ÿWPCÀ6 Â/¥öºÅà/ƒ¹X[¹Ù+³tîBçþ»P]ÓEGÿ)”§u—}~b}ÉvïP¡w|Ùrcrm‘s5nÞÜ[ýÄF:€yÝ̬Z»<%x i€Ò"‰Ã¿Žá–‹ŽRUªì à‘ëBœ{p¢^¿SÌõ‡2cäs y¶{‡ô…Åœ©Cˆ×CL£Lͧnú±öÿ‚2T&îAœq¤ªNËT§>T`KTÞ`’«àµÅ'5—™ Cê•þ@yöö“vÕ´»HG§“õê[j=ÓFîã»STmвàL^-ã´uSàßF!úÍvv¾$ît´sŽ…R xb}ù>ôn3­,îIX¼ ö0å¿ÚP« g¯2u‡}!JŽ"÷ в’'móy¬T–tüvßP®~- ¹YCQUùMñBgyi×-{^¥-èR¯`>ôKC •¤k³‰ÁƒŽh»¤Ÿ}vXIÑTT˜²Çdi×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ׀РR(J!% ÐWhen€Mrs.€Hall€answered€the€door,€the€defendant€pushed€his€way€into€the€roomÐ *#' Ðwhere€she€and€the€children€were€watching€television.€€The€defendant€told€the€girls€toÐ  Ðgo€to€bed.€€When€they€did€not€immediately€obey€his€order,€the€defendant€tipped€overÐ ÔÌ Ðthe€chair€in€which€Mrs.€Hall€was€sitting.€€The€defendant€and€Mrs.€Hall€then€went€backÐ   ˜ Ðinto€her€bedroom.€€The€children,€who€had€gone€into€their€bedrooms,€could€hearÐ l d Ðð ð[t]hings€slamming€aroundðð€and€their€parents€yelling€at€each€another.€€When€theÐ 80 Ðchildren€tried€to€enter€the€room,€they€found€the€door€blocked.€€The€three€oldestÐ ü  Ðchildren,€Jennifer,€Cynthia€and€Stephanie,€persisted€in€their€efforts€to€get€into€the€roomÐ ÐÈ  Ðand€finally€succeeded.€€They€attempted€to€stop€the€defendant€from€hurting€theirÐ œ”  Ðmother.€€When€Mrs.€Hall€told€the€children€to€go€to€a€neighborððs€house,€the€defendantÐ h` Ðtold€them€that€if€they€went€for€help,€ð ðhe€was€going€to€kill€Mama.ðð€€He€also€told€Mrs.Ð 4, ÐHall,€a€college€student,€that€she€would€never€live€to€graduate.€€Cynthia€and€StephanieÐ ø Ðtried€to€use€the€telephone€to€call€for€help,€but€they€discovered€the€telephones€wouldÐ ÌÄ Ðnot€work.€€At€that€point,€they€went€to€a€neighborððs€house€where€they€called€911.€Ð ˜ ÐJennifer,€the€oldest€child,€was€the€last€to€leave€the€house,€carrying€her€sister€Jessica.€Ð d\ ÐBefore€she€left,€she€saw€her€mother€and€the€defendant€leave€the€bedroom€and€goÐ 0 ( Ðoutside.€€She€watched€the€defendant€drag€her€mother,€ð ðkicking€and€screaming,ðð€to€theÐ ü!ô Ðsmall€pool€in€the€back€yard.Ð È#À  ÐÌà Ø àThe€first€officer€to€arrive€on€the€scene€was€Chief€Jerry€Bingham€of€theÐ `'X $ ÐHenderson€County€Sheriffððs€Department.€€Upon€his€arrival,€he€was€directed€by€aÐ ,)$"& Ðneighbor€to€check€the€pool€where€he€found€Mrs.€Hallððs€body€floating€face€down€in€theÐ ø*ð#( Ðwater.€€He€immediately€called€Emergency€Medical€Services€and€a€Tennessee€BureauÐ Ä,¼%* Ðof€Investigation€(TBI)€investigator.€€TBI€Agent€Brian€Byrd€arrived€on€the€scene€shortlyÐ .ˆ', Ðafter€midnight.Ð \0T). ÐÌà Ø àAgent€Byrd€entered€the€house€and€found€the€master€bedroom€in€disarray.Ð ô3ì,2 ÐBloodstains€marked€the€bed,€a€counter€top,€and€a€wedding€dress.€€The€telephonesÐ À5¸.4 Ðinside€the€house€were€off€their€hooks.€€A€$25.00€money€order€made€out€to€Mrs.€HallÐ  Ðand€dated€the€day€of€the€murder€was€found€inside€the€house.€€No€weapons€wereÐ ÔÌ Ðfound.€€A€trail€of€drag€marks€and€bloodstains€led€from€the€master€bedroom,€out€theÐ   ˜ Ðfront€door,€over€the€driveway,€past€the€sandbox,€and€down€to€the€pool€in€the€backÐ l d Ðyard.€€Mrs.€Hallððs€t„shirt€was€lying€beside€the€pool.€€Clumps€of€grass€ripped€from€theÐ 80 Ðground€floated€in€the€blood„tinged€water€of€the€pool.€€Outside€the€front€door€of€theÐ ü  Ðhouse€the€telephone€junction€box€was€opened€and€the€phone€line€was€disconnected.€Ð ÐÈ  ÐThe€grass€and€weeds€near€this€box€were€matted€down.Ð œ”  ÐÌà Ø àDr.€OððBrien€Clay€Smith,€the€forensic€pathologist€who€performed€the€autopsy€onÐ 4, ÐMrs.€Hall,€testified€that€the€primary€cause€of€death€was€asphyxia€resulting€from€aÐ ø Ðcombination€of€manual€strangulation€and€drowning.€€He€could€not€say€with€certaintyÐ ÌÄ Ðthat€either€strangulation€or€drowning€was€the€exclusive€cause€of€death.€€EvidenceÐ ˜ Ðsupporting€strangling€as€a€contributing€cause€of€death€included€bruising€on€the€left€andÐ d\ Ðright€sides€of€Mrs.€Hallððs€neck,€hemorrhaging€in€the€neck€muscles€around€the€hyoidÐ 0 ( Ðbone€in€the€neck,€and€bleeding€in€the€thyroid€gland,€which€indicated€that€extensiveÐ ü!ô Ðcompression€had€been€applied€to€the€neck.€€Evidence€supporting€drowning€as€aÐ È#À  Ðcontributing€cause€of€death€was€water€found€in€both€Mrs.€Hallððs€stomach€and€in€herÐ ”%Œ" Ðbloodstream.€€The€water€in€her€stomach€could€have€collected€when€Mrs.€HallÐ `'X $ Ðswallowed€water€as€she€was€being€drowned.€€The€water€in€her€bloodstream€wouldÐ ,)$"& Ðhave€entered€when€she€took€water€into€her€lungs,€and€the€water€passed€through€theÐ ø*ð#( Ðlungs€into€her€bloodstream.Ð Ä,¼%* ÐÌà Ø àBefore€dying,€Mrs.€Hall€sustained€at€least€eighty„three€separate€wounds,Ð \0T). Ðincluding€several€blows€to€the€head,€a€fractured€nose,€multiple€lacerations,€and€bruisesÐ (2 +0 Ðand€abrasions€to€the€chest,€abdomen,€genitals,€arms,€legs€and€back.€€Abrasions€onÐ ô3ì,2 ÐMrs.€Hallððs€back€were€consistent€with€having€been€dragged€across€pavement.€€Dr.Ð À5¸.4 ÐSmith€used€a€mannequin€during€his€testimony€to€demonstrate€the€size€and€location€ofÐ  Ðthe€various€wounds€on€Mrs.€Hallððs€body,€marking€each€wound€with€a€black€magicÐ ÔÌ Ðmarker.€€He€described€some€of€the€injuries€to€Mrs.€Hallððs€arms,€legs€and€hands€asÐ   ˜ Ðdefensive€wounds.€€He€characterized€the€injuries€to€the€neck,€face€and€head€asÐ l d Ðintentional€ð ðtargetðð€wounds.€€Except€for€the€physical€trauma€associated€with€theÐ 80 Ðstrangulation,€however,€none€of€the€injuries€would€have€proven€fatal.Ð ü  ÐÌà Ø àChris€Dutton,€who€was€confined€in€a€cell€next€to€the€defendant,€testified€thatÐ œ”  Ðwhile€both€men€were€incarcerated,€the€defendant€confided€in€him€about€his€wifeððsÐ h` Ðmurder.€€When€describing€what€happened€on€the€night€of€the€murder,€the€defendantÐ 4, Ðtold€Dutton€that€he€had€tried€to€talk€with€Mrs.€Hall€about€reconciling€but€ð ð[a]ll€she€wasÐ ø Ðinterested€in€was€the€money.ðð€€€When€she€refused€to€consider€his€plea€forÐ ÌÄ Ðreconciliation€and€demanded€that€he€leave,€ð ðhis€temper€got€the€best€of€him€and€heÐ ˜ Ðbegan€to€strike€her.ðð€€According€to€Dutton,€the€defendant€had€determined,€even€beforeÐ d\ Ðhe€arrived€at€his€wifeððs€house,€ð ðto€make€her€feel€as€he€did.€€He€wanted€her€to€suffer€asÐ 0 ( Ðhe€did,€feel€the€helplessness€that€he€was€feeling€because€she€took€his€world€awayÐ ü!ô Ðfrom€him.ðð€€The€defendant€told€Dutton€that€he€hit€his€wife€in€the€head€until€heÐ È#À  Ðpanicked,€threw€her€in€the€swimming€pool,€then€re„entered€the€house,€took€the€carÐ ”%Œ" Ðkeys,€and€drove€away€in€Mrs.€Hallððs€minivan.Ð `'X $ ÐÌà Ø àOn€cross„examination,€Dutton€admitted€that€the€defendant€also€told€him€that€heÐ ø*ð#( Ðwas€depressed€and€had€been€drinking€since€he€telephoned€his€wife€earlier€that€day.€Ð Ä,¼%* ÐThe€defendant€also€told€Dutton€that€he€was€very€concerned€about€the€welfare€of€hisÐ .ˆ', Ðtwo€daughters,€especially€Jessica.€€The€defendant€explained€that€he€disconnected€theÐ \0T). Ðtelephone€line,€because,€when€he€and€his€wife€argued€in€the€past,€she€had€called€theÐ (2 +0 Ðpolice.Ð ô3ì,2 ÐÐ À5¸.4 Ðà Ø àTwo€witnesses€testified€on€the€defendantððs€behalf€during€the€guilt€phase€of€trial.€Ð  ÐDr.€Lynn€Donna€Zager,€a€clinical€psychologist,€interviewed€the€defendant€several€timesÐ ÔÌ Ðafter€his€arrest.€€She€diagnosed€him€as€depressed€and€suffering€from€alcoholÐ   ˜ Ðdependence.€€€In€addition,€she€noted€personality€characteristics€of€paranoia€andÐ l d Ðdependency.€€In€Dr.€Zagerððs€opinion,€at€the€time€of€the€killing€the€defendant€sufferedÐ 80 Ðfrom€depression€and€alcohol€intoxication.€€These€factors€were€compounded€by€hisÐ ü  Ðpersonality€characteristics€and€various€psycho„social€stressors,€including€a€sick€child,Ð ÐÈ  Ðloss€of€employment€with€the€resulting€financial€problems,€his€impending€divorce,€andÐ œ”  Ðthe€terminal€illness€of€a€brother.€€Dr.€Zager€testified€that,€in€her€opinion,€the€defendantÐ h` Ðacted€in€an€impulsive€manner€in€killing€his€wife,€rather€than€pursuant€to€a€preconceivedÐ 4, Ðplan.Ð ø ÐÌà Ø àOn€cross„examination,€Dr.€Zager€admitted€that€she€based€her€opinionÐ ˜ Ðconcerning€the€defendantððs€intoxicated€state€on€statements€he€made€to€her€andÐ d\ Ðstatements€of€other€witnesses€who€saw€him€drinking€on€the€day€of€the€murder.€€SheÐ 0 ( Ðagreed€that€no€one€she€interviewed€remarked€on€whether€the€defendant€exhibited€anyÐ ü!ô Ðof€the€typical€physical€signs€of€intoxication,€such€as€slurred€speech€or€lack€ofÐ È#À  Ðcoordination.Ð ”%Œ" ÐÌà Ø àRandy€Helms,€the€defendantððs€prior€employer,€also€testified€on€behalf€of€theÐ ,)$"& Ðdefendant.€€According€to€Helms,€prior€to€the€killing€the€defendant€had€been€severelyÐ ø*ð#( Ðdepressed€because€of€his€family€problems.Ð Ä,¼%* ÐÌà Ø àThe€defendant€attempted€to€call€his€sister,€Cheryl€Arbogast,€to€testify€regardingÐ \0T). Ðhis€state€of€mind€at€the€time€of€the€murder,€but€she€had€no€first„hand€knowledge€of€theÐ (2 +0 Ðdefendantððs€state€of€mind€on€the€night€of€the€murder.€€In€fact,€Ms.€Arbogast€admittedÐ ô3ì,2 Ðshe€had€not€spoken€to€the€defendant€for€several€months€prior€to€the€murder.€€HerÐ À5¸.4 Ðtestimony€regarding€the€defendantððs€state€of€mind€was€based€on€a€conversation€sheÐ  Ðhad€with€her€brother,€Jeff€Hall,€since€deceased,€on€the€day€of€the€murder.€€The€trialÐ ÔÌ Ðcourt€would€not€permit€this€hearsay€testimony€to€be€admitted€before€the€jury.׃ ×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€At€theÐ   ˜ Ðconclusion€of€the€evidence,€the€jury€found€the€defendant€guilty€as€charged€of€firstÐ l d Ðdegree€premeditated€murder.Ð 80 ÐÌà Ø àDuring€the€sentencing€phase€the€State€recalled€Dr.€Smith€to€testify€in€moreÐ ÐÈ  Ðdetail€concerning€the€extent€of€Mrs.€Hallððs€injuries.€€The€State€introduced€photographsÐ œ”  Ðof€the€injuries€taken€at€the€autopsy€to€illustrate€Dr.€Smithððs€testimony.€€TheseÐ h` Ðphotographs€depicted€the€numerous€external€wounds€the€defendant€inflicted€whileÐ 4, Ðstruggling€with€Mrs.€Hall.Ð ø ÐÌà Ø àThe€defendant€called€Dr.€Zager€and€Dr.€Joe€Mount,€a€psychological€examinerÐ ˜ Ðwho€counseled€defendant€at€Riverbend€Maximum€Security€Institution.€€Both€describedÐ d\ Ðthe€defendant€as€depressed,€remorseful,€suicidal€and€extremely€concerned€about€hisÐ 0 ( Ðchildren.€€Dr.€Mount€testified€that€the€defendant€had€been€diagnosed€as€suffering€fromÐ ü!ô Ðan€adjustment€disorder€with€mixed€emotional€features€(anxiety€and€depression)€andÐ È#À  Ðð ðsubstance€abuse€of€dependence€by€history.ððÐ ”%Œ" ÐÌà Ø àHelms€also€testified€again.€€He€described€the€defendant€as€a€good,€dependableÐ ,)$"& Ðemployee€and€told€how€the€defendant€had€cared€for€his€children€when€he€broughtÐ ø*ð#( Ðthem€to€work€with€him.€€Helms€stated€that€the€defendant€loved€his€wife€and€childrenÐ Ä,¼%* Ðand€had€hoped€to€reconcile€with€Mrs.€Hall.Ð .ˆ', ÐÐ \0T). Ðà Ø àThe€defendant€also€presented€his€three€sisters€and€his€mother€to€recount€theÐ  Ðhistory€of€the€defendant€and€his€family.€€The€defendant€was€the€youngest€of€sevenÐ ÔÌ Ðchildren.€€His€father,€an€alcoholic,€physically€and€verbally€abused€his€wife€until€he€diedÐ   ˜ Ðfrom€a€heart€attack€in€1974€when€the€defendant€was€ten.€€The€defendantððs€fatherÐ l d Ðdenied€that€the€defendant€was€his€son€and€snubbed€the€defendant.€€The€witnessesððÐ 80 Ðdescriptions€of€the€fights€between€the€defendantððs€parents€eerily€paralleled€theÐ ü  Ðdefendantððs€final€confrontation€with€his€own€wife.€€All€of€the€defendantððs€relativesÐ ÐÈ  Ðdescribed€him€as€a€good€father€who€loved€his€children.€€Ð œ”  ÐÌÓ  Óòòò òSUFFICIENCY€OF€THE€EVIDENCEÐ 4, ÐÌÓ  Óà Ø àó óóóThe€defendant€contends€that€the€record€establishes€a€killing€premised€onÐ äÜ Ðanger,€passion,€and€alcohol€rather€than€a€premeditated€and€deliberate€murder.€€His€isÐ °¨ Ða€two„part€argument:€€first,€he€claims€that€the€passion€and€anger€aroused€by€his€fightÐ |t Ðwith€his€wife€had€not€subsided€when€he€killed€her;€second,€he€claims€that€hisÐ H @ Ðintoxication€rendered€him€unable€to€form€the€mental€state€necessary€for€first€degreeÐ "  Ðmurder.Ð à#Ø  ÐÌà Ø àWhen€the€sufficiency€of€the€evidence€is€challenged,€the€standard€for€review€byÐ x'p $ Ðan€appellate€court€is€whether,€after€considering€the€evidence€in€a€light€most€favorableÐ D)<"& Ðto€the€prosecution,€any€rational€trier€of€fact€could€have€found€the€essential€elements€ofÐ +$( Ðthe€crime€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt.€€òòSeeóó€òòJackson€v.€Virginiaóó,€443€U.S.€307,€318-19Ð Ü,Ô%* Ð(1979);€òòState€v.€Burnsóó,€979€S.W.2d€276,€286„87€(Tenn.€1998);€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(e).€Ð ¨. ', ÐOn€appeal,€the€State€is€entitled€to€the€strongest€legitimate€view€of€the€evidence€and€toÐ t0l). Ðall€reasonable€and€legitimate€inferences€that€may€be€drawn€therefrom.€€òòSeeóó€òòState€v.Ð @28+0 ÐCabbageóó,€571€S.W.2d€832,€835€(Tenn.€1978).€€In€determining€the€sufficiency€of€theÐ  4-2 Ðevidence,€this€Court€does€not€reweigh€the€evidence,€òòsee€id.óó,€or€substitute€itsÐ Ø5Ð.4 Ðinferences€for€those€drawn€by€the€trier€of€fact,€òòseeóó€òòLiakas€v.€Stateóó,€286€S.W.2d€856,Ð  Ð859€(Tenn.€1956).€€A€guilty€verdict€rendered€by€the€jury€and€approved€by€the€trial€judgeÐ ÔÌ Ðaccredits€the€testimony€of€the€witnesses€for€the€State,€and€a€presumption€of€guiltÐ   ˜ Ðreplaces€the€presumption€of€innocence.€€òòSee€Burnsóó,€979€S.W.2d€at€287;€òòState€v.Ð l d ÐGraceóó,€493€S.W.2d€474,€476€(Tenn.€1973).€€On€appeal,€the€appellant€bears€theÐ 80 Ðburden€of€proving€that€the€evidence€is€insufficient€to€support€the€jury€verdict.€€òòSeeÐ ü  ÐState€v.€Pikeóó,€978€S.W.2d€904,€914€(Tenn.€1998);€òòState€v.€Tuggleóó,€639€S.W.2d€913,Ð ÐÈ  Ð914€(Tenn.€1982).Ð œ”  ÐÌà Ø àAt€the€time€of€this€homicide,€the€Code€defined€first€degree€murder€as€ð ð[a]nÐ 4, Ðintentional,€premeditated€and€deliberate€killing€of€another.ðð€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„Ð ø Ð202(a)(1)€(1991).€€A€homicide,€once€proven,€is€presumed€to€be€second€degree€murder,Ð ÌÄ Ðand€the€State€has€the€burden€of€proving€the€elements€of€premeditation€andÐ ˜ Ðdeliberation€to€raise€the€offense€to€first€degree€murder.€€òòState€v.€Nesbitóó,€978€S.W.2dÐ d\ Ð872,€898€(Tenn.€1998).Ð 0 ( ÐÌà Ø àð ðIntentionalðð€is€defined€as€the€ð ðconscious€objective€or€desire€to€engage€in€theÐ È#À  Ðconduct€or€cause€the€result.ðð€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„11„106(a)(18)€(1991).€€ProvingÐ ”%Œ" Ðpremeditation€requires€evidence€of€"a€previously€formed€design€or€intent€to€kill,"Ð `'X $ ÐòòNesbitóó,€978€S.W.2d€at€898;€òòState€v.€Westóó,€844€S.W.2d€144,€147€(Tenn.€1992),€andÐ ,)$"& Ð"the€exercise€of€reflection€and€judgment."€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39-13-201(b)(2)€(1991)Ð ø*ð#( Ð(repealed€1995).€€Proving€deliberation€requires€evidence€of€a€cool€purpose€formed€inÐ Ä,¼%* Ðthe€absence€of€passion€or€provocation.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39-13-201(b)(1)Ð .ˆ', Ð(1991)€(repealed€1995)€&€Sentencing€Commission€Comments;€òòÔ‡X\ÇXX X\ÇÔState€v.€Brownóó,€836Ð \0T). ÐS.W.2d€530,€539„40€(Tenn.€1992)€(citations€and€internal€quotations€omitted).€Ð (2 +0 ÐÔ#† X\ÇXXX\ÇÍj#ÔDeliberation€also€requires€"some€period€of€reflection€during€which€the€mind€is€free€fromÐ ô3ì,2 Ðthe€influence€of€excitement."€€òòBrownóó,€836€S.W.2d€at€540.€€A€killing€committed€during€aÐ À5¸.4 Ðstate€of€passion,€however,€may€still€rise€to€the€level€of€first€degree€murder€if€the€StateÐ  Ðcan€prove€that€premeditation€and€deliberation€preceded€the€struggle.€€òòSeeóó€òòFranks€v.Ð ÔÌ ÐStateóó,€213€S.W.2d€105,€107€(Tenn.€1948);€òòLeonard€v.€Stateóó,€292€S.W.€849€(Tenn.Ð   ˜ Ð1927).Ð l d ÐÌà Ø àThe€evidence€in€this€case,€when€viewed€in€the€light€most€favorable€to€the€State,Ð ü  Ðdemonstrates€the€following.€€The€defendant€contacted€Mrs.€Hall€on€the€day€of€theÐ ÐÈ  Ðmurder€to€arrange€for€a€meeting.€€Although€the€defendant€arranged€the€meeting€underÐ œ”  Ðthe€guise€of€delivering€a€child„support€check,€he€actually€wanted€to€meet€with€Mrs.€HallÐ h` Ðto€attempt€to€persuade€her€to€reconcile.€€As€the€defendant€later€told€fellow€prisonerÐ 4, ÐDutton,€if€Mrs.€Hall€were€unwilling€to€reconcile,€he€intended€ð ðto€make€her€feel€as€heÐ ø Ðdid.€€He€wanted€her€to€suffer€as€he€did,€feel€the€helplessness€that€he€was€feelingÐ ÌÄ Ðbecause€she€took€his€world€away€from€him.ðð€€Prior€to€entering€the€house,€theÐ ˜ Ðdefendant€disconnected€the€telephone€lines€to€prevent€Mrs.€Hall€from€calling€for€help.€Ð d\ ÐAt€some€point€either€before€or€during€his€attack,€the€defendant€told€Mrs.€Hall€that€sheÐ 0 ( Ðð ðwould€never€live€to€graduate.ðð€€Finally,€during€the€attack,€the€defendant€told€theÐ ü!ô Ðchildren€that€he€would€kill€their€mother€if€they€went€for€help.€€The€evidence€of€planning,Ð È#À  Ðthe€expression€of€defendantððs€intent€to€kill€or€hurt€Mrs.€Hall,€the€severity€of€the€beating,Ð ”%Œ" Ðand€the€manner€of€death€establish€the€existence€of€premeditation€and€deliberation€andÐ `'X $ Ðsupport€a€conviction€for€first€degree€murder€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt.€òòóóÐ ,)$"& ÐÌà Ø àOur€Code€provides€that€while€voluntary€intoxication€is€not€a€defense€toÐ Ä,¼%* Ðprosecution€for€an€offense,€evidence€of€such€intoxication€may€be€admitted€to€negate€aÐ .ˆ', Ðculpable€mental€state.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„11„503(a)€(1991);€òòseeóó€òòalsoóó€òòState€v.Ð \0T). ÐPhippsóó,€883€S.W.2d€138,€148€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1994).€€The€defendantððs€argumentÐ (2 +0 Ðthat€his€intoxication€rendered€him€unable€to€form€the€mental€state€necessary€for€firstÐ ô3ì,2 Ðdegree€murder,€however,€is€not€persuasive.€€The€defendantððs€own€statements€toÐ À5¸.4 ÐDutton€and€Dr.€Zager€constitute€the€only€evidence€of€intoxication.€€No€witnessÐ  Ðdescribed€the€defendant€as€drunk€or€intoxicated.€€Furthermore,€the€defendantððsÐ ÔÌ Ðconduct€in€traveling€to€Mrs.€Hallððs€house,€disconnecting€the€telephone,€barricading€theÐ   ˜ Ðbedroom€door,€and€completing€his€escape€after€the€killing€belies€the€claim€that€he€wasÐ l d Ðincapable€of€premeditation€and€deliberation.Ð 80 Ðà Ø àÌà Ø àHaving€reviewed€the€entire€record,€we€conclude€that€a€rational€trier€of€fact€couldÐ ÐÈ  Ðhave€found€the€essential€elements€of€premeditated€and€deliberate€first€degree€murderÐ œ”  Ðbeyond€a€reasonable€doubt.€€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(e).€€This€issue,€therefore,€is€withoutÐ h` Ðmerit.Ð 4, ÐÌò òòòÔ‡X\ÇXX X\ÇÔÓ  ÓSUFFICIENCY€OF€(i)(5)€AGGRAVATING€CIRCUMSTANCEÐ ÌÄ ÐÌÓ  Óà Ø àó óóóThe€defendant€also€contends€that€the€evidence€was€insufficient€to€support€theÐ |t Ðjuryððs€finding€of€aggravating€circumstance€(i)(5)€that€the€murder€was€ð ðespeciallyÐ H @ Ðheinous,€atrocious,€or€cruel€in€that€it€involved€torture€or€serious€physical€abuse€beyondÐ "  Ðthat€necessary€to€produce€death.ðð׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Pursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„206(c)Ð à#Ø  Ð(1997),€this€Court€must€review€the€sufficiency€of€the€aggravating€evidence€against€theÐ ¬%¤" Ðmitigating€evidence€offered€and€determine€the€following:€€whether€the€sentence€ofÐ x'p $ Ðdeath€was€imposed€in€an€arbitrary€fashion;€whether€the€evidence€supports€the€juryððsÐ D)<"& Ðfinding€of€the€existence€of€each€aggravating€circumstance€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt;Ð  Ðwhether€the€evidence€supports€the€juryððs€finding€that€the€aggravating€circumstancesÐ ÔÌ Ðoutweigh€the€mitigating€circumstances€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt;€and€whether€theÐ   ˜ Ðsentence€of€death€is€disproportionate.Ð l d ÐÌà Ø àThe€ð ðespecially€heinous,€atrocious€or€cruelðð€aggravating€circumstance€may€beÐ ü  Ðproved€under€either€of€two€prongs:€torture€or€serious€physical€abuse.€€This€Court€hasÐ ÐÈ  Ðdefined€ð ðtortureðð€as€ð ðthe€infliction€of€severe€physical€or€mental€pain€upon€the€victimÐ œ”  Ðwhile€he€or€she€remains€alive€and€conscious.ðð€€òòState€v.€Williamsóó,€690€S.W.2d€517,€529Ð h` Ð(Tenn.€1985).€€The€terms€ð ðserious€physical€abuse€beyond€that€necessary€to€produceÐ 4, Ðdeathðð€are€self„explanatory;€the€abuse€must€be€physical€rather€than€mental€in€nature.€Ð ø Ðð ðAbuseðð€is€defined€as€ð ðan€act€that€is€ððexcessiveðð€or€which€makes€ððimproper€use€of€aÐ ÌÄ Ðthing,ðð€or€which€uses€a€thing€ððin€a€manner€contrary€to€the€natural€or€legal€rules€for€itsÐ ˜ Ðuse.ðððð€òòOdomóó,€928€S.W.2d€at€26€(quoting€Blackððs€Law€Dictionary€11€(6th€ed.€1990)).Ð d\ ÐÌà Ø àThe€evidence€presented€in€this€case€supports€a€finding€of€the€ð ðheinous,Ð ü!ô Ðatrocious€or€cruelðð€aggravating€circumstance€under€either,€or€both,€of€the€two€prongs.€Ð È#À  ÐWe€agree€with€the€Court€of€Criminal€Appeals€that€Mrs.€Hall€suffered€mental€tortureÐ ”%Œ" Ðover€the€welfare€of€her€children€as€the€defendant€beat€her€in€their€presence.€€AfterÐ `'X $ Ðhearing€the€defendantððs€threats€to€kill€her€if€the€children€went€for€help,€she€mostÐ ,)$"& Ðcertainly€would€have€feared€for€her€own€fate€as€well.€€This€Court€has€repeatedly€heldÐ ø*ð#( Ðthat€the€anticipation€of€physical€harm€to€oneððs€self€or€a€loved€one€constitutes€mentalÐ Ä,¼%* Ðtorture.€€òòState€v.€Carteróó,€988€S.W.2d€145,€150€(Tenn.€1999);€òòNesbitóó,€978€S.W.2d€atÐ .ˆ', Ð886„87;€òòState€v.€Cauthernóó,€967€S.W.2d€726,€732€(Tenn.€1998);€òòState€v.€Hodgesóó,€944Ð \0T). ÐS.W.2d€346,€358€(Tenn.€1997).€€The€evidence€here€clearly€supports€a€finding€ofÐ (2 +0 Ðmental€torture.Ð ô3ì,2 ÐÐ À5¸.4 Ðà Ø àFurthermore,€the€extent€and€severity€of€the€beating€support€a€finding€of€eitherÐ  Ðphysical€torture€or€ð ðserious€physical€abuse€beyond€that€necessary€to€produce€deathððÐ ÔÌ Ðdue€to€the€pain€Mrs.€Hall€suffered€before€she€finally€diedÔ#† X\ÇXXX\Ç z#ÔÔ‡X\ÇXX X\ÇÔ.€€Therefore,€we€find€theÐ   ˜ Ðevidence€sufficient€to€support€the€existence€of€the€(i)(5)€aggravating€circumstanceÐ l d Ðbeyond€a€reasonable€doubt.Ð 80 ÐÌà Ø àAs€proof€of€mitigating€circumstances,€the€jury€may€reasonably€have€found€thatÐ ÐÈ  Ðthe€defendant€did€not€have€a€significant€history€of€prior€criminal€activity,€that€he€was€aÐ œ”  Ðgood€worker€and€employee,€and€that€he€was€a€caring€and€nurturing€father.€Ð h` ÐNevertheless,€we€agree€with€the€juryððs€conclusion€that€the€aggravating€circumstanceÐ 4, Ðoutweighed€the€mitigating€circumstances€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt.€€This€issue€isÐ ø Ðwholly€without€merit.Ô#† X\ÇXXX\Çéˆ#ÔÐ ÌÄ ÐÌò òòòÓ  ÓADMISSION€OF€AUTOPSY€PHOTOGRAPHSÐ d\ ÐÌÓ  Óà Ø àó óóóDuring€the€sentencing€phase€of€the€defendantððs€trial,€the€trial€court€admitted€intoÐ "  Ðevidence€several€photographs€taken€of€Mrs.€Hallððs€body€during€the€autopsy.€€TheseÐ à#Ø  Ðphotographs€rather€graphically€depicted€the€nature€and€extent€of€the€external€injuriesÐ ¬%¤" Ðsustained€by€Mrs.€Hall€prior€to€her€death.€€The€defendant€argues€that€the€photographsÐ x'p $ Ðwere€unnecessary€and€cumulative€to€Dr.€Smithððs€testimony€and€the€demonstrationÐ D)<"& Ðdone€with€the€mannequin€during€the€guilt€phase€of€trial.€€The€State€argues,€to€theÐ +$( Ðcontrary,€that€the€photographs€were€the€best€evidence€of€the€nature€and€extent€of€theÐ Ü,Ô%* Ðinjuries€and€were€necessary€to€support€the€Stateððs€position€that€the€murder€involvedÐ ¨. ', Ðtorture€or€serious€physical€abuse€beyond€that€necessary€to€cause€death.Ð t0l). ÐÌà Ø àThe€admissibility€of€photographs€is€generally€within€the€sound€discretion€of€theÐ  4-2 Ðtrial€judge,€and€his€or€her€ruling€on€admissibility€will€not€be€disturbed€on€appeal€absentÐ Ø5Ð.4 Ðan€abuse€of€that€discretion.€€òòState€v.€Banksóó,€564€S.W.2d€947,€949€(Tenn.€1978).€€TheÐ  Ðadmissibility€of€evidence€at€a€capital€sentencing€hearing€is€controlled€by€Tenn.€CodeÐ ÔÌ ÐAnn.€ðð€39„13„204(c)€(1991),€which€allows€the€admission€of€any€evidence€ð ðthe€courtÐ   ˜ Ðdeems€relevant€to€the€punishment€.€.€.€regardless€of€its€admissibility€under€the€rules€ofÐ l d Ðevidence,ðð€subject€to€a€defendantððs€opportunity€to€rebut€any€hearsay€statements€andÐ 80 Ðto€constitutional€limitations.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Ð ü  ÐÌà Ø àHistorically,€photographs€depicting€a€victimððs€injuries€have€been€held€admissibleÐ œ”  Ðto€establish€torture€or€serious€physical€abuse€under€aggravating€circumstance€(i)(5).€Ð h` ÐòòSee,€e.g.óó,€òòState€v.€Smithóó,€893€S.W.2d€908,€924€(Tenn.€1994)€(photographs€depictingÐ 4, Ðthe€victimððs€body,€including€one€of€the€slash€wound€to€the€throat,€which€wasÐ ø Ðð ðundeniably€gruesome,ðð€were€relevant€to€prove€that€the€killing€was€ð ðespecially€heinous,Ð ÌÄ Ðatrocious,€or€cruelðð€and€were€admissible€for€that€purpose);€òòState€v.€McNishóó,€727Ð ˜ ÐS.W.2d€490,€494„95€(Tenn.€1987)€(photographs€of€the€body€of€the€victim€who€wasÐ d\ Ðbeaten€to€death€were€relevant€and€admissible€to€show€the€heavy,€repeated€andÐ 0 ( Ðvicious€blows€to€the€victim€and€to€prove€that€the€killing€was€ð ðespecially€heinous,Ð ü!ô Ðatrocious,€or€cruelðð).òòò òÐ È#À  ÐÌà Ø àó óóóThe€photographs€in€question€depicted€Mrs.€Hallððs€body€during€the€autopsy,€priorÐ l'd $ Ðto€any€surgical€examination€of€her€internal€organs.€€While€certainly€not€pleasant€toÐ 8)0"& Ðview,€they€were€illustrative€of€the€testimony€of€Dr.€Smith€and€highly€relevant€to€theÐ +ü#( Ðextent€of€abuse€endured€by€Mrs.€Hall€prior€to€her€death.€€They€were€not€so€gruesomeÐ Ð,È%* Ðas€to€have€unduly€inflamed€the€members€of€the€jury.€€We€find€that€the€photographsÐ œ.”', Ðwere€directly€relevant€to€the€existence€of€torture€and€serious€physical€abuse,Ð h0`). Ðnecessary€elements€of€the€ð ðespecially€heinous,€atrocious€or€cruelðð€aggravatingÐ 42,+0 Ðcircumstance€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„204(i)(5)€(1991),€and€were€properlyÐ  Ðadmitted€into€evidence.òòò òÐ ÔÌ ÐÌÓ  ÓUNANIMITY€INSTRUCTION€IN€SENTENCING€PHASEÐ x p Ðó óóóÌÓ  Óà Ø àThe€defendant€argues€that€the€trial€courtððs€instruction€to€the€jury€that€they€mustÐ   Ðunanimously€agree€on€whether€the€statutory€aggravating€circumstances€outweigh€theÐ èà  Ðmitigating€circumstances€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt€violates€his€Eighth€AmendmentÐ ´¬  Ðright€to€have€each€juror€consider€and€give€effect€to€mitigating€circumstances.€€òòSeeóóÐ €x ÐòòMcKoy€v.€North€Carolinaóó,€494€U.S.€433€(1990),€and€òòMills€v.€Marylandóó,€486€U.S.€367Ð LD Ð(1988).€€In€òòMcKoyóó€and€òòMillsóó,€the€Court€held€that€sentencing€schemes€that€permit€jurorsÐ  Ðto€consider€only€Ô‡X\ÇXX X\ÇÔunanimouslyÔ#† X\ÇXXX\Ç@ž#ÔÔ‡X\ÇXX X\ÇÔ€foundÔ#† X\ÇXXX\Çž#Ô€mitigating€circumstances€in€determining€whetherÐ äÜ Ðthe€aggravating€circumstances€are€sufficient€to€justify€imposition€of€death€penaltyÐ °¨ Ðimpermissibly€limit€the€jurors'€consideration€of€mitigating€evidence€in€violation€of€theÐ |t ÐEighth€Amendment.€€òòSee€McKoyóó,€494€U.S.€at€438„44;€òòMillsóó,€486€U.S.€at€383„84.Ð H @ Ѐà0 Ø àÐ" Ø €%Ø €% Ðà Ø àThe€challenged€instruction€read€as€follows:Ð à#Ø  ÐÓÓà8 Ø àà80 Ø (#Ø (#àIf€you€unanimously€determine€that€at€least€one€statutoryÐ ¬%¤" Ðaggravating€circumstance€have€[sic]€been€proven€by€theÐ ’&Š# ÐState€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt€and€said€circumstance€orÐ x'p $ Ðcircumstances€have€been€proven€by€the€State€to€outweighÐ ^(V!% Ðany€mitigating€circumstance€or€circumstances€beyond€aÐ D)<"& Ðreasonable€doubt,€the€sentence€shall€be€death.Ð**"#'0 Ð 0 Ð  ÐÌÓÓWe€note€that€the€defendant€did€not€object€to€this€instruction€when€it€was€given,€nor€didÐ ö+î$) Ðhe€raise€it€as€an€issue€in€his€Motion€for€New€Trial€or€in€the€Court€of€Criminal€Appeals.€Ð Â-º&+ ÐNormally,€the€defendant's€failure€to€take€any€action€to€call€this€issue€to€the€trial€court'sÐ Ž/†(- Ðattention€will€preclude€review€on€appeal.€€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€3(e),€36(a).€€In€any€event,Ð Z1R*/ Ðwe€note€that€this€instruction€fully€complied€with€the€requirements€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ððÐ &3,1 Ð39„13„204(g)(1)€(1991),€requiring€proof€of€at€least€one€aggravating€circumstanceÐ ò4ê-3 Ðbeyond€a€reasonable€doubt€and€a€determination€that€such€aggravating€circumstancesÐ ¾6¶/5 Ðoutweigh€any€mitigating€circumstances€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt.€€Furthermore,€theÐ  Ðtrial€court€also€instructed€the€jurors€that€ð ð[t]here€is€no€requirement€of€jury€unanimity€asÐ ÔÌ Ðto€any€particular€mitigating€circumstance€or€that€you€agree€on€the€same€mitigatingÐ   ˜ Ðcircumstance.ðð€€This€instruction€satisfies€any€Eighth€Amendment€concerns€underÐ l d ÐòòMcKoyóó€or€òòMillsóó.€€This€issue€is€without€merit.Ð 80 ÐÌÓ  Óòòò òEXCLUSION€OF€CHERYL€ARBOGAST€TESTIMONYó óóóÐ ÐÈ  ÐÌÓ  Óà Ø àÔ‡Xí XX X\ÇÔDuring€the€guilt€phase€of€his€trial,€the€defendant€attempted€to€call€his€sister,Ð tl ÐCheryl€Arbogast,€to€testify€about€statements€his€brother€Jeff€had€made€to€herÐ TL Ðconcerning€the€defendantððs€mental€state€around€the€time€of€the€killing.€€BecauseÐ 4, ÐArbogast€had€no€personal€knowledge€of€facts€regarding€her€brotherððs€mental€state,€theÐ   Ðtrial€court€excluded€her€testimony€as€inadmissible€hearsay.€€The€defendant€argues€thatÐ ôì ÐJeffððs€statements€were€admissible€under€Tenn.€R.€Evid.€804(a)(4)€because€Jeff€hadÐ ÔÌ Ðdied€and€was€unavailable€to€testify.Ô#† X\ÇX XXí5¨#ÔÔ‡Xí XX X\ÇÔ€€Ð ´ ¬ ÐÌà Ø àRule€804€provides€for€certain€exceptions€to€the€hearsay€exclusionary€rule€whenÐ t$l  Ða€witness€is€ð ðunavailable.ðð€€ð ðUnavailabilityðð€is€defined€at€subsection€(a)(4)€as€includingÐ T&L" Ðsituations€in€which€the€declarant€ð ð[i]s€unable€to€be€present€or€to€testify€at€the€hearingÐ 4(,!$ Ðbecause€of€the€declarantððs€death€or€then€existing€physical€or€mental€illness€orÐ * #& Ðinfirmity.ððÐ ô+ì$( Ðà Ø àHowever,€under€subsection€(b)€of€Rule€804,€the€hearsay€exception€forÐ Ô-Ì&* Ðunavailable€witnesses€applies€only€to€(1)€former€testimony,€(2)€statements€under€beliefÐ ´/¬(, Ðof€impending€death,€(3)€statements€against€interest,€and€(4)€statements€of€personalÐ ”1Œ*. Ðand€family€history.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€R.€Evid.€804(b).€€Jeff€Hallððs€descriptions€to€Arbogast€ofÐ t3l,0 Ðthe€defendantððs€mental€state€do€not€fall€within€any€of€these€exceptions.€€The€trial€courtÐ T5L.2 Ðproperly€excluded€this€testimony€during€the€guilt€phase€of€defendantððs€trial.Ô#† X\ÇX XXí «#ÔÐ 47,04 ЇÓ  Óòòò òDENIAL€OF€RIGHT€TO€TESTIFYó óóóÐ  ÐÌÓ  Óà Ø àAt€the€conclusion€of€proof€in€both€the€guilt€phase€and€the€penalty€phase,€theÐ ¬ ¤ Ðtrial€court€sought€to€have€the€defendant€take€the€stand€to€confirm€that€he€knowinglyÐ x p Ðand€intelligently€decided€not€to€testify€at€trial€after€consultation€with€his€attorneys.€€OnÐ D< Ðboth€occasions,€the€defendant€refused€to€be€sworn€to€testify€unless€the€trial€courtÐ   Ðremoved€ð ðthe€flag€of€war,ðð€òòi.e.óó,€the€United€States€flag,€from€the€courtroom.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€trialÐ ÜÔ  Ðcourt€refused€to€remove€the€flag€and€proceeded€to€inquire€of€defense€counsel€whetherÐ ¨   Ðcounsel€had€explained€the€defendantððs€right€to€testify€and€whether€the€defendant€hadÐ tl Ðknowingly€and€voluntarily€waived€this€right.€€Counsel€indicated€that€they€fully€explainedÐ @8 Ðto€the€defendant€the€complementary€rights€to€testify€in€oneððs€own€defense€and€to€beÐ   Ðfree€from€self„incrimination,€after€which€he€chose€not€to€testify.Ð ØÐ ÐÌà Ø àThe€defendant€now€asserts€that€the€trial€courtððs€refusal€to€remove€the€flagÐ ph Ðinfringed€on€his€right€to€testify€in€his€own€defense.€€We€note€that€the€defendant€did€notÐ < 4 Ðfile€any€motion€during€either€the€guilt€or€sentencing€phase€expressly€requestingÐ " Ðremoval€of€the€flag€so€that€he€could€exercise€his€right€to€testify.€€This€issue€was€notÐ Ô#Ì  Ðraised€in€either€the€Motion€for€New€Trial€or€in€the€Court€of€Criminal€Appeals.€Ð  %˜" Ðâ âTechnically,€the€issue€has€been€waived.€€Ô‡X\ÇXX X\ÇÔTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3(e),€36(a).Ô#† X\ÇXXX\Çê¶#Ô€€In€any€event,€aÐ l'd $ Ðtrial€courtððs€refusal€to€remove€the€United€States€flag€from€the€courtroom€does€notÐ  Ðviolate€anyoneððs€constitutional€rights.€€This€issue€is€wholly€without€merit.Ð ÔÌ Ðâ âÌò òòòÔ‡X\ÇXX X\ÇÔÓ  ÓPROPORTIONALITY€REVIEWó óóóÐ l d ÐÌÓ  Óà Ø àThe€defendant€next€claims€that€his€sentence€is€disproportionate€to€the€penaltyÐ   Ðimposed€in€similar€cases,€considering€both€the€nature€of€the€crime€and€the€defendant.€€Ð ÜÔ  ÐThis€Courtððs€decision€in€òòState€v.€Blandóó,€958€S.W.2d€651€(Tenn.€1997),€set€out€theÐ ¨   Ðmethodology€for€comparative€proportionality€review€under€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„Ð tl Ð206(c)(1)(D)€(1997).€€Comparative€proportionality€is€for€the€purpose€of€determiningÐ @8 Ðwhether€the€death€penalty€is€unacceptable€in€a€particular€case€because€it€isÐ   Ðdisproportionate€to€the€punishment€imposed€on€others€convicted€of€the€same€crime.€Ð ØÐ ÐOur€Court€applies€the€precedent-seeking€approach,€in€which€it€compares€a€particularÐ ¤œ Ðcase€with€other€cases€in€which€the€defendants€were€convicted€of€the€same€or€similarÐ ph Ðcrimes.€€The€Court€conducts€the€comparison€by€examining€the€facts€of€the€crimes,€theÐ < 4 Ðcharacteristics€of€the€defendants,€and€the€aggravating€and€mitigating€factors€involved.€€Ð " ÐòòSeeóó€òòid.óó€at€664.€€In€theory,€comparative€review€of€capital€cases€insures€rationality€andÐ Ô#Ì  Ðconsistency€in€the€imposition€of€the€death€penalty.€€òòSeeóó€òòid.óó€at€665€(citing€òòState€v.Ð  %˜" ÐBarberóó,€753€S.W.2d€659,€665-66€(Tenn.€1988);€òòState€v.€Kandiesóó,€467€S.E.2d€67,€86Ð l'd $ Ð(N.C.€1996)).€€In€addition€to€comparing€the€backgrounds€of€the€various€defendants€andÐ 8)0"& Ðthe€aggravating€and€mitigating€factors€applicable€to€the€various€cases,€other€factorsÐ +ü#( Ðrelevant€to€the€process€of€identification€and€comparison€of€similar€cases€include:€€(1)Ð Ð,È%* Ðthe€means€of€death;€€(2)€the€manner€of€death,€òòe.g.óó,€violent€or€torturous;€€(3)€theÐ œ.”', Ðmotivation€for€the€killing;€€(4)€the€place€of€death;€€(5)€the€similarity€of€the€victims'Ð h0`). Ðcircumstances€including€age,€physical€and€mental€conditions,€and€the€victims'Ð 42,+0 Ðtreatment€during€the€killing;€€(6)€the€absence€or€presence€of€premeditation;€€(7)€theÐ 4ø,2 Ðabsence€or€presence€of€provocation;€€(8)€the€absence€or€presence€of€justification;€€andÐ Ì5Ä.4 Ð(9)€the€injury€to€and€effects€on€surviving€victims.€€òòSeeóó€òòid.óó€at€667.€€Also€relevant€whenÐ  Ðcomparing€the€various€cases€are:€€(1)€the€defendant's€prior€criminal€record€or€priorÐ ÔÌ Ðcriminal€activity;€€(2)€the€defendant's€age,€race,€and€gender;€€(3)€the€defendant'sÐ   ˜ Ðmental,€emotional€or€physical€condition;€€(4)€the€defendant's€involvement€or€role€in€theÐ l d Ðmurder;€€(5)€the€defendant's€cooperation€with€authorities;€€(6)€the€defendant's€remorse;€Ð 80 Ð(7)€the€defendant's€knowledge€of€helplessness€of€the€victim;€and€(8)€the€defendant'sÐ ü  Ðcapacity€for€rehabilitation.€€€òòSeeóó€òòid.óóÐ ÐÈ  ÐÌà Ø àIn€conducting€our€proportionality€review€in€this€case€we€have€attempted€toÐ h` Ðreview€cases€in€which€the€defendant€and€victim€shared€a€close€relationship;€theÐ 4, Ðdefendant€used€a€similar€method€to€cause€the€resulting€death€(beating/strangulation);Ð ø Ðand€the€jury€found€the€(i)(5)€aggravator.€€For€example,€in€òòState€v.€Smithóó,€868€S.W.2dÐ ÌÄ Ð561€(Tenn.€1993),€the€defendant€shot€his€estranged€wife€in€the€shoulder€and€neck,Ð ˜ Ðsevering€her€spinal€cord.€€The€medical€examiner€testified€that€following€the€wound€toÐ d\ Ðthe€neck,€the€victim€would€have€been€immediately€paralyzed€from€the€neck€down.€€SheÐ 0 ( Ðwould€have€quickly€lost€consciousness,€but€may€have€lived€from€two€to€six€minutesÐ ü!ô Ðfollowing€the€fatal€wound.€€Following€the€victimððs€death,€the€defendant€slit€her€throat,Ð È#À  Ðthen€stabbed€her€numerous€times€with€both€a€knife€and€an€ð ðawlðð€or€ice€pick.€€AfterÐ ”%Œ" Ðconvicting€the€defendant€of€first€degree€premeditated€murder,€the€jury€found€theÐ `'X $ Ðexistence€of€four€aggravating€circumstances,€including€the€(i)(5)€ð ðespecially€heinous,Ð ,)$"& Ðatrocious€or€cruelðð€aggravator,€and€imposed€a€sentence€of€death€by€electrocution.€Ð ø*ð#( ÐThis€Court€upheld€such€conviction€and€sentence€on€appeal.Ô#† X\ÇXXX\ÇN¸#ÔÔ‡X\ÇXX X\ÇÔÐ Ä,¼%* ÐÌà Ø àIn€òòState€v.€Johnsonóó,€743€S.W.2d€154€(Tenn.€1987),€the€defendant€Ô#† X\ÇXXX\Ç„Ê#ÔÔ‡X\ÇXX X\ÇÔforcedÔ#† X\ÇXXX\Ç.Ë#ÔÔ‡X\ÇXX X\ÇÔ€aÐ \0T). Ðlarge€plastic€garbage€bag€into€his€wifeððs€mouth,€resulting€in€her€strangulation€andÐ (2 +0 Ðasphyxiation.€€She€bled€from€the€nose€and€ears,€and€traces€of€blood€were€found€on€aÐ ô3ì,2 Ðcouch€in€the€office€where€her€death€occurred.€€There€was€testimony€that€she€wouldÐ À5¸.4 Ðhave€been€conscious€during€the€terrifying€ordeal€and€that€from€one€to€four€minutesÐ  Ðwould€have€elapsed€before€she€expired.€€The€jury€found€that€Johnson€had€a€previousÐ ÔÌ Ðrecord€of€committing€violent€offenses,€and€that€the€manner€in€which€he€Ô#† X\ÇXXX\ÇvË#ÔÔ‡X\ÇXX X\ÇÔcommitted€hisÐ   ˜ ÐcrimeÔ#† X\ÇXXX\ÇÎ#ÔÔ‡X\ÇXX X\ÇÔ€was€ð ðespecially€heinous,€atrocious€or€cruelðð€in€that€it€involved€torture€or€depravityÐ l d Ðof€mind.€€Accordingly,€the€jury€sentenced€him€to€death.€€This€Court€upheld€the€findingÐ 80 Ðof€the€(i)(5)€aggravating€circumstance€and€affirmed€both€the€conviction€and€sentenceÐ ü  Ðon€appeal.Ð ÐÈ  ÐÌÌà Ø àIn€òòState€v.€Cooperóó,€718€S.W.2d€256€(Tenn.€1986),€the€defendant,€who€wasÐ 4, Ðseparated€from€his€wife€pending€finalization€of€divorce€proceedings,€called€his€wifeððsÐ ø Ðmother€and€told€her€he€was€going€to€kill€his€wife.€€In€the€early€morning€hours€of€theÐ ÌÄ Ðfollowing€day,€he€went€to€his€wifeððs€place€of€employment€and€told€her€he€was€going€toÐ ˜ Ðkill€her.€€He€then€left€the€premises€and€purchased€a€shotgun.€€Later€that€morning,€heÐ d\ Ðreturned€and,€in€the€presence€of€her€supervisor,€told€her€he€was€going€to€kill€her.€Ð 0 ( ÐWhen€the€supervisor€called€the€police€during€that€incident,€police€advised€the€wife€toÐ ü!ô Ðtake€an€arrest€warrant€out€on€her€husband.€€Before€she€had€the€opportunity€to€do€so,Ð È#À  Ðhowever,€the€defendant€returned€to€her€workplace€and€shot€her€four€times€with€aÐ ”%Œ" Ðsingle„action€shotgun.€€Although€death€was€instantaneous,€or€nearly€so,€this€Court,Ð `'X $ Ðfound€that€the€defendantððs€threats€and€harassment€throughout€the€day€had€constitutedÐ ,)$"& Ðmental€torture€and€depravity€of€mind.€€We€therefore€upheld€the€juryððs€finding€that€theÐ ø*ð#( Ðkilling€was€ð ðespecially€heinous,€atrocious,€or€cruelðð€under€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ððÐ Ä,¼%* Ð39-2-203(i)(5)€(1982)€(repealed€1989),€and€the€imposition€of€the€death€penalty.Ð .ˆ', ÐÌà Ø àIn€òòState€v.€Milleróó,€674€S.W.2d€279€(Tenn.€1984),€òòonóó€òòremandóó,€771€S.W.2d€401Ð (2 +0 Ð(Tenn.€1989),€the€defendant,€possibly€under€the€influence€of€LSD,€beat€his€girlfriend€toÐ ô3ì,2 Ðdeath€with€his€fists€and€a€fire€poker,€then€stabbed€her€numerous€times€with€a€knife.€Ð À5¸.4 ÐThe€jury€found€as€the€sole€aggravating€circumstance€that€the€murder€was€ð ðespeciallyÐ  Ðheinous,€atrocious€or€cruel,ðð€under€the€(i)(5)€aggravator,€and€this€Court€affirmed€theÐ ÔÌ Ðsentence€of€death€on€appeal.Ð   ˜ ÐÌà Ø àIn€òòState€v.€Teagueóó,€645€S.W.2d€392€(Tenn.€1983),€òòonóó€òòremandóó,€680€S.W.2d€785Ð 80 Ð(Tenn.€1984),€the€defendant€struck€his€estranged€wife€in€the€head€rendering€herÐ ü  Ðunconscious€and€drowned€her€in€her€own€bathtub.€€The€motive€for€the€killing€was€toÐ ÐÈ  Ðprevent€the€victim€from€testifying€against€him€in€an€upcoming€murder€trial.€€AfterÐ œ”  Ðfinding€the€defendant€guilty€of€first€degree€premeditated€murder,€the€jury€found€twoÐ h` Ðaggravating€circumstances:€€(1)€that€the€defendant€was€previously€convicted€of€aÐ 4, Ðfelony€other€than€the€present€charge,€which€involved€the€use€or€threat€of€violence€toÐ ø Ðthe€person,€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39-2-203(i)(2)€(1982)€(repealed€1989),€and€(2)€that€theÐ ÌÄ Ðmurder€was€committed€for€the€purpose€of€avoiding,€interfering€with€or€preventing€aÐ ˜ Ðlawful€arrest€or€prosecution€of€the€defendant€or€another,€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ððÐ d\ Ð39-2-203(i)(6)€(1982)€(repealed€1989),€and€sentenced€Teague€to€death.€€This€CourtÐ 0 ( Ðupheld€both€the€conviction€and€sentence€on€appeal.Ð ü!ô ÐÌà Ø àAlthough€no€two€cases€are€identical,€the€cases€discussed€above€are€similar€inÐ ”%Œ" Ðmany€respects€to€this€case.€€In€each,€domestic€disagreements€bred€animosity€betweenÐ `'X $ Ðthe€defendant€and€the€victim.€€As€a€result€of€the€relationship€between€the€parties,€aÐ ,)$"& Ðheightened€state€of€emotion€suffused€the€events.€€In€most€of€these€cases,€theÐ ø*ð#( Ðdefendant€made€prior€threats€to€kill€the€spouse€well€before€actually€carrying€out€theÐ Ä,¼%* Ðthreats.€€In€each€of€the€cases,€the€defendant€attacked€the€victim€mercilessly€andÐ .ˆ', Ðwithout€provocation,€and€each€victim€died€a€horrific€death.€€The€juries€in€most€of€theseÐ \0T). Ðcases€relied,€at€least€in€part,€on€the€(i)(5)€aggravating€circumstance€to€justify€theÐ (2 +0 Ðimposition€of€the€death€penalty.€€We€have€also€examined€other€cases€in€whichÐ ô3ì,2 Ðdefendants€convicted€of€the€first€degree€murder€of€their€spouse€or€significant€otherÐ À5¸.4 Ðreceived€a€sentence€of€life€imprisonment€or€life€without€parole.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€After€reviewing€theÐ  Ðbody€of€cases€as€a€whole,€we€are€of€the€opinion€that€the€penalty€imposed€by€the€jury€inÐ ÔÌ Ðthis€case€is€not€disproportionate€to€the€penalty€imposed€for€similar€crimes.Ô#† X\ÇXXX\džÎ#ÔÐ   ˜ ÐÓ  ÓÌòòò òCONCLUSIONóóó óÐ 80 ÐÌÓ  Óà Ø àAfter€thoroughly€reviewing€the€record€of€the€trial€and€the€issues€presentedÐ ÜÔ  Ðbefore€us€in€accordance€with€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„206(b),€„(c)€(1997),€weÐ ¨   Ðconclude€that€the€evidence€is€sufficient€to€support€the€finding€of€guilt€of€first€degreeÐ tl Ðpremeditated€and€deliberate€murder.€€The€jury€did€not€impose€the€death€sentence€inÐ @8 Ðan€arbitrary€fashion.€€Furthermore,€the€evidence€supports€the€jury's€findings€of€theÐ   Ðaggravating€circumstance€and€that€the€aggravating€circumstance€outweighs€anyÐ ØÐ Ðmitigating€circumstances.€€Also,€a€comparative€proportionality€review,€considering€bothÐ ¤œ Ðthe€circumstances€of€the€crime€and€the€nature€of€the€appellant,€convinces€us€that€theÐ ph Ðsentence€of€death€is€neither€excessive€nor€disproportionate€to€the€penalty€imposed€inÐ < 4 Ðsimilar€cases.€€Accordingly,€the€decision€of€the€Court€of€Criminal€Appeals€upholdingÐ " Ðthe€conviction€and€sentence€of€death€is€affirmed.€€The€sentence€of€death€will€beÐ Ô#Ì  Ðcarried€out€as€provided€by€law.Ð  %˜" ЇÓ  ÓÓÓ_________________________________Ð  ÐWILLIAM€M.€BARKER,€JUSTICE€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð îæ ÐÌÌÌÓ  ÓConcur:Ð † ~ ÐAnderson,€C.J.€Ð l d ÐDrowota,€Birch€and€Holder,€J.J.