Curtis Tate v. State of Tennessee

The Petitioner, Curtis Tate, appeals from the Shelby County Criminal Court’s order denying hispetition for post-conviction relief. The Petitioner was convicted by a jury of second degree murder and, thereafter, sentenced to twenty years in the Department of Correction. On appeal, he argues that the denial of post-conviction relief was error because he did not receive the effective assistance of counsel at trial. He submits that trial counsel failed to call several crucial witnesses to establish his self-defense claim and that trial counsel was impaired during trial because of alcohol use. Following our review of the record and the parties’ briefs, we conclude that the Petitioner has not shown that he is entitled to relief. The judgment of the post-conviction court is affirmed.