COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OPINIONS

State of Tennessee v. Alexis Faxon
E2023-01480-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Jill Bartee Ayers
Trial Court Judge: Judge James F. Goodwin, Jr.

Defendant, Alexis Faxon, was convicted by a Sullivan County jury of reckless driving and
speeding which resulted in a fatal two-car accident. The trial court sentenced Defendant
to consecutive sentences of thirty days’ incarceration for speeding and six months
suspended to probation for reckless driving. Defendant appeals, arguing that the evidence
is insufficient to support her conviction for reckless driving, that the trial court erred by
denying a mistrial based on alleged discovery violations, and that the trial court erred by
admitting photographs and victim impact statements at the sentencing hearing and by
ordering thirty days’ incarceration. Upon our review of the entire record, the briefs of the
parties, and the applicable law, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

State of Tennessee v. Jerrell Anderson
W2023-01618-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Timothy L. Easter
Trial Court Judge: Judge James Jones, Jr.

Defendant, Jerrell Anderson, appeals his Shelby County convictions for four counts of attempted first degree murder, two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of reckless endangerment, and two counts of employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony. Defendant argues that the trial court erred in denying two motions for mistrial and in admitting redacted recordings of jail phone calls into evidence instead of admitting the calls in their entirety. After review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

State of Tennessee v. Russell Lynn Onks
E2023-01656-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Jill Bartee Ayers
Trial Court Judge: Judge William K. Rogers

Defendant, Russell Lynn Onks, was convicted by a Sullivan County jury of four counts of violation of the Tennessee Sexual Offender and Violent Sexual Offender Registration, Verification and Tracking Act of 2004. After a hearing, the trial court imposed an effective sentence of two years, suspended to probation after service of ninety days of incarceration. Defendant appeals, arguing that the evidence was insufficient to support a finding that he established a primary residence, secondary residence, or a physical presence within Sullivan County to support counts one and two. Upon review of the entire record, the briefs of the parties, and the applicable law, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

State of Tennessee v. John Allen Hessmer
M2024-00056-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge John W. Campbell, Sr.
Trial Court Judge: Senior Judge Don R. Ash

The Defendant, John Allen Hessmer, appeals the Wilson County Circuit Court’s denial of his motion to correct illegal sentences pursuant to Tennessee Rule of Criminal Procedure 36.1.  Based on our review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

State of Tennessee v. Jordan Ballard
W2023-01266-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert H. Montgomery, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge Mark L. Hayes

The Defendant, Jordan Ballard, was convicted by a Lake County Circuit Court jury of
aggravated kidnapping, a Class B felony; rape, a Class B felony; aggravated assault, a Class
C felony; and assault, a Class A misdemeanor. See T.C.A. §§ 39-13-304 (2018)
(aggravated kidnapping), 39-13-503 (2019) (subsequently amended) (rape); 39-13-102
(Supp. 2020) (subsequently amended) (aggravated assault); 39-13-101 (Supp. 2020)
(subsequently amended) (assault). The trial court imposed concurrent sentences of ten
years for aggravated kidnapping, ten years for rape, four years for aggravated assault, and
eleven months, twenty-nine days for assault, for an effective ten-year sentence. On appeal,
the Defendant contends that the evidence is insufficient to support his aggravated
kidnapping conviction. We affirm the judgments of the trial court.

State of Tennessee v. Christopher Paul Drake
E2024-00165-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Tom Greenholtz
Trial Court Judge: Judge Tammy Harrington

The Defendant, Christopher Paul Drake, pled guilty to the offenses of attempted aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor and attempted sexual exploitation of a minor. The trial court imposed an effective sentence of eight years and placed the Defendant on probation after service of six months in custody. Thereafter, the Defendant was alleged to have committed a “zero tolerance” violation of his probation by being discharged from an outpatient sex offender treatment program. Following a hearing, the trial court revoked his suspended sentences in full. On appeal, the Defendant argues that the trial court abused its discretion when it ordered the sentences into execution. He also asserts that the trial court erred in admitting the treatment provider’s Notice of Termination despite the provider’s absence from the hearing. Upon our review, we respectfully affirm the judgments of the trial court.

State of Tennessee v. Jeffrey August Tate and Steven Ogle
E2023-01737-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Matthew J. Wilson
Trial Court Judge: Judge Rex H. Ogle

Defendants, Jeffrey August Tate and Steven Ogle, were indicted in separate cases for multiple counts of theft of property and home construction fraud involving separate victims. Before trial, both Defendants filed motions to dismiss the home construction fraud counts in their respective indictments, alleging that a portion of the home construction fraud statute, Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-14-154(b)(1), was unconstitutionally vague on its face, and Defendant Tate also argued that the statute was vague as applied to him. Following a joint hearing on both Defendants’ motions, the trial court concluded that the home construction fraud statute is unconstitutionally vague on its face. The State appealed both Defendants’ cases pursuant to Tennessee Rule of Appellate Procedure 3(c), and this court consolidated the appeals. We conclude that the State does not have an appeal as of right pursuant to Rule 3(c) because the record does not reflect that the substantive effect of the trial court’s order resulted in the dismissal of the indictments. Accordingly, we dismiss the appeals.

State of Tennessee v. Paul L. Foutner
E2024-00054-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Timothy L. Easter
Trial Court Judge: Judge Steven Wayne Sword

Paul L. Foutner, Defendant, was indicted for first degree murder, three counts of attempted
first degree murder, reckless endangerment, two counts of employing a firearm in the
commission of a dangerous felony, and one count of felon in possession of a firearm for
his role in a shooting in Knoxville. The trial court dismissed the reckless endangerment
charge before trial, and a jury convicted Defendant of second degree murder, attempted
second degree murder, two counts of reckless endangerment, employing a firearm in the
commission of a dangerous felony, employing a firearm in the commission of a dangerous
felony with a prior violent felony, and felon in possession of a firearm. Defendant received
an effective sentence of 54 years. On appeal, Defendant challenges the sufficiency of the
evidence to support his convictions for second degree murder and attempted second degree
murder. Because the evidence is sufficient to support the convictions, we affirm the
judgments of the trial court.

State of Tennessee v. Jacob Wyatt Allen
M2023-01379-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Timothy L. Easter
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor Howard W. Wilson

Jacob Wyatt Allen, Defendant, appeals from the revocation of judicial diversion after subsequent arrests for driving under the influence, aggravated criminal trespass, driving on a revoked license, driving under the influence, violation of the motorcycle helmet law, and violation of an ignition interlock system.  Because the trial court did not abuse its discretion, we affirm the revocation of judicial diversion.

State of Tennessee v. Brian Tremaine Mitchell
M2023-00050-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge John W. Campbell, Sr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge Steve R. Dozier

The Defendant, Brian Tremaine Mitchell, was convicted in the Davidson County Criminal Court of two counts of first degree premeditated murder, one count of first degree felony murder, one count of attempted second degree murder, and employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony and received a total effective sentence of two consecutive life terms plus seventeen years in confinement. On appeal, the Defendant contends that (1) the evidence is insufficient to support his convictions, (2) the trial court erred by admitting hearsay statements into evidence as dying declarations, (3) the trial court erred by failing to instruct the jury on the statements as dying declarations, (4) the trial court erred by refusing to suppress his Facebook records from evidence, (5) the trial court erred by allowing his jailhouse statements and internet searches into evidence, (6) the trial court erred by excluding evidence that one of the victims was selling drugs and might have been intoxicated at the time of the crimes, and (7) he is entitled to relief under the cumulative error doctrine. Based upon the oral arguments, the record, and the parties’ briefs, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

State of Tennessee v. Gary E. Brown
E2023-01562-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Jill Bartee Ayers
Trial Court Judge: Judge Hector Sanchez

Defendant, Gary E. Brown, was indicted by a Knox County Grand Jury in case number
122940 for aggravated assault by strangulation, domestic assault, false imprisonment,
interfering with an emergency call, and two counts of violating a no contact order.
Defendant was later charged by information in case number 125355 with domestic
aggravated assault. In case number 122940, Defendant pled guilty to domestic assault and
was sentenced to 179 days for which he had credit. In case number 125355, Defendant
pled guilty to aggravated assault with an agreed-upon sentence of three years suspended to
probation, with the trial court to determine after a hearing whether Defendant would
receive judicial diversion. Following the trial court’s denial of judicial diversion,
Defendant appeals arguing that the trial court abused its discretion in denying judicial
diversion. Following our review of the record, the briefs of the parties, and the applicable
law, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Roy T. Lewis v. State of Tennessee
M2024-00406-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge Timothy L. Easter
Trial Court Judge: Judge Robert T. Bateman

Petitioner, Roy T. Lewis, appeals from the Robertson County Circuit Court’s denial of his petition for post-conviction relief following a hearing, in which Petitioner alleged that he received the ineffective assistance of counsel and that his guilty plea was not knowingly and voluntarily entered because trial counsel did not inform him of his offender classification.  Following a careful review of the record and the briefs of the parties, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court. 

State of Tennessee v. Shoshanna Cabanting
E2023-00562-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Camille R. McMullen
Trial Court Judge: Judge Alex E. Pearson

A Hancock County Jury convicted the Defendant, Shoshanna Cabanting, of vandalism of
property valued at $1,000 or less, a Class A misdemeanor, in violation of Tennessee Code
Annotated section 39-14-408(b)(1). The trial court imposed a sentence of eleven months
and twenty-nine days which was suspended after service of thirty days in jail. On appeal,
the Defendant argues that the trial court erred in imposing the thirty-day term of
confinement because it failed to consider the purposes and principles of the Sentencing
Act. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-103(1)(A)-(C). Upon our review, we reverse the
judgment of the trial court and remand for a limited resentencing hearing.

State of Tennessee v. Terrance Williams
W2023-01447-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Ross Dyer
Trial Court Judge: Judge Lee V. Coffee

A Shelby County jury convicted the defendant, Terrance Williams, of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, for which he received an effective sentence of fifty-six years in confinement. On appeal, the defendant contends the evidence presented at trial was insufficient to support his convictions. After reviewing the record and considering the applicable law, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

State of Tennessee v. Kevin Davidson
E2024-00391-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Jill Bartee Ayers
Trial Court Judge: Judge James F. Goodwin, Jr.

Defendant, Kevin Davidson, appeals the trial court’s order revoking his probationary
sentence for ten drug-related convictions in two separate cases. Following our review of
the entire record and the briefs of the parties, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

State of Tennessee v. Marquis Rashum McReynolds
E2023-01728-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert H. Montgomery, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge Jeffery H. Wicks

The Defendant, Marquis Rashum McReynolds, was convicted by a Roane County Criminal
Court jury of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a Class C felony; aggravated
robbery, a Class B felony; especially aggravated robbery, a Class A felony; reckless
endangerment with a deadly weapon, a Class E felony; and employing a firearm during the
commission of a dangerous felony, a Class D felony. See T.C.A. §§ 39-13-
102(a)(1)(A)(iii) (Supp. 2020) (subsequently amended) (aggravated assault); 39-13-402
(2018) (aggravated robbery); 39-13-403 (2018) (especially aggravated robbery); 39-13-
103 (2018) (subsequently amended) (reckless endangerment); 39-17-1324(b) (2018)
(subsequently amended) (employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous
felony). The trial court dismissed the firearm charge and imposed an effective sentence of
twenty-five years. On appeal, the Defendant contends that the trial court erred in (1)
denying his request to admit the video recording of the victims’ interviews with police; (2)
denying his request to sever his trial from his codefendant’s trial; and (3) failing to grant a
new trial based upon newly discovered evidence presented at the sentencing hearing. We
affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Gary Lee Bragg, Jr. v. State of Tennessee
E2023-01247-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert L. Holloway, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge Hector Sanchez

Petitioner, Gary Lee Bragg, Jr., claims that trial counsel provided ineffective assistance by
failing to request that the jury be instructed on the lesser-included offenses of aggravated
burglary. The post-conviction court found that trial counsel “was deficient for not
requesting applicable lesser-included jury instructions” but found that “Petitioner was not
prejudiced as a result” and denied relief. We determine that trial counsel’s decision not to
request an instruction on lesser-included offenses was an “informed choice based upon
adequate preparation,” Moore v. State, 485 S.W.3d 411, 420 (Tenn. 2016), and that
Petitioner failed to overcome the presumption that counsel provided adequate assistance
and used reasonable professional judgment to make the strategic decision to employ an
“all-or-nothing” defense strategy. We agree with the post-conviction court’s ruling that
Petitioner failed to prove the prejudice prong of Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668,
687 (1984). Discerning no reversible error, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

State of Tennessee v. Amy Upton
E2024-00416-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Kyle A. Hixson
Trial Court Judge: Judge Zachary R. Walden

The Defendant, Amy Upton, pleaded guilty to four counts of drug-related offenses after
the trial court denied her motion to dismiss the charges or, alternatively, to suppress
evidence seized on the day of her arrest. The motion pertained to the circumstances of her
arrest, which occurred in Claiborne County but was effectuated by Union County deputies.
As part of her plea agreement, she sought to reserve a certified question of law challenging
the trial court’s decision to deny the motion. Following our review, we conclude that the
certified question does not clearly identify the scope and limits of the legal issue reserved
as required by Tennessee Rule of Criminal Procedure 37(b)(2)(A). Accordingly, we are
without jurisdiction to consider the question. The appeal is dismissed.

Rodzell Lamont Mason v. State of Tennessee
M2024-00287-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge John W. Campbell, Sr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge Steve R. Dozier

The Petitioner, Rodzell Lamont Mason, appeals the summary dismissal as time-barred of his petition for post-conviction relief from his guilty-pleaded conviction of second degree murder, arguing that the post-conviction court erred in finding that State v. Booker, 656 S.W.3d 49 (2022), did not establish a new constitutional right applicable to his case that would allow his claim, filed more than thirteen years after his judgment became final, to be considered. Based on our review, we affirm the summary dismissal of the petition.

State of Tennessee v. Phillip Jerome Gardner, III & Latonia Maria Gardner
M2022-01131-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Tom Greenholtz
Trial Court Judge: Judge Walter C. Kurtz

In a joint trial, a Davidson County jury convicted Phillip Jerome Gardner, III, and Latonia Maria Gardner of felony murder committed in the perpetration of aggravated child neglect and three counts of aggravated child neglect. Additionally, Latonia Gardner was convicted of felony murder committed in the perpetration of aggravated child abuse and one count of aggravated child abuse. Each was sentenced to life plus seventeen years. On appeal, the Defendants raise separate issues. Ms. Gardner argues that the evidence is insufficient to support her convictions. She also alleges that the trial court erred when it failed to sever offenses; improperly admitted expert testimony and video evidence; gave a misleading supplemental jury instruction; and imposed consecutive sentencing. Mr. Gardner similarly challenges the sufficiency of the evidence supporting his convictions. He also argues that the trial court erred when it took under advisement his motion for a judgment of acquittal; failed to sever the Defendants; failed to exclude evidence of the victim’s prior injuries; failed to instruct the jury on his alibi defense; and gave the same misleading supplemental jury instruction. Upon review, the court affirms Ms. Gardner’s conviction and life sentence for felony murder in perpetration of aggravated child abuse. However, the court agrees with the parties that the jury was improperly instructed on one aggravated child neglect count, and we remand that count and its associated felony murder count for a new trial as to both Defendants. With the parties’ agreement, we also reverse the order for consecutive sentences in Ms. Gardner’s cases and remand for the trial court to consider the factors outlined in State v. Wilkerson, 905 S.W.2d 933 (Tenn. 1995). Finally, we remand both cases for entry of corrected judgments of conviction. In all other respects, we respectfully affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Aaron Ostine v. State of Tennessee
M2023-01757-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Trial Court Judge: Judge Larry J. Wallace

A Cheatham County jury convicted the Petitioner, Aaron Ostine, of first degree premeditated murder, first degree felony murder, and aggravated robbery. The trial court imposed an effective life sentence, and this court affirmed the judgments on appeal. State v. Ostine, No. M2013-00467-CCA-R3-CD, 2014 WL 2442988 at *1 (Tenn. Crim. App. May 28, 2014), perm. app. granted (Tenn. Oct. 15, 2014). The Petitioner filed a Rule 11 application, pursuant to the Tennessee Rules of Appellate Procedure, to the Tennessee Supreme Court. Our supreme court granted the application and remanded the case for our reconsideration in light of its holding in State v. Jackson, 444 S.W.3d 554 (Tenn. 2014). After considering the facts and circumstances of the case as compared to those in Jackson, this court again affirmed the trial court’s judgment. State v. Ostine, No. M2013-00467- CCA-R3-CD, 2015 WL 7009058, at *1 (Tenn. Crim. App. Nov. 12, 2015), perm. app. denied (Tenn. Mar. 23, 2016). The Petitioner timely filed for post-conviction relief based upon claims of ineffective assistance of counsel. After a hearing, the post-conviction court denied relief. The Petitioner appeals, maintaining that he received the ineffective assistance of counsel and asserts that the cumulative effect of his trial counsel’s errors entitle him to relief. After review of the record and applicable law, we affirm the post-conviction court’s denial of relief.

State of Tennessee v. Dustin William Russell
M2023-00891-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Jill Bartee Ayers
Trial Court Judge: Judge Deanna B. Johnson

Defendant, Dustin William Russell, was convicted by a jury of second degree murder, reckless endangerment by discharging a firearm into an occupied habitation, and three counts of reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon.  Defendant was sentenced to a total effective sentence of thirty years.  On appeal, Defendant claims the trial court gave an improper instruction for second degree murder, the evidence was insufficient to support his second degree murder conviction, and the trial court abused its discretion in its application of an enhancement factor and in its failure to make findings to support partial consecutive sentencing on the dangerous offender factor.  Following a thorough review of the record, the briefs, and oral arguments of the parties, we affirm the judgments of the trial court. 

Jonathan W. Stephenson v. Zachary Pounds, Warden
M2024-00417-CCA-R3-HC
Authoring Judge: Judge Matthew J. Wilson
Trial Court Judge: Judge Cyntha Chappell

Petitioner, Jonathan W. Stephenson, appeals from the Davidson County Criminal Court’s order summarily dismissing his fifth petition for writ of habeas corpus. On appeal, Petitioner challenges his convictions for first degree murder and conspiracy to commit first degree murder, and the legality of his death plus sixty-years effective sentence. After review, we affirm the judgment of the habeas corpus court.

State of Tennessee v. Latarius Curry
W2023-01789-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Timothy L. Easter
Trial Court Judge: Judge Paula L. Skahan

The Shelby County Grand Jury indicted Latarius Curry, Defendant, on one count each of aggravated child abuse and aggravated child neglect. A jury convicted Defendant as charged, and the trial court imposed an effective 22-year sentence. Defendant appeals, arguing that the evidence was insufficient to support his convictions. Having reviewed the entire record and the parties’ briefs, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

State of Tennessee v. Danny Royce Murphy
W2023-01332-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Timothy L. Easter
Trial Court Judge: Judge Kyle C. Atkins

Danny Royce Murphy, Defendant, was convicted of driving with a canceled, suspended, or revoked license and driving without evidence of financial responsibility after representing himself at trial. The trial court ordered a six-month sentence, with 30 days to serve and the remainder on Community Corrections. Defendant filed several post-trial motions, including a motion for new trial. The trial court denied the motions and this appeal ensued. On appeal, Defendant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence. After a review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.