ÿWPC± þ—PfÿH¼ô r( ‰ “·Ø?Ï'¢Ã)”šåFþ"Fw9ráÕ“[N=”8ëÐÐG[ há‡UH_–óÿx/ @:ÏPº²‰a 0=#§4º!ÖŒ³Gàh‰õŠ;޹rÑr7cX‰ÂåûYõöîYœ¤&UêÚÖ¡¾Û·5E"ö(Ï>*ÜwZþ R.4’%ÑÀáºì’®Æ‡é,ê§t+'úΛ¯‘û°j>ä\.}êœÐØ­‹èÐ?!ñ^_eÅXÊцB&IˆÎf)— lEäô˜¹ýÒ¹‰Qˆ‘í ÊVi˜\œö/*&<ÑÄ«Ã9Êtà]Þ‘ˆã*Lßp]Ì&|ÿP}üª·JÀ¸ÁÍåT¬ô<ÒQð8[“ ÿvPšžBªT…¶å¼Ÿ£¬-·4+ 'æjë{Jpî‹b#Á\ % ^ # 0ˆ/ UN· w 4 z Ò— i x mz U@‘ ÆÑ Æ— Æ] Æ#UNéN7 0D9±}E.500]e: 1ü 72‰ 1u» 720 0cbbbÙÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅbžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžž¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦ 0ë®®®® B™™ 0¤¶ D3Z D- 0Kºº ASÆX 0¤ 0D A«˜HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 6ÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0»V†-s (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular9‚±,.bk1€Õ  ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt3|x ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ(ÆúI Z‹(Times New Roman Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó §Ý ƒRÇ8$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôõÝò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔòòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„504. +Ý ƒRÇ8$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôõÝò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ‡ôõÝòòôõÝÔThe€defendant€drove€the€children€to€Tennessee€and€planned€to€drive€them€back€to€Michigan€in€August€of€1998.Ô#†ôõÝòòôõÝ~#Ô SÝ ƒRÇ8$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôõÝò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ‡ ôõÝòòôõÝÔÔ_ÔTheÔ#†ôõÝòò ôõÝn#Ô€tape€was€played€for€the€jury,€but€it€was€not€recorded€in€the€trial€transcript€and€was€not€included€in€theÐ ° Ðrecord€on€appeal. 0Ý ƒRÇ8$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôõÝò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔConsistent€with€Court€policy,€the€minor€victim€will€be€referred€to€by€her€initials.€€òòSeeóó€òòState€v.€Kissingeróó,€922Ð ° ÐS.W.2d€482,€485€n.1€(Tenn.€1996).(¦ÙCEMU]emu}AutoList1(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)i)(;3£$´´Ô2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  à ÏÝ ƒRÇ8$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôõÝò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€ ôõÝòòôõÝÔThe€defendant€has€been€married€and€divorced€twice.- ù- (|G2Ç8$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€H•»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôõÝò»»Ô d(|3Ç„$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€H•»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3Ç„$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€H•»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€H•»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÑ  ÑÔ€¼H•»»»ÔÑ8€éXXdì»»d8ÑÔ€ ¼H•»»¼H•ÔÓ=€H•»Ð»dÐd=Óà@™ ™ ìàÔ‡ îÞî» ¼H•ÔIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEˆÐ Ö& Ðà@ÏÏ ìàJune€5,€2002€SessionÔ#† ¼H•»î îÞh#ԈРüL ÐÓ  ÓÔ‡ XéX» ¼H•ÔÌò òÔ#† ¼H•»X Xé]#ÔSà0 @ àTATE€OF€TENNESSEE€v.€JAMES€FRANK€ELKINS,€JR.ó óÐ  ^ ÐÌÔ€ XéX» ¼H•Ôà@@½½ìàò òAppeal€by€permission€from€the€Court€of€Criminal€AppealsÐ 4 „ ÐCià0 @ àrcuit€Court€for€Giles€CountyÐ  p Ðà@@øøìàNo.€9,273€€€€€Stella€Hargrove,€JudgeÐ  \ ÐÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<ã` AßÐ ä4  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€M2000„01680„SC„R11„CD€„€Filed€August€28,€Ô_Ô2002Ô_ÔÐ ß/  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<¶` AßÐ ·  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓThe€dispositive€issue€in€this€appeal€is€whether€the€trial€court€erred€in€failing€to€instruct€the€jury€onÐ ² Ðthe€lesser„included€offense€of€child€abuse.€€The€Court€of€Criminal€Appeals€held€that€no€instructionÐ žî Ðon€child€abuse€was€necessary€because€the€jury€was€instructed€as€to€Class€B€misdemeanor€assault,€anÐ ŠÚ Ðalternative€lesser„included€offense.€€We€conclude€that€child€abuse€is€not€an€alternative€lesser„Ð vÆ Ðincluded€offense,€that€the€jury€should€have€been€instructed€as€to€child€abuse,€and€that€the€erroneousÐ b² Ðfailure€to€instruct€on€this€offense€is€not€harmless€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt.€€Accordingly,€theÐ Nž Ðdefendantððs€conviction€of€aggravated€sexual€battery€is€reversed,€and€the€case€is€remanded€for€a€newÐ :Š Ðtrial.Ð &v ÐÓ8ÓÓ  ÓÌò òÓ  ÓTenn.€R.€App.€P.€11;€Judgment€of€the€Court€of€Criminal€Appeals€Reversed€and€CaseÐ þN ÐRemanded€for€a€New€Trialó óÐ ê: ÐÓÊÓÌòòFrank€F.€Drowota,€III,€C.Jóó.,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòE.€Riley€Anderson,Ð Â ÐAdolpho€A.€Birch,€Jr.,€Janice€M.€Holderóó€and€òòWilliam€M.€Barkeróó,€JJ.,€PANEL€joined.Ð ®þ ÐÌGregory€D.€Smith,€Clarksville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€James€Frank€Elkins,€Jr.Ð † Ö ÐÌPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€&€Reporter;€Michael€E.€Moore,€Solicitor€General;€Elizabeth€T.Ð ^"®! ÐRyan,€Assistant€Attorney€General;€T.€Michael€Bottoms,€District€Attorney€General;€and€RichardÐ J#š" ÐDunavant,€Assistant€District€Attorney€General,€for€the€appellee,€State€of€Tennessee.€Ð 6$†# ÐÌÌà@66'ìàò òOPINIONˆÐ ú&J"& Ðó óÓ  ÓÌà@ÛÛ%ìàòòò òBackgroundóóó óˆÐ Ò("$( ÐÔ‡XéXX XéÔà  àThe€proof€offered€by€the€State€at€trial€demonstrated€that€in€July€of€1998,€Ô_ÔAJÔ_Ô,׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€LindaÐ ¾)%) ÐElkins€and€Jacob€Elkins€traveled€from€their€home€in€Owosso,€Michigan,€to€Pulaski,€Tennessee,Ð ª*ú%*ý Ðto€spend€part€of€the€summer€with€Linda€and€Jacobððs€father,€the€defendant€in€this€case,€JamesÐ ° ÐFrank€Elkins,€Jr.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€At€the€time€of€this€visit,€AJ€was€twelve,€Linda€was€eleven,€and€Jacob€was€fiveÐ œì Ðyears€of€age.€€The€girls€had€been€friends€since€early€childhood,€and€Linda€had€invited€AJ€to€comeÐ ˆØ Ðto€Tennessee€with€her€for€the€visit.€€For€about€a€week€and€a€half€after€they€arrived,€the€childrenÐ tÄ Ðstayed€in€the€defendantððs€apartment€in€Pulaski.€€Thereafter,€the€defendant€moved€to€a€trailer€onÐ `° ÐClear€Creek€Road.Ð L œ ÐÌà  àÔ_ÔAJÔ_Ô€testified€that€the€day€after€they€arrived€in€Ô_ÔPulaskiÔ_Ô€the€defendant€talked€to€the€girls€atÐ $ t Ðdinner€about€ð ðwhat€sex€is,€what€it€feels€like,€and€what€he€does€with€a€girl.ðð€€Not€long€after€thisÐ  ` Ðconversation,€the€defendant€wrote€AJ€a€letter€urging€her€to€think€about€dating€him€and€telling€herÐ ü L  Ðthat€ð ðage€didnððt€matter,€and€that€he€really€was€starting€to€like€her€and€wanted€her€to€stay€inÐ è 8  ÐTennessee€with€him.ðð€€AJ€did€not€have€the€letter€at€trial€because€she€said€the€defendant€retrievedÐ Ô$  Ðit€and€destroyed€it€after€she€read€it.€€During€the€first€two€weeks€of€the€visit,€the€defendant€wouldÐ À  Ðoften€touch€AJððs€leg€or€lean€close€to€her.€€He€also€tried€to€fondle€her€on€more€than€one€occasion,Ð ¬ü  Ðbut€she€moved€away€from€him.€€At€other€times,€the€defendant,€saying€he€needed€to€do€somethingÐ ˜è  Ðin€the€bathroom,€would€come€into€the€bathroom€while€AJ€was€bathing.€€Because€there€was€noÐ „Ô  Ðshower€curtain,€AJ€could€not€conceal€her€nude€body€from€the€defendantððs€view.€€On€anotherÐ pÀ Ðoccasion€the€defendant€would€not€allow€AJ€and€Linda€to€sunbathe€unless€they€did€so€in€the€nude,Ð \¬ Ðsaying,€ð ðwell,€if€you€are€going€to€get€a€tan,€why€not€get€a€full€body€tan?ðð€AJ€refused€to€complyÐ H˜ Ðand€did€not€sunbathe.€€€The€defendant€also€allowed€AJ€and€Linda€to€drink€alcohol€and€to€drive€hisÐ 4„ Ðvehicle,€so€long€as€they€sat€on€his€lap€while€doing€so.€Ð  p ÐÌà  àAlthough€the€girls€initially€slept€in€the€same€room,€the€defendant€later€separated€them,Ð øH Ðexplaining€that€they€had€misbehaved.€€Thereafter,€AJ€slept€on€a€mattress€on€the€floor€in€JacobððsÐ ä4 Ðbedroom.€€Linda€slept€in€her€fatherððs€bedroom,€and€the€defendant€and€Jacob€slept€on€a€sofa€bed€inÐ Ð  Ðthe€living€room.€€On€July€11,€between€midnight€and€two€a.m.,€AJ€was€awakened€by€someoneÐ ¼  Ðlying€on€top€of€her.€€Believing€it€was€Linda,€AJ€repeatedly€said€ð ðLinda€get€off€of€me.ðð€€ReceivingÐ ¨ø Ðno€response,€AJ€tried€to€get€up,€at€which€point€the€defendant€told€her€to€ð ðshut€up.ðð€€AJ€tried€toÐ ”ä Ðscream€and€kick€him€off,€but€the€defendant€put€his€hand€over€her€mouth€and€held€her€down.€Ð €Ð ÐDespite€her€repeated€attempts€to€defend€herself,€AJ€said€the€defendant€continued€to€hit€her€andÐ l¼ Ðrepeatedly€tried€to€ð ðput€his€penis€in€my€vaginal€area.ðð€€AJ€was€not€certain€if€penetration€occurred,Ð X ¨ Ðbut€she€testified€that€ð ðit€hurt€really€bad.ðð€€The€defendant€told€AJ€not€to€tell€anyone€what€hadÐ D!” Ðhappened,€then€he€walked€out€of€the€room,€took€a€shower,€and€left€for€work.€€AJ€said€sheÐ 0"€  Ðsustained€bruises€to€her€arms,€legs,€and€chest€as€a€result€of€the€attack.Ð #l! ÐÌà  àAJ€admitted€that€she€did€not€immediately€tell€anyone€about€the€incident.€€She€explainedÐ ô$D # Ðthat€she€tried€to€forget€the€entire€episode.€€Ô_ÔAJÔ_Ô€said€that€she€did€not€tell€Linda€because€she€did€notÐ à%0!$ Ðwant€to€hurt€her€and€because€she€did€not€think€Linda€would€believe€her.€€AJ€testified€that€sheÐ Ì&"% Ðcalled€her€mother€using€the€telephone€next€door€and€obtained€permission€to€return€to€MichiganÐ ¸'#& Ðearly€with€a€woman€named€Heather;€however,€the€defendant€refused€to€allow€AJ€to€leave€withÐ ¤(ô#' ÐHeather.€During€cross„examination,€AJ€testified€that€she€and€Linda€argued€but€never€hit€eachÐ )à$( Ðother€and€that€she€had€no€bruises€on€her€body€prior€to€the€attack.€€AJ€admitted€that€she€knew€theÐ ° Ðdefendantððs€ex„wife,€who€occasionally€stopped€by€her€home€in€Michigan.€€AJ€denied€testifying€inÐ œì ÐMichigan€in€a€custody€battle€between€the€defendant€and€his€ex„wife,€but€stated€that€she€went€toÐ ˆØ Ðcourt€to€care€for€Jacob€during€the€hearings.€€AJ€acknowledged€that€she€did€not€tell€anyone€inÐ tÄ ÐTennessee€or€Michigan€about€the€incident€until€March€of€1999.Ô#† XéXXXé¡ #ÔÔ‡XéXX XéÔÐ `° ÐÌà  àAnna€Whary,€the€defendantððs€friend,€lived€near€him€and€allowed€the€defendant€and€theÐ 8 ˆ Ðchildren€to€use€her€telephone€because€the€defendant€did€not€have€a€telephone.€€Whary€testifiedÐ $ t Ðthat€on€one€occasion,€about€two€weeks€before€AJ€went€home€on€July€27,€1998,€the€defendant€andÐ  ` ÐAJ€stopped€by€to€use€her€telephone.€€Whary€noticed€AJ€was€visibly€upset,€so€she€sent€theÐ ü L  Ðdefendant€out€for€groceries€so€she€could€talk€to€AJ€alone.€€AJ€showed€Whary€bruises€on€her€arms,Ð è 8  Ðthe€inside€of€her€knees,€and€her€chest,€but€she€would€not€tell€Whary€what€caused€the€bruising.€Ð Ô$  ÐWhary€was€not€overly€concerned€about€the€bruises€and€attributed€them€to€AJ€ð ðbeing€a€kid.ðð€Ð À  ÐWhary€testified€that€AJ€was€sometimes€happy€and€sometimes€upset€and€crying.€€Whary€believedÐ ¬ü  Ðthat€Ô_ÔAJÔ_Ô€cried€because€she€was€homesick.Ð ˜è  ÐÔ#† XéXXXé"#ÔÔ‡XéXX XéÔÌà  àThe€day€after€AJ€arrived€at€her€home€in€Michigan,€Jannette€Fay€Dennis,€AJððs€great€auntÐ pÀ Ðwho€has€reared€the€child€from€the€time€she€was€two€days€old,€testified€that€she€walked€into€theÐ \¬ Ðbathroom€while€AJ€was€in€the€shower€and€AJ€€ð ðwent€crazy,ðð€something€she€had€never€doneÐ H˜ Ðbefore.€€AJ€pulled€the€shower€curtain€across€her€body,€but€Dennis€could€see€yellowing€bruisesÐ 4„ Ðacross€AJððs€chest€and€asked€about€the€cause€of€the€bruising.€€AJ€responded,€ð ðI€think€itððs€whereÐ  p ÐFrank€hit€me.ðð€€Hearing€this,€Dennis€tried€to€contact€the€defendant€but€was€unable€to€do€so€sinceÐ  \ Ðhe€had€no€telephone.€€Dennis€contacted€Lindaððs€mother€and€told€her€that€she€intended€to€have€theÐ øH Ðdefendant€arrested€for€hitting€AJ€if€he€showed€up€in€Michigan.€€€Dennis€admitted€she€was€awareÐ ä4 Ðthat€the€defendant€was€in€a€custody€battle€with€Jacobððs€mother€and€that€AJ€attended€one€of€theÐ Ð  Ðcustody€hearings.׃"×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô#† XéXXXéN&#ÔÔ‡XéXX XéÔ€€Dennis€also€testified€that€she€first€learned€about€this€alleged€sexual€assault€inÐ ¼  ÐMarch€of€1999,€at€the€same€time€she€met€Jacobððs€mother.Ô#† XéXXXé+#ÔÔ‡XéXX XéÔÐ ¨ø ÐÌà  àThe€authorities€in€Michigan€contacted€Investigator€Michael€Chapman€with€the€GilesÐ €Ð ÐCounty€Sheriffððs€Department€in€March€of€1999.€Chapman€received€a€taped€interview€AJ€had€withÐ l¼ Ða€Michigan€Department€of€Child€Services€worker.€€Thereafter,€AJ€traveled€to€Tennessee,€spoke€toÐ X ¨ ÐChapman,€and€he€tried€twice€to€convince€AJ€to€call€the€defendant€and€elicit€a€confession€fromÐ D!” Ðhim.€€AJ€refused,€saying€she€did€not€want€to€speak€to€the€defendant,€be€in€the€same€room€withÐ 0"€  Ðhim,€or€hear€his€name€spoken.€€Thereafter,€Chapman€spoke€to€the€defendant€about€the€incident.€Ð #l! ÐThe€defendant€denied€the€allegations€Ô#† XéXXXé,#Ôand€indicated€that€the€entire€incident€was€contrived€to€assistÐ $X" Ðhis€ex„wife€in€the€custody€battle€over€their€son.Ô‡XéXX XéÔ€Ô#† XéXXXé³/#ÔThe€defendant€indicated€that€the€ongoing€custodyÐ ô$D # Ðbattle€caused€him€to€be€concerned€when€Linda€asked€to€bring€a€friend€along€for€her€summer€visit,Ð à%0!$ Ðand€he€had€allowed€AJ€to€accompany€Linda€only€after€Linda€assured€him€that€she€would€notÐ Ì&"% Ðleave€him€alone€with€Ô_ÔAJÔ_Ô.Ð ¸'#& Ðâ âÔ‡XéXX XéÔÐ ¤(ô#' Ѐà  àSeveral€witnesses€testified€for€the€defense.€€Melody€Prichard€had€known€the€defendant€forÐ ° Ðâ âseveral€years€and€had€lived€in€an€apartment€next€door€to€the€defendant€in€Pulaski.€€Pritchard€saidÐ œì Ðshe€did€not€notice€AJ€being€unhappy,€but€often€saw€the€girls€wrestling€in€the€yard.€€PennyÐ ˆØ ÐKimmell€and€her€brother€Allan€Hogue€had€known€the€defendant€for€several€years€and€had€seenÐ tÄ ÐAJ€several€times€during€her€visit€to€Tennessee.€€They€also€never€noticed€AJ€being€upset€orÐ `° Ðunhappy€that€summer€but€often€saw€the€girls€wrestling€and€engaging€in€horse€play.Ð L œ ÐÌà  àThe€defendantððs€daughter,€Linda€Ô_ÔElkinsÔ_Ô,€also€testified€on€his€behalf.€Linda€and€AJ€hadÐ $ t Ðbeen€best€friends€since€kindergarten.€€Linda€testified€that€her€father€did€not€talk€to€them€aboutÐ  ` Ðsex,€or€furnish€the€children€alcohol,€or€insist€that€they€sunbathe€nude.€€Linda€said€that€her€fatherÐ ü L  Ðnever€hit€AJ€and€that€AJ€did€not€complain€about€the€way€the€defendant€was€treating€her.€€WhileÐ è 8  ÐLinda€admitted€that€AJ€occasionally€cried€during€their€visit€to€Tennessee,€Linda€believed€AJÐ Ô$  Ðcried€because€she€was€€homesick.€€Linda€said€that€she€and€AJ€would€often€strike€each€other€whileÐ À  Ðthey€wrestled€and€played€outside,€and€she€recalled€hitting€AJ€on€the€leg€on€one€occasion.€€LindaÐ ¬ü  Ðinsisted€that€she€and€AJ€always€slept€together€in€a€bedroom,€while€Lindaððs€father€slept€on€theÐ ˜è  Ðsofa.€Ô#† XéXXXét1#Ô€Linda€admitted€that€she€had€told€Investigator€Chapman€that€she€would€not€do€anything€toÐ „Ô  Ðhurt€her€father.€€Furthermore,€Lindaððs€testimony€twice€contradicted€her€fatherððs€tape„recordedÐ pÀ Ðstatement׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€to€Chapman.€€Although€the€defendant€admitted€he€told€Linda€not€to€talk€to€MichiganÐ \¬ Ðauthorities,€Linda€insisted€that€he€had€not€done€so.€€Linda€also€denied€that€the€defendant€told€herÐ H˜ ÐAJ€could€accompany€her€only€if€Linda€agreed€not€to€leave€the€defendant€alone€with€AJ.€€TheÐ 4„ Ðdefendant€claimed€to€have€made€this€statement.Ð  p Ðà  àÌà  àAt€the€close€of€the€proof,€the€trial€court,€pursuant€to€defense€counselððs€request,€instructedÐ øH Ðthe€jury€on€the€charged€offense€of€rape€of€a€child€and€the€lesser„included€offenses€of€aggravatedÐ ä4 Ðsexual€battery€and€Class€B€misdemeanor€assault.€€Defense€counsel€did€not€request€and€the€trialÐ Ð  Ðcourt€did€not€instruct€the€jury€on€child€abuse.€€Following€deliberations,€the€jury€acquitted€theÐ ¼  Ðdefendant€of€the€charged€offense€of€rape€of€a€child€and€found€him€guilty€of€the€lesser„includedÐ ¨ø Ðoffense€of€aggravated€sexual€battery.€€Following€a€sentencing€hearing,€the€trial€court€imposed€theÐ ”ä Ðmaximum€Range€I€sentence€of€twelve€years.€€Ð €Ð ÐÌà  àOn€appeal€to€the€Court€of€Criminal€Appeals,€the€defendant€asserted€that€his€convictionÐ X ¨ Ðshould€be€reversed€because€the€trial€court€failed€to€instruct€the€jury€on€the€lesser„included€offenseÐ D!” Ðof€child€abuse.€€The€defendant€also€asserted€that€the€trial€court€erred€at€sentencing€by€allowing€theÐ 0"€  Ðvictim€to€testify€when€she€had€remained€in€the€courtroom€during€the€Stateððs€proof€even€thoughÐ #l! Ðthe€defense€invoked€the€rule€of€sequestration,€Tenn.€R.€Evid.€615.€€The€Court€of€CriminalÐ $X" ÐAppeals€rejected€these€arguments€and€affirmed€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court.€€Thereafter,€weÐ ô$D # Ðgranted€the€defendantððs€application€for€permission€to€appeal€and€now€reverse€the€judgment€of€theÐ à%0!$ ÐCourt€of€Criminal€Appeals€and€remand€this€case€for€a€new€trial.€€Ð Ì&"% ÐÌà@ìì*ìàˆÐ ¤(ô#' Ðà@p p ìàò òòò€Lesser„included€Offense€Instructionóóó ó€€€€ˆÐ ° Ðà  àIn€this€Court,€Ô_ÔElkinsÔ_Ô€again€asserts€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€failing€to€instruct€the€jury€onÐ  ð Ðthe€lesser„included€offense€of€child€abuse.€€Elkins€relies€upon€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„15„401(d),Ð ŒÜ Ðwhich€provides€that€child€abuse€ð ðmay€be€a€lesser„included€offense€of€any€kind€of€€homicide,Ð xÈ Ðstatutory€assault,€or€sexual€offense,€if€the€victim€is€a€child€and€the€evidence€supports€a€chargeÐ d´ Ðunder€this€section.ðð€€€Ð P   ÐÌà  àThe€State€does€not€argue€that€child€abuse€is€not€a€lesser„included€offense€of€rape€of€aÐ ( x Ðchild.€€Instead€the€State€argues€that€the€defendant€was€not€entitled€to€an€instruction€on€bothÐ  d Ðassault€and€child€abuse€because€the€second€sentence€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„15„401(d),Ð  P  Ðprovides€ð ð[i]n€any€case€in€which€conduct€violating€this€section€[child€abuse]€also€constitutesÐ ì <  Ðassault,€the€conduct€may€be€prosecuted€under€this€section€or€under€ðð€39„13„101€[the€assaultÐ Ø(  Ðstatute].ðð€€Based€upon€this€language,€the€State€argues€that€assault€and€child€abuse€are€alternativeÐ Ä  Ðlesser„included€offenses,€that€child€abuse€rather€than€assault€can€be€charged€if€the€victim€is€aÐ °  Ðchild,€but€since€the€defendant€requested€an€instruction€on€Class€B€misdemeanor€assault,€ratherÐ œì  Ðthan€child€abuse,€the€trial€court€did€not€err€in€failing€to€give€an€instruction€on€the€alternativeÐ ˆØ  Ðoffense€of€child€abuse.€Ð tÄ ÐÌà  àIn€òòState€v.€Burnsóó,€6€S.W.3d€453,€466„67€(Tenn.€1999),€this€Court€adopted€the€followingÐ Lœ Ðtest€that€courts€must€apply€to€determine€whether€an€offense€is€lesser„Ð 8ˆ Ðincluded:Ð $t ÐÌà8  à(a)€all€of€its€statutory€elements€are€included€within€the€statutory€elements€of€theÐ üL Ðoffense€charged;€orÐè8Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  à(b)€it€fails€to€meet€the€definition€in€part€(a)€only€in€the€respect€that€it€contains€aÐ À Ðstatutory€element€or€elements€establishingЬüÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(1)€a€different€mental€state€indicating€a€lesser€kind€of€culpability;Ð „Ô Ðand/orÐpÀ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(2)€a€less€serious€harm€or€risk€of€harm€to€the€same€person,€propertyÐ H!˜ Ðor€public€interest;€orÐ4"„ ` x` x ÐÌà8  à(c)€it€consists€of€Ð $\"Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(1)€facilitation€of€the€offense€charged€or€of€an€offense€thatÐ ä%4!$ Ðotherwise€meets€the€definition€of€lesser„included€offense€in€part€(a)Ð Ð& "% Ðor€(b);€orм' #&` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(2)€solicitation€to€commit€the€offense€charged€or€an€offense€thatÐ ”)ä$( Ðotherwise€meets€the€definition€of€lesser„included€offense€in€part€(a)Ð €*Ð%) Ðor€(b).Ðl+¼&*` x` x ЇIn€addition€to€the€lesser-included€offense€test€outlined€above,€of€course,€an€offense€can€also€beÐ ° Ðlesser-included€if€it€is€so€designated€by€the€legislature.€òòSeeóó€òòState€v.€Rushóó,€50€S.W.3d€424,€433Ð œì Ð(Tenn.€2001);€òòBurnsóó,€6€S.W.3d€at€467€n.12€(ð ðWe€hasten€to€add€that€trial€courts€should€alsoÐ ˆØ Ðconsider€any€offenses€that€presently€or€in€the€future€are€expressly€designated€lesser-includedÐ tÄ Ðoffenses.ðð).€€In€considering€whether€an€instruction€on€a€lesser„included€offense€is€warranted,€trialÐ `° Ðcourts€must€Ð L œ ÐÌà8  àdetermine€whether€any€evidence€exists€that€reasonable€minds€could€accept€as€toÐ $ t Ðthe€lesser„included€offense.€€In€making€this€determination,€the€trial€court€mustÐ  ` Ðview€the€evidence€liberally€in€the€light€most€favorable€to€the€existence€of€theÐ ü L  Ðlesser„included€offense€without€making€any€judgments€on€the€credibility€of€suchÐ è 8  Ðevidence.€€Second,€the€trial€court€must€determine€if€the€evidence,€viewed€in€thisÐ Ô$  Ðlight,€is€legally€sufficient€to€support€a€conviction€for€the€lesser„included€offense.€ÐÀ Ð Ð  ÐòòÌBurnsóó,€6€S.W.3d€at€469.€€A€trial€court€must€provide€an€instruction€on€a€lesser„included€offenseÐ ˜è  Ðsupported€by€the€evidence€even€if€such€an€instruction€is€not€consistent€with€the€theory€of€theÐ „Ô  Ðdefense€or€the€State,€since€the€evidence,€not€the€theories€of€the€parties,€controls€whether€anÐ pÀ Ðinstruction€is€required.€€òòState€v.€Allenóó,€69€S.W.3d€181€(Tenn.€2002).€€Ð \¬ ÐÌà  àIn€this€case,€there€is€no€question€that€the€trial€court€properly€instructed€the€jury€as€to€ClassÐ 4„ ÐB€misdemeanor€assault.€€A€person€commits€Class€B€misdemeanor€assault€who€ð ð[i]ntentionally€orÐ  p Ðknowingly€causes€physical€contact€with€another€and€a€reasonable€person€would€regard€the€contactÐ  \ Ðas€extremely€offensive€or€provocative.ðð€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€29„13„101(a)(3).€€This€Court€hasÐ øH Ðpreviously€held€that€Class€B€misdemeanor€assault€is€a€lesser„included€offense€of€aggravatedÐ ä4 Ðsexual€battery.€€òòState€v.€Swindleóó,€30€S.W.3d€289€(Tenn.€2000).€€The€determinative€issue,Ð Ð  Ðtherefore,€is€whether€the€trial€court€also€was€required€to€instruct€the€jury€as€to€the€lesser„includedÐ ¼  Ðoffense€of€child€abuse.€€Ð ¨ø ÐÌà  àTennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€39„15„401(a)€defines€child€abuse€as€follows:Ð €Ð Ðà8  àAny€person€who€knowingly,€other€than€by€accidental€means,€treats€a€child€underÐ l¼ Ðeighteen€(18)€years€of€age€in€such€a€manner€as€to€inflict€injury€.€.€.€commits€aÐ X ¨ ÐClass€A€misdemeanor;€provided,€that€if€the€abused€child€is€six€(6)€years€of€age€orÐ D!” Ðless,€the€penalty€is€a€Class€D€felony.Ð0"€ Ð Ð  ÐÌAs€previously€stated,€subsection€(d)€of€section€401€further€provides:Ð $X" ÐÌà8  àA€violation€of€this€section€may€be€a€lesser„included€offense€of€any€kind€ofÐ à%0!$ Ðhomicide,€statutory€assault,€or€sexual€offense€if€the€victim€is€a€child€and€theÐ Ì&"% Ðevidence€supports€a€charge€under€this€section.€€In€any€case€in€which€conductÐ ¸'#& Ðviolating€this€section€also€constitutes€assault,€the€conduct€may€be€prosecutedÐ ¤(ô#' Ðunder€this€section€or€under€ðð€39„13„101€[assault].€€Ð)à$(Ð Ð  Ðâ âÐ |*Ì%) Ðà  àClearly,€the€General€Assembly€has€designated€child€abuse€a€lesser„included€offense€of€Ð ° Ðâ âany€kind€of€ð ðsexual€offense€if€the€victim€is€a€child.ðð€€Applying€this€statute,€therefore,€child€abuseÐ œì Ðis€a€lesser„included€offense€of€rape€of€a€child,€the€offense€with€which€the€defendant€was€charged.€Ð ˆØ ÐMoreover,€viewing€the€evidence€presented€at€trial€liberally€in€the€light€most€favorable€to€theÐ tÄ Ðexistence€of€the€lesser„included€offense,€without€making€any€judgments€on€the€credibility€of€suchÐ `° Ðevidence,€we€conclude€that€an€instruction€on€child€abuse€was€warranted€in€this€case€because€theÐ L œ Ðevidence,€viewed€in€this€light,€is€legally€sufficient€to€support€a€conviction€of€child€abuse.€€AJÐ 8 ˆ Ðtestified€that€the€defendant€held€her€down,€that€she€attempted€to€fight€him€off,€and€that€sheÐ $ t Ðsustained€bruises€on€her€body€as€a€result€of€the€defendantððs€conduct.€€Two€other€witnessesÐ  ` Ðtestified€to€seeing€the€bruises.€€Certainly,€this€evidence€is€legally€sufficient€to€support€aÐ ü L  Ðconviction€of€child€abuse,€which€requires€only€proof€that€a€person€knowingly,€other€than€byÐ è 8  Ðaccidental€means,€treats€a€child€under€eighteen€in€such€a€manner€as€to€inflict€injury.€€Accordingly,Ð Ô$  Ðwe€conclude€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€failing€to€instruct€the€jury€as€to€child€abuse.Ð À  ÐÌà  àIn€so€holding,€we€reject€the€Stateððs€assertion€that€the€second€sentence€of€subsection€(d),Ð ˜è  Ðwhich€provides€that€conduct€may€be€prosecuted€as€child€abuse€or€as€assault,€obviates€the€need€forÐ „Ô  Ðan€instruction€on€child€abuse€since€the€jury€was€instructed€as€to€Class€B€misdemeanor€assault.€Ð pÀ ÐThe€statute€addresses€the€subject€of€prosecution;€it€does€not€address€the€subject€of€juryÐ \¬ Ðinstructions€on€lesser„included€offenses.€€While€the€statute€clearly€provides€that€a€defendant€mayÐ H˜ Ðbe€charged€with€either€assault€or€child€abuse,€the€statute€does€not€provide€that€a€trial€court€needÐ 4„ Ðonly€instruct€on€assault€or€child€abuse.€€Moreover,€this€reading€of€the€statute€is€difficult€to€justifyÐ  p Ðgiven€that€child€abuse€is€a€Class€A€misdemeanor€and€assault,€as€charged€in€this€case,€is€a€Class€BÐ  \ Ðmisdemeanor.€€Since€the€offenses€do€not€subject€the€defendant€to€the€same€punishment,€theÐ øH ÐStateððs€argument€that€they€are€alternative€lesser„included€offenses€is€not€convincing.€€AlsoÐ ä4 Ðmilitating€against€this€argument€is€the€fact€that€the€elements€of€the€offenses€are€not€merelyÐ Ð  Ðalternative€methods€of€proscribing€and€punishing€the€same€conduct.€€Class€A€misdemeanor€childÐ ¼  Ðabuse€requires€proof€that€the€defendantððs€knowing€conduct€inflicted€injury€upon€a€minor,€whileÐ ¨ø ÐClass€B€misdemeanor€assault€requires€proof€that€a€defendant€intentionally€or€knowingly€causedÐ ”ä Ðextremely€offensive€or€provocative€€physical€contact€with€another€person.€€Class€B€misdemeanorÐ €Ð Ðassault€does€not€require€proof€of€an€injury€or€proof€that€the€person€is€a€minor.€€For€all€theseÐ l¼ Ðreasons,€we€find€the€Stateððs€argument€that€the€defendant€was€not€entitled€to€instructions€on€bothÐ X ¨ Ðchild€abuse€and€assault€unpersuasive€and€hold€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€failing€to€instruct€theÐ D!” Ðjury€as€to€the€lesser„included€offense€of€child€abuse.Ð 0"€  ÐÌà  àHaving€so€concluded,€we€must€next€determine€if€the€error€requires€reversal€or€if€it€wasÐ $X" Ðharmless€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt.€€òòState€v.€Elyóó,€48€S.W.3d€710,€727€(Tenn.€2001).€€As€statedÐ ô$D # Ðrecently€in€òòAllenóó,€ð ð[a]n€erroneous€failure€to€give€a€lesser„included€offense€instruction€will€resultÐ à%0!$ Ðin€reversal€unless€a€reviewing€court€concludes€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt€that€the€error€did€notÐ Ì&"% Ðaffect€the€outcome€of€the€trial.ðð€€69€S.W.3d€at€189.€€In€making€this€determination,€ð ða€reviewingÐ ¸'#& Ðcourt€must€conduct€a€thorough€examination€of€the€record,€including€the€evidence€presented€atÐ ¤(ô#' Ðtrial,€the€defendantððs€theory€of€defense,€and€the€verdict€returned€by€the€jury.ðð€€òòAllenóó,€69€S.W.3dÐ )à$( Ðâ âat€191.€€The€error€ordinarily€will€be€considered€harmless€when€the€jury,€by€finding€the€defendantÐ |*Ì%) Ðguilty€of€the€charged€offense€necessarily€rejects€all€other€lesser„included€offenses.€€òòAllenóó,€69Ð ° ÐS.W.3d€at€191€(citing€òòState€v.€Williamsóó,€977€S.W.2d€101,€106€(Tenn.€1998)).€Ð œì Ðâ âÌà  àMindful€of€these€principles,€we€first€note€that€the€defendant€entirely€denied€the€allegationsÐ tÄ Ðagainst€him;€thus,€every€issue€was€contested.€€The€proof€was€controverted€and€not€overwhelming.€Ð `° ÐNine€months€passed€before€AJ€told€anyone€about€the€alleged€sexual€assault.€€AJððs€testimony€thatÐ L œ Ða€crime€occurred€was€contested€by€the€defendant€and€the€witnesses€testifying€on€his€behalf,€inÐ 8 ˆ Ðparticular,€Linda,€the€defendantððs€daughter€and€the€victimððs€best€friend.€€AJ€admitted€that€she€wasÐ $ t Ðuncertain€whether€or€not€penetration€occurred,€but€she€testified€that€the€defendant€repeatedlyÐ  ` Ðtouched€her,€and€her€testimony€about€the€bruises€on€her€body€was€corroborated€by€two€otherÐ ü L  Ðwitnesses.€€€This€testimony,€as€previously€stated,€certainly€could€have€supported€a€conviction€forÐ è 8  Ðchild€abuse.€€€While€there€is€testimony€in€the€record€that€AJ€cried€on€occasion€during€her€visit€toÐ Ô$  ÐTennessee,€€€there€is€also€testimony€that€she€was€homesick€and€that€the€witnesses€believed€thatÐ À  Ðwas€the€reason€she€cried.€€Because€of€the€nature€of€the€alleged€touching,€there€is€no€medical€proofÐ ¬ü  Ðin€the€record€to€corroborate€AJ's€testimony.€€Finally,€the€jury€rejected€the€charged€offense€of€rapeÐ ˜è  Ðof€a€child€and€convicted€the€defendant€of€the€intermediate€lesser„included€offense€charged€„Ð „Ô  Ðaggravated€sexual€battery.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€After€thoroughly€examining€the€record€in€this€case,€we€are€unable€toÐ pÀ Ðconclude€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt€that€the€omission€of€an€instruction€on€child€abuse€did€notÐ \¬ Ðaffect€the€outcome€of€the€trial.€€Therefore,€the€error€was€not€harmless,€and€the€defendantððsÐ H˜ Ðconviction€must€be€reversed€and€the€case€remanded€for€a€new€trial.€€Ð 4„ ÐÌà  àHaving€so€concluded,€we€need€not€address€the€defendantððs€assertion€that€the€trial€courtÐ  \ Ðerred€in€allowing€the€victim€to€testify€at€the€sentencing€hearing€even€though€she€had€remained€inÐ øH Ðthe€courtroom€after€the€defense€invoked€the€rule€of€sequestration,€Tenn.€R.€Evid.€615.€Ð ä4 ÐNonetheless,€we€note€that€Rule€615€does€not€mandate€exclusion€of€all€persons€and€permitsÐ Ð  Ðcounsel€for€a€party€that€is€not€a€natural€person€to€designate€a€person€to€remain€in€the€courtroom.€Ð ¼  ÐThe€1997€Advisory€Commission€Comments€to€Rule€615€specifically€explain€that€this€provisionÐ ¨ø Ðpermits€the€prosecuting€attorney€for€the€State€of€Tennessee€to€designate€a€crime€victim€as€theÐ ”ä Ðperson€to€remain€in€the€courtroom€despite€invocation€of€the€rule€of€sequestration.€€Therefore,€onÐ €Ð Ðremand€if€the€prosecution€so€desires,€it€may€designate€AJ€as€a€person€to€remain€in€the€courtroomÐ l¼ Ðeven€if€the€defense€again€invokes€Rule€615.€€We€decline€to€address€the€Stateððs€assertion€thatÐ X ¨ ÐArticle€I,€Section€35€of€the€Tennessee€Constitution€supersedes€the€rule€of€sequestration€as€itÐ D!” Ðrelates€to€victims€of€crime.€€It€is€well„settled€that€courts€generally€do€not€decide€constitutionalÐ 0"€  Ðissues€if€the€case€may€be€properly€resolved€on€nonconstitutional€grounds.€€òòSeeóó,€òòState€v.€Hicksóó,€55Ð #l! ÐS.W.3d€515€(Tenn.€2001);€òòState€v.€Burdinóó,€924€S.W.2d€82,€87€(Tenn.1996);€òòOwens€v.€Stateóó,€908Ð $X" ÐS.W.2d€923,€926€(Tenn.1995).€€Ð ô$D # ÐÌà@  %ìàòòò òConclusionóóˆÐ Ì&"% Ðó óà  àHaving€concluded€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€failing€to€instruct€the€jury€on€the€lesser„Ð ¸'#& Ðâ âincluded€offense€of€child€abuse€and€that€this€error€was€not€harmless,€the€defendantððs€conviction€isÐ ¤(ô#' Ðreversed€and€the€case€remanded€for€a€new€trial.€€Costs€of€this€appeal€are€taxed€to€the€State€ofÐ ° ÐTennessee,€for€which€execution€may€issue€if€necessary.€€à p àà È àà  àà x àà Ð àÐ œì Ðâ âÌÌÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à_______________________________________€Ð $ t Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àFRANK€F.€DROWOTA,€III,€CHIEF€JUSTICE€€€