Stanley F. Blackwood v. State of Tennessee

The petitioner, Stanley F. Blackwood, appeals the Madison County Circuit Court’s denial of his petition for post-conviction relief from his convictions of first degree murder, three counts of attempted first degree murder (Class A felony), five counts of aggravated assault (Class C felony), two counts of reckless endangerment (Class E felony), and one count of aggravated burglary (Class C felony ), for which he now serves a life sentence plus twenty-two years. The petitioner claims he received ineffective assistance of counsel at trial because his attorney: (1) acknowledged to the jury in opening statements that the petitioner shot the victim; (2) characterized the petitioner’s version of events as “bizarre,” undermining his credibility with the jury; (3) failed to fully investigate the possibility that the handgun discharged accidentally; and (4) failed to object to a prejudicial jury instruction. We find no basis to grant relief and affirm the post-conviction court’s denial of relief.