STATE OF TENNESSEE v. JOHN BASSETT

Syllabus

The Defendant, John Bassett, appeals from his conviction for first degree premeditatedmurder, for which he received a life sentence without the possibility of parole. On appeal,the Defendant contends that (1) the evidence was insufficient to support his convictionbecause the State failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he was responsible for thevictim's death and that he acted with premeditation and (2) the evidence was insufficientto support an enhanced sentence based upon the aggravating circumstance that the murderwas especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel. After review, we affirm the judgment of thetrial court with respect to the Defendant's conviction. However, we reverse the judgmentof the trial court with respect to the Defendant's sentence and remand the case for the entryof an amended judgment sentencing the Defendant to imprisonment for life.