State of Tennessee v. Ronald Yates

The defendant, Ronald Yates, was convicted of first degree premeditated murder and attempted first degree murder. The trial court imposed consecutive sentences of life and twenty-three years, respectively. In this appeal, the defendant asserts (1) that the evidence is insufficient to support his convictions; (2) that the trial court erred by refusing to grant a mistrial based upon the state's opening statement; (3) that the trial court erred in the admission of certain of the evidence; (4) that the trial court erred by permitting the introduction of a postmortem photograph of the murder victim; (5) that the trial court erred by ordering his trial counsel to alter the form and manner of his questions; (6) that the trial court erred by denying his request for a mistrial based upon the state's violation of a discovery order; (7) that the trial court erred by denying his motion for judgment of acquittal because the state failed to prove venue; (8) that the trial court erred by refusing to grant a mistrial based upon ineffective assistance of counsel; and (9) that the sentence is excessive. The 23 year sentence for attempted first degree murder is modified to 20 years; otherwise, the judgments of the trial court are affirmed.