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ÔÔ€"ÔÑ\R3Ø'\ÑÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÝ  ÝÒ 4 ÒÒ „ ÒÑ  ÑÑ  ÑÑ\R AØ'\ÑšÑ7€ÿ–XXdædÈ7ÑÑ  ÑÑ  Ñò òÞ ÞÌà@ àIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEÌà@ àAT€NASHVILLEÌÙ€€ÙßR€%&$A1-j|ñR` ç `€€@ÿRßÌÌÌÌà àà àà àà àà àà àà àFOR€PUBLICATIONÌÌó óà àà àà àà àà àà àà àò òFiled:ó ó€òò€€€€€€€€€€€June€15,€1998à€ àóóÌÌÌÌSTATE€OF€TENNESSEE,à@ à)Ìà@ à)Ìà àAPPELLEE,à@ à)à àCHEATHAM€CIRCUITÌà@ à)Ìv.à@ à)à àHon.€Allen€W.€Wallace,€JudgeÌà@ à)ÌJAMES€BLANTON,à@ à)à àNo.€01S01„9605„CC„00093Ìà@ à)Ìà àAPPELLANT.à@ à)ÌÌÌÌÌÌÌòòFOR€APPELLANTóó:à àà àà àà àòòFOR€APPELLEEóó:ÌÌMichael€E.€Terryà àà àà àà àJohn€Knox€WalkupÌNashvilleà àà àà àà àà àAttorney€General€and€ReporterÌÌMark€Ivandickà àà àà àà àDarian€B.€TaylorÌClarksvilleà àà àà àà àà àAssistant€Attorney€GeneralÌà àà àà àà àà àà àNashvilleÌÌà àà àà àà àà àà àDan€M.€AlsobrooksÌà àà àà àà àà àà àDistrict€Attorney€GeneralÌÌà àà àà àà àà àà àJ.€Kenneth€AtkinsÌà àà àà àà àà àà àAssistant€District€Attorney€GeneralÌà àà àà àà àà àà àà àPro€TemÌÌà àà àà àà àà àà àJames€W.€KirbyÌà àà àà àà àà àà àAssistant€District€Attorney€GeneralÌà àà àà àà àà àà àCharlotteÌÌÌÌÌÌà@ àò òÔ€"èÔO€P€I€N€I€O€Nó óÔ€"XÔÌÌÌÌCOURT€OF€CRIMINAL€APPEALS€AFFIRMEDà€ àHOLDER,€J.ÇÓÓà@ àò òOPINIONó óÌÌà àIn€this€capital€case,€the€defendant,€James€Blanton,€was€convicted€by€aÏjury€of€two€counts€of€first€degree€premeditated€murder,€four€counts€of€grandÏlarceny,€and€three€counts€of€first€degree€burglary.€€A€jury€sentenced€him€to€deathÏon€both€counts€of€first€degree€murder€based€on€three€aggravatingÏcircumstances:€€(1)€€the€defendant€was€convicted€of€one€or€more€previousÏviolent€felonies;€(2)€€the€murder€was€committed€for€the€purpose€of€avoiding,Ïinterfering€with,€or€preventing€a€lawful€arrest€or€prosecution€of€the€defendant€orÏanother;€(3)€€the€murder€was€committed€while€the€defendant€was€engaged€inÏcommitting,€or€was€an€accomplice€in€the€commission€of,€or€was€attempting€toÏcommit,€or€was€fleeing€after€committing€or€attempting€to€commit,€any€first€degreeÏmurder,€arson,€rape,€robbery,€burglary,€larceny,€kidnapping,€aircraft€piracy,€orÏunlawful€throwing,€placing€or€discharging€of€a€destructive€device€or€bomb.€ÏTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð39„2„203(i)(2),›€(6)€&€(7)€(1982).€€In€addition€to€the€aboveÏaggravating€circumstances,€the€jury€found€that€Mrs.€Vester's€murder€wasÏespecially€heinous,€atrocious€and€cruel€in€that€it€involved€torture€or€depravity€ofÏmind.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„2„203(i)(5).€€The€jury€found€that€no€mitigatingÏcircumstances€sufficiently€outweighed€the€aggravating€circumstances.ÌÌà àOn€direct€appeal€to€the€Tennessee€Court€of€Criminal€Appeals,€theÏdefendant€challenged€both€his€convictions€and€his€sentences.€€The€appellateÍcourt€found€that€two€of€the€grand€larceny€convictions€should€have€been€merged.€ÏThe€appellate€court,€however,€affirmed€both€the€defendant's€remainingÏconvictions€and€his€sentences.ÌÌà àThe€defendant€has€appealed€to€this€Court€raising€numerous€issues.€€WeÏhave€thoroughly€reviewed€those€issues€addressed€by€the€parties'€briefs.€€WeÏhave€carefully€examined€the€law,€the€record€and€the€thorough€opinion€of€theÏCourt€of€Criminal€Appeals.€€We€have€found€that€all€of€the€defendant's€issues€areÏdevoid€of€merit€and€that€the€evidence€amply€supports€the€jury's€findings€as€toÏaggravating€and€mitigating€circumstances.€€The€sentence€of€death€was€neitherÏimposed€arbitrarily€nor€was€the€sentence€disproportionate€to€sentencesÏimposed€in€similar€cases.€€Accordingly,€the€judgment€of€the€Court€of€CriminalÏAppeals€€upholding€the€defendant's€convictions€and€sentencing€him€to€death€byÏelectrocution€is€affirmed.ÌÌÓ  Óò òFACTUAL€BACKGROUNDó óÌÓ  ÓÌà àIn€the€early€morning€hours€of€June€16,€1988,€eight€men€successfullyÏescaped€from€the€Kentucky€State€Penitentiary€at€Eddyville,€Kentucky.€€The€eightÏescaped€convicts€were€identified€as€the€defendant,€Derrick€Quintero,€WilliamÏHall,€Joseph€Montgomery,€Ronnie€Hudson,€Bobby€Sherman,€Leo€Sperling€andÏFloyd€Cook.€€Sherman€was€apprehended€on€June€17,€1988.€€Sperling€andÍCook€were€apprehended€on€June€18,€1988.€€Montgomery€and€Hudson€wereÏseen€in€Lebanon,€Kentucky,€on€June€19,€1988,€and€captured€in€Kentucky€onÏJune€22,€1988.€€Hall€was€captured€in€July€of€1988.€€The€defendant€and€QuinteroÏwere€captured€shortly€after€Hall's€apprehension.ÌÌà àA€1966€Chevrolet€truck€owned€by€Curtis€Rogers€was€stolen€in€Eddyville,ÏKentucky,€on€the€day€of€the€convicts'€escape.€€A€number€of€the€escapeesÏapparently€stole€the€truck€to€facilitate€their€escape.€€The€truck€was€later€locatedÏin€a€wooded€area€of€Stewart€County,€Tennessee.€€Two€paperweights€withÏCumberland€Electric€logos€and€several€knives€were€found€in€or€around€theÏtruck.€€The€owner€of€the€truck€testified€that€he€had€never€seen€the€paperweightsÏbefore.€€The€paperweights€were€later€identified€as€items€taken€from€the€CherryÏresidence,€located€near€the€murder€scene.ÌÌà àStewart€County,€Tennessee,€is€located€in€close€proximity€to€theÏTennessee„Kentucky€border.€€A€rash€of€burglaries€in€the€Leatherwood€ResortÏarea€of€Stewart€County€began€to€occur€following€the€convicts'€escape€from€theÏpenitentiary€in€Eddyville,€Kentucky.€€The€burglarized€residences€were€owned€byÏJim€McMinn,€Essie€Settles,€Alfred€Cherry,€Thomas€Harris,€Neal€Foster,€and€JohnÏand€Virginia€Crawford.€€These€homes€were€either€summer€cabins€or€permanentÏresidences.ÌÌà àOn€Saturday,€June€18,€1988,€Jim€McMinn€of€Clarksville,€Tennessee,Ïvisited€his€cabin€in€the€Leatherwood€area.€€He€arrived€at€his€cabin€atÏapproximately€noon.€€He€went€fishing€in€his€boat€at€approximately€1:00€p.m.€andÏreturned€around€3:00€p.m.€€Upon€returning,€he€noticed€that€two€boxes€of€20Ïgauge€shotgun€shells€were€lying€on€the€floor€of€his€cabin.€€He€went€to€theÏbedroom€where€he€discovered€that€his€loaded€.22€revolver€was€missing.€€TheÏtelephone€in€his€cabin€had€been€removed€from€the€wall,€and€the€outside€portionÏof€the€phone€line€had€been€severed.€€Mr.€McMinn€attempted€to€start€his€truck€butÏdiscovered€that€the€ignition€had€been€destroyed.€€Both€his€telephone€and€anÏaxe€were€lying€in€the€bed€of€his€disabled€truck.€€Mr.€McMinn€walked€to€aÏneighbor's€house€and€called€the€sheriff's€department.ÌÌà àThe€Stewart€County€Sheriff's€Department€had€received€several€reports€ofÏsuspicious€individuals€in€the€Leatherwood€area.€€The€department€becameÏconcerned€that€the€escaped€convicts€were€in€the€area.€€The€department,Ïtherefore,€conducted€a€search€of€the€Leatherwood€community.€€The€searchÏlasted€from€approximately€11:00€p.m.€on€Saturday,€June€18,€until€3:00€p.m.€onÏJune€19.€€The€department€was€unsuccessful€in€locating€any€of€the€escapedÏinmates.ÌÌà àOn€Sunday,€June€19,€at€approximately€1:30€p.m.,€Essie€SettlesÏdiscovered€that€her€1982€Ford€Fairmont€and€some€tools€were€missing€from€herÍgarage€in€Dover,€Tennessee.€€The€car€was€located€approximately€one€weekÏlater€in€Kentucky.€€Authorities€found€a€hammer,€two€crowbars,€steel€cutters,€aÏhacksaw,€a€punch,€two€screwdrivers,€and€a€chisel€inside€Ms.€Settles'€stolenÏautomobile.€€A€chain€saw€that€was€missing€from€Ms.€Settles'€garage,€however,Ïwas€not€recovered.ÌÌà àOn€Wednesday,€June€22,€Kentucky€authorities€apprehended€bothÏHudson€and€Montgomery€near€the€location€œwhere›€œthe›€authorities€found€œMs.›ÏSettles'€œcar€.›€€The€convicts€exchanged€fire€with€the€authorities€prior€to€theÏconvicts'€apprehension.€€Hudson€and€Montgomery€had€in€their€possession€Mr.ÏMcMinn's€.22€caliber€pistol€and€Neal€Foster's€.22€caliber€pistol.ÌÌà àHudson's€brother€testified€that€Hudson€and€Montgomery€were€waiting€forÏhim€at€his€apartment€in€Lebanon,€Kentucky,€on€Sunday,€June€19,€1988.€€HeÏstated€that€the€two€men€were€in€a€white€car€with€Tennessee€plates.€€He€statedÏthat€he€and€Robert€Payne€accompanied€Hudson€and€Montgomery€to€aÏriverbank€where€the€convicts€hid€the€car.€€Judy€Hudson€also€visited€with€HudsonÏand€Montgomery€at€the€riverbank.€€The€following€morning,€the€two€escapedÏconvicts€followed€Ms.€Hudson€to€her€home€in€Campbellsville,€Kentucky.€€TheyÏstayed€with€Ms.€Hudson€until€the€evening€when€she€escorted€the€convicts€toÏMartha€Grover's€apartment.€€The€convicts€stayed€with€Ms.€Grover€until€earlyÍTuesday€morning.€€The€witnesses€testified€that€they€never€saw€the€defendantÏwith€Hudson€or€Montgomery.ÌÌà àOn€June€19,€1988,€the€Stewart€County€Sheriff's€Department€received€twoÏadditional€reports€of€burglaries€in€the€Leatherwood€community.€€Mr.€AlfredÏCherry's€trailer€had€been€burglarized.€€Mr.€Cherry€testified€that€his€trailer€wasÏapproximately€three„tenths€of€a€mile€from€the€murder€victims'€residence.€€OnÏSunday,€June€19,€Mr.€Cherry€and€several€family€members€visited€the€trailer€andÏdiscovered€that€the€back€door€had€been€removed.€€The€inside€of€the€trailer€wasÏin€disarray.€€The€bed€was€unmade,€and€wet€towels€were€in€the€shower.€€TheÏrefrigerator€light€switch€had€been€taped€down€to€prohibit€the€light€from€operatingÏwhen€the€refrigerator€door€was€opened.€€Mr.€Cherry€also€discovered€that€theÏtrailer€next€door€had€been€burglarized.ÌÌà àMr.€Cherry€testified€that€two€bedspreads,€a€green€blanket,€a€sleeping€bag,Ïa€portable€radio/tape€player,€fifteen€cassette€tapes,€a€rechargeable€flashlight,€aÏsmall€handsaw,€five€or€six€knives,€coffee€mugs,€various€canned€goods,€alcohol,Ïa€toothbrush,€underwear€and€paperweights€with€the€Cumberland€Electric€logoÏwere€missing.€€Mr.€Cherry€positively€identified€the€paperweights€found€in€theÏ1966€Chevrolet€truck€owned€by€Mr.€Rogers.€€Mr.€Cherry€also€positively€identifiedÏtwo€knives€found€at€the€Foster€residence€and€stated€that€a€third€knife€foundÏoutside€of€the€Foster's€residence€was€identical€to€a€knife€taken€from€his€trailer.€ÍThe€value€of€the€property€taken€from€the€Cherry's€trailer€was€estimated€atÏ$600.00€to€$700.00.ÌÌà àThomas€Harris€owned€the€trailer€located€next€to€Mr.€Cherry's€trailer.€€HeÏstated€that€the€back€door€of€his€trailer€had€been€pried€off€and€that€his€trailer€wasÏransacked.€€The€refrigerator€light€had€been€removed,€and€the€sink€was€full€ofÏdirty€dishes.€€There€was€food€still€in€a€skillet€on€the€stove.€€He€testified€that€wetÏtowels€and€sheets€were€strewn€about,€and€cigarette€burns€were€all€over€theÏfloors.€All€of€his€canned€food€items,€quilts,€blankets,€silverware,€butcher€knives,Ïand€a€fishing€tackle€box€had€been€taken.€€The€value€of€the€property€taken€fromÏMr.€Thomas'€trailer€was€estimated€at€$€400.00€to€$€500.00.ÌÌà àMr.€Harris€also€testified€that€several€unauthorized€long€distanceÏtelephone€calls€were€placed€from€his€trailer.€€Three€of€the€unauthorized€callsÏhad€been€placed€to€a€number€in€Springtown,€Texas.€€These€calls€occurred€onÏSunday,€June€19,€at€3:51€a.m.,€8:55€a.m.€and€9:19€a.m.€€Two€additionalÏunauthorized€calls€were€placed€to€a€telephone€number€in€Hopewell,ÏPennsylvania,€at€4:00€a.m.€and€9:19€a.m.€€The€telephone€number€called€inÏSpringtown,€Texas,€was€listed€to€a€Bryan€Quintero.€€The€telephone€numberÏcalled€in€Hopewell,€Pennsylvania,€was€listed€to€a€Barbara€Vasser.€€Ms.€VasserÏwas€William€Hall's€girlfriend€at€the€time€the€calls€were€placed.ÌÌà àOn€Monday€evening,€June€20,€John€Corlew€and€Arthur€Jenkins€arrived€atÏthe€Leatherwood€boat€dock.€€They€launched€their€boat€and€night„fished€in€theÏLeatherwood€Bay.€€They€testified€that€between€11:30€p.m.€and€1:00€a.m.€theyÏheard€shots€that€appeared€to€emanate€from€the€direction€of€the€murder€victims'Ïresidence.€€Mr.€Corlew€testified€that€he€first€heard€two€shots€that€were€fairlyÏclear.€€Then€a€pause€ensued€before€he€heard€two€additional€shots€followed€byÏanother€pause€and€one€last€shot.€€Mr.€Corlew€testified€that€the€first€two€shotsÏsounded€like€repercussions€from€a€pistol€or€a€high„powered€rifle.€€Mr.€JenkinsÏremembered€hearing€only€four€shots.ÌÌà àCorlew€and€Jenkins€returned€to€the€boat€dock€around€midnight€to€rest.€€AtÏapproximately€12:00€or€12:15€a.m.,€Mr.€Jenkins€saw€a€red€GMC€or€ChevroletÏpick„up€truck€drive€to€the€boat€dock.€€A€man€exited€the€truck€and€reached€for€theÏgas€pump€which€appeared€to€be€locked.€€The€man€then€walked€across€the€frontÏof€the€restaurant€and€went€around€the€corner€for€approximately€five€or€sixÏseconds.€€The€man€returned€to€his€truck€and€left.€€Mr.€Jenkins€testified€that€later€aÏ1977€or€1978€Pontiac€pulled€into€the€dock€area,€circled€around€and€drove€away.€ÏMr.€Corlew€contacted€the€Stewart€County€Sheriff's€Department€when€he€learnedÏof€the€murders.ÌÌà àOn€Tuesday,€June€21,€Neal€Foster€discovered€that€his€house€had€beenÏburglarized.€€Mr.€Foster€left€his€home€on€June€16€and€did€not€return€until€aroundÍ8:30€a.m.€on€Tuesday,€June€21.€€When€Mr.€Foster€opened€his€garage€door,€heÏcould€see€that€the€door€into€the€house€was€open.€€He€immediately€left€and€wentÏto€a€neighbor's€house€to€call€the€sheriff's€department.€€ÌÌà àMr.€Foster€testified€that€the€inside€of€his€house€had€been€ransacked.€€HeÏstated€that€food€was€on€a€kitchen€counter,€two€deer€steaks€were€in€theÏmicrowave,€and€his€binoculars€were€sitting€on€a€kitchen€counter.€€He€stated€thatÏa€green€ammunition€box,€a€plastic€bag€full€of€old€coins,€a€flashlight,€and€theÏholster€for€his€.22€caliber€RG€pistol€were€on€the€floor€of€the€living€room.€€HeÏfurther€stated€that€the€hallway€floor€was€littered€with€a€Diet€Pepsi€can€inside€twoÏother€tin€cans,€a€tin€can€of€old€coins,€a€notebook€that€once€had€old€coins€in€it,Ïsome€socks,€a€shoe€box,€and€a€pair€of€white€tennis€shoes€that€did€not€belong€toÏhim.€€Towels€were€strewn€around€the€house.€€He€testified€that€the€shower€curtainÏin€his€bathroom€was€torn€and€that€a€pocket€knife,€towels,€socks,€a€.22€caliberÏcartridge€box,€and€a€20€gauge€shotgun€shell€were€all€on€the€bathroom€counter.€ÏThe€beds€were€unmade€and€had€items€spread€on€top€of€them.€€€The€dresserÏdrawers€were€open,€and€items€were€scattered€all€around€the€bedroom,Ïincluding€two€walkie„talkies,€a€belt€buckle,€a€hacksaw,€a€12€gauge€shotgunÏbarrel€and€a€pad€that€Mr.€Foster€once€had€on€his€20€gauge€shotgun.€€ÌÌà àMr.€Foster€testified€that€he€kept€several€guns€in€a€walk„in€closet.€€HeÏstated€that€he€had€a€.22€caliber€pistol,€a€Glenfield€Model€60€.22€caliber€rifle,€aÍMarlin€.30„30€caliber€lever€action€rifle,€a€20€gauge€shotgun,€a€single€shotÏshotgun,€and€a€Remington€100€12€gauge€shotgun.€€The€12€gauge€shotgun€wasÏrendered€inoperable€by€being€sawed€off€too€closely€and€was€lying€on€his€bed.€ÏA€portion€of€both€the€stock€and€the€barrel€of€the€12€gauge€shotgun€had€beenÏsawed€off€and€the€spring€from€the€stock€was€lying€near€the€gun.€€The€20€gaugeÏshotgun€was€missing€from€his€house.€€He,€however,€identified€the€20€gaugeÏshotgun€found€in€the€murder€victims'€car€as€his€own.€€He€was€able€to€identify€theÏ20€gauge€shotgun€by€its€serial€number.€€Foster's€full€name€carved€into€the€gun.ÌÌà àA€portion€of€the€20€gauge's€barrel€had€also€been€sawed€off€and€left€inÏFoster's€bedroom.€€Mr.€Foster€stated€that€his€.30„30€lever€action€rifle€and€someÏ.30„30€accelerator€rifle€bullets€were€also€missing€from€his€house.€The€rifle€wasÏnever€recovered.€€Mr.€Foster€further€testified€that€.30„30€caliber€rifle€shells,€20Ïgauge€shotgun€shells€and€12€gauge€shotgun€shells€were€missing€after€theÏburglary.€€The€missing€20€gauge€shotgun€shells€ranged€from€4€through€7€ððÏshot€and€were€of€Sears,€Winchester,€Federal€and€Montgomery€brands.€€CoinsÏwere€also€missing€from€Mr.€Foster's€house.ÌÌà àThe€authorities€were€able€to€lift€several€latent€prints€at€the€FosterÏresidence.€€A€latent€left€thumb€print€matching€that€of€Quintero€was€found€on€a€fullÏbox€of€Federal€12€gauge€shotgun€shells.€€A€latent€right€ring€fingerprint€matchingÏQuintero€was€found€on€another€Federal€12€gauge€shotgun€shell€box.€€A€rightÍmiddle€finger€and€a€right€index€fingerprint€matching€the€defendant's€were€foundÏon€a€Federal€field€load€12€gauge€shotgun€shell€box.€€A€right€palm€print€matchingÏthat€of€Quintero€was€lifted€from€one€of€the€gun€stocks.€€A€latent€right€ringÏfingerprint€matching€that€of€Hall€was€lifted€from€a€Diet€Pepsi€can.ÌÌà àWayne€Vester,€the€murder€victims'€son,€attempted€to€reach€his€parents€byÏtelephone€once€on€Monday,€June€20,€and€twice€on€Tuesday,€June€21.€€WayneÏbecame€concerned€by€his€failed€attempts€to€reach€his€parents.€€He€then€calledÏHoward€Allor€who€lived€approximately€a€quarter€mile€from€his€parents.€€Mr.€AllorÏstated€that€he€had€last€seen€Mr.€and€Mrs.€Vester€on€the€morning€of€June€17,Ïwhen€he€ate€breakfast€with€them.€€Mr.€Allor€informed€Wayne€that€his€parents'€carÏwas€gone€and€that€he€believed€they€were€in€Nashville.ÌÌà àWayne€Vester€unsuccessfully€attempted€to€locate€his€parents€inÏNashville.€€On€June€22,€he€again€called€Mr.€Allor€and€asked€him€to€check€on€hisÏparents.€€Mr.€Allor€drove€to€Wayne's€parents'€residence€where€he€discoveredÏtheir€dead€bodies.€€He€attempted€to€telephone€the€sheriff€from€the€victims'Ïresidence,€but€the€phone€was€dead.€€He€then€returned€to€his€home€andÏcontacted€the€sheriff's€department.€€ÌÌà àWayne€Vester€and€his€12„year„old€son€had€visited€his€parents€theÏweekend€prior€to€the€murders.€€Wayne€Vester€stated€that€they€arrived€at€hisÍparents'€house€on€the€evening€of€Friday,€June€17,€and€left€Sunday,€June€19,€atÏapproximately€5:00€or€6:00€p.m.€€He€had€taken€groceries€to€his€parentsÏincluding€Pepsi€Colas,€lunch€meat,€bread,€and€milk.ÌÌà àDavid€Hicks,€the€Sheriff€of€Stewart€County,€was€notified€of€the€VesterÏmurders€at€approximately€1:00€or€1:30€p.m.€on€Wednesday,€June€22.€€TheÏTennessee€Bureau€of€Investigation€("T.B.I.")€conducted€the€primary€investigationÏof€the€crime€scene.ÌÌà àThe€victims'€residence€had€one€entryway€which€was€through€a€screenÏdoor€located€at€the€side€of€the€house€opposite€to€the€victims'€bedrooms.€€TheÏscreen€door,€however,€did€not€appear€to€be€damaged.€€An€unopened€PepsiÏCola€can€lay€beside€the€walkway€to€the€house's€door.€€The€packages€of€PepsiÏCola€that€Wayne€Vester€brought€to€his€parents€were€no€longer€on€the€porch.€ÏThe€screen€in€the€front€bedroom€window€was€missing,€and€the€window€wasÏopen.€€A€concrete€block€had€been€placed€underneath€the€front€bedroomÏwindow.€€The€concrete€block€appeared€to€have€been€taken€from€in€front€of€aÏshed€located€at€the€back€of€the€house.€€A€cloth€glove€which€matched€a€gloveÏfound€at€the€Crawford€residence€was€on€the€ground€by€the€concrete€block.€€TheÏvictims'€maroon€1985€Pontiac€Bonneville€was€missing.ÌÌà àThere€were€three€windows€along€the€back€of€the€victims'€house.€€TheÏmissing€front€window€screen€was€lying€on€the€ground€near€Mrs.€Vester'sÏbedroom€window€which€was€one€of€the€back€windows.€€The€wires€to€theÏtelephone€connection€box€outside€the€victims'€residence€had€been€damaged,Ïand€the€line€was€dead.€€A€live€20€gauge€Federal€shotgun€shell€with€#6€bird€shotÏwas€found€lying€near€the€electrical€box.€€A€spent€20€gauge€#4€shot€FederalÏshotgun€shell€casing€was€found€near€the€shed€approximately€18€feet€from€Mr.ÏVester's€back€bedroom€window.€€The€evidence€later€showed€that€the€spent€shellÏwas€likely€discharged€from€the€sawed„off€20€gauge€shotgun€taken€from€theÏFoster€residence.ÌÌà àMr.€Vester's€window€frame€was€visibly€bent,€and€a€few€of€the€glassÏlouvers€were€broken.€€Shards€of€glass€were€found€lying€on€Mr.€Vester's€bed.€ÏBoth€the€screen€and€curtain€covering€his€window€had€holes€in€them€whichÏindicated€that€Mr.€Vester€was€shot€at€least€once€from€outside€the€house.€€Mr.ÏVester's€body€was€found€on€the€floor€next€to€his€bed.€€The€covers€were€drawnÏback,€and€there€was€blood€on€both€the€pillow€and€the€bed.€€Number€4€and€#5Ïbird€shot€pellets€were€retrieved€from€Mr.€Vester's€room.€€Two€shot€shell€fillerÏwads€were€found€beside€Mr.€Vester's€body,€and€a€20€gauge€plastic€shot€wadÏwas€recovered€from€beside€his€head.€€A€plastic€shot€sleeve,€one€shot€shell,€aÏplastic€shot€wad,€and€several€shot€pellets,€all€either€#4€or€#5€bird€shot,€wereÏrecovered€from€Mr.€Vester's€body.ÌÌà àMrs.€Vester's€body€was€found€lying€on€the€floor€of€her€bedroom€next€toÏthe€bathroom€in€a€pool€of€dried€blood.€€Mrs.€Vester€was€shot€twice€with€a€20Ïgauge€shotgun,€once€with€a€high„powered€rifle,€and€stabbed€thirteen€times.€€€AÏcopper€jacketed€bullet€was€recovered€from€her€body.€€The€screen€covering€Mrs.ÏVester's€bedroom€window€had€a€hole€in€it.€€The€condition€of€the€glass€louvers,Ïwhich€were€open€and€not€broken,€indicated€that€the€high„powered€rifle€orÏshotgun€was€held€close€to€the€window€when€fired.€€At€least€one€shot€enteredÏMrs.€Vester's€window.€€Evidence€indicated€that€one€shot€entered€Mrs.€Vester'sÏwindow,€hit€her€arm,€ricocheted€off€the€heating€unit€cover€and€went€out€the€livingÏroom€window€where€the€shot€wad€created€a€star„shaped€hole.€€Both€blood€andÏtissue€were€found€on€the€heating€unit€cover€and€on€the€ceiling.€€Shot€wasÏsprayed€all€over€the€house,€especially€the€kitchen.€€All€of€the€shot€pellets€foundÏin€the€house€were€either€#4€or€#5€shot.€€ÌÌà àBlood€was€found€on€Mrs.€Vester's€bed,€and€there€was€a€considerableÏamount€of€blood€on€the€bathroom€floor.€€Blood€was€splattered€on€both€theÏbathtub€and€the€commode.€€The€bottoms€of€Mrs.€Vester's€feet€were€also€coveredÏin€blood.€€ÌÌà àThe€authorities€found€a€pocketbook€and€a€portion€of€òòThe€Tennesseanóó,Ïdated€Monday,€June€20,€1988,€on€the€victims'€sofa.€€The€local€mail€carrierÍtestified€that€the€victims€did€not€receive€òòThe€Tennesseanóó€via€mail.€€A€live€20Ïgauge€shotgun€shell€with€#7€ðð€shot€was€found€lying€on€the€floor€in€the€frontÏbedroom€next€to€a€ransacked€jewelry€box.ÌÌà àThe€medical€examiner,€Dr.€Charles€Harlan,€testified€that€the€victims€diedÏapproximately€one€and€one„half€to€two€hours€after€they€consumed€dinner.€€HeÏstated€that€a€minimum€of€three€different€weapons€were€used€in€murdering€theÏvictims.€€Mrs.€Vester's€body€sustained€three€gunshot€wounds.€€Gunshot€wound€AÏwas€located€at€the€right€portion€of€her€chest€just€below€the€collarbone.€€A€copperÏjacket€entered€the€body€at€wound€A€and€lodged€in€Mrs.€Vester's€left€arm.€€TheÏwound€measured€approximately€a€quarter€of€an€inch€in€diameter€and€wasÏbasically€round€in€shape.€€Shotgun€wound€B€was€located€in€the€upper€arm.€€TheÏdefect€from€this€gunshot€measured€3.4€inches€by€1.8€inches€and€was€jaggedÏwith€an€irregular€edge.€€There€were€also€multiple€tangential€abrasionsÏassociated€with€wound€B.€€Shotgun€wound€C€was€to€the€right€forearm.€€Mrs.ÏVester's€two€forearm€bones€were€severed€leaving€the€hand€and€wrist€attachedÏto€the€body€only€by€a€peninsula€of€soft€tissue.€€Dr.€Harlan€testified€that€theÏgunshot€wound€to€the€right€arm€could€have€been€from€either€a€high„velocity€rifleÏor€a€shotgun.€€He€could€not€determine€the€order€in€which€the€wounds€wereÏinflicted.ÌÌà àDr.€Harlan€further€testified€that€Mrs.€Vester's€body€had€sustained€13€stabÏwounds.€€She€was€stabbed€once€in€the€middle€of€the€back€and€12€times€in€theÏhead,€neck€and€shoulder€region.€€A€majority€of€the€stab€wounds€were€inflicted€toÏthe€left€side€of€her€head€and€neck.€€Dr.€Harlan€surmised€that€the€punctureÏwounds€were€made€by€a€squared€object€with€a€sharp€edge,€such€as€a€kitchen€orÏhunting€knife.€€Two€stab€wounds€severed€the€right€and€left€common€carotidÏarteries.€€The€right€carotid€artery€was€90€percent€severed,€and€the€left€was€10Ïpercent€severed.€€Dr.€Harlan€testified€that€the€injuries€to€the€carotid€arteriesÏwould€have€been€fatal.€€He€further€stated€that€the€gunshot€wound€severing€theÏright€forearm€would€have€been€fatal€without€hospital€treatment.€€Based€on€hisÏautopsy,€Dr.€Harlan€determined€that€Mrs.€Vester€could€have€survived€the€brutalÏattack€for€up€to€15€minutes.ÌÌà àMr.€Vester's€body€had€sustained€two€gunshot€wounds.€€The€central€defectÏfrom€shotgun€wound€A€was€located€at€the€head€and€neck€juncture.€€The€totalÏdispersal€pattern€of€shotgun€pellets€was€13€inches.€€Wound€A€caused€significantÏinjury€to€the€left€lung,€aorta,€and€pulmonary€artery.€€Shotgun€wound€B€was€to€Mr.ÏVester's€right€breast.€The€total€dispersal€pattern€of€shot„gun€pellets€wasÏapproximately€six€to€eight€inches.€€Shotgun€wound€B€caused€trauma€to€Mr.ÏVester's€right€lung€and€to€the€liver.€€Dr.€Harlan€recovered€shotgun€pellets€and€aÏshot€column€from€Mr.€Vester's€chest€and€abdomen.ÌÌà àDr.€Harlan€determined€that€Mr.€Vester's€chest€defect€indicated€a€woundÏconsistent€with€being€shot€from€a€shotgun€at€a€range€of€approximately€six€to€tenÏfeet.€€The€neck€wound€was€sustained€by€a€shotgun€discharge€fromÏapproximately€10€to€12€feet€away.€€Dr.€Harlan€testified€that€Mr.€Vester€couldÏhave€survived€five€minutes€or€a€little€longer.ÌÌà àFollowing€the€discovery€of€the€victim's€bodies,€the€Stewart€CountyÏSheriff's€Department€began€checking€cabins€in€the€surrounding€area.€€OnÏThursday,€the€officers€discovered€that€the€Crawford€residence,€less€than€aÏquarter€of€a€mile€from€the€Vesters'€residence,€had€been€burglarized.€€John€andÏVirginia€Crawford,€from€Davidson€County,€had€been€at€their€trailer€from€theÏevening€of€Friday,€June€17,€until€Sunday,€June€19,€around€2:00€or€2:30€p.m.€ÏWhen€they€left€on€Sunday,€everything€had€been€clean€and€orderly€at€the€trailer.€ÏWhen€the€Crawfords€were€notified€that€their€trailer€had€been€burglarized,€theyÏdrove€to€the€trailer€and€found€that€the€back€door€had€been€pried€open€with€aÏpick.€€The€kitchen€was€a€mess.€€Canned€foods,€crackers,€and€candy€bars€fromÏthe€cabinet€and€refrigerator€had€been€eaten.€€Prints€were€lifted€from€severalÏitems€in€the€trailer.€€A€latent€left€thumb€print€matching€that€of€Hall€was€lifted€fromÏthe€bottom€of€a€can€of€ham.€€A€latent€right€index€fingerprint€left€by€the€defendantÏwas€lifted€from€a€Butterfinger€candy€wrapper€found€inside€the€refrigerator.€€TheÏCrawfords€identified€two€gloves€found€at€the€trailer,€one€white€jersey€and€oneÏbrown€jersey,€as€belonging€to€Mrs.€Crawford.€€A€patch€on€one€of€the€gloves€hadÍbeen€sewn€on€by€Mrs.€Crawford.€€Mr.€Crawford€testified€that€a€flashlight€had€alsoÏbeen€taken€from€the€trailer.€€One€of€the€gloves€found€at€the€Crawfords'€trailerÏmatched€a€glove€found€outside€the€Vesters'€front€bedroom€window.€€A€fiberÏanalysis€of€the€two€gloves€indicated€that€it€was€likely€that€they€were€originallyÏsold€together€as€a€pair.ÌÌà àOn€June€21,€1988,€around€8€a.m.,€employees€of€the€Memphis€FuneralÏHome€observed€three€men€in€a€maroon€Pontiac,€later€identified€as€the€victims'Ïcar.€€The€three€men€in€the€Pontiac€entered€the€funeral€home€parking€lot€andÏparked€approximately€250€feet€from€the€building.€€Two€employees€of€the€funeralÏhome€testified€that€one€man€got€out€of€the€front€seat,€took€off€his€tank€top€and€putÏon€three€additional€shirts.€€The€two€other€men€also€exited€the€car.€€NeitherÏwitness€could€make€a€positive€identification€of€the€three€men.€€They,€however,Ïtestified€that€all€three€men€were€white€and€about€the€same€height,€but€two€of€theÏmen€were€probably€180€pounds€and€had€darker€hair.ÌÌà àThe€three€men€remained€in€the€parking€lot€for€approximately€five€to€sevenÏminutes.€€Then,€after€one€of€them€took€a€satchel€out€of€the€trunk,€the€three€menÏproceeded€to€walk€towards€a€hospital€across€the€street€from€the€funeral€home.€ÏOne€of€the€men€turned,€walked€back€to€the€car,€and€appeared€to€have€placed€anÏitem€back€into€the€car.€€He€then€joined€the€two€other€men,€and€they€all€threeÏwalked€off.€€The€funeral€home€workers€assumed€that€the€three€men€wereÍconstruction€workers€working€at€the€hospital.€€When,€however,€the€car€was€notÏpicked€up€by€Thursday,€the€funeral€employees€noticed€that€the€car€and€itsÏlicense€plate€number€matched€the€description€of€a€missing€car€reported€in€theÏnewspaper.€€They€then€contacted€the€Memphis€Police€Department.ÌÌà àOn€the€morning€of€Thursday,€June€23,€the€Memphis€Police€Crime€SceneÏSquad€responded€to€the€call€from€the€Memphis€Funeral€Home.€€The€policeÏfound€a€1985€maroon€Pontiac€Bonneville€in€the€funeral€home's€parking€lot.€€TheÏvehicle€matched€the€description€of€the€victims'€vehicle.€€The€keys€were€in€theÏcar's€ignition.€€The€officers€found€the€sawed„off€20€gauge€shotgun€taken€fromÏthe€Foster€residence€under€the€floor€mat€behind€the€driver's€seat.€€The€gun€wasÏlater€identified€as€being€the€gun€that€likely€discharged€the€spent€shell€outside€ofÏthe€victims'€residence.€€The€police€also€discovered€a€.30„30€caliber€cartridgeÏunder€the€floor€mat€which€matched€ammunition€taken€from€Mr.€Foster'sÏresidence.€€A€crumpled€Budweiser€beer€can€was€found€under€a€seat.€€ThreeÏlatent€prints€identified€as€belonging€to€the€defendant€were€lifted€from€theÏBudweiser€can.€€No€other€prints€were€found€in€the€car.€€The€officer€noted€that€theÏextremely€hot€temperatures€in€Memphis€at€the€time€the€car€was€found€made€itÏdifficult€to€lift€prints.€€Other€items€retrieved€from€the€vehicle€included€a€Ray„O„VacÏflashlight,€electrical€tape,€thirteen€20€gauge€shotgun€shells,€three€12„ounceÏPepsi€Colas,€one€12„pack€of€Pepsi€Colas,€a€portable€electric€air€compressor,€aÏBlack€&€Decker€car€vacuum,€and€a€brown€umbrella.ÌÌà àCurtis€Jones,€who€was€a€security€guard€at€the€Memphis€Greyhound€busÏstation,€testified€that€he€worked€Tuesdays€and€Wednesdays€at€the€bus€station€inÏJune€of€1988.€€The€bus€station€was€located€in€downtown€MemphisÏapproximately€one€mile€from€the€Memphis€Funeral€Home.€€His€job€at€the€busÏstation€was€to€keep€individuals€out€who€did€not€have€business€at€the€station.€€Mr.ÏJones€sat€in€a€booth€at€the€station€and€watched€the€doors€to€observe€who€cameÏin€and€to€determine€whether€they€later€purchased€tickets.€€Periodically,€he€wouldÏwalk€around€and€ask€people€whether€they€had€tickets€or€if€they€were€waiting€forÏsomeone€to€arrive.ÌÌà àMr.€Jones€recalled€three€men€entering€the€bus€station€either€Tuesday,ÏJune€21,€or€Wednesday,€June€22,€between€11€a.m.€and€1€p.m.€€Two€of€the€menÏsat€down€and€watched€television.€€One€of€the€two€seated€men€spoke€to€a€manÏseated€nearby.€€The€third€man,€who€had€darker€skin€and€appeared€Hispanic,Ïused€a€telephone.€€Mr.€Jones€approached€the€two€seated€men€and€asked€themÏwhether€they€had€tickets.€€A€man,€whom€he€identified€as€the€defendant,€told€himÏthat€they€would€leave€as€soon€as€their€friend€finished€using€the€telephone.€€TheÏthree€men€remained€in€the€station€five€to€ten€minutes.€€Later€that€same€day,€theÏMemphis€police€stopped€by€the€bus€station€with€a€photographic€line„up€of€theÏeight€escapees.€€Mr.€Jones€responded€that€the€defendant,€Quintero,€and€HallÏhad€previously€been€at€the€station.€€Later€in€the€week,€Mr.€Jones€spoke€withÍAgent€Stout€of€the€T.B.I.€€Mr.€Jones€again€identified€the€defendant,€Quintero,€andÏHall€from€a€line„up.€€Mr.€Jones€made€an€in„court€identification€of€the€defendantÏas€the€person€with€whom€he€had€spoken€at€the€bus€station.ÌÌà àAgent€Stout€also€interviewed€two€employees€at€the€Blue€Movies€WestÏadult€bookstore€and€entertainment€center€located€across€the€street€from€the€busÏstation.€€Shirley€Denise€Morrow€testified€that€she€worked€as€a€cashier€in€theÏbookstore€in€June€of€1988.€€On€Tuesday,€June€21,€the€day€before€her€birthday,Ïthree€men€entered€the€bookstore€around€9:00€or€10:00€a.m.€€Two€of€the€menÏwere€white€and€one€appeared€Mexican.€€The€men€traded€a€few€silver€dollarsÏand€half€dollars€for€tokens.€€Ms.€Morrow€also€purchased€a€few€silver€dollars€andÏhalf€dollars€for€herself.ÌÌà àThe€men€went€to€the€back€of€the€establishment€to€watch€movies.€ÏApproximately€ten€minutes€later,€the€men€then€returned€to€the€front€of€theÏestablishment.€€They€attempted€to€sell€Ms.€Morrow€what€appeared€to€be€a€classÏring€and€a€wedding€band.€€Ms.€Morrow€declined€and€suggested€they€try€a€pawnÏshop.€€One€of€the€men€then€indicated€that€they€did€not€have€any€identificationÏand€offered€Ms.€Morrow€$€50.00€to€let€them€stay€in€the€movie€house€until€theirÏtransportation€arrived.€€Ms.€Morrow€declined€their€offer.€€A€dancer€then€came€outÏfrom€the€back€of€the€establishment€and€said€something€to€the€men.€€The€menÏleft,€and€Ms.€Morrow€contacted€the€police.ÌÌà àAgent€Stout€showed€Ms.€Morrow€a€photographic€array€of€the€eightÏescapees.€€Ms.€Morrow€identified€the€defendant,€Quintero,€and€Hall€as€the€threeÏmen€who€visited€the€bookstore.€€Agent€Stout€took€six€silver€dollars€that€the€menÏhad€sold€to€Ms.€Morrow.€€The€silver€dollars€were€later€identified€by€Mr.€Foster€asÏidentical€to€coins€stolen€from€his€residence.€€Ms.€Morrow€also€made€an€in„courtÏidentification€of€the€defendant.ÌÌà àHall€was€eventually€captured€in€El€Paso,€Texas.€€Both€the€defendant€andÏQuintero€were€captured€in€Mexico€near€El€Paso.€€Barbara€Vasser,€Hall'sÏgirlfriend€at€the€time,€testified€that€after€Hall€called€her€for€a€third€time€followingÏthe€escape,€her€mother€called€the€Pennsylvania€State€Police.€€Ms.€VasserÏtestified€that€she€was€afraid€for€Hall's€safety€so€she€agreed€that€if€Hall€calledÏagain,€she€would€set€up€a€time€and€place€where€she€could€wire€Hall€money.€ÏHall€called€Ms.€Vasser€on€July€6,€1988.€€Vasser€agreed€to€wire€him€money€to€theÏWestern€Union€on€North€Stanton€Street€in€El€Paso,€Texas.€€The€Federal€BureauÏof€Investigation€("F.B.I.")€was€notified,€and€surveillance€was€established€at€theÏWestern€Union.€€Hall€entered€the€Western€Union€in€El€Paso€at€approximatelyÏ2:20€p.m.€and€was€apprehended.ÌÌà àThe€F.B.I.€subsequently€received€leads€that€both€the€defendant€andÏQuintero€were€staying€at€the€Santa€Fe€Hotel€in€Juarez,€Mexico.€€Juarez€isÍlocated€just€across€the€border€from€El€Paso,€Texas.€€On€July€10,€1988,€QuinteroÏand€the€defendant€were€apprehended€at€the€hotel€by€Mexican€officials€andÏtransported€across€the€international€bridge.€€F.B.I.€agents€met€with€MexicanÏofficials€at€a€border€check€point€and€took€custody€of€both€the€defendant€andÏQuintero.€€An€old€wallet€with€an€imprint€of€Mr.€Foster's€driver's€license€was€foundÏon€Quintero.€ÌÌà àThe€defense€attempted€to€present€the€testimony€of€both€Quintero€andÏHall.€€Both€convicts,€however,€invoked€their€privilege€against€self„incriminationÏand€refused€to€testify.€€The€trial€court€informed€the€jury€that€both€Quintero€andÏHall€had€invoked€their€right€not€to€testify€and€instructed€both€men€to€hold€up€theirÏhands€for€the€jury€to€observe.€€The€defendant€was€not€allowed€to€introduce€intoÏevidence€the€affidavits€prepared€by€either€Quintero€or€Hall.ÌÌà àThe€jury€convicted€the€defendant€of€two€counts€of€first€degreeÏpremeditated€murder,€four€counts€of€grand€larceny,€and€three€counts€of€firstÏdegree€burglary.€€During€the€sentencing€phase,€the€State€introduced€proof€thatÏin€1981€the€defendant€had€been€convicted€of€murder.€€The€State€also€showedÏthat€the€defendant€pled€guilty€to€first€degree€wanton€endangerment€in€1985.€€AnÏofficer€at€the€Kentucky€State€Penitentiary€at€Eddyville,€Kentucky,€identified€theÏdefendant€as€one€of€the€eight€inmates€who€had€escaped€from€the€facility€onÏJune€16,€1988.ÌÌà àFinally,€the€State€introduced€additional€photographs€and€testimonyÏconcerning€Mrs.€Vester's€body.€€Mrs.€Vester€was€found€lying€in€her€bedroom€justÏoutside€the€bathroom.€€The€State€introduced€photographs€depicting€the€amountÏof€blood€on€the€bathroom€floor€and€depicting€the€blood€on€the€bottoms€of€Mrs.ÏVester's€feet.€€The€State€also€introduced€a€photograph€of€Mrs.€Vester's€bodyÏrolled€over€so€that€the€jury€could€see€the€severity€of€her€injuries€and€the€brutalityÏof€the€attack.ÌÌà àIn€mitigation,€the€defendant€presented€testimony€that€he€was€born€onÏNovember€8,€1958,€in€Perry€County,€Kentucky.€€He€spent€a€portion€of€his€earlyÏchildhood€in€Hazard€County,€Kentucky.€€Julie€Maddox,€a€psychologicalÏexaminer€and€an€expert€in€the€field€of€psychological€testing,€testified€as€to€theÏresults€of€various€tests€that€she€administered€to€the€defendant.€€The€first€test€wasÏthe€Bender€Gestalt€Test,€which€is€designed€to€determine€whether€a€person€hasÏany€severe€brain€damage.€€Ms.€Maddox€found€no€signs€of€traumatic€brainÏdamage€in€the€defendant.€€The€defendant,€however,€appeared€to€beÏintellectually€impaired.ÌÌà àThe€second€test€administered€was€the€Wide€Range€Achievement€Test,Ïrevised€("WRAT").€€The€defendant€achieved€a€score€of€20€out€of€66€in€arithmeticÏplacing€him€in€the€.1€percentile€and€at€a€fourth€grade€level.€€The€defendantÍachieved€a€score€of€8€out€of€51€in€spelling€which€placed€him€in€the€.2€percentileÏand€at€a€fourth€grade€level.€€The€defendant€scored€29€out€of€89€in€reading€whichÏplaced€him€in€the€.2€percentile€and€at€a€level€lower€than€the€third€grade.ÌÌà àMs.€Maddox€also€administered€the€Wexler€Adult€Intelligence€ScaleÏRevised€Test€("Wexler")€which€measures€I.Q.€€The€defendant€received€a€verbalÏI.Q.€level€of€74,€a€performance€I.Q.€level€of€77,€and€a€full„scale€I.Q.€level€of€74.€ÏThis€score€placed€the€defendant€in€the€lower€three€percentile€range€indicatingÏthat€ninety„seven€percent€of€the€population€scored€higher.€€The€error€range€onÏthis€test€is€plus€or€minus€five€points.€€Ms.€Maddox€testified€that€a€score€of€90€toÏ109€is€considered€average€and€a€score€of€70€or€below€indicates€mild€mentalÏretardation.€€ÌÌà àMs.€Maddox€further€administered€a€Minnesota€Multi„Phase€PersonalityÏInventory€("MMPIðð)€but€stated€that€she€had€not€brought€that€test€with€her.€€SheÏtestified€that€there€were€no€indications€from€the€test€that€the€defendant€wasÏmalingering.ÌÌà àNext,€the€defense€presented€the€testimony€of€Susan€Cannon,€executiveÏdirector€of€PEACE,€Inc.€(Project€to€End€Abuse€Through€Counseling€andÏEducation)€located€in€Nashville,€Tennessee.€€She€introduced€into€evidence€theÏdefendant's€school€records€from€first€through€eighth€grade.€€She€also€testifiedÍthat€male€children€typically€learn€violent€behavior€at€home€and€repeat€it€in€theirÏown€home€as€an€adult.ÌÌà àThe€defendant's€maternal€aunt,€Lucy€Coots,€testified€that€she€has€livedÏher€entire€life€in€Perry€County,€Kentucky.€€She€testified€that€the€defendant'sÏfather,€George€Blanton,€was€a€violent€man€who€would€come€home€drunk€andÏbeat€his€wife€and€children.€€She€further€testified€that€the€defendant€grew€upÏunder€difficult€family€and€economic€conditions.€€The€defense€presented€twoÏCBS€documentaries€on€living€conditions€in€Perry€and€Knott€Counties,€Kentucky,Ïduring€the€time€the€defendant€was€growing€up.€€Ms.€Coots€testified€that€theÏdocumentaries€accurately€depicted€the€living€conditions€of€the€defendant'sÏfamily.€€After€the€defendant's€father€went€to€prison,€the€defendant's€motherÏmarried€another€man€who€was€a€good€father€to€the€children.€€He€died€of€cancerÏabout€two€years€after€the€marriage.€€The€defendant's€mother€died€about€threeÏyears€after€the€death€of€the€defendant's€stepfather.€€Ms.€Coots€testified€that€theÏdefendant€often€called€her€on€the€telephone€and€wrote€her€letters.ÌÌà àThe€defendant's€brother€and€sister€testified.€€They€confirmed€Ms.€Coots'Ïtestimony€concerning€the€Blanton€family's€living€conditions.€€The€defendant€hadÏsix€siblings,€one€of€whom€died€from€muscular€dystrophy.€€Neither€witness€hadÏseen€or€heard€from€the€defendant€in€œten€or›€œeleven€years.›€€One€of€theÍdefendant's€brothers€is€incarcerated€in€the€Kentucky€State€Penitentiary€atÏEddyville,€Kentucky.ÌÌà àIn€rebuttal,€the€State€presented€Dr.€Samuel€Craddock,€who€testified€thatÏhe€was€part€of€an€investigation€team€that€interviewed€the€defendant€on€April€17,Ï1991.€€From€his€examination,€Dr.€Craddock€determined€that€the€defendant€wasÏfunctioning€in€the€low/average€or€dull/normal€range€of€intelligence€dependingÏon€which€edition€of€the€Wexler€Intelligence€Scale€was€used.ÌÌà àFinally,€the€State€presented€testimony€that€the€defendant€had€sentÏseveral€coded€letters€to€Joseph€Montgomery€in€the€Kentucky€State€PenitentiaryÏwhile€the€defendant€was€in€the€Tennessee€Department€of€Correction.€€AlthoughÏthe€letters€contained€numerous€capitalization€and€spelling€errors,€they€wereÏintroduced€to€rebut€testimony€that€the€defendant€was€of€low€intelligence.ÌÌà àBased€on€this€proof,€the€jury€sentenced€the€defendant€to€death€for€theÏmurders€of€Buford€and€Myrtle€Vester.ÌÌò òà@ àHEINOUS,€ATROCIOUS,€AND€CRUELÌó óÌà àThe€defendant€argues€that€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„204(i)(5)€was€not€anÏappropriate€basis€for€sentencing€him€to€death.€€His€argument€is€premised€on€theÍfollowing€contentions:€€(1)€€that€the€evidence€is€insufficient€to€support€applicationÏof€(i)(5);€(2)€€that€there€is€no€evidence€indicating€that€the€defendant€stabbed€orÏshot€the€victims;€(3)€€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€instructing€the€jury€on€the€pre„1989€version€of€(i)(5)€in€1991;€and€(4)€€that€(i)(5)€as€instructed€wasÏunconstitutionally€vague€prior€to€the€1989€amendment.€€We€disagree.ÌÌà àUpon€review,€we€find€that€the€evidence€is€clearly€sufficient€to€support€aÏjury€finding€that€Mrs.€Vester's€murder€was€heinous,€atrocious€and€cruel.€€TheÏevidence€indicates€that€Mr.€and€Mrs.€Vester€were€in€their€beds€prior€to€beingÏmurdered.€€Mrs.€Vester's€room€was€separated€from€Mr.€Vester's€room€by€a€smallÏbathroom.€€The€perpetrators€positioned€themselves€by€both€Mr.€and€Mrs.ÏVesters'€bedroom€windows.€€The€perpetrators€then€shot€the€Vesters€fromÏoutside€the€house€while€the€Vesters€lay€in€their€beds.ÌÌà àMrs.€Vester€was€initially€shot€at€least€once€while€she€lay€in€bed.€€At€leastÏone€shot€originated€from€outside€her€bedroom€window.€€She€apparentlyÏattempted€to€save€her€life€by€fleeing€into€an€adjacent€bathroom.€€The€bathroomÏwas€in€a€direction€away€from€her€window€and€toward€Mr.€Vester's€room€whichÏalso€received€gunfire.€€The€perpetrators€then€entered€the€Vester€residence.ÌÌà àMrs.€Vester€sustained€a€shotgun€blast€to€her€right€forearm€which€severedÏboth€bones€in€her€forearm.€€Her€wrist,€hand€and€lower€arm€were€left€attached€toÍher€upper€forearm€only€by€a€small€peninsula€of€skin€and€flesh.€€She€sustainedÏone€shotgun€blast€to€her€right€shoulder€which€left€a€wound€nearly€three„and„one„half€inches€by€two€inches.€€She€was€also€shot€with€a€high„powered€rifle.€ÏThe€high„powered€rifle€shot€entered€her€upper€chest€just€below€her€right€collarÏbone.ÌÌà àThe€evidence€indicates€that€Mrs.€Vester€struggled€to€save€her€life€whileÏher€arm€was€practically€severed€from€her€body.€€The€bottoms€of€her€feet€wereÏcovered€in€blood€indicating€that€she€had€walked€through€her€own€pool€of€bloodÏin€an€attempt€to€flee€the€attack.€€She,€however,€was€stabbed€once€in€the€leftÏcheek,€seven€times€in€the€left€side€of€her€neck,€twice€in€the€front€of€her€neckÏ(once€on€the€left€side€and€once€on€the€right€side),€once€just€below€the€right€collarÏbone€(next€to€the€defect€caused€by€the€high„powered€rifle),€once€to€the€leftÏshoulder,€and€once€in€the€middle€of€her€back.€€The€medical€evidence€presentedÏindicates€that€Mrs.€Vester€could€have€remained€alive€for€as€long€as€fifteenÏminutes€during€the€brutal€attack€or€after€receiving€her€wounds.€€She€œthen›Ïapparently€died€face€down€in€a€pool€of€her€own€blood.€€œThe›€evidence€amplyÏsupports€a€finding€of€torture€under€œTenn.›€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„204(i)(5).ÌÌà àœ"In›€proving€that€torture€occurred,€the€State,€necessarily,€also€proves€thatÏthe€murder€involved€depravity€of€mind."€€òòState€v.€Williamsóó,€690€S.W.2d€517,€529Ï(Tenn.€1985).€€The€defendant's€actions€were€reprehensible.€€He€shot€the€victimsÍinitially€from€outside€their€home.€€He€then€entered€the€victims'€residenceÏwhereupon€he€inflicted€numerous€wounds€upon€Mrs.€Vester.€€The€multiplicity€ofÏthe€wounds,€the€infliction€of€gratuitous€violence€and€the€evidence€of€tortureÏamply€supports€a€finding€of€depravity€of€mind€under€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ððœ39„13„204(i)(5).›ÌÌà àThe€defendant's€next€contention€is€that€"there€is€no€evidence€that€JamesÏBlanton€shot€or€stabbed€[Mrs.]€Vester."€€This€contention,€however,€is€bestÏaddressed€by€a€sufficiency€of€the€evidence€review.€€The€jury€found€theÏdefendant€guilty€of€murdering€Mrs.€Vester.€€The€Court€of€Criminal€Appeals€foundÏthat€the€evidence€was€sufficient€to€support€the€conviction.€€Upon€review€of€theÏrecord,€we€œhold›€that€the€evidence€was€clearly€sufficient€to€support€theÏconvictions.ÌÌà àThe€defendant's€next€assignment€of€error€is€that€the€trial€court€erred€inÏinstructing€the€jury€with€the€pre„1989€version€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Ïðð39„13„204(i)(5).€€The€defendant€murdered€the€victims€in€1988€prior€to€theÏeffective€date€of€the€1989€revisions.€€Accordingly,€the€jury€was€properly€chargedÏas€to€the€aggravating€circumstance€as€defined€by€the€pre„1989€statute.€€òòState€v.ÏBrimmeróó,€876€S.W.2d€75€(Tenn.€1994).ò òÌó óÌà àThe€defendant€argues€that€the€pre„1989€version€of€(i)(5),€as€charged,€wasÏunconstitutionally€vague.€€He€specifically€argues€that€the€phrase€"depravity€ofÏmind"€rendered€the€pre„1989€statute€unconstitutional.€€This€Court,€however,€hasÏpreviously€held€that€the€pre„1989€(i)(5)€aggravating€circumstance€was€neitherÏunconstitutionally€vague€nor€œover›€œbroad.›€€òòSeeóó€òòState€v.€Williamsóó,€690€S.W.2dÏ517,€526„30,€533€(Tenn.€1985);€òòState€v.€Barberóó,€753€S.W.2d€659,€670€(Tenn.Ï1988),€òòcertóó.€òòdeniedóó,€488€U.S.€900,€109€S.Ct.€248,€102€L.Ed.2d€236€(1988);€òòStateÏv.€Blackóó,€815€S.W.2d€166,€181€(Tenn.€1991)€(Reid,€C.J.,€Daughtrey,€J.Ïconcurring€and€dissenting).€€This€issue€is€without€merit.ÌÌÓ  Óò òINSTRUCTING€ON€ALL€AGGRAVATING€CIRCUMSTANCESó óÌÓ  ÓÌà àThe€defendant€makes€basically€three€assignments€of€error€concerningÏthe€trial€judge's€instructions€to€the€jury€on€the€aggravating€circumstances.€€First,Ïhe€argues€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€instructing€the€jury€on€every€felony€underÏTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„204(i)(7).€€He€further€argues€that€the€trial€court€erredÏin€instructing€the€jury€on€all€twelve€aggravating€circumstances.€€Finally,€heÏargues€that€the€trial€court€erred€by€failing€to€require€the€jury€to€find,€pursuant€toÏ(i)(5),€that€the€defendant€had€the€specific€intent€to€torture€the€victim.ò òÌó óÌà àThe€jury€found€aggravating€circumstance€(i)(7)€applicable.€€Specifically,Ïthe€jury€found€that€the€victims'€murders€were€"committed€while€the€defendantÍwas€engaged€in€committing€or€was€an€accomplice€in€the€commission€of,€or€wasÏattempting€to€commit,€any€first€degree€murder,€arson,€rape,€robbery,€burglary,Ïlarceny,€kidnaping,€aircraft€piracy,€or€unlawful€throwing,€placing,€or€dischargingÏof€a€destructive€device€or€bomb."€€The€defendant€argues€that€because€the€trialÏjudge€charged€every€felony€listed€under€(i)(7),€"one€may€conclude€that€the€juryÏfound€murder€in€the€commission€of€murder,€or€murder€in€the€commission€of€airÏpiracy."ÌÌà àThe€better€practice€certainly€is€to€charge€those€felonies€that€may€beÏsupported€by€the€facts.€€òòState€v.€Buckóó,€670€S.W.2d€600,€608€(Tenn.€1984).ÏMoreover,€charging€all€felonies€under€(i)(7)€without€regard€to€whether€theÏfelonies€are€supported€by€the€evidence€is€error.€€We,€however,€find€the€errorÏharmless€as€application€of€the€(i)(7)€aggravating€circumstance€is€amplyÏsupported€by€the€evidence.ò òÌó óÌà àThe€defendant€assigns€error€in€the€trial€judge's€decision€to€instruct€theÏjury€on€all€twelve€aggravating€circumstances.€€The€Court€of€Criminal€AppealsÏheld€that,€while€error,€the€error€was€œharmless,›€because€the€evidence€supportedÏthe€jury's€application€of€(i)(2),€(i)(6),€and€(i)(7)€for€both€murders.€€In€addition,€theÏjury€found€(i)(5)€applicable€only€to€the€murder€of€Mrs.€Vester.€€This€findingÏindicates€that€the€jury€thoroughly€reviewed€the€evidence€and€applied€theÏaggravating€circumstances€in€a€non„arbitrary€manner.€€Upon€review,€we€agreeÍwith€the€appellate€court's€holding€and€find€no€reversible€error€as€to€instructingÏthe€jury€on€all€twelve€aggravating€circumstances.ÌÌà àThe€defendant€contends€that€(i)(5)€required€the€jury€to€find€that€theÏdefendant€had€the€specific€intent€to€torture€the€victim.× ƒ' ××  ×€€Circumstance€(i)(5),Ïhowever,€does€not€require€a€òòmensóó€òòreaóó.€€We€find€that€(i)(5)€focuses€on€theÏcircumstances€of€the€killing.€€We,€therefore,€hold€that€the€torture€prong€of€(i)(5)Ïmerely€requires€a€jury€finding€that€the€victim€remained€conscious€and€sustainedÏsevere€physical€or€mental€pain€and€suffering€between€the€infliction€of€theÏwounds€and€the€time€of€death.€€Whether€the€defendant€intended€the€victim'sÏsuffering€is€irrelevant€under€(i)(5).€€This€issue€is€without€merit.ÌÌÓ  Óò òCOMPARATIVE€PROPORTIONALITY€REVIEWó óÌÓ  ÓÌà àIn€conducting€a€comparative€proportionality€review,€we€begin€with€theÏpresumption€that€the€sentence€of€death€is€proportional€with€the€crime€of€firstÏdegree€murder.€€òòState€v.€Hallóó,€œ958›€œS.W.2d€679›€(Tenn.€1997).€€A€sentence€ofÏdeath€may€be€found€disproportionate€if€the€case€being€reviewed€is€"plainlyÏlacking€in€circumstances€consistent€with€those€in€similar€cases€in€which€theÏdeath€penalty€has€previously€been€imposed."€€òòIdóó.€œ(citing›€òòState€v.€œRamseyóó,€864ÍS.W.2d›€320,€328€(Mo.€œ1993)).›€€A€sentence€of€death€is€not€disproportionateÏmerely€because€the€circumstances€of€the€offense€are€similar€to€those€of€anotherÏoffense€for€which€a€defendant€has€received€a€life€sentence.€€òòState€v.€Blandóó,€œ958›ÏœS.W.2d€651€(Tenn.›€1997)€(citing€òòState€v.€Carteróó,€714€S.W.2d€241,€251€(Tenn.Ï1986)).€€Our€inquiry,€therefore,€does€not€require€a€finding€that€a€sentence€"lessÏthan€death€was€never€imposed€in€a€case€with€similar€characteristics."€€òòBlandóó,Ïœ958›€S.W.2d€at€œ665.›€€Our€duty€"is€to€assure€that€no€aberrant€death€sentence€isÏaffirmed."€€òòIdóó.€(citing€òòState€v.€Webbóó,€680€A.2d€147,€203€(Conn.€1996)).ÌÌà àOur€proportionality€review€is€neither€a€rigid€nor€an€objective€test.€€òòHallóó,Ïœ958›€S.W.2d€at€œ699.›€€There€is€no€"mathematical€formula€or€scientific€grid,"€andÏwe€are€not€bound€to€consider€only€cases€in€which€the€same€aggravatingÏcircumstances€were€found€applicable€by€a€jury.€€òòIdóó.;€òòState€v.€Brimmeróó,€876ÏS.W.2d€75,€84€(Tenn.€1994).€€This€Court€considers€many€variables€whenÏchoosing€and€comparing€œÌcases.›€€òòBlandóó,€œ958›€S.W.2d€at€œ667.›€€€Among€these€variables€are:€€(1)€the€meansÏof€death;€(2)€the€manner€of€death€(e.g.,€violent,€torturous,€etc.);€(3)€the€motivationÏfor€the€killing;€(4)€the€place€of€death;€(5)€the€similarity€of€the€victimsððÏcircumstances€including€age,€physical€and€mental€conditions,€and€the€victimsððÏtreatment€during€the€killing;€(6)€the€absence€or€presence€of€premeditation;€(7)Ïthe€absence€or€presence€of€provocation;€(8)€the€absence€or€presence€ofÏjustification;€and€(9)€the€injury€to€and€effects€on€non„decedent€victims.€€òòIdóó.;€òòHallóó,Íœ958›€S.W.2d€at€œ699.›€€Factors€considered€when€comparing€characteristics€ofÏdefendants€include:€€(1)€the€defendantððs€prior€criminal€record€or€prior€criminalÏactivity;€(2)€the€defendantððs€age,€race,€and€gender;€(3)€the€defendantððs€mental,Ïemotional€or€physical€condition;€(4)€the€defendantððs€involvement€or€role€in€theÏmurder;€(5)€the€defendantððs€cooperation€with€authorities;€(6)€the€defendantððsÏremorse;€(7)€the€defendantððs€knowledge€of€helplessness€of€victim(s);€and€(8)€theÏdefendantððs€capacity€for€rehabilitation.€€òòIdóó.;€òòBlandóó,€œ958›€S.W.2d€at€œ667.ÌÌ›à àJustice€Reid€opines€in€his€dissenting€opinion€that€a€sentence€of€death€inÏthis€case€is€disproportionate€to€sentences€in€similar€capital€cases€because€theÏevidence€here€does€not€show€that€the€defendant€himself€killed€or€was€an€activeÏparticipant€in€the€killing.€€By€its€verdict,€however,€the€jury€in€this€case€foundÏbeyond€a€reasonable€doubt€that€the€defendant€committed€premeditated€firstÏdegree€murder.€€An€appellate€court€is€no€longer€concerned€with€the€sufficiencyÏof€the€evidence€when€performing€a€comparative€proportionality€review.€€AÏreviewing€court€shall€construe€the€circumstances€of€the€case€in€a€manner€in€fullÏaccord€with€the€jury's€verdict€and€compare€those€facts€with€the€circumstances€ofÏsimilar€cases.€€The€reviewing€court,€therefore,€must€consider€proven€the€fact€thatÏthe€defendant€was€involved€in€the€crime€to€the€degree€that€he€is€criminallyÏresponsible€for€the€murder.œÌÌà àWe€have€reviewed€Rule€12€reports€from€trial€judges€submitted€over€theÏpast€eighteen€years€in€all€criminal€trials€for€first€degree€murder€in€which€lifeÏimprisonment€or€a€sentence€of€death€has€been€imposed.€€We€have€made€anÏindependent,€conscientious€and€thorough€review€of€this€case,€as€we€have€inÏevery€other€capital€case€that€has€been€before€this€Court.€€Considering›€theÏbrutality€of€the€defendant's€crime€and€his€characteristics,€we€find€that€impositionÏof€the€death€penalty€in€this€case€is€not€disproportionate€to€the€penalty€imposedÏin€similar€cases.€€Mrs.€Vester€was€sixty„nine€years€old€at€the€time€the€defendantÏmurdered€her.€€She€was€shot€at€least€once€from€outside€her€house€while€she€layÏin€bed.€€Her€husband€was€shot€and€murdered€in€an€adjacent€room.€€He€died€ofÏmultiple€shotgun€wounds€to€the€head,€neck€and€chest.ÌÌà àThe€evidence€indicates€that€Mrs.€Vester€struggled€to€evade€the€brutalÏattack€that€severed€her€forearm€and€left€her€wrist€and€hand€attached€only€by€aÏsmall€peninsula€of€soft€tissue.€€The€record€indicates€that€she€was€shot€twice€withÏa€shotgun€and€shot€once€with€a€high„powered€rifle.€€She€was€then€stabbedÏthirteen€times.€€The€stab€wounds€were€to€her€face,€head,€neck,€shoulder,€backÏand€upper€chest.€€The€bottoms€of€her€feet€were€covered€in€blood€indicating€thatÏshe€attempted€to€flee€the€attack€by€walking€through€her€own€pool€of€blood.€ÏMedical€testimony€indicates€that€she€survived€for€as€long€as€fifteen€minutesÏfollowing€the€infliction€of€her€wounds.ÌÌà àThe€defendant€had€escaped€from€prison€and€was€fleeing€authoritiesÏwhen€he€murdered€the€victims.€€The€defendant€had€a€criminal€record€of€violentÏcrimes€which€included€a€prior€murder€conviction€and€first€degree€wantonÏendangerment.€€The€defendant€has€neither€shown€remorse€nor€appears€to€be€aÏcandidate€for€rehabilitation.€€The€defendant€committed€these€brutal€crimes€onlyÏthree€days€after€escaping€from€the€confines€of€a€penitentiary€and€enteringÏsociety.€€The€nature€of€Blanton's€crime,€his€criminal€background,€his€infliction€ofÏunnecessary€and€gratuitous€violence€and€his€complete€disregard€for€human€lifeÏplaces€him€into€that€class€of€criminals€for€whom€a€sentence€of€death€isÏappropriate.ÌÌà àCases€that€are€comparable€concerning€multiplicity€of€wounds,€infliction€ofÏgratuitous€violence,€and€the€defendant's€IQ€range€are€as€follows:€€òòState€v.ÏPayneóó,€791€S.W.2d€10€(Tenn.€1990);€òòState€v.€Jonesóó,€789€S.W.2d€545€(Tenn.Ï1990);€òòState€v.€Thompsonóó;€768€S.W.2d€239€(Tenn.€1989);€òòState€v.€McNishóó,€727ÏS.W.2d€490€(Tenn.€1987);€òòState€v.€Barberóó,€753€S.W.2d€659€(Tenn.€1988);€òòStateÏv.€Melsonóó,€638€S.W.2d€342€(Tenn.€1982).ÌÌà àIn€òòState€v.€Payneóó,€791€S.W.2d€10€(Tenn.€1990),€a€twenty„year„oldÏdefendant€was€convicted€on€two€counts€of€premeditated€murder€and€sentencedÏto€death€on€both€counts.€€In€òòPayneóó,€the€defendant€stabbed€one€victimÏapproximately€forty„two€times€and€the€other€victim€approximately€nine€times.€ÍThe€defendant's€IQ€was€in€the€range€of€70€to€100.€€This€Court€affirmed€bothÏsentences€of€death€based€on€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„2„203(i)(3)€&€(5).ÌÌà àIn€òòState€v.€Jonesóó,€789€S.W.2d€545€(1990),€a€thirty„eight€year„oldÏdefendant€was€convicted€of€both€premeditated€and€felony€murder€andÏsentenced€to€death.€€In€òòJonesóó,€the€defendant€bound,€gagged€and€blindfoldedÏthe€victim€who€was€then€stabbed€six€times.€€The€defendant's€IQ€was€in€the€rangeÏof€70€to€100.€€This€Court€affirmed€his€death€sentence€based€on€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Ïœðð›œ39„2„203(i)(2),›€œ(5)›€&€(7).ÌÌà àIn€òòState€v.€Thompsonóó,€768€S.W.2d€239€(Tenn.€1989),€a€twenty„two„year„old€defendant€was€convicted€of€felony€murder€and€sentenced€to€death.€€InÏòòThompsonóó,€the€defendant€abducted€his€female€victim€at€gunpoint€and€took€herÏto€a€remote€location.€€He€then€repeatedly€stabbed€the€victim€inflicting€two€fatalÏwounds€to€the€right€lung.€€Testimony€indicated€that€the€victim€could€haveÏremained€conscious€for€five€to€ten€minutes.€€The€defendant's€IQ€was€in€theÏrange€of€70€to€100.€€This€Court€affirmed€the€death€sentence€based€on€Tenn.ÏCode€Ann.€ðð€39„2„203(i)(5),€(6)€&€(7).ÌÌà àIn€òòState€v.€Barberóó,€753€S.W.2d€659€(Tenn.€1988),€a€twenty„nine„year„oldÏdefendant€was€convicted€of€felony€murder€and€sentenced€to€death.€€In€òòBarberóó,Ïthe€defendant€repeatedly€struck€his€seventy„year„old€female€victim€in€the€headÍwith€a€crescent€wrench.€€Evidence€indicated€that€the€victim€remained€alive€whileÏthe€blows€were€inflicted.€€The€trial€judge€described€the€defendant's€IQ€asÏaverage.€€In€mitigation,€the€trial€judge€listed€that€the€defendant€was€capable€ofÏrehabilitation.€€This€Court€affirmed€the€death€sentence€based€on€Tenn.€CodeÏAnn.€ðð€39„2„203(i)(5)€&€(7).ÌÌà àIn€òòState€v.€McNishóó,€727€S.W.2d€490€(Tenn.€1987),€a€twenty„nine„year„oldÏdefendant€was€convicted€of€first€degree€murder€and€sentenced€by€the€jury€toÏdeath.€€In€òòMcNishóó,€the€defendant€murdered€a€seventy„year„old€female€victim€byÏstriking€her€in€the€head€repeatedly€with€a€glass€vase.€€The€victim€survived€theÏattack€for€a€short€time€but€later€died€from€hemorrhaging€of€the€brain.€€TheÏdefendant's€estimated€IQ€was€in€the€range€of€70€to€100.€€This€Court€affirmed€hisÏsentence€of€death€based€on€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„2„203(i)(5).ÌÌà àIn€òòState€v.€Melsonóó,€638€S.W.2d€342€(Tenn.€1982),€a€forty„eight„year„oldÏdefendant€was€convicted€of€premeditated€murder€and€sentenced€to€death€by€aÏjury.€€In€òòMelsonóó,€the€victim€died€from€multiple€blunt€traumas€to€the€head€andÏneck€after€the€defendant€struck€the€victim€approximately€15€to€30€times€with€aÏhammer.€€The€defendant's€IQ€was€in€the€range€of€70€to€100.€€This€Court€affirmedÏthe€death€sentence€based€on€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð39„2„203(i)(5)€&€(i)(6).ÌÌà àCases€in€which€this€Court€has€affirmed€a€sentence€of€death€withÏcomparable€or€less€gratuitous€violence€and€multiplicity€of€wounds€and€with€aÏdefendant€having€a€lower€IQ€are€as€follows:€€òòState€v.€Smithóó,€893€S.W.2d€908Ï(Tenn.€1994);€òòState€v.€Smithóó,€695€S.W.2d€954€(Tenn.€1985);€òòState€v.€Colemanóó,Ï619€S.W.2d€112€(Tenn.€1981).ÌÌà àIn€òòState€v.€Smithóó,€893€S.W.2d€908€(Tenn.€1994),€a€forty„one„year„oldÏdefendant€was€convicted€of€felony€murder€and€sentenced€to€death.€€In€òòSmithóó,Ïthe€defendant€broke€into€an€eighty„eight„year„old€woman's€home.€€He€robbedÏher,€raped€her,€cut€her€throat€and€placed€her€into€a€bathtub€full€of€water.€€TheÏvictim€was€alive€when€water€entered€her€lungs.€€The€defendant€suffered€fromÏdiminished€intellectual€capacity€and€was€classified€as€"mentally€retarded."€€ThisÏCourt€affirmed€the€death€sentence€based€on€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„203(i)(2)Ï&€(5).ÌÌà àIn€òòState€v.€Smithóó,€695€S.W.2d€954€(Tenn.€1985),€a€twenty„three„year„oldÏdefendant€was€convicted€of€felony€murder€and€sentenced€to€death.€€In€òòSmithóó,Ïthe€defendant€robbed€and€killed€a€seventy„one„year„old€male.€€The€victim€wasÏshot€twice.€€The€defendant's€IQ€was€in€a€range€lower€than€Blanton's€IQ€range.€ÏThe€defendant,€unlike€Blanton,€confessed€and€cooperated€with€the€police.€€ThisÏCourt€affirmed€the€death€sentence€based€on€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„2„203(i)(7).ÌÌà àIn€òòState€v.€Colemanóó,€819€S.W.2d€112€(Tenn.€1981),€a€twenty„two„year„old€defendant€was€convicted€of€felony€murder€and€sentenced€to€death.€€InÏòòColemanóó,€the€defendant€shot€and€robbed€a€sixty„nine„year„old€victim.€€TheÏdefendant's€IQ€was€in€a€range€lower€than€Blanton's€IQ€range.€€This€CourtÏaffirmed€the€death€sentence€based€on€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„2„203(i)(2)€&€(7).ÌÌà àCases€in€which€this€Court€has€affirmed€a€sentence€of€death€with€lessÏgratuitous€violence€and€where€the€evidence€did€not€positively€identify€theÏshooter€include:€€œòòState›€v.€Sampleóó,€680€S.W.2d€447€(Tenn.€œ1984);›€òòState€v.ÏMcKayóó,€680€S.W.2d€447€(Tenn.€œ1984);›€òòState€v.€Dicksóó,€615€S.W.2d€126€(Tenn.Ï1981);€òòState€v.€Strouthóó,€620€S.W.2d€467€(Tenn.€1981).ÌÌà àIn€òòState€v.€Sampleóó,€680€S.W.2d€447€(Tenn.€œ1984),›€a€twenty„five„year„oldÏdefendant€was€convicted€of€felony€murder€and€sentenced€to€death.€€In€òòSampleóó,Ïtwo€clerks€were€shot€to€death€during€a€robbery.€€Sample€appeared€to€be€theÏleader€in€the€commission€of€the€crime€with€his€partner€McKay€who€also€receivedÏa€sentence€of€death.€€The€evidence,€however,€did€not€establish€the€identity€ofÏthe€shooter.€€This€Court€affirmed€the€death€sentence€based€on€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Ïðð39„2„203(i)(3),(6)€&€(7).ÌÌà àIn€òòState€v.€McKayóó,€680€S.W.2d€447€(Tenn.€œ1984),›€a€twenty„five„year„oldÏdefendant€was€convicted€of€felony€murder€and€sentenced€to€death.€€In€òòMcKayóó,Ítwo€clerks€were€shot€during€the€course€of€a€robbery.€€Evidence€did€not€indicateÏthat€McKay€was€the€leader€in€commission€of€the€crime.€€Evidence€also€did€notÏestablish€the€shooter's€identity.€€McKay€was€a€codefendant€with€Sample€whoÏalso€received€a€sentence€of€death.€€This€Court€affirmed€the€death€sentenceÏbased€on€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„2„203(i)(2),€(3),€(6)€&€(7).ÌÌà àIn€òòState€v.€Dicksóó,€615€S.W.2d€126€(Tenn.€1981),€a€twenty„one„year„oldÏdefendant€was€convicted€of€felony€murder€and€sentenced€to€death.€€In€òòDicksóó,€theÏdefendant€and€his€codefendant€Strouth€robbed€a€store.€€During€the€course€ofÏthe€robbery,€Strouth€apparently€slit€the€throat€of€a€seventy„year„old€male€whoÏbled€to€death.€€This€Court€affirmed€the€death€sentence€based€on€Tenn.€CodeÏAnn€ðð39„2„203(i)(5)€&€(7).ÌÌà àIn€òòState€v.€Strouthóó,€620€S.W.2d€467€(Tenn.€1981),€a€nineteen„year„oldÏdefendant€was€convicted€of€felony€murder€and€sentenced€to€death.€€In€òòStrouthóó,€aÏstore€clerk€was€killed€during€the€course€of€a€robbery€committed€by€Strouth€andÏhis€codefendant€Dicks.€€Strouth€apparently€inflicted€the€fatal€throat€lacerationÏfrom€which€the€victim€bled€to€death.€€This€Court€affirmed€the€sentence€of€deathÏbased€on€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„2„203(i)(5)€&€(7).ÌÌà àWe€also€note€that€there€are€several€cases€with€comparable€violence€inÏwhich€defendants€have€received€life€sentences.€€òòSeeóó€òòState€v.€Jack€Jay€Northóó,ÍNo.€œ02C01„9512„CC„00369›€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.,€at€Jackson,€Dec.€12,€1996),Ïœòòappealóó€òòdeniedóó,€(Tenn.›€1997)€(sentencing€to€life€where€victim€shot€multiple€timesÏwith€sawed„off€shotgun);€òòState€v.€James€Morning€Craft,€Jr.€and€Lewis€Moorletóó,ÏC.C.A.€No.€31€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.,€at€Jackson,€Mar.€8,€1989),€œòòappeal›óó€œòòdeniedóó,›Ï(Tenn.€1989)€(sentencing€to€life€where€victim€shot€three€times).€€In€both€òòNorthóóÏand€òòCraftóó,€the€defendants€either€admitted€to€being€at€the€scene€or€showedÏremorse.€€Although€these€cases€are€similar€to€some€extent,€the€similarities€doÏnot€make€Blanton's€death€sentence€disproportionate.€€In€fact,€the€circumstancesÏand€violence€of€Mrs.€Vester's€killing€were€far€worse€than€a€great€majority€of€theÏpreviously€cited€cases€in€which€the€death€sentence€has€been€affirmed€by€thisÏCourt.€€Furthermore,€this€Court€has€previously€affirmed€a€number€of€additionalÏcases€in€which€both€the€gratuitous€violence€and€the€multiplicity€of€wounds€wereÏfar€less€than€those€present€in€this€case.€€òòSeeóó€òòState€v.€Houstonóó,€593€S.W.2d€267Ï(Tenn.€1980)€(affirming€death€sentence€based€on€(i)(5),€(6)€&€(7)€where€victimÏshot€three€times);€òòState€v.€Zagorskióó,€701€S.W.2d€808€(Tenn.€1985)€(affirmingÏsentence€of€death€based€on€(i)(5)€&€(7)€where€defendant€robbed€victims€thenÏshot€them€and€slit€their€throats);€€òòState€v.€Kingóó,€718€S.W.2d€241€(Tenn.€1986)Ï(affirming€death€sentence€based€on€aggravating€circumstances€(i)(2),€(5),€(6)€&Ï(7)€where€victim€placed€in€trunk€of€car€then€shot€once€in€head€with€high„powered€rifle);€òòState€v.€Batesóó,€804€S.W.2d€868€(Tenn.€1991)€(affirming€sentenceÏbased€on€(i)(2),€(6)€&€(7)€where€defendant€tied€victim€to€tree€and€shot€victim€inÏhead€with€shotgun);€òòState€v.€Brimmeróó,€876€S.W.2d€75€(Tenn.€1994)€(affirmingÍdeath€sentence€based€on€(i)(7)€where€victim€tied€to€a€tree€and€choked€to€death);ÏòòState€v.€Hodgesóó,€944€œS.W.2d€346€(Tenn.›€1997)€(affirming€death€sentence€basedÏon€(i)(2)€&€(5)€where€victim€bound€and€later€strangled).ÌÌà àWe€have€reviewed€numerous€cases€in€which€either€the€death€penalty€orÏa€lesser€sentence€has€been€imposed.€€While€no€two€cases€are€identical,€manyÏcases€œshare€similarities›€with€the€case€now€before€us.€€In€a€great€majority€of€theÏcases€cited,€defendants€of€comparable€intellect€beat,€tortured€and€assaultedÏunresisting€and€defenseless€victims€without€provocation.€€Upon€reviewing€theÏfacts€of€the€case€now€before€us,€we€find€that€the€multiplicity€of€wounds€and€theÏmanner€of€their€infliction€upon€Mrs.€Vester€were€particularly€heinous,€atrociousÏand€cruel.€€Moreover,€the€infliction€of€gratuitous€violence€in€this€case€appears€toÏbe€worse€than€that€inflicted€in€a€substantial€number€of€cases€in€which€this€CourtÏhas€previously€affirmed€a€sentence€of€death.€€The€penalty€imposed€by€a€jury€inÏthis€case€is€clearly€not€disproportionate€to€the€penalty€imposed€for€similarÏcrimes.ÌÌÓ  Óò òCONCLUSIONó óÌÓ  ÓÌà àIn€accordance€with€the€mandate€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„206(c)(1)Ïand€the€principles€adopted€in€prior€decisions€of€this€Court,€we€have€consideredÏthe€entire€record€in€this€case€and€find€that€the€sentence€of€death€was€notÍimposed€in€an€arbitrary€fashion.€€The€evidence€clearly€supports€the€jury's€findingÏof€the€aggravating€circumstances€and€that€no€mitigating€circumstancesÏsufficiently€outweighed€the€aggravating€circumstances.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Ïðð39„13„206(1)(A)€„€(C).€€We€have€carefully€reviewed€the€defendant'sÏassignments€of€error€and€have€found€that€they€are€either€devoid€of€merit€or€doÏnot€require€reversal.€€With€respect€to€issues€not€specifically€addressed€herein,Ïwe€affirm€the€decision€of€the€Court€of€Criminal€Appeals,€authored€by€Judge€PaulÏG.€Summers,€joined€in€by€Gary€R.€Wade€and€concurred€in€by€Judge€Joseph€M.ÏTipton.€€The€defendant's€sentence€of€death€by€electrocution€is€affirmed.€€TheÏsentence€will€be€carried€out€as€provided€by€law€on€œthe€15th€day€of€October,Ï1998,›€unless€otherwise€ordered€by€this€Court€or€other€proper€authorities.ÌÌÌÓÓà àà àà àà àà àà àòòà€ àóóÌà àà àà àà àà àà àJANICE€M.€HOLDER,€JUSTICEÌÌÌÌœCONCURRING:ÌÌAnderson,€C.J.ÌDrowota,€J.ÌÌÌSEPARATE€CONCURRING€AND€DISSENTING€OPINIONS:ÌÌBirch,€J.ÌReid,€J.