Cordell Ash v. State of Tennessee

In 2015, a Shelby County jury convicted the Petitioner, Cordell Ash, of especially aggravated robbery, attempt to commit first degree murder, employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, and of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. The trial court imposed an effective sentence of thirty years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. The Petitioner filed a delayed appeal, and this court affirmed the trial court on appeal. Ash v. State, No. W2019-01172-CCA-R3-PC, 2020 WL 4919798, at *1 (Tenn. Crim. App. Aug. 20, 2020), no perm. app. filed. The Petitioner filed for postconviction relief, alleging ineffective assistance of counsel. After a hearing, the postconviction court denied relief. On appeal, the Petitioner maintains that his attorney was ineffective for failing to investigate possible defenses such as a third-party perpetrator. After review, we affirm the post-conviction court’s judgment.