COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OPINIONS

Bradford D. Darnbush v. State of Tennessee
M2000-02256-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Trial Court Judge: Judge L. Craig Johnson

The petitioner appeals the trial court's summary dismissal of his post-conviction relief petition. The issue presented for appeal is whether the petitioner's post-conviction petition is barred by the statute of limitations. The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

Coffee Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Robert Carl Harbison, Jr.
M2001-00421-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Trial Court Judge: Judge Robert L. Jones

The defendant was convicted of reckless aggravated assault and sentenced as a Standard Range I offender to two (2) years, with all but ten (10) days suspended. Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the State, we conclude there is sufficient evidence to support the jury's finding that the defendant acted recklessly in causing serious bodily injury to the victim. However, applying the appropriate factors for consideration, we conclude that the defendant is eligible for judicial diversion, and there is no substantial evidence to support the trial court's denial of the defendant's request for judicial diversion. Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed in part and reversed and remanded in part.

Maury Court of Criminal Appeals

State vs. Andre Neely
W2000-01690-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry L. Smith
Trial Court Judge: Judge Arthur T. Bennett

After the defendant's arrest for first degree murder and attempted first degree murder, a Shelby County General Sessions Court conducted a preliminary hearing to determine if there was probable cause to support his arrest. At the conclusion of the preliminary hearing, the court dismissed the defendant's case. However, a Shelby County grand jury later indicted the defendant for first degree murder and two counts of attempted first degree murder. Pursuant to a jury trial, the defendant was found guilty of one count of second degree murder and two counts of attempted second degree murder. Accordingly, the trial court sentenced the defendant to serve twenty years in confinement. The defendant now brings this appeal, challenging his conviction on the basis that (1) he was denied an opportunity to review the preliminary hearing tape, which was destroyed, and that (2) the trial court refused to admit certain testimony to cure this deficiency. After reviewing these claims, we find that neither of them merit relief. Accordingly, we affirm the defendant's convictions.

Shelby Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Terrance Burke
W2000-02614-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Trial Court Judge: Judge Joseph B. Dailey

The defendant was convicted of intentionally evading arrest in an automobile, a Class E felony. The trial court sentenced the defendant as a career offender to six years incarceration. The defendant now appeals, arguing that the trial court erred by classifying him as a career offender. Concluding that the evidence was insufficient to support the trial court's determination that the defendant is a career offender, we reverse the judgment of the trial court and remand for re-sentencing.

Shelby Court of Criminal Appeals

Russell Lane Overby v. State of Tennessee
W2001-01247-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge C. Creed McGinley

The appellant, Russell Lane Overby, appeals from the Hardin County Circuit Court's dismissal of his petition for post-conviction relief. On December 8, 1997, Overby was found guilty of rape by a Hardin County jury, and was sentenced to a term of twelve years in the Department of Correction. In this collateral attack of his rape conviction, Overby alleges that he received ineffective assistance of counsel, both at trial and on direct appeal. After review, we find no error and affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Hardin Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Kardius Wilks
W2001-02172-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge Chris B. Craft

The appellant, Kardius Wilks, was convicted by a Shelby County jury of first degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. On appeal, Wilks contends that the evidence presented at trial was insufficient to support his first degree murder conviction because the State failed to prove that the murder was premeditated and intentionally committed. After review, we find no error and affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Shelby Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Larry Brooks
W2001-02478-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Trial Court Judge: Judge L. Terry Lafferty

The defendant, Larry Brooks, was convicted by a jury of aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, aggravated burglary, vandalism, and theft up to $500. The defendant was subsequently sentenced as a Range III, persistent offender to twenty years for the robbery, ten years for the assault, ten years for the burglary, and eleven months, twenty-nine days for each of the misdemeanors, all sentences to run concurrently. In this direct appeal the defendant raises four issues: (1) whether the trial court erred in denying his motion to suppress; (2) whether the evidence is sufficient to support his convictions; (3) whether the trial court erred in sentencing the defendant more than forty-five days after the jury verdict; and (4) whether the trial court erred in classifying the defendant as a persistent offender in imposing sentence. Finding that principles of double jeopardy prohibit the defendant's convictions for aggravated assault and theft, we reverse and dismiss those convictions. In all other respects, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Crockett Court of Criminal Appeals

Laythaniel Haney, Sr. v. State of Tennessee
E1999-00616-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Trial Court Judge: Judge Rex Henry Ogle

The Petitioner was convicted by a Cocke County jury of seven counts of selling cocaine and one count of simple possession of marijuana. The trial court imposed an effective sentence of thirty-six years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. The convictions and sentence were affirmed on direct appeal. The Petitioner subsequently filed a petition for post-conviction relief, arguing that he received ineffective assistance of counsel at trial. Following a hearing, the trial court denied postconviction relief, and this appeal ensued. Concluding that the Petitioner received effective assistance of counsel at trial, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Cocke Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Danny Trout
M2001-00462-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Trial Court Judge: Judge Cheryl Blackburn

The defendant was convicted by a Davidson County jury of DUI. In this appeal, he alleges the Vehicular Crimes Grand Jury, which was convened in Davidson County to consider only vehicle-related crimes, was illegally empaneled. He further contends the investigatory stop of his automobile was improper. We affirm.

Davidson Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Marcus M. Oden
M2001-01343-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Trial Court Judge: Judge Don R. Ash
The Rutherford County Grand Jury indicted the defendant for aggravated child abuse. Pursuant to a negotiated plea agreement, the defendant pled guilty to aggravated assault as a Range II multiple offender for an eight-year sentence, with the manner of service to be determined by the trial court. Following a sentencing hearing, the trial court denied the defendant's request for alternative sentencing and ordered him confined in the Tennessee Department of Correction. In this appeal, the defendant contends he should have received alternative sentencing. After a thorough review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Rutherford Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Tommy Powell
M2001-02955-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Trial Court Judge: Judge Timothy L. Easter

Defendant was found guilty of violating the state speeding law by the Fairview City Court and, on appeal, was again found guilty by the Circuit Court of Williamson County. In this appeal, defendant contends he was denied his constitutional right to trial by jury, and the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction. Although we find the evidence sufficient to support the conviction, we conclude defendant was deprived of his right to trial by jury. We reverse and remand for a new trial.

Williamson Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Walter McGill
E2001-01074-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Trial Court Judge: Judge Ray L. Jenkins

The appellant, Walter McGill, pled guilty to one count of sexual battery by an authority figure and was sentenced to five years incarceration in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the appellant contends that the trial court erred in failing to grant him full probation, or, in the alternative, split confinement. Upon review of the record and the parties' briefs, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Knox Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Jack Clayton Moberly, Jr.
M2001-01279-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Trial Court Judge: Judge Robert E. Burch

The defendant, Jack Clayton Moberly, Jr., was convicted by a Dickson County Circuit Court jury of aggravated robbery, a Class B felony, conspiracy to commit robbery, a Class D felony, and aggravated assault, a Class C felony. The trial court sentenced him as a Range I, standard offender to concurrent sentences of ten years for the aggravated robbery conviction, two years for the conspiracy to commit robbery conviction, and four years for the aggravated assault conviction. The defendant appeals his aggravated robbery conviction, claiming that the indictment fails to allege that offense. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Dickson Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Georgia Lucinda Hagerty
E2001-01254-CCA-R10-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge Lynn W. Brown

We granted an extraordinary appeal, pursuant to Tennessee Rules of Appellate Procedure 10(a), to consider the Washington County Criminal Court’s denial of the defendant’s ex parte motion seeking funds for expert services, as outlined in Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 13 and the holding in State v. Barnett, 909 S.W.2d 423 (Tenn. 1995). We stayed the trial court’s proceedings pending our consideration of this issue. Upon a thorough review of the record in this case, the briefs of the parties, and the applicable law, we reverse the ruling of the trial court, remand for further proceedings consistent with our opinion, and lift the previously ordered stay so that trial court proceedings may resume.

Washington Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Kerwin Dowell - Order
M2001-00970-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Trial Court Judge: Judge Michael R. Jones
Defendant appeals the length of his sentences on four counts of aggravated burglary. We affirm pursuant to Rule 20, Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals

Montgomery Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Christopher Campbell
W2001-01916-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge Carolyn Wade Blackett

The Appellant, Christopher Campbell, appeals the sentencing decision of the Shelby County Criminal Court following his jury conviction for aggravated robbery. At sentencing, the trial court ordered that Campbell's eight-year sentence in this case be served consecutively to three prior convictions for aggravated robbery. On appeal, Campbell argues that the trial court erred in ordering consecutive sentences. Because the trial court failed to recite any reasons for imposing consecutive sentences as required by Rule 32, Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure, we are unable to perform appellate review of the sentencing issue. Accordingly, the case is remanded for determination of consecutive sentencing as provided by Rule 32.

Shelby Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Michael Wqyne Belcher
E2001-00515-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Trial Court Judge: Judge Robert E. Cupp

The defendant appeals his convictions for aggravated burglary and possession of burglary tools. After a review of the record, we conclude that the defendant was not prejudiced by the State’s failure to redact an obscure reference to the defendant’s probation status from an audio taped statement that was played at trial. However, we are unable to find sufficient evidence to establish that the defendant had a hammer and screwdriver in his automobile with the intent to commit burglary. Therefore, the defendant’s conviction for possession of burglary tools, a Class A misdemeanor, is reversed and dismissed. The aggravated burglary conviction is affirmed.

Carter Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Hamadi G. Haley
E2001-01244-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R Wade
Trial Court Judge: Judge Mary Beth Leibowitz

The defendant, Hamadi G. Haley, was convicted of felony murder, especially aggravated robbery, and aggravated robbery. The trial court imposed a sentence of life with the possibility of parole for the felony murder, 17 years for the especially aggravated robbery, and eight years for the aggravated robbery, with all terms to be served concurrently. In this appeal of right, the defendant claims that he was denied access to material witnesses by the state and that he should have been granted a new trial based on newly discovered evidence. The judgments of the trial court are affirmed.

Knox Court of Criminal Appeals

Jackie William Crowe v. State of Tennessee
E2001-01559-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge James Curwood Witt, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge Carroll L. Ross
Jackie W. Crowe appeals from the McMinn County Criminal Court's denial of his post-conviction motion to dismiss the indictments against him. Crowe, who is incarcerated in the Department of Correction on convictions of rape and incest, is proceeding pro se. Because he has already exhausted his one opportunity for post-conviction relief and because his motion does not comply with the requirements for a habeas corpus proceeding, we dismiss the appeal.

McMinn Court of Criminal Appeals

Nakia Rumph v. State of Tennessee
W2001-02066-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge Clayburn L. Peeples

The Appellant, Nakia Rumph, appeals from the dismissal of his petition for post-conviction relief. In 2000, Rumph pled guilty to two counts of aggravated sexual battery and was sentenced to eight years imprisonment on each count. On appeal, Rumph challenges the validity of his guilty plea upon grounds of: (1) voluntariness and (2) ineffective assistance of counsel. After review, we affirm the judgment of the Madison County Circuit Court dismissing the petition.

Madison Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Elwood Jeffrey Barrigher
W2001-02238-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge William B. Acree

The Appellant, Elwood Jeffrey Barrigher, appeals the judgment of the Obion County Circuit Court revoking his placement in the Community Corrections program and reinstating his original nine-year sentence in the Department of Correction. Prior to his revocation, Barrigher was serving a nine-year Community Corrections sentence, which stemmed from his 1999 class B felony conviction for delivery of a Schedule II controlled substance. Finding no abuse of discretion, we affirm the revocation.

Obion Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Johnny Moffitt
W2001-00781-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R Wade
Trial Court Judge: Judge Roy Morgan

The defendant, Johnny Moffitt, entered a plea of guilt to second degree murder. The trial court imposed a Range I sentence of 10 years. By agreement, the defendant reserved a certified question of law. See Tenn. R. Crim. P. 37. The issue presented in this appeal is whether the trial court should have dismissed the charge due to the loss or destruction of evidence. The judgment is affirmed.

Henderson Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Bradley R. Fulcher
M2001-01864-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Trial Court Judge: Judge Timothy L. Easter
The defendant, Bradley R. Fulcher, appeals the Williamson County Circuit Court’s denial of alternative sentencing for his convictions for aggravated burglary, a Class C felony, and theft of property valued over one thousand dollars but less than ten thousand dollars, a Class D felony. We affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Williamson Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Jacky E. Jones
E2001-00430-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Trial Court Judge: Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.

The appellant, Jacky E. Jones, was found guilty by a jury in the Blount County Circuit Court of one count of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud and was sentenced to three years incarceration in the Blount County Jail. The trial court later granted the appellant probation. Months into the service of his probationary sentence, the appellant stopped reporting to his probation officer. Subsequently, the trial court revoked the appellant's probation and sentenced him to serve his original sentence in confinement. On appeal, the appellant contends that the trial court erred in failing to sentence him to community corrections after revoking his probation. Upon review of the record and the parties' briefs, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Blount Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Stephen Greene
E2000-02616-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Trial Court Judge: Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.

The defendant appeals his convictions of rape of a child and incest. We conclude that the State did not improperly bolster the victim's testimony on direct examination. In addition, the defendant was not denied his constitutional right to confront witnesses against him or to an impartial jury when the trial court denied his request to question a non-witness about an alleged statement made out-of-court. Furthermore, the State was not obligated to disclose the contents of a Department of Human Services file requested by the defendant under Brady v. Maryland or Rule 16 of the Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure. We must, however, reverse the defendant's conviction of incest and remand for a new trial on Count Two based upon the State's failure to make a proper election for the offense. We, therefore, affirm the rape of a child conviction, reverse the conviction of incest, and remand for a new trial.

Blount Court of Criminal Appeals