involve€the€use€or€threat€of€violence€to€the€person.ðð€€Tenn.ÏCode€Ann.€ðð€39„2„203(i)(2)€(1982€Repl.)€[currently€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„204(i)(2)Ï(œSupp›.€1998)]׃,þ×Ý ƒ  ÝÔ€Xá¸XXXá¸ÔòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð ìÀ  ÐÌà Ø àThe€Stateððs€proof€consisted€of€copies€of€indictments€and€judgments€reflectingÏthat€the€defendant€had€been€convicted€of€robbery€in€Carter€County€on€October€13,Ï1980,€and€on€February€21,€1985,€and€that€the€defendant€had€been€convicted€of€firstÏdegree€murder€for€the€killing€of€John€Pierce€on€March€20,€1985.€€The€reference€to€theÏlife€sentence€imposed€for€the€Pierce€murder€conviction€had€been€redacted€from€theÏcopy€of€the€judgment€passed€to€the€jury.€€The€State€also€introduced€the€judgmentÏwhich€established€that€the€defendant€had€been€convicted€of€the€first€degree€murderÏof€the€victim€in€this€case€on€August€23,€1989.€€With€respect€to€each€of€theseÏconvictions,€the€State€offered€identification€testimony€to€establish€that€LeonardÐ ä(¸" ÐEdward€Smith€is€the€same€person€who€was€previously€convicted€of€the€robbery€andÏmurder€offenses.ÌÌà Ø àAs€its€final€witness,€the€State€called€Katy€Mahoney,€the€daughter€of€the€victimÏin€this€case.€€Mahoney€testified€that€her€father€and€mother€had€operated€the€countryÏstore€Smith€robbed€for€many€years€and€that€her€mother€had€been€fifty„nine„years„oldÏwhen€she€was€murdered.€€Mahoney€testified€that€her€father€was€seventy„eight„years„¼old€at€the€time€of€the€robbery€and€murder€and€that€his€ribs€had€been€broken€duringÏthe€episode€when€he€was€pushed€into€a€trash€can.€€According€to€Mahoney,€herÏfatherððs€health€had€declined€ð ðdrasticallyðð€after€the€robbery€and€murder.€€He€was€neverÏable€to€work€again€and€eventually€sold€the€store.€€He€died€the€next€year€from€a€brainÏtumor.€€When€asked€how€the€family€had€been€affected€by€her€motherððs€murder,ÏMahoney€testified€that€the€murder€ð ðwonððt€go€away,ðð€that€ð ðwe€live€with€it€all€the€timeððÏand€that€ð ðitððs€caused€problems€now€for€eleven€years.ðð€€The€State€rested€its€case„in„¼chief€at€the€conclusion€of€Mahoneyððs€testimony.ÌÌà Ø àIn€mitigation€the€defense€called€Sullivan€County€Sheriff€Keith€Carr,€who€inÏ1984€had€been€the€detective€in€charge€of€investigating€the€Webb€murder.€€ShortlyÏafter€his€arrest,€Smith€had€given€Sheriff€Carr€a€statement€recounting€his€involvementÏin€the€murders€of€both€John€Pierce€and€Novella€Webb.€€The€entire€statement,€whichÏthe€detective€read€to€the€resentencing€jury€at€the€request€of€defense€counsel,€is€setÏforth€below.ÌÌÓÓà8 Ø àI,€Leonard€Edward€Smith,€am€giving€this€statement€of€my€own€free€willÏand€without€any€threats€or€promises€being€made€to€me.€€On€Monday,ÏMay€21,€1984,€I€was€with€my€girlfriend€Angie€OððQuinn€and€DavidÐ L5 +0 ÐHartsock,€and,€we€went€and€got€some€liquor€and€went€to€a€road€nearÏthe€Sullivan„Carter€County€line.€€We€parked€and€were€just€drinking€andÏtalking€and€smoked€some€joints.€€While€we€were€on€that€road€in€myÏblack€Ford€Pinto€which€I€had€painted€black€because€it€used€to€beÏorange,€David€said€ð ðGet€out,€I€want€to€talk€to€you.ðð€€He€and€I€got€out€andÏwalked€a€ways€from€the€car€where€Angie€couldnððt€hear€us€talking€andÏDavid€said,€ð ðI€can€get€us€a€little€bit€of€money€here€at€this€store.ðð€€HeÏsaid,€ð ðItððs€the€store€down€at€the€county€line.ðð€€I€asked€him€if€it€wasÏShorty€Maloneððs€and€he€said,€ð ðYes.ðð€€Angie€and€I€drove€David€downÏthere,€and€let€him€off€a€little€ways€from€the€store.€€I€parked€on€a€littleÏpaved€road€beside€the€store.€€David€had€a€.32€caliber€chrome„platedÏpistol€with€him.€€The€pistol€was€his€pistol.€€I€heard€several€shots€firedÏand€just€a€few€seconds€later€David€came€running€around€the€store.€ÏDavid€jumped€into€the€car€and€said,€ð ðGet€the€hell€out€of€here,€I€had€toÏshoot€him.ðð€€I€figured€it€was€Shorty€because€he€ran€the€store.€€We€droveÏout€the€road€that€goes€beside€of€Maloneððs€Grocery€and€it€dead€endsÏand€you€can€turn€left€to€the€Wautauga€area,€or€right€back€to€SullivanÏCounty.€€We€turned€onto€the€Wautauga€Highway€and€drove€to€what€isÏknown€as€Mountain€Road.€€I€asked€David€if€he€shot€the€man,€and€heÏsaid,€he€shot€him€one€time€and€the€man€pulled€a€gun€and€startedÏshooting€at€him.€€I€donððt€remember€if€he€said€what€money€he€got.€€IÏdrunk€some€more€liquor,€and€made€Angie€get€out€of€the€car.€€I€startedÏdrinking€and€was€just€going€to€drive€us€out€of€the€mountain.€€We€cameÏout€at€some€store,€and€I€turned€left€and,€drove€until€I€realized€I€wasÏgoing€to€[sic]€wrong€way,€and€I€pulled€it€in€at€Webbððs€Store€to€turn.€€IÏstopped€the€car€at€Webbððs€and€David€jumped€out,€and€I€ran€in€the€storeÏbehind€him.€€David€ran€and€jumped€on€the€counter,€and€knocked€theÏold€man€over€and€yelled€to€me€to,€ð ðget€that€bitchðð€referring€to€an€oldÏwoman€at€the€end€of€the€counter.€€I€started€towards€her,€and€sheÏstarted€throwing€things€at€me€and€started€spraying€paint€on€me.€€I€firedÏone€shot€just€to€scare€people,€but,€the€old€woman€just€kept€sprayingÏorange€paint€and€came€towards€me.€€I€couldnððt€see€because€of€theÏpaint€and€I€held€the€gun€up€and€apparently€the€old€lady€was€trying€to€getÏthe€gun€away€from€me€and€it€went€off.€€We€ran€from€the€store€when€IÏfired€the€second€shot.€€I€didnððt€really€know€that€I€had€shot€her€until€weÏheard€it€later€on€the€news.€€When€we€were€in€Webbððs€Store€the€old€manÏwas€hollering,€ð ðhelp€me,€help€me,ðð€and€hollering€for€his€wife.€€The€oldÏwoman€never€did€say€anything€that€I€remember.€€I€know€that€before€weÏleft€the€store,€some€man€came€up€to€the€door,€and€I€told€him€to€get€outÏof€there.€€I€didnððt€get€any€money€from€either€store,€and€David€didnððt€sayÏif€he€did€or€not.€€David€and€I€left€Webbððs€and€went€back€up€towardsÏMountain€Road,€and€picked€Angie€up.€€I€told€her€we€had€to€get€out€ofÏthere,€and€we€drove€down€towards€Underwood€Park,€and€set€the€car€onÏfire.€€David€cut€a€hose€next€to€the€carburetor€and€set€the€car€on€fire.€ÏDavid,€Angie€and€me€took€off€on€the€trails,€and€really€didnððt€know€whichÏway€to€go.€€We€came€out€at€a€house€on€Indian€Creek.€€It€was€theÏJohnson€residence€because€my€dad€had€sold€them€the€house.€€WeÏdidnððt€go€to€the€house€until€late€last€night,€and€Angie€got€Gladys€SheetsÏto€take€us€to€the€home€where€we€were€arrested€this€morning.€€I€hadÐ L5 +0 Ðnever€been€to€the€house€before€but€had€been€in€the€area.€€WhenÏGladys€drove€us€to€Dennis€Cove,€she€said€she€thought€we€did€it.€€I€hadÏtaken€my€shirt€and€wrapped€my€feet€so€I€could€walk€and€I€think€I€left€itÏin€Gladysðð€car€or€at€the€house.€€Gladys€had€told€us€that€Mrs.€Webb,€andÏthe€man€at€Maloneððs€were€both€dead.€€We€told€Gladys€that€we€didnððt€doÏit€and€she€said,€ð ðIf€you€didnððt,€you€better€keep€the€gun€because€theÏnews€said€it€was€a€.38,ðð€and€she€knew€we€had€a€.32€caliber.€€I€toldÏDavid€to€throw€the€gun€out€anyway€because€I€knew€we€had€done€it.€€HeÏthrew€it€out€as€we€went€over€a€bridge,€and€we€drove€on€up€to€the€house.€ÏWe€stopped€at€a€grocery€store,€and€Angie€and€Gladys€went€in€and€gotÏsome€food€for€us€to€take€to€the€house.€€We€fixed€something€to€eat,€andÏwent€to€sleep,€but,€I€felt€like€they€knew€where€we€were€at.€€I€had€cutÏmine€and€Davidððs€hair€with€a€pair€of€scissors€Angie€had€in€herÏpocketbook€because€I€knew€they€would€be€looking€for€somebody€withÏlonger€hair.€€This€morning€I€heard€a€loud€noise,€and€I€knew€we€wereÏcaught€then.€€I€told€Angie,€ð ðIððm€going€out,€and€you€come€out€too,€so€weÏwonððt€get€hurt.ðð€€Somebody€had€yelled€for€us€to€come€out,€and€DavidÏwent€out€first.€€All€I€know€is€that€everything€didnððt€turn€out€the€way€it€wasÏsupposed€to,€and€it€shouldnððt€have€happened.€€I€am€sorry€for€whatÏhappened,€because€I€know€I€am€a€thief,€but,€I€donððt€think€of€myself€asÏa€murderer.€€This€is€all€I€know€to€tell€you€about€what€happened.Ð Ø À!Ø À! ÐÓº9ÓÌà Ø àOn€cross„examination,€Sheriff€Carr€said€that€Webb€has€been€killedÏapproximately€forty„five€minutes€after€John€Pierce,€and€he€estimated€that€the€drivingÏtime€from€Maloneððs€Store€to€Webbððs€Store€is€about€thirty€minutes.€€Sheriff€Carr€hadÏexamined€the€murder€scene€at€Webbððs€store€and€had€searched€for€a€bullet€in€a€poolÏof€blood€about€an€inch€deep€by€using€a€vegetable€strainer.€€In€his€search,€Sheriff€CarrÏdiscovered€a€mark€on€the€wall€behind€the€counter€at€Webbððs€store€which€had€beenÏcaused€by€a€bullet€striking€the€wall.€€He€also€had€observed€the€victimððs€body€and€saidÏthat€the€bullet€which€caused€death€entered€at€the€victimððs€right€nasal€passage.€TheÏ.32€caliber€gun€used€in€the€Webb€murder€was€found€underneath€a€railroad€bridge.€ÏOrange€paint€spots€were€visible€on€the€gun€when€it€was€recovered,€and€it€had€six€liveÏrounds€in€the€chamber.€€According€to€Sheriff€Carr,€the€route€Smith€claimed€to€haveÏdriven€after€leaving€Webbððs€store€was€along€a€curvy,€mountainous,€dirt€road€whichÏwas€very€treacherous.€€A€day€or€so€after€the€murder,€Sheriff€Carr€found€theÐ f4:*/ Ðdefendantððs€badly€burned€car€near€an€area€where€Smith€had€been€camping€withÏHartsock€and€OððGuinn€prior€to€the€murder.€€Also€found€at€that€site€were€partiallyÏburned€articles€of€Smithððs€clothing€and€strands€of€Smithððs€and€Hartsockððs€hair€whichÏhad€been€cut€to€disguise€their€appearance.€€Sheriff€Carr€testified€that€Smith,ÏHartsock,€and€OððGuinn€were€arrested€on€May€23,€1984,€while€hiding€in€a€home€in€anÏisolated€area€of€Dennis€Cove.€€Gladys€Sheets,€one€of€Hartsockððs€relatives,€had€drivenÏthe€trio€to€this€location€and€had€stopped€along€the€way€to€allow€OððQuinn€to€purchaseÏfood€and€camping€supplies.€€A€live€.32€caliber€round€was€found€in€Smithððs€pocketÏwhen€he€was€arrested.€€Smithððs€and€Hartsockððs€hair€had€been€cut€very€short.€€At€theÏtime€of€the€Webb€murder,€Smith€was€twenty„three„years€old.€€Hartsock€and€OððQuinnÏwere€eighteen€or€nineteen€years€of€age.€€Though€Smith€said€he€felt€remorse,€SheriffÏCarr€testified€there€was€nothing€indicative€of€remorse€in€Smithððs€demeanor€when€heÏgave€the€statement.€€ÌÌà Ø àDuring€the€cross„examination€of€Sheriff€Carr,€a€jury„out€hearing€was€held€toÏdetermine€the€permissibility€of€certain€questions.€€During€this€hearing€Smith€orderedÏhis€attorneys€to€present€no€further€proof€in€mitigation€and€to€waive€final€argument.€ÏAfter€a€lengthy€discussion€with€counsel,€the€trial€court€determined€that€the€defendantÏwas€competent€to€make€the€decision€as€to€whether€to€offer€additional€proof€andÏargument.€€After€further€consultation€with€Smith,€defense€counsel€honored€his€requestÏand€presented€no€further€mitigating€evidence.ÌÌà Ø àIn€rebuttal,€the€State€recalled€Mahoney€who€testified€that€during€the€elevenÏyears€since€the€murder,€she€had€never€seen€evidence€to€indicate€the€defendant€feltÏremorse.€€Following€this€testimony,€the€State€made€a€closing€argument,€but€inÐ L5 +0 Ðaccordance€with€the€defendantððs€instructions,€defense€counsel€waived€closingÏargument.ÌÌà Ø àÔ‡X'MXXXá¸ÔBased€on€the€proof€submitted€at€the€sentencing€hearing,€the€jury€found€that€theÐ d ÐState€had€proven€the€aggravating€circumstance€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt,€and€inÏaddition,€the€jury€found€that€the€State€had€proven€that€the€aggravating€circumstanceÏoutweighed€any€mitigating€circumstances€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt.׃×Ý ƒ  ÝÔ€Xá¸XXX'MÔòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€As€a€result,Ð 0  Ðthe€jury€imposed€a€sentence€of€death€by€electrocution.€€Ô#†Xá¸XXXḓZ#ÔThe€trial€court€entered€aÐ è  Ðjudgment€in€accordance€with€the€juryððs€verdict,€and€the€Court€of€Criminal€AppealsÏaffirmed.€€The€case€was€then€docketed€in€this€Court.€€For€the€reasons€explainedÏbelow,€we€affirm€the€judgment€of€the€Court€of€Criminal€Appeals.ÌÌà@ww-Ìàò òÔ‡ UP XXá¸ÔÔ‡ ®1   UPÔI.Ô#† UP   ®15^#ÔÔ#†Xá¸X  UP^#Ôó óˆÐ  ä Ðà@11$Ìàòòò òWAIVER€OF€MITIGATIONó óóóˆÐ "d Ðà Ø àIn€this€Court,€Smith€argues€that€Ô‡ Xá¸XXXá¸Ôonce€a€defendant€has€chosen€to€beÐ h$< Ðrepresented€by€counsel,Ô#†Xá¸XX Xá¸*_#Ô€the€decision€to€present€mitigating€proof€and€argument€is€aÐ 4& Ðstrategic€and€tactical€decision€for€counsel,€and€not€a€personal€right€of€the€defendant.€ÏSmith€also€argues€that€allowing€a€defendant€to€waive€his€or€her€right€to€presentÏmitigating€proof€conflicts€with€the€heightened€reliability€required€in€death€penaltyÏcases€and€impedes€meaningful€appellate€review.€€Finally,€Smith€argues€that€even€if€Ïa€defendant€represented€by€counsel€retains€the€authority€to€waive€his€or€her€right€toÏpresent€mitigating€proof€and€closing€argument,€such€a€waiver€is€valid€only€if€theÐ ü0Ð&* Ðdefendant€is€competent€to€understand€the€rights€being€waived€and€the€potentialÏconsequences€of€the€waiver.€€Smith€argues€that€the€waiver€in€this€case€is€invalidÏbecause€the€record€does€not€establish€competency.ÌÌà Ø àThe€State€responds€that€the€right€to€present€a€defense€belongs€to€theÏdefendant,€and€a€trial€court€may€not€force€a€competent€defendant€to€follow€the€adviceÏof€counsel€and€present€a€defense.€€The€State€argues€that€the€trial€court€did€not€errÏbecause€the€record€in€this€case€establishes€both€that€Smith€was€competent€and€thatÏhe€voluntarily€and€knowingly€chose€to€waive€mitigation€and€closing€argument.€€WeÏagree.ÌÌà Ø àThe€arguments€advanced€by€Smith€in€this€appeal€were€recently€considered€byÏthis€Court€in€a€post€conviction€capital€case,€òòZagorski€v.€Stateóó,€œ983›€œS.W.2d€654›€(Tenn.Ð ¼ Ð1998).€€There,€œZagorski,€the€petitioner,›€had€alleged€that€defense€counsel€wereÏineffective€at€the€sentencing€phase€of€his€capital€trial€because€they€had€followed€hisÏexplicit€instructions€and€had€not€investigated€or€presented€mitigating€evidence.€€TheÏproof€introduced€at€the€evidentiary€hearing€on€the€petition€established€that€prior€to€trial€ÌZagorski€had€asked€his€attorneys€not€to€investigate€or€present€mitigating€proof€in€theÏevent€of€a€conviction€because€he€preferred€a€death€sentence€to€a€sentence€of€lifeÏimprisonment.€€Though€Zagorskiððs€attorneys€€advised€him€of€the€importance€and€needÏto€investigate€and€introduce€proof€in€mitigation€regarding€his€family€background€at€theÏsentencing€phase€of€his€capital€trial,€he€prohibited€his€lawyers€from€contacting€hisÏfamily€or€investigating€his€past.Ìâ âÐ €3T). Ðà Ø àWhen€the€jury€found€Zagorski€guilty€of€first€degree€murder,€he€adhered€to€hisÏâ âdecision€and€refused€to€allow€his€lawyers€to€present€mitigating€evidence€at€theÏsentencing€phase€of€his€trial.€€€Though€counsel€repeatedly€advised€Zagorski€of€hisÏright€to€present€mitigation€proof€and€of€the€potential€consequences€of€his€decision€toÏforego€investigation€and€proof,€Zagorski€remained€steadfastly€committed€to€hisÏchosen€course€of€action€with€full€awareness€that€it€very€well€might€result€in€a€deathÏpenalty.€€òòId.óó€at€œ658„59.›€€Ð ôÈ  ÐÌà Ø àIn€rejecting€Zagorskiððs€claim€of€ineffective€assistance€of€counsel,€this€Court€Ïrecognized€that€ð ð[œc]ounsel›ððs€role€in€a€criminal€case€is€to€assist€the€defendant€inÏmaking€a€defense€and€to€represent€the€defendant€before€the€court.ðð€€òòZagorskióó,€œ983Ð $ø ÐS.W.2d›€Ô‡X'MXXXá¸Ôat€œ658€(citing›€òòState€v.€Franklinóó,€714€S.W.2d€252,€262€(Tenn.€1986)).€Ð ðÄ ÐHowever,€we€Ô#†Xá¸XXX'Ml#Ô€emphasized€that€ð ð[u]ltimately€.€.€.€the€right€to€a€defense€belongs€to€aÐ Ô¨ Ðdefendant.ðð€€òòId.óó€€We€cautioned€that€decisions€such€as€ð ðwhether€to€forego€a€legallyÐ ¸!Œ Ðavailable€objective€because€of€non„legal€factors€are€for€the€client€and€not€the€lawyer.ðð€Ï€òòId.óó€€ð ð[œA]lthough›€[a€defendant]€may€conduct€his€own€defense€ultimately€to€his€ownÐ P%$ Ðdetriment,€his€choice€must€be€honored€out€of€ððthat€respect€for€the€individual€which€isÏthe€lifeblood€of€the€œlaw.ððð𛀜òòId.óó€at›€œ658€(quoting›€òòIllinois€v€Allenóó,€€397€U.S.€337,€350„51,€90Ð è(¼" МS.Ct›.€1057,€1064,€25€œL.Ed›.œ2d›€353€(1970)€(œBrennan›,€J.€concurring)).€€Accordingly,€weÏconcluded€thatÔ‡ Xá¸XXXá¸Ô€counsel€will€not€be€adjudged€ineffective€for€following€the€decision€ofÐ €,T"& Ða€competent€Ô#†Xá¸XX Xḳo#Ôand€fully€informed€defendant€who€chooses€to€forego€investigation€andÐ L. $( Ðpresentation€of€mitigating€evidence€at€the€sentencing€phase€of€a€capital€trial.€€òòœId.óó€atÐ 0ì%* Ð958.€€In€so€holding,€we€acknowledged€the€importance€and€constitutional€significanceÏof€mitigating€proof€in€a€capital€sentencing€proceeding.€€We€distinguished€ZagorskiððsÏsituation€from€cases€in€which€attorneys€simply€fail€to€investigate€and€presentÐ |5P+0 Ðmitigating€proof.€€òòId.óó€€We€emphasized€that€a€defense€attorneyððs€failure€to€investigateÐ ,  Ðand€present€mitigation€proof€generally€is€considered€below€the€range€of€competence,Ïbut€an€attorney€is€not€incompetent€if€the€failure€to€investigate€is€ð ðsolely€and€aloneðð€theÏresult€of€the€defendantððs€instructions.€€òòId.óóÐ d ÐÌà Ø àAccordingly,€in€òòZagorskióó,€we€rejected€the€arguments€advanced€here€by€Smith€Ð (ü  Є„€that€a€defendant€who€is€represented€by€counsel€may€not€waive€the€right€to€presentÏmitigating€proof€and€that€such€a€waiver€violates€the€heightened€reliability€required€inÏdeath€penalty€cases.€€Instead€we€held€that€a€defendant€may€waive€the€right€to€presentÏmitigation€proof€so€long€as€the€defendant€is€competent.€€To€aid€trial€courts€inÏdetermining€whether€defendants€are€competent€and€fully€informed€at€the€time€aÏwaiver€is€given,€we€set€forth€the€following€procedure€for€use€in€prospective€cases:ÌÌÓÓà8 Ø à[C]ounsel€must€inform€the€trial€court€of€these€circumstances€on€theÏrecord,€outside€the€presence€of€the€jury.€€The€trial€court€must€then€takeÏthe€following€steps€to€protect€the€defendantððs€interests€and€to€preserveÏa€complete€record:Ð Ø À!Ø À! ÐÌà8 Ø àà80 Ø À!Ø À!à1.€€Inform€the€defendant€of€his€right€to€present€mitigatingÏevidence€and€make€a€determination€on€the€recordÏwhether€the€defendant€understands€this€right€and€theÏimportance€of€presenting€mitigating€evidence€in€both€theÏguilt€phase€and€sentencing€phase€of€trial;Ð 0 h0 h ÐÌà8 Ø àà80 Ø À!Ø À!à2.€€Inquire€of€both€the€defendant€and€counsel€whetherÏthey€have€discussed€the€importance€of€mitigatingÏevidence,€the€risks€of€foregoing€the€use€of€suchÏevidence,€and€the€possibility€that€such€evidence€could€beÏused€to€offset€aggravating€circumstances;€andÐ 0 h0 h ÐÌà8 Ø àà80 Ø À!Ø À!à3.€€After€being€assured€the€defendant€understands€theÏimportance€of€mitigation,€inquire€of€the€defendantÏwhether€he€or€she€desires€to€forego€the€presentation€ofÏmitigating€evidence.€€€ÓvÓÐ 0 h0 h ÐÐ L5 +0 ÐòòZagorskióó,€983€S.W.2d€at€660„61.Ð ,  ÐÌà Ø àConsidering€the€record€in€this€case€in€light€of€the€procedure€adopted€inÏòòZagorskióó,€Smithððs€contention€that€he€was€not€competent€to€waive€his€right€to€presentÐ d Ðmitigating€proof€and€closing€argument€is€clearly€without€merit.€€Although€the€trial€courtÏin€this€case€did€not€have€the€benefit€of€our€decision€in€òòZagorskióó,€the€procedure€utilizedÐ (ü  Ðin€this€case€to€determine€Smithððs€competence€and€to€advise€him€of€the€potentialÏconsequences€of€his€decision€were€substantially€similar€to€those€adopted€in€òòZagorskióó.€Ð À”  ÐAfter€Smith€stated,€ð ðIððm€ready€to€rest,ðð€during€a€jury„out€hearing,€one€of€SmithððsÏattorneys€advised€the€trial€court€that€Smith€had€instructed€him€earlier€that€morning€toÏwaive€mitigation.€€Defense€counsel€advised€Smith€against€waiving€mitigation,€butÏSmith€continued€to€insist€upon€that€course€of€action.€€When€the€trial€court€asked€if€anyÏexpert€psychological€proof€raised€question€about€Smithððs€competency,€defenseÏcounsel€responded,€ð ðnot€anything€that€would€justify€any€claim€that€he€wasÏincompetent€I€donððt€feel€like.€€If€Iððd€felt€like€that€before€today€obviously€I€would€haveÏmade€it€known€to€the€court.ðð€€At€that€point€the€trial€court€accurately€stated€the€law€asÏfollows:ÌÓÓà8 Ø àWell,€this€is€a€bit€of€a€difficult€situation.€€In€general,€an€attorney€mustÏrepresent€a€client,€and€the€rule€is€that€the€client€determines€what€is€inÏhis€interest€and€what€he€wants€done,€and€then€the€lawyer€has€anÏobligation€to,€first€of€all,€advise€the€client€regarding€alternatives;€but,Ïafter€giving€proper€and€thorough€advice,€to€follow€the€wishes€of€theÏclient.€€Is€that€not€correct,€Gentlemen?€€Ð Ø À!Ø À! ÐÓ€ÓÌTo€the€trial€courtððs€inquiry,€Smithððs€attorneys€responded,€ð ðYes,€sirðð€and€ð ðYes,€YourÏHonor.ðð€€Before€making€a€final€decision€on€this€issue,€the€trial€court€allowed€defenseÏcounsel€a€twenty€minute€recess€to€confer€privately€with€Smith€regarding€his€desire€toÏwaive€mitigation.€€When€the€hearing€reconvened,€defense€counsel€reported€that€theyÐ L5 +0 Ðhad€informed€Smith€that€they€were€prepared€to€present€mitigation€proof,€had€advisedÏhim€of€the€benefits€of€presenting€the€proof,€and€had€warned€him€of€the€harm€whichÏcould€result€if€the€proof€was€not€presented.€€Despite€this€advice,€Smith€had€remainedÏinsistent€that€they€ð ðrest€the€case€and€waive€argument.ðð€ÌÌà Ø àAt€this€point,€the€trial€court€attempted€to€question€Smith€to€ensure€that€heÏunderstood€his€rights€and€the€potential€consequences€of€his€decision.€€Because€theÏtrial€court€had€admonished€Smith€earlier€in€the€trial€to€speak€only€through€hisÏattorneys€and€to€refrain€from€speaking€aloud€during€the€testimony€of€other€witnesses,ÏSmith€refused€to€be€sworn€and€would€not€respond€to€the€trial€courtððs€inquiries€exceptÏthrough€his€attorneys.€Smith€advised€his€attorney€to€inform€the€trial€court€that€heÏwanted€to€rest€his€case€and€waive€argument.€€At€that€point,€the€trial€court€advisedÏSmith€as€follows:ÌÓÓà8 Ø àif€you€cease€putting€on€mitigating€evidence€and€you€instruct€yourÏcounsel€to€not€argue€and€they€do€both,€they€donððt€put€on€any€otherÏproof,€and€they€do€not€argue€in€your€benefit,€in€the€courtððs€opinion€thisÏjury€will€almost€certainly€return€with€a€verdict€of€death€by€electrocution.€ÏAnd,€I€guess€Iððve€only€seen€perhaps€twelve€or€thirteen€death€penaltyÏcases€tried€and€most€of€them€did€not€result€in€a€death€penalty€verdict.€ÏBut,€from€those€that€I€have€seen€in€five€or€six€death€penalty€verdicts,Ïactually€about€half;€but€if€your€attorneys€follow€your€instructions€that€willÏbe€the€very€likely€result.€€Do€you€understand€that,€sir?Ð Ø À!Ø À! ÐÌÓ‡ÓSmith,€through€his€attorney,€answered€ð ðYesðð€to€the€trial€courtððs€question.ÌÌà Ø àThe€trial€court€further€questioned€defense€counsel€about€the€defendantððsÏcompetence.€€On€the€first€occasion,€counsel€stated,€ð ðOf€course,€Iððve€known€LeonardÏnow€for€ten€or€eleven€years.€€Heððs€always€been€competent,€at€least,€in€my€opinion.ðð€ÏAfter€commenting€that€the€defendantððs€attorneys€had€each€practiced€law€for€twentyÏyears,€the€trial€court€inquired€once€again,€ð ðAnd,€you€have€no€personal€doubts€as€toÐ L5 +0 Ðhis€competency€and€legal€ability€to€make€such€a€decision€I€take€it?ðð€€Neither€attorneyÏexpressed€any€doubt€about€Smithððs€competence€to€waive€mitigation.€€Before€recallingÏthe€jury,€the€trial€court€commented€that€he€had€observed€Smith€confer€with€counselÏand€actively€participate€in€the€case€and€once€again€advised€Smith€of€his€right€toÏpresent€mitigation€and€of€the€likely€consequences€of€the€waiver.€€Smith€adhered€toÏhis€decision€to€waive€mitigation€and€argument.€€When€the€jury€was€recalled,€theÏdefense€rested.ÌÌñˆ½ññ€½ñÝ ‚$³Æ ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚$³ÆŽÝÔ2DeÔÚ  Ú1Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0 Ø àÝ  Ýñ€½ññˆ½ñà Ø àClearly,€the€record€in€this€case€indicates€that€the€trial€court€fulfilled€itsÏobligation€to€ensure€that€Smith€was€competent€and€fully€advised€of€his€rights€and€ofÏthe€likely€detrimental€consequences€of€waiving€those€rights€before€he€acceptedÏSmithððs€decision.€€The€trial€court€repeatedly€inquired€about€Smithððs€competence€andÏactively€invited€counsel€to€present€evidence€that€Smith€was€not€competent.€€No€suchÏevidence€was€presented€by€defense€counsel,€because,€according€to€their€responsesÏto€the€trial€court,€€no€such€evidence€existed.€€Had€such€evidence€existed,€we€have€noÏdoubt€that€these€experienced€attorneys€would€have€presented€it€to€the€trial€court€atÏthe€jury„out€hearing,€particularly€in€light€of€the€trial€courtððs€specific€questions€regardingÏits€existence.€€As€we€stated€in€òòZagorskióó,€òòsupraóó,ñ½ñ€ñ½ña€competent€defendant€who€knowinglyÐ ¸(Œ" Ðand€voluntarily€chooses€a€defense€strategy€will€not€later€be€able€to€complain€aboutÏthe€detrimental€consequences€which€result€from€the€decision.€€The€record€in€this€caseÏreflects€that€Smith€was€competent€and€fully€informed€when€he€decided€to€waive€hisÏrights.€€€Smith€may€not€now€complain€about€the€consequences€of€his€decision.€ÏAccordingly,€we€conclude€that€Smithððs€claim€that€the€trial€court€erred€by€allowing€himÏto€waive€mitigation€and€argument€is€without€merit.ÌÐ L5 +0 Ðà@,Ìàò òÔ‡XÖÒXXXá¸ÔÔ‡ ®1 XXÖÒÔII.€€ˆÐ ,  Ðà@ÅÅ#ÌàòòÔ#†XÖÒX  ®1K”#ÔÔ#†Xá¸XXXÖÒ,”#ÔÔ‡Xá¸XXXá¸ÔVICTIM€IMPACT€EVIDENCEó óÔ#†Xá¸XXXá¸à”#ÔóóˆÐ ¬ € Ðà Ø àThe€defendant€next€argues€that€the€trial€court€erred€by€allowing€the€victimððsÏdaughter€to€testify€about€the€effect€of€her€motherððs€death€on€her€family€and€byÏallowing€the€prosecutor€to€mention€this€testimony€in€closing€argument.€€Smith€assertsÏthat€victim€impact€testimony€is€barred€by€the€federal€and€state€constitutions€and€byÏthe€language€of€the€capital€sentencing€statute.€€We€disagree.ÌÌà Ø àRecently,€in€òòState€v.€Nesbitóó,€978€S.W.2d€872€(Tenn.€1998),€this€Court€held€thatÐ L  Ðvictim€impact€evidence€is€permissible€under€both€the€United€States€and€TennesseeÏConstitutions.€€òòId.óó€at€889.€€In€addition,€we€held€that€such€evidence€is€permissibleÐ ä¸ Ðunder€the€Tennessee€capital€sentencing€statute€because€it€is€ð ðrelevant€toÏpunishment.ðð€€òòId.óó€€€However,€we€stated€that€ð ð[g]enerally,€victim€impact€evidenceÐ | P Ðshould€be€limited€to€information€designed€to€show€those€unique€characteristics€whichÏprovide€a€brief€glimpse€into€the€life€of€the€individual€who€has€been€killed,ðð€such€as€ð ðtheÏcontemporaneous€and€prospective€circumstances€surrounding€the€individualððs€death,Ïand€how€those€circumstances€financially,€emotionally,€psychologically€or€physicallyÏimpacted€upon€members€of€the€victimððs€immediate€family.ðð€€òòId.óó€at€891.€€We€explainedÐ x)L" Ðthat€trial€courts€may€exclude€victim€impact€evidence€which€threatens€to€render€the€trialÏfundamentally€unfair€or€which€poses€a€danger€of€unfair€prejudice,€and€we€opined€thatÏevidence€of€the€emotional€impact€of€a€murder€on€the€victimððs€family€should€be€mostÏclosely€scrutinized.€€òòId.óó€Ô‡ Xá¸XXXá¸Ô€€As€a€result,€we€Ô#†Xá¸XX Xá¸Ø›#Ôheld€that€the€State€should€provide€pretrialÐ ¨0|&* Ðnotice€of€its€intent€to€offer€victim€impact€evidence€to€enable€trial€courts€to€carefullyÏsupervise€admission€of€such€proof.€€Upon€receiving€notification,€trial€courts€must€holdÐ @4*. Ða€hearing€outside€the€presence€of€the€jury€to€determine€the€admissibility€of€theÏevidence.€€Ô‡ Xá¸XXXá¸ÔWe€cautioned€that€Ô#†Xá¸XX Xá¸#ÔÔ‡ Xá¸XXXá¸Ôvictim€impact€evidence€should€not€be€admitted€until€theÐ ø Ì Ðtrial€court€has€determined€that€evidence€of€one€or€more€aggravating€circumstancesÏis€present€in€the€record.Ô#†Xá¸XX Xá¸á#Ô€€òòId.óó€€We€also€suggested€a€jury€instruction€for€use€in€allÐ d Ðsubsequent€cases€involving€victim€impact€proof.€€òòId.óó€at€892.à ˜ àIn€òòNesbitóó,€we€alsoÐ \0 Ðupheld€the€constitutional€permissibility€of€victim€impact€argument€by€prosecutors,€butÏwe€cautioned€prosecutors€to€exercise€restraint€and€admonished€that€reversal€mayÏresult€if€prosecutors€engage€in€victim€impact€argument€which€is€little€more€than€anÏappeal€to€emotions€and€vengeance.Ô‡ Xá¸XXXá¸Ô׃0×Ý ƒ  ÝÔ€X×Ñ XX Xá¸ÔÔ€X×Ñ X XX×ÑÔÔ€X×Ñ X XX×ÑÔÔ€ Xá¸X XX×ÑÔòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô#†Xá¸XX Xá¸Æ #Ô€€òòId.óóÐ Œ` ÐÌà Ø àIn€this€case,€Mahoneyððs€testimony€was€brief€and€is€contained€in€approximatelyÏfive€pages€of€transcript.€€In€sum,€Mahoney€told€the€jury€that€her€parents€were€WorleyÏand€Novella€Webb;€that€she€had€been€their€only€child;€that€her€son,€the€victimððs€onlyÏgrandchild,€had€been€eleven€years€old€at€the€time€of€the€murder;€that€her€parents€hadÏowned€and€operated€the€small€grocery€store€in€Sullivan€County€for€a€number€of€years;Ïthat€her€parents€had€lived€in€a€house€near€to€and€visible€from€the€store€at€the€time€ofÏthe€murder;€that€her€mother€had€been€fifty„nine€at€the€time€she€was€killed;€that€herÏfather€had€been€seventy„eight€at€the€time€of€the€murder;€that€her€father€had€sustainedÏbroken€ribs€when€he€was€pushed€during€the€murder;€that€her€fatherððs€health€hadÏsteadily€declined€after€the€murder;€that€her€father€had€become€unable€to€work€andÏhad€sold€the€store€after€the€murder;€and€that€her€father€had€died€the€next€year€fromÐ .ð#( Ða€brain€tumor.€€When€asked€if€she€remembered€the€day€her€mother€was€murdered,ÏMahoney€said,€ð ðIððm€afraid€Iððll€go€to€my€grave€with€it.ðð€€When€asked€about€the€effect€ofÏthe€murder€on€her€family,€herself,€and€her€son,€Mahoney€replied,€ð ðWell,€it€just€wonððtÏgo€away.€€We€live€with€it€all€the€time,€and€itððs€affected€us€in€every€way.€€It€affected€myÏdad.€€Itððs€affected€me.€€I€mean,€itððs€caused€problems€now€for€eleven€years.ðð€€ÌÌà Ø àÔ‡ Xá¸XXXá¸ÔThough€the€trial€court€did€not€have€the€benefit€of€our€decision€in€òòNesbitóóñ½ñ,ñ½ñ€in€thisÐ ôÈ  Ðcase,€it€is€clear€that€neither€the€victim€impact€evidence€nor€argument€violates€theÏconstraints€outlined€in€òòNesbitóó.€€Ô#†Xá¸XX Xḑ§#ÔMahoney€briefly€and€concisely€related€the€physical,Ð Œ` Ðfinancial,€psychological,€and€emotional€impact€of€this€murder€upon€her€family.€€TheÏevidence€appropriately€was€not€admitted€until€the€State€had€first€introduced€proof€ofÏthe€aggravating€circumstance.€€Clearly,€this€testimony€did€not€render€the€trialÏfundamentally€unfair€nor€pose€a€danger€of€unfair€prejudice.€€Likewise,€theÏprosecutorððs€argument€in€this€case€was€restrained€and€appropriate.€€In€fact,€theÏprosecutor€referred€to€the€testimony€only€once,€stating,€ð ðYouððve€heard€how€it€affectedÏthe€family€of€the€only€child€of€Mr.€and€Mrs.€Webb.€€Eleven€years€later€itððs€still€here.€ÏIt€wonððt€go€away.ðð€€Accordingly,€we€conclude€that€Smithððs€complaints€regarding€theÏadmission€of€victim€impact€evidence€and€argument€are€completely€without€merit.׃×Ý ƒ  ÝÔ€Xá¸XXXá¸ÔòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð ¸(Œ" ÐÔ‡ Xá¸XXXá¸ÔÌÌÌâ âÐ è/¼%* Ðà@,ÌàÔ#†Xá¸XX XḬ#ÔÔ‡XÖÒXXXá¸Ôò òÔ‡ ®1 XXÖÒÔIII.ó óÔ#† UP   ®1­#ÔÔ#†Xá¸X  UP(­#ԈР,  Ðâ âòòò òà@ff#ÌàPROPORTIONALITY€REVIEWóóó óˆÐ ¬ € ÐÔ‡ Xá¸XXXá¸Ôà Ø àWe€must€next€consider€whether€the€defendantððs€sentence€of€death€isÐ „X Ðdisproportionate€to€the€penalty€imposed€in€similar€cases,€considering€the€nature€ofÏthe€crime€and€the€defendant.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„206(c)(1)(A)„(D)€(1997ÏRepl.).€€In€this€case,€the€defendant€argues€that€his€sentence€of€death€should€be€setÏaside€as€disproportionate€because€he€did€not€unduly€torture€the€victim€but€insteadÏaccidentally€shot€her€during€the€course€of€the€robbery.Ô#†Xá¸XX Xá¸þ­#ÔÔ‡ Xá¸XXXá¸Ô€€A€death€sentence€will€beÐ €T  Ðconsidered€disproportionate€if,€taken€as€a€whole,€the€case€is€ð ðplainly€lacking€inÏcircumstances€consistent€with€those€in€similar€cases€in€which€the€death€penalty€hasÏpreviously€been€imposed.ðð€€òòState€v.€Blandóó,€958€S.W.2d€651,€665€(Tenn.€1997).Ô#†Xá¸XX Xá¸)°#ÔÔ‡ Xá¸XXXá¸Ô€Ð ä¸ ÐHowever,€a€sentence€of€death€is€not€disproportionate€merely€because€theÏcircumstances€of€the€offense€are€similar€to€those€of€another€offense€for€which€theÏdefendant€has€received€a€life€sentence.€€òòIdóó.€at€665.Ô#†Xá¸XX XḘ±#ÔÔ‡ Xá¸XXXá¸Ô€€Our€role€in€conductingÐ H" Ðproportionality€review€is€not€to€assure€that€a€sentence€ð ðless€than€death€was€neverÏimposed€in€a€case€with€similar€characteristics.ðð€€òòIdóó.Ô#†Xá¸XX Xá¸Å²#ÔÔ‡ Xá¸XXXá¸Ô€€Instead,€our€duty€€ð ðis€to€assureÐ à%´ Ðthat€no€aberrant€death€sentence€is€affirmed.ðð€€òòIdóó.Ð ¬'€  ÐÌà Ø àIn€choosing€and€comparing€similar€cases,€we€consider€many€variables,€someÏof€which€include:€(1)€the€means€of€death;€(2)€the€manner€of€death;€(3)€the€motivationÏfor€the€killing;€(4)€the€place€of€death;€(5)€the€similarity€of€the€victimððs€circumstances,Ïincluding€age,€physical€and€mental€conditions,€and€the€victimsðð€treatment€during€theÏkilling;€(6)€the€absence€or€presence€of€premeditation;€(7)€the€absence€or€presence€ofÏprovocation;€(8)€the€absence€or€presence€of€justification;€and€(9)€the€injury€to€andÐ @4*. Ðeffects€on€nondecedent€victims.€€òòIdóó.€at€667.Ô#†Xá¸XX Xá¸È³#ÔÔ‡ Xá¸XXXá¸Ô€€When€reviewing€the€characteristics€ofÐ ,  Ðthe€defendant,€we€consider:€(1)€the€defendantððs€prior€record€or€prior€criminal€activity;Ï(2)€the€defendantððs€age,€race,€and€gender;€(3)€the€defendantððs€mental,€emotional€orÏphysical€condition;€(4)€the€defendantððs€involvement€or€role€in€the€murder;€(5)€theÏdefendantððs€cooperation€with€authorities;€(6)€the€defendantððs€remorse;€(7)€theÏdefendantððs€knowledge€of€the€helplessness€of€the€victim;€and€(8)€the€defendantððsÏcapacity€for€rehabilitation.€€òòIdóó.Ô#†Xá¸XX Xá¸è¶#ÔÔ‡ Xá¸XXXá¸Ô€€Ô#†Xá¸XX Xá¸E¹#ÔÔ‡ Xá¸XXXá¸ÔComparative€proportionality€review€is€not€a€rigid,Ð ôÈ  Ðobjective€test.€€òòIdóó.€at€668.€€We€do€not€employ€mathematical€or€scientific€techniques.€Ð À”  ÐIn€evaluating€the€comparative€proportionality€of€the€sentence€in€light€of€the€factorsÏdelineated€above,€we€rely€also€upon€the€experienced€judgment€and€intuition€of€theÏmembers€of€this€Court.€€òòIdóó.Ô#†Xá¸XX Xḉ¹#ÔÔ‡ Xá¸XXXá¸Ôò òÐ $ø Ðó óÔ#†Xá¸XX Xá¸L»#ÔÌà Ø àÔ‡ Xá¸XXXá¸ÔApplying€these€factors,€we€note€that€the€proof€in€this€case€reflects€that€theÐ ¼ Ðvictim€died€from€a€gunshot€wound€to€her€head.€€She€was€killed€while€trying€to€protectÏher€husband€and€her€property,€the€family€store€which€she€and€her€husband€hadÏowned€and€operated€together€for€many€years.€€The€defendantððs€claim€that€theÏshooting€was€accidental€obviously€was€not€believed€by€the€jury.€€The€juryððs€rejectionÏof€that€claim€is€understandable€in€light€of€the€fact€that€Smith€shot€and€killed€NovellaÏWebb€within€forty„five€minutes€of€the€Pierce€robbery€and€murder€for€which€he€hadÏdriven€the€get„away€car.€€There€was€certainly€no€proof€of€provocation€or€justificationÏfor€this€killing.€€While€the€victim€was€trying€to€defend€herself,€her€only€weapon€was€aÏcan€of€orange€spray€paint.€€The€defendant€obviously€realized€that€the€victim€and€herÏelderly€husband€were€helpless.€€According€to€the€defendantððs€own€statement,€Mr.ÏWebb€had€been€pushed€into€a€trash€can€and€had€called€out€to€his€wife€for€help€duringÏthe€course€of€the€crime.€€Though€the€defendant€stated€that€he€had€been€drinkingÐ L5 +0 Ðalcohol€and€smoking€marijuana€prior€to€the€crime,€there€is€no€evidence€to€show€thatÏhis€judgment€or€abilities€were€impaired.€€To€the€contrary,€after€the€murder€SmithÏreturned€to€his€campsite€by€way€of€a€treacherous€mountain€road.€€Once€there,€he€andÏHartsock€burned€Smithððs€car,€cut€their€hair,€and€attempted€to€evade€detection€byÏtraveling€through€the€woods€to€Hartsockððs€relativeððs€home.€€These€attempts€toÏconceal€the€crime€and€destroy€the€evidence€indicate€that€Smith€was€in€command€ofÏhis€senses€and€not€impaired€by€drugs€or€alcohol.€€The€defendant€was€twenty„three„¼years„old€at€the€time€of€the€murder,€four€or€five€years€older€than€both€Hartsock€andÏOððQuinn.€€Smith€had€a€history€of€criminal€activity€including€robbery€convictions€in€1980Ïand€1985€as€well€as€a€conviction€for€the€first€degree€murder€of€John€Pierce.€€After€heÏwas€apprehended,€Smith€cooperated€with€police€by€giving€a€statement€about€theÏmurders.€€Although€Smith€expressed€remorse€in€his€statement,€the€victimððs€daughterÏtestified€that€she€had€not€received€any€statement€of€remorse€from€the€defendantÏsince€the€killing.€There€is€no€evidence€in€the€record€regarding€the€defendantððsÏcapacity€for€rehabilitation.€€In€fact,€other€than€the€defendantððs€statement€describingÏthe€killing€as€accidental,€there€is€no€mitigating€proof€in€the€record€since€the€defendantÏwaived€his€right€to€present€that€proof.€€Considering€the€nature€of€the€crime€and€theÏdefendant,€we€conclude€that€imposition€of€the€death€penalty€for€the€senseless€murderÏof€this€fifty„nine„year„old€woman€is€not€disproportionate€to€the€penalty€imposed€inÏsimilar€cases,€and€that€this€murder€places€Smith€into€the€class€of€defendants€forÏwhom€the€death€penalty€is€an€appropriate€punishment.€€€Based€upon€our€review,€weÏconclude€that€the€following€cases€in€which€the€death€penalty€has€been€imposed€haveÏmany€similarities€with€this€case.Ìâ âÐ €3T). Ðà Ø àIn€òòState€v.€Harriesóó,€657€S.W.2d€414€(Tenn.€1983),€the€defendant,€a€thirty„one„Ð ,  Ðâ âyear„old€man,€shot€the€eighteen„year„old€female€store€clerk€in€the€head€during€theÏcourse€of€robbing€a€convenience€store.€€The€defendant€argued€that€the€gun€had€goneÏoff€accidentally€and€claimed€that€he€had€intended€only€to€rob€the€store.€€As€in€thisÏcase,€Harries€asserted€that€he€had€been€under€the€influence€of€drugs€and€alcohol€atÏthe€time€of€the€shooting.€€The€jury€rejected€the€defendantððs€argument,€and,€as€here,Ïfound€him€guilty€of€first€degree€felony€murder.€€The€jury€imposed€the€death€penaltyÏupon€finding€that€the€defendant€was€previously€convicted€of€one€or€more€feloniesÏwhich€involve€violence€to€the€person€including€armed€robbery€and€kidnapping.€€Tenn.ÏCode€Ann.€ðð€39„2„203(i)(2)€(1982€Repl.)€[currently€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„204(i)(2)Ï(1998€Supp.)].׃×Ý ƒ  ÝÔ€Xá¸XX Xá¸ÔòòÚ  Ú10Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Ô#†Xá¸XXXḶ»#ÔÔ‡ Xá¸XXXá¸ÔAs€in€this€case,€Harriesðð€claim€that€the€shooting€was€accidental€wasÐ $ø Ðnot€believed€by€the€jury.€€Also,€like€this€case,€Harriesðð€claim€of€alcohol€or€drugÏimpairment€was€undermined€by€his€calculated€actions€after€the€killing€when€heÏdivided€the€proceeds€of€the€robbery€with€his€friends€and€family€and€absconded€toÏFlorida.€Ô#†Xá¸XX Xá¸ØË#ÔÐ T#( ÐÌà Ø àIn€òòState€v.€Cribbsóó,€967€S.W.2d€773€(Tenn.€1998),€the€twenty„three„year„oldÐ ì&À  Ðdefendant€murdered€the€victim€during€the€course€of€a€burglary€of€the€victimððs€home.ÏCribbs€also€shot€and€severely€injured€the€victimððs€husband€during€the€course€of€theÏcrime.€€As€in€this€case,€the€defendant€struggled€with€one€of€the€victims€for€the€gun.€ÏThe€defendant€prevailed€in€the€struggle€and€murdered€the€victim.€The€jury€imposedÐ .ð#( Ðthe€death€penalty€upon€finding€two€aggravating€circumstances:€(1)€the€defendant€wasÏpreviously€convicted€of€one€or€more€felonies,€other€than€the€present€charge,€whoseÏstatutory€elements€involve€the€use€or€threat€of€violence€to€the€person;€€and€(2)€theÏmurder€was€committed€while€the€defendant€was€engaged€in€committing€or€wasÏattempting€to€commit€a€burglary.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„204(i)(2)€&€(7)׃&×Ý ƒ  ÝÔ€Xá¸XXXá¸ÔòòÚ  Ú11Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€(1991Ð \0 ÐRepl.).€€As€in€this€case,€Cribbs€had€been€previously€convicted€of€three€serious€felonyÏoffenses€including€two€convictions€of€attempted€second€degree€murder,€oneÏconviction€for€aggravated€robbery,€and€one€conviction€for€second€degree€burglary.ÌÌÔ‡ Xá¸XXXá¸Ôà Ø àIn€òòState€v.€Howellóó,€868€S.W.2d€238€(Tenn.€1993),€the€twenty„seven„year„oldÐ X, Ðdefendant€murdered€a€convenience€store€clerk€by€shooting€him€in€the€head€duringÏthe€course€of€a€robbery.€€As€in€this€case,€the€jury€found€Ô#†Xá¸XX Xá¸zÒ#ÔÔ‡ Xá¸XXXá¸Ôthe€defendant€guilty€of€firstÐ ðÄ Ðdegree€felony€murder€and€imposed€the€death€penalty€upon€finding€that€the€defendantÏwas€previously€convicted€of€one€or€more€felonies€involving€violence€to€the€person,Ïincluding€murder€and€aggravated€burglary.€€Ô#†Xá¸XX XḷÓ#ÔÔ‡ Xá¸XXXá¸ÔTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„2„203(i)(2)€(1982Ð T#( ÐRepl.)€[currently€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„204(i)(2)€(1998€Supp.)].׃#Ê×Ý ƒ  ÝÔ€X×Ñ XX Xá¸ÔÔ€ Xá¸X XX×ÑÔòòÚ  Ú12Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô#†Xá¸XX Xá¸üÔ#Ô€€Howell€hadÐ  %ô Ðbeen€previously€convicted€of€first€degree€murder,€armed€robbery,€and€attempted€firstÏdegree€murder.Ìâ âÐ „*X $ Ðà Ø àIn€òòState€v.€Boydóó,€797€S.W.2d€589€(Tenn.€1990),€the€twenty„six„year„oldÐ ,  Ðâ âdefendant€robbed€two€men€at€gunpoint€in€the€parking€lot€of€a€motel€where€the€menÏhad€gone€with€the€defendantððs€girlfriend€and€another€woman.€€As€in€this€case,€theÏvictim€struggled€with€the€defendant€for€the€gun.€€Losing€the€struggle€for€the€gun,€theÏvictim€attempted€to€drive€away€from€the€scene€and€was€then€shot€several€times€byÏthe€defendant.€€The€jury€found€the€defendant€guilty€of€felony€murder€and€imposed€aÏdeath€sentence€upon€finding€that€the€defendant€was€previously€convicted€of€a€felonyÏinvolving€violence€to€the€person,€including€second€degree€murder.€€Ô‡ Xá¸XXXá¸ÔTenn.€Code€Ann.Ð À”  Ððð€39„2„203(i)(2)€(1982€Repl.)€[currently€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„204(i)(2)€(Supp.€Ï1998)].׃×Ý ƒ  ÝÔ€X×Ñ XX Xá¸ÔÔ€ Xá¸X XX×ÑÔòòÚ  Ú13Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€Ô#†Xá¸XX XḦÙ#ÔÐ X, ÐÌà Ø àIn€òòState€v.€Colemanóó,€619€S.W.2d€112€(Tenn.€1981),€the€twenty„two„year„oldÐ ðÄ Ðdefendant€shot€and€killed€the€sixty„nine„year„old€victim€during€the€course€of€aÏrobbery.€€As€in€this€case,€Coleman€confessed€to€the€crime.€€The€jury€found€theÏdefendant€guilty€of€first€degree€felony€murder€and€imposed€a€death€sentence€uponÏfinding€that€the€defendant€was€previously€convicted€of€one€or€more€felonies€whichÏinvolved€the€use€or€threat€of€violence€to€the€person.€€Ô‡ Xá¸XXXá¸ÔTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„2„Ð ì&À  Ð203(i)(2)€(1982€Repl.)€[currently€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„204(i)(2)€(1998€Supp.)].׃!×Ý ƒ  ÝÔ€X×Ñ XX Xá¸ÔÔ€X×Ñ X XX×ÑÔÔ€X×Ñ X XX×ÑÔÔ€ Xá¸X XX×ÑÔòòÚ  Ú14Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ׀Р¸(Œ" ÐColeman€had€one€conviction€for€assault€with€intent€to€commit€robbery€with€a€deadlyÐ „*X $ Ðweapon,€three€convictions€for€assault€with€intent€to€commit€murder€in€the€first€degree,Ïkidnapping,€and€robbery€with€a€deadly€weapon.€€€ÌÌÔ#†Xá¸XX Xá¸þÜ#ÔÔ‡ Xá¸XXXá¸Ôà Ø àIn€òòState€v.€Van€Tranóó,€864€S.W.2d€465€(Tenn.€1993),€the€nineteen„year„oldÐ d Ðdefendant€killed€the€victim,€a€seventy„four„year„old€woman€during€the€course€of€aÏrobbery€of€a€Chinese€restaurant.€€The€defendant€shot€the€victim€once€in€the€lower€jawÏor€neck€region€and€once€in€the€back€of€the€head.€€As€in€this€case,€the€victim€was€aÏmember€of€the€family€which€owned€the€Chinese€restaurant€that€the€defendant€robbed.ÏThe€jury€found€the€defendant€guilty€of€first€degree€felony€murder€and€imposed€aÏsentence€of€death€upon€finding€two€aggravating€circumstances.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ððÏ39„13„204(i)(5)€&€(12)€(1989€Repl.)€[currently€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„204(i)(5)€&Ï(12)€(Supp.€1998)].ÌÌà Ø àIn€òòState€v.€Dicksóó,€615€S.W.2d€126€(Tenn.€1981),€the€twenty„one„year„oldÐ ˆ!\ Ðdefendant€was€convicted€of€felony€murder.€€Dicks€and€his€nineteen„year„old€co„¼defendant,€Strouth,€robbed€a€store€and€during€the€course€of€the€robbery,€slit€theÏthroat€of€the€seventy„year„old€male€store€clerk€who€bled€to€death.€€The€jury€imposedÏa€death€sentence€upon€finding€two€aggravating€circumstances.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Ïðð39-2„203(i)(5)€&€(7)€(1979€Repl.)€[currently€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„204(i)(5)€&€(7)Ï(Supp.€1998)].€€òòSeeóó€òòalsoóó€òòState€v.€Strouthóó,€620€S.W.2d€467€(Tenn.€1981)€(A€separateÐ P,$"& Ðjury€also€found€Strouth€guilty€of€felony€murder€and€imposed€a€sentence€of€death,Ïfinding€the€same€two€aggravating€circumstances.)Ô#†Xá¸XX Xḛß#ÔÔ‡ Xá¸XXXá¸ÔÐ è/¼%* ÐÌà Ø àIn€òòState€v.€Sample€&€McKayóó,€680€S.W.2d€447€(Tenn.€1985),€the€twenty„five„Ð €3T). Ðyear„old€defendants,€in€separate€trials,€were€convicted€of€felony€murder€for€shootingÐ L5 +0 Ðtwo€store€clerks€to€death€during€the€course€of€a€robbery.€€As€in€this€case,€there€wasÏa€struggle€for€the€gun€during€the€crime.€€The€jury€imposed€the€death€sentence€in€eachÏcase,€finding€three€aggravating€circumstances€with€respect€to€Sample,€and€fourÏaggravating€circumstances€with€respect€€to€McKay.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„2„¼203(i)(3),€(6)€&€(7)€(1982€Repl.)(Sample);€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„2„203((i)(2),€(3),€(6)Ï&€(7)€(1982)€(McKay)€[currently€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„204(i)(2),€(3),€(6)€&€(7)(1998ÏSupp.)(both)].€€òòSeeóó€òòalsoóó€òòState€v.€Johnsonóó,€762€S.W.2d€110€(Tenn.€1988);€òòState€v.Ð ôÈ  ÐGoadóó,€707€S.W.2d€846€(Tenn.€1986);€òòState€v.€Kingóó,€694€S.W.2d€941€(Tenn.€1985);Ð À”  ÐòòState€v.€Johnsonóó,€632€S.W.2d€542€(Tenn.€1982).€Ô#†Xá¸XX Xḳå#ÔÔ‡ Xá¸XXXá¸ÔÐ Œ` ÐÌà Ø àAs€we€have€emphasized€many€times,€no€two€cases€are€identical,€but€the€aboveÏcases€have€many€similarities€with€this€appeal.€€In€all€nine€of€the€cases,€the€victimsÏwere€murdered€by€the€defendant€during€the€course€of€a€robbery€or€a€burglary.€€MostÏof€the€victims€were€convenience€store€clerks€or€were€working€at€a€place€of€businessÏat€the€time€the€killing€occurred.€€In€three€cases,€as€in€this€case,€there€was€a€struggleÏfor€the€gun€between€the€defendant€and€a€victim.€€In€at€least€one€case,€the€defendantÏclaimed€that€the€shooting€was€accidental.€€Like€the€present€case,€the€shootings€wereÏcompletely€unprovoked€except€for€the€victimsðð€efforts€to€gain€control€of€the€weapons.€ÏAlso€similar€to€this€case,€in€six€of€the€nine€cases,€the€jury€found€that€the€defendantÏwas€previously€convicted€of€one€or€more€felonies€involving€the€use€or€threat€ofÏviolence€to€the€person.€€While€it€is€true,€as€Smith€argues,€that€this€murder€was€not€asÏtorturous€as€other€cases€in€which€we€have€affirmed€the€death€penalty,€this€fact€doesÏnot€invalidate€as€disproportionate€the€penalty€imposed€in€this€case.€€òòBlandóó,€958Ð ´1ˆ', ÐS.W.2d€at€670€(citing€cases).€€Moreover,€we€acknowledge€that€there€are€cases€inÏwhich€a€life€sentence€has€been€imposed€for€similar€murders€or€for€murders€that€wereÐ L5 +0 Ðperhaps€more€atrocious€than€the€murder€in€this€case.€€òòId.óó€€Again,€however,€this€doesÐ ,  Ðnot€invalidate€as€disproportionate€the€penalty€in€this€case.€€Our€role€in€comparativeÏproportionality€review€is€to€identify€aberrant€death€sentences.€€As€we€have€repeatedlyÏemphasized,€the€isolated€decision€of€a€jury€to€afford€mercy€does€not€render€a€deathÏsentence€disproportionate.׃=×Ý ƒ  ÝÔ€X×Ñ XX Xá¸ÔÔ€ Xá¸X XX×ÑÔòòÚ  Ú15Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô#†Xá¸XX Xá¸ýé#ÔÔ‡ Xá¸XXXá¸Ô€€òòId.óó€€After€reviewing€the€cases€discussed€above€andÐ \0 Ðmany€other€cases€not€herein€detailed,׃%F×Ý ƒ  ÝÔ€X×Ñ XX Xá¸ÔÔ€ Xá¸X XX×ÑÔòòÚ  Ú16Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€we€are€of€the€opinion€that€the€penaltyÐ (ü  Ðimposed€by€the€jury€in€this€case€is€not€disproportionate€to€the€penalty€imposed€forÏsimilar€crimes.Ô#†Xá¸XX XḚñ#ÔÔ‡ Xá¸XXXá¸ÔÐ À”  ÐÌÔ#†Xá¸XX Xá¸ó#ԀРX, Ðà@-ÌàÔ‡"XÖÒXXXá¸Ôò òÔ‡" ®1 X"XÖÒÔIV.ó óÔ#† UP  " ®1ô#ÔÔ#†Xá¸X  UP#ô#ԈР$ø Ðà@,,)Ìàòòò òCONCLUSIONó óóóˆÐ ¤x Ðà Ø àIn€accordance€with€the€mandate€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„206(c)(1)(A)„(D),Ïand€the€principles€adopted€in€prior€decisions€of€this€Court,€we€have€considered€theÏentire€record€in€this€cause€and€find€that€the€sentence€of€death€was€not€imposed€in€anÏarbitrary€fashion,€that€the€evidence€supports€the€juryððs€finding€of€the€statutoryÏaggravating€circumstance,€and€the€juryððs€finding€that€the€aggravating€circumstanceÐ ¬'€  Ðoutweighed€mitigating€circumstances€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt.€€We€haveÏconsidered€the€defendantððs€assignments€of€error€and€determined€that€none€haveÏmerit.€€With€respect€to€issues€not€specifically€addressed€herein,€we€affirm€theÏdecision€of€the€Court€of€Criminal€Appeals,€authored€by€Judge€Joe€G.€Riley,€and€joinedÏin€by€Judge€Jerry€L.€Smith€and€Special€Judge€Chris€Craft.€€Relevant€portions€of€thatÏopinion€are€published€hereafter€as€an€appendix.€€The€defendantððs€sentence€of€deathÏby€electrocution€is€affirmed.€€The€sentence€shall€be€carried€out€as€provided€by€law€onÏthe€11th€day€of€October,€1999,€unless€otherwise€ordered€by€this€Court€or€other€properÏauthorities.ÌÓÓÌÌÌÌà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 à_____________________________________Ìà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àFRANK€F.€DROWOTA,€III,Ìà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àJUSTICEÌò òÌÌConcur:ó óÐ z"N ÐAnderson,€C.J.,ÌHolder€and€Barker,€JJ.ÌÌÌBirch,€J.€„€See€Separate€Dissenting€Opinion.€ÌÌÌ