Elroy Gaines v. State of Tennessee

The petitioner, Elroy Gaines, appeals the Shelby County Criminal Court’s denial of his petition for post-conviction relief. Following a jury trial, he was convicted of aggravated sexual battery, a Class B felony, and was subsequently sentenced as a career offender to thirty years in the Department of Correction. On appeal, the petitioner argues that he was denied his right to the effective assistance of counsel based upon counsel’s failure to: (1) properly investigate the case and prepare for trial; (2) adequately communicate with the petitioner; and (3) properly preserve appellate issues. Following review of the record, the judgment of the post-conviction court is affirmed.