Trial Judge's Judgment Reverse In Tennessee

A defendant challenging the sufficiency of the proof has the burden of illustrating to this Court why the evidence is insufficient to support the verdict returned by the trier of fact in his or her case. State v. Tuggle, 639 S.W.2d 913, 914 (Tenn. 1982). "A continuance is a matter which rests within the sound discretion of the trial court and its discretion will not be disturbed absent a clear showing of prejudice to the defendant." State v. Robinson, 971 S.W.2d 30, 42 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1997). In order to reverse the judgment of the trial judge, we must be convinced that the defendant "did not have a fair trial and that a different result would or might reasonably have been reached had there been a different disposition of the application for a continuance." Baxter v. State, 503 S.W.2d 226, 230 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1973). Questions concerning the credibility of witnesses, the weight and value to be given to the evidence, as well as factual issues raised by the evidence are resolved by the trier of fact, not this Court. Cabbage, 571 S.W.2d 832, 835. A guilty verdict rendered by the jury and approved by the trial judge accredits the testimony of the witnesses for the State, and a presumption of guilt replaces the presumption of innocence. State v. Grace, 493 S.W.2d 474, 476 (Tenn. 1973).