COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OPINIONS

Louis T. Robinson v. Joe Easterling, Warden
W2010-00465-CCA-R3-HC
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Trial Court Judge: Judge Joseph H. Walker, III

The pro se petitioner, Louis T. Robinson, appeals the dismissal of his petition for writ of habeas corpus, arguing that the court erred by summarily dismissing the petition without appointing counsel or issuing any findings of fact. Following our review, we affirm the habeas court's summary dismissal of the petition.

Hardeman Court of Criminal Appeals

Ricky Awatt v. State of Tennessee
W2009-02050-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge J.C. Mclin
Trial Court Judge: Judge Roy Morgan

A jury convicted the petitioner, Ricky Awatt, of first degree premeditated murder. The trial court sentenced him to life imprisonment in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On direct appeal, this court upheld the conviction. The Tennessee Supreme Court subsequently denied a discretionary appeal. The petitioner now appeals the judgment of the Madison County Circuit Court dismissing his petition for post-conviction relief. Specifically, the petitioner argues that, although the statute of limitations for post-conviction relief has passed, the statute of limitations should be tolled, allowing him to proceed with his petition. After review, we affirm the judgment denying post-conviction relief.

Madison Court of Criminal Appeals

Ricky Flamingo Brown v. State of Tennessee
M2009-02056-CCA-R3-HC
Authoring Judge: Judge James Curwood Witt, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge Cheryl Blackburn

The petitioner, Ricky Flamingo Brown, appeals the Davidson County Criminal Court's summary dismissal of his petition for writ of habeas corpus attacking his judgment of conviction of aggravated rape and resulting life sentence. See T.C.A. _ 39-2-603 (1986). Discerning no error, we affirm the order of the trial court.

Davidson Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Anthony Bernard Farr
W2010-00743-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge J.C. Mclin
Trial Court Judge: Judge Roy Morgan

The defendant, Anthony Bernard Farr, stands convicted of (1) possession with intent to sell .5 grams or more of cocaine, a Class B felony; (2) resisting a stop and frisk, a Class B misdemeanor; and (3) criminal impersonation, a Class B misdemeanor. The trial court sentenced the defendant as a Range II, multiple offender to a total effective sentence of eighteen years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the defendant argues that the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction for possession with intent to sell cocaine and that his sentence was excessive. Following our review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Chester Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Antonio Bigsbee
M2008-02514-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma Mcgee Ogle
Trial Court Judge: Judge Michael R. Jones

The appellant, Antonio Bigsbee, was convicted by a Robertson County Circuit Court Jury of especially aggravated kidnapping and reckless endangerment. He received a total effective sentence of thirteen and one-half years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the appellant contends that the evidence is not sufficient to support his convictions, that the trial court erred by allowing the State to present the testimony of a rebuttal witness, that the trial court erred in allowing the testimony of Robert Wayne Bell regarding a gun purchased by the appellant, and that the State's closing argument was improper. Upon review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Robertson Court of Criminal Appeals

Steven D. Skinner v. State of Tennessee
W2009-00307-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Trial Court Judge: Judge James M. Lammey, Jr.

The petitioner, Steven D. Skinner, appeals the denial of his petition for post-conviction relief. On appeal, he argues that counsel's representation was ineffective because counsel failed to investigate and prepare for his case. After careful review, we affirm the judgment from the post-conviction court.

Shelby Court of Criminal Appeals

Tommy F. Poe v. Tony Parker, Warden
W2010-00679-CCA-R3-HC
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Trial Court Judge: Judge R. Lee Moore, Jr.

The pro se petitioner, Tommy F. Poe, appeals the Lake County Circuit Court's summary dismissal of his petition for writ of habeas corpus, arguing that the sentences he negotiated in exchange for his guilty pleas to aggravated kidnapping are illegal because they were ordered to be served at 35% release eligibility instead of the 100% required by law. Following our review, we affirm the habeas court's dismissal of the petition.

Lake Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. David William Cosgrif, III
E2009-02547-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Trial Court Judge: Judge E. Eugene Eblen

The defendant, David William Cosgrif, III, was convicted by a Roane County jury of second degree murder, a Class A felony, and theft over $1000, a Class D felony, and was sentenced by the trial court as a Range I offender to an effective term of twenty years in the Department of Correction. He raises essentially three issues on appeal: (1) whether the evidence was sufficient to sustain his second degree murder conviction; (2) whether the trial court erroneously admitted scientific testimony that did not meet sufficient indicia of reliability; and (3) whether the trial court imposed an excessive sentence for the murder conviction. Following our review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court but modify the defendant's sentence to fifteen years.

Roane Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. James Adam Conard
E2009-02599-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge James Curwood Witt, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge Richard R. Baumgartner

The defendant, James Adam Conard, appeals the Knox County Criminal Court's revocation of his probation in one case and the denial of alternative sentencing in a second case. The result of the trial court's actions is a nine-year effective sentence to be served in the Department of Correction. Upon review, we affirm the order and judgments of the trial court.

Knox Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Andra Dennis
W2010-00259-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Trial Court Judge: Judge James M. Lammey, Jr.

The defendant, Andra Dennis, appeals the trial court's revocation of his probation, arguing that there was insufficient evidence to support the trial court's finding that he violated the terms of his probation. Following our review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Shelby Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Ronald Woods, Jr.
W2009-02580-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Camille R. McMullen
Trial Court Judge: Judge Carolyn Wade Blackett

The Defendant-Appellant, Ronald Woods, Jr., appeals pro se from multiple convictions in the Criminal Court of Shelby County. He pled guilty to intentionally evading arrest in a motor vehicle, a Class D felony, driving while a habitual motor vehicle offender, a Class E felony, driving under the influence of an intoxicant, a Class E felony, reckless driving, a Class B misdemeanor, and two counts of aggravated assault, a Class C felony. Woods received a an effective sentence of six years to be served consecutively to another unrelated sentence. On appeal, Woods claims: (1) he was denied his right to a fair trial because of prosecutorial misconduct; and (2) his conviction for reckless driving and intentionally evading arrest violated principles of double jeopardy. Upon review, we conclude that Woods's claims of prosecutorial misconduct and double jeopardy have been waived. The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

Shelby Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Sequna Copeland
W2009-02029-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Trial Court Judge: Judge Joseph H. Walker, III

The defendant, Sequna Copeland, pled guilty in the Lauderdale County Circuit Court to one count of facilitation of second degree murder, a Class B felony. The agreement provided for an eight-year sentence, with the manner of service to be determined by the trial court. The trial court denied the defendant's request for an alternative sentence and ordered confinement in the Department of Correction. On appeal, the defendant contends that the court erred in denying alternative sentencing. Following review of the record, we find no error and affirm the sentence as imposed.

Lauderdale Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Victoria Nicole Spicer
M2009-02270-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry L. Smith
Trial Court Judge: Judge Robert Burch

The Dickson County Grand Jury indicted Appellant, Victoria Spicer, for one count of theft of property worth more than $500 but less than $1,000 and one count of criminal trespass. At the conclusion of the State's proof, the State conceded that the evidence was insufficient to support a conviction for criminal trespass. At the end of trial, the jury convicted Appellant for one count of facilitation of theft, for property worth $500 or less. The trial court sentenced Appellant to six months in the county jail. On appeal, Appellant argues that her conviction cannot stand because theft of property worth $500 or less is a misdemeanor and the crime of facilitation under the statute applies only to felonies. The State concedes that facilitation of a misdemeanor is not a crime under the Tennessee statutory scheme. After a review of the record and the statute, we conclude that facilitation of a misdemeanor is not a crime under the statutes of Tennessee. Therefore, Appellant's conviction must be reversed and dismissed.

Dickson Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Joseph W. Denton
M2009-02546-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Trial Court Judge: Judge David Patterson

The Defendant, Joseph W. Denton, pleaded guilty to one count of forgery and one count of impersonation of a licensed professional, both Class E felonies. Under the terms of the plea agreement, he received concurrent terms of two years as a Range I, standard offender to be served on probation. After a sentencing hearing, the trial court denied the Defendant's request for judicial diversion. He challenges that ruling on appeal. After a review of the record, we affirm the judgments of the Putnam County Circuit Court.

Putnam Court of Criminal Appeals

Timothy Ray Gentry v. State of Tennessee
E2008-02004-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma Mcgee Ogle
Trial Court Judge: Judge Robert H. Montgomery

The Petitioner, Timothy Ray Gentry, pled guilty to multiple theft, forgery, and drug offenses and received a total effective sentence of eighteen years, eleven months, and twenty-nine days. The Petitioner filed a petition for post-conviction relief, alleging that his counsel was ineffective and that his guilty pleas were not knowingly and voluntarily made. The Petitioner acknowledged that his petition was untimely but asserted that due process required the statute of limitations be tolled. The post-conviction court dismissed the petition without a hearing, and the Petitioner now appeals. We reverse the ruling of the post-conviction court and remand for a hearing to determine whether due process requires tolling of the statute of limitations.

Sullivan Court of Criminal Appeals

Luis D. Vidales Romero v. Joe Easterling, Warden
W2010-00680-CCA-R3-HC
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Trial Court Judge: Judge Joe H. Walker, III

The pro se petitioner, Luis D. Vidales Romero, appeals the summary dismissal of his petition for writ of habeas corpus. Following our review, we affirm the habeas court's dismissal of the petition.

Hardeman Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Brandon Williamson
W2010-00273-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge J.C. McLin
Trial Court Judge: Judge Donald Allen

The defendant, Brandon Williamson, appeals the revocation of his community corrections sentence, claiming that the trial court erred by ordering him to serve his original sentence in the Tennessee Department of Correction. Following our review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Madison Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Tamabe Trinise Leke
W2009-02583-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Camille R. Mcmullen
Trial Court Judge: Judge Donald H. Allen

The Defendant-Appellant, Tamabe Trinise Leke, was convicted by a Madison County jury of disorderly conduct, a Class C misdemeanor, and resisting arrest, a Class B misdemeanor. She was sentenced to thirty days for disorderly conduct and to six months for resisting arrest. The trial court ordered these sentences to be served concurrently. On appeal, Leke challenges the sufficiency of the evidence for both convictions. Upon review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Madison Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Angela Milhorn
E2010-00458-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Trial Court Judge: Judge Robert H. Montgomery, Jr.

The defendant, Angela Milhorn, appeals the denial of her request for judicial diversion, arguing that the trial court abused its discretion by placing undue emphasis on the circumstances of her offense while ignoring positive factors in favor of diversion. Following our review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Sullivan Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Julius W. Weaver
E2009-00959-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Trial Court Judge: Judge Buddy D. Perry

Appellant, Julius W. Weaver, was indicted by a Rhea County Grand Jury on three counts of aggravated sexual battery. On count one of the indictment, he was convicted of the lesser included offense of Class B misdemeanor assault. The jury found him not guilty on counts two and three. The trial court sentenced Appellant to six months incarceration. He now appeals the length and manner of service of his sentence. We affirm.

Rhea Court of Criminal Appeals

Teresa Rita Day v. State of Tennessee
M2009-01165-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Trial Court Judge: Judge Steve R. Dozier

The pro se petitioner, Teresa Rita Day, appeals the post-conviction court's summary dismissal of her petition for post-conviction relief. Because the petition was untimely and the petitioner has not shown any reason that the statute of limitations should be tolled, we affirm the post-conviction court's summary dismissal of the petition as time-barred.

Davidson Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Terry O'Neil Greene
E2009-02616-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge John F. Dugger, Jr.

The Defendant, Terry O'Neil Greene, was convicted by a jury of driving under the influence of an intoxicant, second offense. In this appeal as of right, the defendant contends that the trial court erred in admitting the results of his breath-alcohol test. Following our review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Hamblen Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Patrick Wayne Tripp
M2009-01203-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Trial Court Judge: Judge Robert Crigler

A Lincoln County jury convicted the Defendant, Patrick Wayne Tripp, of rape of a child, a Class A felony; aggravated child abuse, a Class A felony; aggravated child neglect, a Class A felony; sexual exploitation of a minor, a Class D felony; and attempted incest, a Class D felony. The trial court imposed a total effective sentence of forty-two years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. In this appeal as of right, the Defendant raises four issues: (a) whether the trial court erred when it denied his motion for a judgment of acquittal; (b) whether the evidence at trial was sufficient to support his convictions; (c) whether the trial court committed plain error when it instructed the jury on the offense of rape of a child; and (d) whether the trial court erred when it sentenced the Defendant. After a thorough review of the record and relevant authorities, we conclude the evidence supports the Defendant's convictions, the trial court properly instructed the jury, and the trial court properly sentenced the Defendant. Therefore, we affirm the trial court's judgments.

Lincoln Court of Criminal Appeals

Eldridge Hill v. State of Tennessee
W2009-01481-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge Camille R. McMullen
Trial Court Judge: Judge James M. Lammey, Jr.

The Petitioner, Eldridge Hill, appeals from the Shelby County Criminal Court's denial of post-conviction relief from his conviction for especially aggravated robbery. In his appeal, he claims that trial counsel was ineffective in failing to make a motion for judgment of acquittal regarding the especially aggravated robbery charge and that appellate counsel was ineffective in failing to challenge the sufficiency of the conviction on appeal based on his claim that the victim's shooting did not occur prior to or contemporaneously with the robbery. Upon review, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Shelby Court of Criminal Appeals

Michael Wayne Maples v. State of Tennessee - Concurring
E2009-02558-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Trial Court Judge: Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood

I concur in the results, but I respectfully disagree with the conclusion that trial
counsel’s decision not to have the Petitioner’s mental condition evaluated, particularly as it related to sentencing, was a reasonable strategic decision in the prosecution of the Petitioner. Given the facts, I believe it was incumbent upon counsel to obtain an evaluation.

Blount Court of Criminal Appeals