WPCBV U {'O.xz(Q{YI`Bug\?J"`}TÝlLcuaYocT:U[s큪c `v8V?AH8tCDR$)SBrM5Y<[ء]!mH=ork{ɿs F+ڝ`ezٷH nD+`SH>o0U SD8UNT_lA?4~z򔄌K8?@C h+2W9%..qa8_O:n&KGՏ9qcP'2lf|U4˟nQL־ 4C @| %U @ 0 ^ UN w 4 z  T c me e | B   #N] 1u_ 72E 0c 0wk 0 0l 0  0 0 0b 0DQ 1 72U>Ps 0D 0UE 0 0} 0B 0 0 0m 0 0 bb! 0 Yj! 0! 0" 0Y# 0 $ 0$ 0`% 0& 0& 01' 0' 0( 0N) 0) 0* 0L+ 0+ 0, 0- 0- 0P. 0//^2335588 0><<< 0< 0= 0> 0? 0Ng@ 0@ BA 0A 0B D5:C D-oC 0KC AC ASDD 0E 0DCF AF 02G 0H 0H 02I 0I 0:J 0_K 0 gK 0qL 0M B*O D/#P 0RP D/XR 0R 06US 0S 0:T 0^T 0<+U 1egUU6UU*VVV,V(I Z(Times New Roman (`$.8dd8    Ӝ}a2 ("  Z6Times New Roman RegularMP2:i+00 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 ULevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5HP LaserJet 4300 PS03#37=CIQYag1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)i)(;3$2#  0  .3  0  (O;$0  2#  a  .3  0` (#(#(b$0  0` (#(#2#   .3  0 ` (#` (#(xir$0  0` (#(#0 ` (#` (#2#(  0  )3  0 (# (#($0  0` (#(#0 ` (#` (#0 (# (#2#(  a  )3  0h(#(#(F$0  0` (#(#0 ` (#` (#0 (# (#0h(#(#2#(   )3  0h(#h(#($0  0` (#(#0 ` (#` (#0 (# (#0h(#(#0h(#h(#2#  0  )3  0(#(#({$0  0` (#(#0 ` (#` (#0 (# (#0h(#(#0h(#h(#0(#(#2#  a  )3  0p(#(#(F$0  0` (#(#0 ` (#` (#0 (# (#0h(#(#0h(#h(#0(#(#0p(#(#2#     )3  0p(#p(# xGGaeimquy}Bullet ListBullets List \  `&Times New Roman i RP$      3    _ԀMs.Jonesdidnotrequesta404(b)hearingattrialorinhermotionsbeforethetrialcourt.Accordingly,we  donotconsiderwhethertheevidenceshouldhavebeenexcludedunderTennesseeRuleofEvidence404(b).(#$  0  *+ (_2623  ..*G+G (_25   /%` ` hp x /23  ../%` ` hp x /   *8+8 (_24  ," hp x ,23  ..," hp x ,  *5+5 (_23 ` ) hp x )23  ..) hp x ) ` *2+2 (_22  &hhp x &23  ..&hhp x &  */+/ (_21  #p x #23  ..#p x #  *,+, (_20 h  p x 23  .. p x h *)+) (_19  pp x 23  ..pp x   *&+& (_18   x 23  .. x   - -64Hyperlink    *AA (_17  5+ ` hp x 523  Ԁ5+ ` hp x 5  *GG (_16   /%` ` hp x /23  Ԁ/%` ` hp x /   *88 (_15  ," hp x ,23  Ԁ," hp x ,  *55 (_14 ` ) hp x )23  Ԁ) hp x ) ` *22 (_13  &hhp x &23  Ԁ&hhp x &  *// (_12  #p x #23  Ԁ#p x #  *,, (_11 h  p x 23  Ԁ p x h *)) (_10  pp x 23  Ԁpp x   (&& &_9   x 23  Ԁ x   (AA &_8  5+ ` hp x 523  5+ ` hp x 5  (GG &_7   /%` ` hp x /23  /%` ` hp x /   (88 &_6  ," hp x ,23  ," hp x ,  (55 &_5 ` ) hp x )23  ) hp x ) ` (22 &_4  &hhp x &23  &hhp x &  (// &_3  #p x #23  #p x #  (,, &_2 h  p x 23   p x h ()) &_1  pp x 23  pp x   &&& $_   x 23   x   0AA.Normal  5+ ` hp x 55+ ` hp x 5  <AA:Definition T  5+ ` hp x 55+ ` hp x 5  <AA:Definition L , 5+ ` hp x 5  5+ ` hp x 5  RP$      4    _ԀThelegislaturehasrecognizedthewidespreadfailureofmotoriststocomplywiththechildrestraintstatute  andhasattemptedtoaddresstheproblem.SeeTenn.CodeAnn.559607(1998)(requiringtheDepartmentofHealth t andSafetytoinitiateaneducationalprogramdesignedtoincreasecompliancewithseatbeltandchildrestraintlaws)and 8 Tenn.CodeAnn.559610(1998)(requiringtheDepartmenttoprioritizeprogramsaimedatincreasingcompliance L withchildrestraintlaws). T RP$      1    _` ԀItwasstipulatedthattheaccidentwasthefaultoftheotherdriver,whofailedtoyieldtherightofwaytoMs.  Abernathy.# `~#  RP$      6    _ԀBecausewedismissMs.Jonesconvictionduetoinsufficientevidence,wedonotreachherargumentsthat  herconductwasnottheproximatecauseofCarlonsdeathandthatthetrialcourtsinstructiontothejuryonproximate t causewaserroneous.  RP$      5    _` ԀWenote,however,thatthewarningsintherentalcarwereequivocalabouttheriskairbagsposetochildren.  Thevisorwarningstatedthat [_c]hildren_Ԁ12andundercanbekilledbytheairbag,whiletheseatbeltwarningadvised t parents: BeforeSecuringaforwardfacingchildrestraint,ALWAYSmovethepassengerseatasfarbackasitwillgo. 8 Thusitwasunclearfromthewarningswhetheritwassafetoseatachildinthefrontpassengerseat. L # `~#  RP$      2    _` ԀThedriver,Ms.Abernathy,waschargedseparatelywithcriminallynegligenthomicideandviolationofthe  childrestraintlaw.Shepledguiltytorecklessendangermentandviolationofthechildrestraintlaw.Atthetimeofthe t accident,Tennesseeschildrestraintlawrequiredchildrenunderfouryearsoldtobeina childpassengerrestraint 8 systemmeetingfederalmotorvehiclesafetystandards.Tenn.CodeAnn.559602(a)(1998).Thestatuteonlyapplies L todrivers,providingthat [a]nypersontransportingachild...isresponsiblefor...properlyusingachildpassenger  restraint.Id.(emphasisadded).# `~#86Definition(hh&H1  5+ ` hp x 5      5+ ` hp x 5  (]]&H2  5+ ` hp x 5  5+ ` hp x 5  (|G2P$ !.8dd8         0  (]]&H3  5+ ` hp x 5  5+ ` hp x 5  (O$(]]&H4  5+ ` hp x 5 XXX 5+ ` hp x 5   d(]]&H5  5+ ` hp x 5  5+ ` hp x 5  (|3Ge$ !.8dd8     VVVV)!dxdx)!dxdx( $ Figure  1  X[Z I&mage <=8C HKKKK^_X`YE<<CLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3Ge$ !.8dd8     ($$   1  X[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8C HKKKK(]]&H6  5+ ` hp x 5  5+ ` hp x 5  2DD0Address  5+ ` hp x 55+ ` hp x 5  8MM6Blockquote , , 5+ ` hp x 5   5+ ` hp x 5,*CITE,dl*CODEKw<6X9`(Courier NewKS"\  `&Times New RomanS42Emphasis<:FollowedHype    4go2Keyboard Kw<6X9`(Courier NewKS"\  `&Times New RomanS <:Preformatted  /%  ,Kk %#/Kw<6X9`(Courier NewKS"\  `&Times New RomanS/%  ,Kk %#/  <:zBottom of 7m(X7    5+ ` hp x 5?x%2A`Arial?  S"\  `&Times New RomanS7Z(X75+ ` hp x 5  &  d dl)1dxd<:zTop of For7o(X7    5+ ` hp x 5?x%2A`Arial?  S"\  `&Times New RomanS7Z(X75+ ` hp x 5  l)2dxd0KS.SampleKw<6X9`(Courier NewKS"\  `&Times New RomanS0.Strong 8dl6TypewriterKw<6X9`(Courier NewKS"\  `&Times New RomanS42Variable: 8HTML MarkupB      2 0CommentB  01234567 35;AGMSY_11.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.<6X9`(Courier New%2A`Arial  e !.8dd8     _   8NXXdd8{W@ INTHESUPREMECOURTOFTENNESSEE  @WW$ATKNOXVILLE#<#Ԉ &   September9,2004Session L XX #XX##STATEOFTENNESSEEv._LATRECE_ԀJONESXX  J @@ AppealbyPermissionfromtheCourtofCriminalAppeals  J CriminalCourtforHamiltonCounty  6 @@No.226487RebeccaJ.Stern,Judge  " @@*AV) ` dE<` A   @@TTNo.E200200893SCR11CDFiledNovember23,2004   AV) ` dE<h` A i     #XX#XXWegrantedthisappealtodeterminewhethertheevidencesupportedthedefendantsconvictionfor P criminallynegligenthomicideinthedeathofhertwoyearoldson.Thechildwasridingonthe < defendantslapinthefrontpassengerseatofarentalcarandwaskilledwhenthepassengersideair (x bagdeployedinacollision.TheCourtofCriminalAppealsupheldtheconviction,concludingthat d theevidencewassufficienttosustainthejurysverdict,thatthedefendantsconductwasthe P proximatecauseofthevictimsdeath,andthatthetrialcourtdidnoterrinadmittingevidence < regardingcarseatsafety.Aftercarefullyreviewingtherecordandtheevidence,weconcludethat ( thetrialcourtdidnotabuseitsdiscretioninadmittingevidenceregardingcarseatsafety.However,  weconcludethattheevidencewasinsufficienttosupporttheconvictionbecausethedefendants  conductdidnotconstituteagrossdeviationfromthestandardofcare.Accordingly,wereversethe  judgmentoftheCourtofCriminalAppealsanddismisstheconviction.Becausewedismissthe  defendantsconvictionduetoinsufficientevidence,wedonotreachherargumentsthatherconduct t wasnottheproximatecauseofhersonsdeathandthatthetrialcourtsinstructiontothejuryon ` proximatecausewaserror. L   Tenn.R.App.P.11AppealbyPermission;JudgmentoftheCourtof $"t! CriminalAppealsReversed;ConvictionDismissed.  #`"   E.RileyAnderson,J.,deliveredtheopinionofthecourt,inwhichFrankF._Drowota_,III,C.J. $8 $ andJaniceM.Holder,WilliamM.Barker,JJ.,and_J.S._ԀDaniel,_Sp.J._,joined. %$!% _Ardena_ԀJ.Garth,DistrictPublicDefender,andDonnaRobinsonMiller,AssistantDistrictPublic '"' Defender,Chattanooga,Tennessee,fortheAppellant,_Latrece_ԀJones. (#( PaulG.Summers,AttorneyGeneralandReporter;MichaelE.Moore,SolicitorGeneral;JohnH. p*%* _Bledsoe_,AssistantAttorneyGeneral;WilliamH.Cox,III,DistrictAttorneyGeneral;andC._Parke_ \+&+ Masterson,Jr.,AssistantDistrictAttorneyGeneral,fortheAppellee,StateofTennessee. H,', J  4-(- _@@OO& OPINION           OnNovember9,1998,defendantLatreceJones,ageeighteen,wasridinginthefront  passengerseatofarentedChevroletCavalierinChattanooga,Tennessee.Hertwoyearoldson, t CarlonBowens,Jr.,wasasleepinherlap.Carlonsaunt,LetitiaAbernathy,hadrentedandwas ` drivingtherentalcar;fivechildrenandoneadultsatinthebackseat.Attheintersectionof L  ShallowfordRoadandJerseyPike,anothercarfailedtoyieldtherightofwaytotherentalcar, 8  causingacollision( theaccident).F $#  1      ׀Althoughtheaccidentwasnotsevere,thepassengersideair $ t bagdeployed.TheforcewithwhichtheairbagstruckMs.Jonessonbrokehisneck,killinghim.  ` Nooneelseinthecarwasseriouslyinjured.  L    Ms.Abernathy,thedriveroftherentalcar,testifiedthatsheoperatedadaycarebusinessout $  ofherhome.Thefivechildreninthebackseat,oneofwhomwasherdaughter,wereunderhercare   atthetimeoftheaccident.Thechildrenwereagedsevenyears,sixyears,fiveyears,fouryears,and   ninemonths.Ms.Abernathytestifiedthatshenormallydroveajeep,butbecauseshehadbeenin   anaccidentearlierinthedayshehadrentedtheChevrolet.Shetestifiedthatshenormallyhadcar   seatsforthechildrenwhorequiredrestraintsbutthatshedidnotusethemthatdaybecausetherewas p notroomintheChevrolet.Itwasstipulatedthatthesixpassengersinthebackseatwere \ unrestrained.K $#  2      ׀ H   ItwasundisputedthatonlyCarlonsustainedseriousinjuries.PediatricsurgeonDr.Joseph  p EarlKelley,Jr.,testifiedattrialthathehadtreatedthevictimandthattheforceoftheairbag  \ deploymenthadbrokenthechildsneck.Hetestifiedthatitwas notthetypeofinjurythatwould H typicallybeseenfrommotorvehicleaccidentswhenchildrenareunrestrainedandthrownaround. 4 Dr.KelleytestifiedthataninjurysuchastheoneCarlonsustainedisalwaysfatal.     Theprosecutionintroducedphotosshowingairbagwarningsaffixedtotherental  automobilesvisorsandfrontpassengerseatbelt.Thevisorwarningwaspositionedonthesideof  thevisorfacingthepassengerandreadasfollows:  8  0`   !WARNINGX ` `  0  8` (#(#DEATHorSERIOUSINJURYcanoccurD!` `  8  8`   Children12andundercanbekilledbytheairbag.0" ` x` x 8  0`   TheBACKSEATistheSAFESTplaceforchildren.#l!` `  8  0`   NEVERputarearfacingchildseatinthefront.` `  8  0`   Sitasfarbackaspossiblefromtheairbag.` `  8  0`   ALWAYSuseSEATBELTSandCHILDRESTRAINTS.8@` `      Theseatbeltwarningwaspositionedinthecenterofthepassenger ` sideseatbelt,althoughitisnotclearfromtherecordwhetherthewarning L  wouldhavebeenvisibleiftheseatbeltwerenotextended.Theseatbelt 8  warningreadasfollows:$ t` `    0 ` !CAUTION L ` (#` (# 8  8`   AchildinaREARFACINGCHILDRESTRAINTcanbebadly  8  injuredbytheairbagifitinflates.NEVERputachildinaREAR $  FACINGCHILDRESTRAINTinthefrontseatofthisvehicle.   SecureaREARFACINGCHILDRESTRAINTintherearseat. ` x` x 0  0` (#(# ` (#` (# 8  8`   BeforeSecuringaforwardfacingchildrestraint,ALWAYSmove   thepassengerseatasfarbackasitwillgo.Or,securethechild p restraintintherearseat.\` x` x 0  0` (#(# ` (#` (# 8  8`   Formoreinformation,seeyourOwnersManualandthe 4 instructionsthatcamewithyourchildrestraint. p` x` x     Theprosecutionalsointroducedother evidenceinitsefforttoestablishthatMs.Jonesknew 4 hersonshouldhavebeeninachildrestraintandshouldnothavebeenseatedinfrontofanairbag. $ LisaMcClain,administratorfortheWomensandInfantsServicesDivisionatErlangerHospital,  testifiedthatwhenMs.JoneswasdischargedaftergivingbirthtoCarlon,shewouldhavebeengiven  apamphletoncarseatsafetyandavideotapeincludinginformationoncarseatsafety.Thepamphlet  includedthewarnings, [n]everholdachildinyourlapwhileridingineitherthefrontorbackseat  and [b]econsistent!Alwaysbuckleyourchildinthesafetyseat.Ms.McClaintestifiedthatthe p hospitalspolicywastorequireparentstoplacetheinfantinthecarseatthemselvesupondischarge \  fromthehospital. H!   Finally,theprosecutionofferedthetestimonyofBrookePippenger,formerassistantdirector  #p! ofprogramsattheChildrensWellnessCenter,regardingacampaigntheCenterconductedin1997  $\" and1998aimedateducatingthepubliconpreventinginjuriestochildren.Ms.Pippengertestified $H # thatthecampaignincludededucatingthepublicaboutvehiclesafety.TheStateintroducedinto %4!$ evidencetwotelevisionnewsfeaturesandacollectionofnewspaperarticlesregardingcarseatsafety & "% andthedangersofairbagsrelatedtothecampaign.Ms.Pippengertestified,however,thatshehad ' #& never f[ou]ndanylawthatmadeitillegaltoputachildsafetyseatorachildinfrontofanairbag. (#'   ThejuryconvictedMs.Jonesofcriminallynegligenthomicideinthedeathofherson,and *%) thetrialjudgeimposedasentenceof0.9yearsunsupervisedprobation.Ms.Jonesappealedtothe l+&* CourtofCriminalAppeals.Shearguedthattheevidencewasinsufficienttosupporttheconviction  forcriminallynegligenthomicide,thatthejuryinstructionsonproximatecausewereerroneous,and  thatthetrialcourterredinadmittingevidenceaboutthechildrestraintlawandtheabsenceofcar  seatsinthevehicleatthetimeofthecrash.TheCourtofCriminalAppealsrejectedeachofMs. t Jonesargumentsandaffirmedherconviction.Wegrantedreview. ` J$   ANALYSIS  8   /   AdmissibilityofChildRestraintEvidence   ` T/  First,weaddressMs.Jonesargumentthatthechildrestraintevidenceintroducedattrial  4  wasirrelevantandprejudicialbecause,asapassenger,shedidnothaveastatutorydutytoplace   herchildinacarseatandbecausethemedicalevidenceshowedthatthechildwaskilledbythe   airbag.Atoralargument,counselforMs.JonesassertedthatevenifCarlonhadbeeninacar   seat,hewouldhavebeenkilledbytheairbagbecausehewasseatedinthefrontseat.TheState   countersthattheevidencewasrelevanttoshowthatMs.Jonesignoredwellknownriskstothe   victim.WeagreewiththeStatethattheevidencewasadmissible. l   Ms.Jonesarguedtothetrialcourtinamotioninlimineandinhermotionforanewtrial D thatthecarseatevidenceshouldhavebeenexcludedasirrelevantandprejudicial.Thetrialcourt 0 deniedMs.Jonesmotioninlimineinpartandgranteditinpart.Thecourtagreedtoexclude l evidenceregardingTennesseescarseatstatute,TennesseeCodeAnnotatedsection559602 X (1998),becauseitdidnotapplytoMs.Jonesasapassenger.However,thecourtdeclinedto D excludeevidenceregardinginformationinthecommunityregardingcarseats.Wereviewthe 0 trialcourtsdecisionforabuseofdiscretion.Statev.Edison,9S.W.3d75,77(Tenn.1999);  Statev.McLeod,937S.W.2d867,871(Tenn.1996).    Evidenceisrelevantandthereforeadmissibleifithas anytendencytomakethe  existenceofanyfactthatisofconsequencetothedeterminationoftheactionmoreprobableor | lessprobablethanitwouldbewithouttheevidence.Tenn.R.Evid.401.However,relevant h evidencemaybeexcluded ifitsprobativevalueissubstantiallyoutweighedbythedangerof T  unfairprejudice....Tenn.R.Evid.403.Ms.Joneswaschargedwithcriminalnegligencein @! thedeathofherson.ThereforetheStatesburdenwastoprovethatinholdinghersononherlap ,"|  whiletravelinginacar,shefailedtoperceiveasubstantialandunjustifiablerisktohersonand #h! thatherconductwasagrossdeviationfromthestandardofcare.Tenn.CodeAnn.3911106 $T" (2003),3913212(2003).Ms.JonesarguesthattheevidencewasprejudicialbecausetheState $@ # wastryingto inflamethejurybyshowingMs.Jonestobeirresponsible.However,weagree %,!$ withtheStatethattheevidencewasrelevanttoshowthatMs.Joneswasaware,orshouldhave &"%  beenaware,ofthedangertoanunrestrainedchildandthat,inanyevent,itsprobativevaluewas '#& {W {e {  notoutweighedbythedangerofunfairprejudicetoMs.Jones.# $#  3      ׀Ms.JonesarguesthatCarlon   waskilledbytheairbag,notbybeingunrestrained,butthatargumentmissesthepoint.The  StatechargedMs.Joneswithcriminalnegligencefortheactofholdingherchildinherlapina  movingvehicle.Evidenceaboutcarseatsandcarseatsafetywasdirectlyrelevanttoshowthat t Ms.Jonesactwasnegligent.Thetrialcourtdidnotabuseitsdiscretioninadmittingthe ` evidence. L     CriminalNegligence  $ t ?    WenextaddressMs.Jonesargumentthattheevidenceofcriminalnegligencewas  H  insufficienttosustainherconviction.Toestablishcriminallynegligenthomicide,theStatemust  4  provethreeelementsbeyondareasonabledoubt:(1)criminallynegligentconductonthepartofthe   accused;(2)thatproximatelycauses;(3)apersonsdeath.Statev.Farner,66S.W.3d188,199   (Tenn.2001)(citingTenn.CodeAnn.3913212(a)(definingcriminallynegligenthomicideas    [c]riminallynegligentconductwhichresultsindeath....)).   R?    Ms.Jonesarguesthattheevidenceisinsufficienttosupportherconvictionforcriminally l negligenthomicidebecausetheevidencedoesnotestablishthatshewasgrosslynegligent.TheState X arguesthattheevidencesupportsthejurysdeterminationthatMs.Jonesfailuretoperceivetherisk D tohersonwasagrossdeviationfromthestandardofcare. 0   Whenevaluatingthesufficiencyoftheevidence,wemustdeterminewhether anyrational X trieroffactcouldhavefoundtheessentialelementsofthecrimebeyondareasonabledoubt.State D v.Goodwin,143S.W.3d771,775(Tenn.2004)(quotingStatev.Reid,91S.W.3d247,276(Tenn. 0 2002)).Whenconsideringtherecord,wemustaffordtheprosecution thestrongestlegitimateview  oftheevidence,aswellas allreasonableandlegitimateinferencesthatmaybedrawnfrom  theevidence.Id.(quotingStatev.Smith,24S.W.3d274,279(Tenn.2000)).    Criminallynegligentconductthat resultsindeathconstitutescriminallynegligent | homicide.Tenn.CodeAnn.3913212(a).Apersonactswithcriminalnegligence h 'B  8  8`   withrespecttothecircumstancessurroundingthatpersonsconduct @! ortheresultofthatconductwhenthepersonoughttobeawareofa ,"|  substantialandunjustifiableriskthatthecircumstancesexistorthe #h! resultwilloccur.Theriskmustbeofsuchanatureanddegreethat $T" thefailuretoperceiveitconstitutesagrossdeviationfromthe $@ # standardofcarethatanordinarypersonwouldexerciseunderallthe %,!$ circumstancesasviewedfromtheaccusedpersonsstandpoint[.]&"%` x` x   '#& G  Tenn.CodeAnn.3911106(a)(4)(2003)(emphasisadded);seealsoTenn.CodeAnn.3911   302(d)(2003)(providingthesamedefinitionunder culpablementalstate[s]).    Tobecriminallynegligent,adefendantmustfailtoperceiveasubstantialandunjustifiable t risk.Tenn.CodeAnn.3911106(a)(4);seealsoStatev.Owens,820S.W.2d757,760(Tenn. ` Crim.App.1991).Whetherthedefendantfailedtoperceivetheriskmustbedeterminedusinga L  subjectivestandard;wemustviewthecircumstances fromtheaccusedpersonsstandpoint._Tenn. 8  CodeAnn.3911106(a)(4);seealsoStatev.Slater,841S.W.2d841,842(Tenn._Crim_.App.1992) $ t ( [Thecriminallynegligenthomicidestatute]viewsthesituationthroughtheeyesofthe[defendant]  ` andwhether[_s]he_Ԁcouldhaveperceivedandthenchosentoignoreasubstantialandunjustifiable  L  risk.).Thedefendantsfailuretoperceivetheriskmustbe agrossdeviationfromthestandard  8  ofcare.Tenn.CodeAnn.3911106(a)(4)(emphasisadded). $    WhentheGeneralAssemblyenactedtheCriminalSentencingReformActof1989,the   offenseofcriminallynegligenthomicidereplacedthecrimeofinvoluntarymanslaughter.   Sentencing_Commn_ԀCommentstoTenn.CodeAnn.3913212;_Farner_,66S.W.3dat198.   Recognizingculpabilityfordeathsresultingfromcriminalnegligencewasnotnew,however;we p longrecognizedculpabilityforsuchdeathsundertheinvoluntarymanslaughterstatute.See,e.g., \ Roev.State,358S.W.2d308,314(Tenn.1962)( Whereoneunintentionallycausesanothersdeath H byconductnotamountingtoafelony[_malum_Ԁ_prohibitum_]andnot_malum_Ԁinse,butwhich 4 constitutesgrossandculpablenegligence,heisguiltyofinvoluntarymanslaughter.);seealsoState  p v.Johnson,541S.W.2d417,419(Tenn.1976);Copelandv.State,285_S.W._Ԁ565,566(Tenn.1926).  \   Inrecognizingthat grossandculpablenegligencecanrenderadefendantcriminallyliable, 4 wehavealsolongrecognizedthatthenegligence mustbeofahigherdegreethanisrequiredto   establishnegligenceuponamerecivilissue....Copeland,285_S.W._Ԁat_566._ԀSeealsoSentencing   _Commn_ԀCommentsto3913212( Themens_rea_Ԁforcriminallynegligenthomicide...makes  clearthatsimplenegligence,asdefinedincivillaw,isinsufficientforcriminalliability.).Indeed,  initscommentstosection3911302,theSentencingCommissionnotedthat [_t]he_Ԁpropositionthat  criminalliabilitybebasedonahigherdegreeofnegligencethanthatrequiredforcivilliabilityis l wellsettled.SeealsoLeslie_Yalof_ԀGarfield,AMorePrincipledApproachtoCriminalizing X  Negligence:APrescriptionfortheLegislature,65Tenn.L.Rev.875,889(1998)(notingthatthe D! requirementof somethingmorethanordinarynegligenceforcriminalprosecutioninEnglishlaw 0"  datestothesixteenthcentury). #l!   Insum,wemustexaminethedefendant'sconducttodetermine(1)whetherasubstantialand $D # unjustifiableriskexistedatthetimeoftheconductorresultingfromtheconduct;(2)whether,using %0!$ asubjectivestandard,thedefendantfailedatthetimeoftheconducttoperceivetherisk;and(3) &"% whetherthatfailurewasagrossdeviationfromthestandardofcareofanordinarypersonunderthe '#& circumstances. (#'   TheCourtofCriminalAppealsheldthattheevidencewassufficienttoconvictMs.Jones |*%) ofcriminalnegligence,concludingthatshe knewthatbyfailingtoplaceherchildinachild h+&* restraintseat,shewasexposingherchildtoseriousbodilyharmordeath.ThecourtcitedMs. T,'+ _McClain_stestimonythatMs.Joneshadbeenverballyinformedofchildrestraintlawsandwasgiven  writteninformationonvehiclesafety.ThecourtalsocitedthevisorwarningsandthefactthatMs.  Jonesandthechildsfatherhadachildrestraintseatandhaduseditonotheroccasions.Finally,the  courtnotedthat duringtheyearpriortotheaccident,assortedpublicserviceannouncementsinprint t andtelevisionwerecirculatedregardingtheimportanceofusingchildrestraintseats. ` _  WedisagreewiththeCourtofCriminalAppealsconclusion.Viewingtheevidenceinthe 8  lightmostfavorabletotheState,aswemust,andapplyingasubjectivepointofview,aswemust, $ t weconcludethattheevidencefailedtoestablishthatMs.Joneswascriminallynegligent.Wehave  ` littledoubtthatholdingatwoyearoldchildononeslapinfrontofanairbagconstitutesa  L  substantialandunjustifiedrisk.However,wemustdeterminewhethertherewassufficientevidence  8  topermitarationaltrieroffacttoconcludethatMs.Jonesfailuretoperceivethatriskwasagross $  deviationfromthestandardofcare.Forseveralreasons,wecannotsaythattherewas.     First,althoughtheStateintroducedacollectionofnewspaperarticlesandtwotelevision    spotstoshowthatinformationaboutsafelytransportingchildrenwasavailabletothecommunity,   nothingintherecordindicatesthatMs.Jonesactuallysaworreadanyofthatinformation. p Moreover,wedisagreewiththeStatethatwhethertheconductofMs.Joneswasagrossdeviation \ fromthestandardofcarecanbeestablishedwithreferencetoanadvertisingcampaign,however H wellintentionedthatcampaignmighthavebeen. 4   Second,thearticlesandtelevisionspotsenteredintoevidenceillustratehownewtheriskof  \ airbagswasin1998.Accordingtooneofthearticles,1999wasthefirstyearthatallcarshad H passengersideairbags.MicheleBaum,EducationKeytoAirbagSafetyforYoungRiders, 4 ChattanoogaTimes,February15,1997.     Third,theveryfactthattherewasaneedforalargescalepublicinformationcampaignaimed  ateducatingparentsaboutchildcarsafetyindicates,sadly,howmanypeopleinthecommunity  simplywerenotusingchildsafetyrestraintsatthetimeoftheaccident.Infact,oneofthenewspaper  articlesintherecord,publishedonOctober28,1998"justtwelvedaysbeforetheaccident"noted l thata recentsurveyinHamiltonCountyhadfoundthat onlyaboutsixtypercent(60%)of X  youngstersobservedridingincarsandtruckswererestrained.Someweresittinginlaps.Judy D! Frank,BuckleUpYourChild,ChattanoogaFreePress,Oct.28,1998,atE1.If40%ofthechildren 0"  beingtransportedinMs.Jonescommunitywerebeingtransportedwithoutbeingproperlyrestrained #l! atthetimeoftheaccident,itwouldbedifficultforarationaltrieroffacttoconcludethatitwasa $X" grossdeviationfromthestandardofcareatthetimeoftheaccidentforMs.Jonestotransporther $D # childimproperly.E $#  4      ׀ %0!$  &"%   Finally,theStatealsointroducedevidencethatMs.Joneshadreceivedinformationaboutcar  seatsafetyuponherdischargefromthehospitalafterthebirthofherson.Thatinformationadvised  parentsto,amongotherthings,alwaysusecarseatsandto neverholdachildinyourlapinthecar.  Additionally,theStatecitedtheairbagwarningonthepassengersidevisor.I $#  5      ׀AlthoughMs.Jones t failuretoheedthesewarningsandtoperceivethedangerposedbysittingwithherchildonherlap ` infrontofanairbagmayhavebeennegligent,ourcasesillustratethatitsimplydoesnotrisetothe L  levelofgrossnegligencenecessarytoupholdaconvictionforcriminallynegligenthomicide. 8  J    Tennesseecourtshavesustainedconvictionsforcriminallynegligenthomicideonlywhere  ` a riskisofsuchanatureanddegreethatinjuryordeathislikelyandforeseeable.Statev.Gillon,  L  15S.W.3d492,498(Tenn.Crim.App.1997)(emphasisadded).Forexample,inStatev.Goodwin,  8  ajuryfoundthedefendantguiltyofcriminallynegligenthomicidewherethedefendanthadlefta $  cockedshotguninthewoodsfiftyfeetbehindahouseinacrowdedneighborhood.Twochildren   foundthegun;itaccidentallydischarged,killingonechildandseverelyinjuringtheother.   Concludingthatthedefendanthad exercisedextremelypoorjudgmentinhishandlingofan   inherentlydangerousweapon,thisCourtaffirmedthejudgment.143S.W.3dat779;seealsoState   v.Clifton,880S.W.2d737,743(Tenn.Crim.App.1994)(defendantguiltyofcriminalnegligence p infiringaguninthegeneraldirectionofanotherperson);Statev.Butler,880S.W.2d395,39697 \ (Tenn.Crim.App.1994)(defendantguiltyofcriminalnegligenceinaccidentalshooting). H   Wehaveconsistentlyappliedtherequirementthatdeathorinjurybelikelyandforeseeable  p incasesinvolvingautomobileaccidents.InRoev.State,ajuryfoundthedefendantguiltyof  \ involuntarymanslaughteronacriminalnegligencetheorywhereshelockedherhusbandoutofthe H carandthendroveoff,dragginghimalongsidethevehicle.358S.W.2dat31415.ThisCourt 4 affirmed,holdingthatthevictimsdeathwasthe naturalandprobableconsequenceofthe   defendantsnegligence.Id.InReedv.State,110S.W.2d308(Tenn.1937),adefendantwhopulled   into heavyandcloselyapproachingopposingtraffictopassatruckwasguiltyofinvoluntary  manslaughterbecausetheresultingcollisionwas notonlyaprobableresultbutalmostaninevitable  resultofsuchnegligenceasthedefendants.Id.at308;seealsoGillon,15S.W.3dat498  (defendantwascriminallynegligentinrunningastopsign,enteringadividedhighway,andcrossing l themediantothefarside);Statev.Ramsey,903S.W.2d709,712(Tenn.Crim.App.1995)(injury X  ordeathwaslikelyandforeseeablewherethedefendantwas drivingfastandcarelesslyonahilly, D! curvyroadand[thedefendant]consciouslydisregardedthatriskbydrivinginsuchamanner.). 0"    Likewise,automobilecasesinwhichsomeoneotherthanthedriverwascriminallynegligent $X" furtherillustratethelevelofnegligencerequiredforafindingofa grossdeviationfromthe $D # standardofcare.InFlippenv.State,365S.W.2d895(Tenn.1963),thisCourtheldthatapassenger %0!$ wascriminallynegligentinfailingtoalerttheintoxicateddriverthathehadstruckanothercar, &"% sendingitofftheroadandintoalake,andforassistingthedriverinconcealingthecarafterthe  accident.Id.at89899.InFreemanv.State,362S.W.2d251(Tenn.1962),thisCourtheldthatthe  defendantwascriminallynegligentinpermittinghisintoxicatedcompaniontodrivehis_(the  defendants)car,knowingthatthebrakesweredefective.Id.at253;seealso_Farner_,66S.W.3dat t 198206(holdingthatadragracecoparticipantsnegligencedidnotbarthedefendantsconviction ` forcriminallynegligenthomicide,butreversingtheconvictionbecausethejurywasnotadequately L  instructedonproximatecause). 8    Incontrast,ordinarynegligenceorinattentiononthepartofamotherdoesnotrisetothe  ` levelofgrossnegligence,evenifthemothersconductcontributestothedeathofherchild.InState  L  v.Davis,798S.W.2d268(Tenn._Crim_.App.1990),thedefendantwasconvictedofinvoluntary  8  manslaughterinthedrowningofhertwoyearoldson.TheCourtofCriminalAppealsheldthat $  therewasinsufficientevidenceofcriminalnegligencetosustaintheconvictionbecausethemother   hadassumedthechildwasbeingwatchedbyhisstepfatherandgrandmother.Id.at27273.InState   v.Owens,theCourtofCriminalAppealsheldthattherewasinsufficientevidencetoconvictthe   defendantofcriminallynegligenthomicideinthedeathofherseverelydisabledelevenmonthold   daughtereventhoughthemotherhadremovedthechildfromarespiratorymonitorandhadnot p givenherprescribedmedications. Althoughsomecarelessnessandnegligenceonthepartofthe \ [defendant]isshowninthisrecord,thecourtheld, wecannotsayitrosetothelevelofgross H negligence....Itisnotsufficienttosay,with20/20hindsight,thatthe[defendant]couldhave,or 4 shouldhave,donesomethingsdifferently.820S.W.2dat760.Incontrast,inStatev.Adams,916  p S.W.2d471(Tenn._Crim_.App.1995),theCourtofCriminalAppealsaffirmedtheconvictionofa  \ defendantwhohadnegligentlycausedthedeathofherthreeyearoldniecebyinflictingblunttrauma H woundstoherhead.Id.at47677.Clearlyinthatcase,unliketheprevioustwocasesandunlikethe 4 caseatbar,thevictimsdeathwasalikelyandforeseeableresultofthedefendantsconduct.     Insum,theabovecasesd_emonstrate_Ԁthatsomethingmuchgreaterthanthewantofordinary  careshownbyMs.Jonesisnecessarytoaffirmherconviction.Theremustbeagrossdeviationfrom  thestandardofcare.Wewereunabletofindacaseanywhereinthecountryholdingaparent  criminallyliableforachildsdeathbasedontheconductofplacingthechildinfrontofapassenger l sideairbag.Viewingalltheevidenceinthelightmostfavorabletotheprosecution,theevidence X  isnotsufficienttopermitarationaltrieroffacttofindMs.Jonescriminallynegligentbeyonda D! reasonabledoubt.Wethereforereverseherconviction. 0"    Wenotethatourholdingcomportswiththeprovisionsofthechildrestraintlawineffectat $X" thetimeoftheaccident.AlthoughthechildrestraintlawdoesnotapplytoMs.Jonesasapassenger $D # ratherthanadriver,seeTenn.CodeAnn.559602(a)(1998)(amended2004),thechildrestraint %0!$ statuteineffectatthetimeoftheaccidentpermittedamothertoremoveherchildfromitscarseat &"% tonursethechildorto attend[]toitsotherphysiologicalneeds.Id.Thelegislativedetermination '#&  thatitwaspermissibleforamothertoholdachildforsuchnonemergencypurposes,ratherthan (#' keepingthechildina_restraint,_Ԁalsomilitatesagainstafindingthatitwasagrossdeviationfromthe  standardofcareforMs.Jonestodosointhiscase.G $#  6         r_/  _/  _/  __/  __/  _/  /  _/   _  Conclusion  t =    Thedeathofachildisaterribletragedy,particularlywhen,ashere,thedeathmighthave H  beenprevented.Buthowevertragic_Carlon_sdeathwas,theevidencewasinsufficienttosupporta 4  convictionforcriminallynegligenthomicidebecausethedefendantsconductdidnotconstitutea  p grossdeviationfromthestandardofcare.ThejudgmentoftheCourtofCriminalAppealsis  \ reversed,andtheconvictionisdismissed.CostsoftheappealaretaxedtotheStateofTennessee  H  forwhichexecutionmayissueifnecessary.  4     `     h     __________________________________      `     h     E.RILEYANDERSON,JUSTICE