State of Tennessee, Appellant v. Roger Dale Hill, Sr., Appellee

Summary

The Tennessee Supreme Court reversed the Court of Criminal Appeals and upheld a six-count aggravated rape indictment that did not allege a culpable mental state. Construing Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-11-301(b)-(c), the court held that although intent, knowledge, or recklessness is an element of aggravated rape under § 39-13-502(a)(4), an indictment omitting mens rea remains valid where it gives constitutionally adequate notice, complies with the form requirements of § 40-13-202, and the mental state can be logically inferred from the conduct alleged. Because unlawful sexual penetration of a child under thirteen can be committed only intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly, the indictment satisfied all three conditions. No separate opinions were filed.