COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OPINIONS

State of Tennessee v. Michael Bellew
02C01-9510-CC-00324
Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry L. Smith
Trial Court Judge: Judge Julian P. Guinn

Appellant Michael Bellew pled guilty in the Henry County Circuit Court to operating a motor vehicle in violation of the Motor Vehicle Habitual Offenders Act. As a Range I standard offender, Appellant received a sentence of two years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. In this direct appeal, he presents the following issue: whether his sentence is excessive.  After a review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Henry Court of Criminal Appeals

Willie Claybrook v. State of Tennessee
02C01-9511-CC-00346
Authoring Judge: Judge Gary R. Wade
Trial Court Judge: Judge Dick Jerman, Jr.

The petitioner, Willie Claybrook, appeals the trial court's denial of post-conviction relief. In this appeal of right, two issues are presented for our review: (1) whether the petitioner was denied effective assistance of counsel; and (2) whether the trial court's order denying relief met the minimum statutory requirements. 
We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Gibson Court of Criminal Appeals

Terry L. Bomar v. State of Tennessee - Order
02C01-9610-CC-00347
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Joe B. Jones
Trial Court Judge: Presiding Judge Joe B. Jones

This matter is before the Court upon the state’s motion to affirm the judgment of the trial court under Rule 20, Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals. The case before this Court represents an appeal from the trial court’s denial of the petitioner’s petition for writ of habeas corpus. The record was filed on October 3, 1996, and the petitioner filed his brief on October 21, 1996. The petitioner was originally indicted on eight counts of aggravated rape and one count of rape in May 1984, and was convicted of rape in October 1984. In the present appeal, the petitioner, relying in part upon State v. Roger Dale Hill, No. 01C01-9508-CC-00267 (Tenn. Crim. App. June 20, 1996), contends the judgment entered against him is void because the indictment failed to allege the mens rea of the offense charged.

Lake Court of Criminal Appeals

James Lee Blair v. State of Tennessee - Order
02C01-9610-CC-00339
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Joe B. Jones
Trial Court Judge: Presiding Judge Joe B. Jones

This matter is before the Court upon the state’s motion to affirm the judgment of the trial court under Rule 20, Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals. The case before this Court represents an appeal from the trial court’s denial of the petitioner’s petition for writ of habeas corpus. The record was filed on October 3, 1996, and the petitioner filed his brief on October 24, 1996. The petitioner was originally indicted for aggravated rape in January 1981, and was convicted of the same in May 1981. In the present appeal, the petitioner, relying in part upon State v. Roger Dale Hill, No. 01C01-9508-CC-00267 (Tenn. Crim. App. June 20, 1996), contends the judgment entered against him is void because the indictment failed to allege the mens rea of the offense charged.

Lake Court of Criminal Appeals

Dural Alston v. State of Tennessee - Order
02C01-9610-CC-00341
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Joe B. Jones
Trial Court Judge: Presiding Judge Joe B. Jones

This matter is before the Court upon the state’s motion to affirm the judgment of the trial court under Rule 20, Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals. The case before this Court represents an appeal from the trial court’s denial of the petitioner’s petition for writ of habeas corpus. The record was filed on October 3, 1996, and the petitioner filed his brief on October 29, 1996. The petitioner was originally indicted for robbery with a deadly weapon in January 1989, and the petitioner pled guilty to the same in May 1989. In the present appeal, the petitioner, relying in part upon State v. Roger Dale Hill, No. 01C01-9508-CC-00267 (Tenn. Crim. App. June 20, 1996), contends the judgment entered against him is void because the indictment failed to allege the mens rea of the offense charged.

Lake Court of Criminal Appeals

Terry Dale Brewer v. State of Tennessee - Order
02C01-9611-CC-00401
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Joe B. Jones
Trial Court Judge: Presiding Judge Joe B. Jones

This matter is before the Court upon the state’s motion to affirm the judgment of the trial court under Rule 20, Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals. The case before this Court represents an appeal from the trial court’s denial of the petitioner’s petition for writ of habeas corpus. The record was filed on November 12, 1996, and the petitioner filed his brief on November 15, 1996. The petitioner was originally indicted on one count of aggravated rape, one count of incest, and two counts of aggravated sexual battery in June 1989, and was convicted of the same in October 1989. In the present appeal, the petitioner, relying in part upon State v. Roger Dale Hill, No. 01C01-9508-CC-00267 (Tenn. Crim. App. June 20, 1996), contends the judgment entered against him is void because the indictment failed to allege the mens rea of the offense charged.

Lake Court of Criminal Appeals

Andrea Jones v. State of Tennessee - Order
02C01-9611-CC-00406
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Joe B. Jones
Trial Court Judge: Presiding Judge Joe B. Jones

This matter is before the Court upon the state’s motion to affirm the judgment of the trial court under Rule 20, Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals. The case before this Court represents an appeal from the trial court’s denial of the petitioner’s petition for writ of habeas corpus. The record was filed on November 13, 1996, and the petitioner filed his brief on December 3, 1996. The petitioner was originally indicted on one count each of aggravated rape and aggravated kidnapping in September 1986, for which the petitioner was subsequently convicted. In the present appeal, the petitioner, relying in part upon State v. Roger Dale Hill, No. 01C01-9508- CC-00267 (Tenn. Crim. App. June 20, 1996), contends the judgment entered against him is void because the indictment failed to allege the mens rea of the offense charged.

Lake Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Frank Bennie Jackson, Jr.
E2006-02733-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge Rebecca J. Stern

A Hamilton County grand jury indicted the defendant, Frank Bennie Jackson, Jr., for possession of cocaine for resale, driving without a license, and failure to stop at a traffic signal. The defendant filed a motion to suppress alleging that the search of his vehicle incident to a custodial arrest was illegal because he should have received a citation in lieu of arrest for driving without a license and running a red light, both class C misdemeanors. At the hearing on the motion to suppress, the trial court agreed and suppressed all evidence seized as a result of the search incident to arrest. It is from this order that the state now appeals. Following our review, we reverse the judgment of the trial court.

Hamilton Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Brandon Thomas
M2007-00440-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Trial Court Judge: Judge Larry B. Stanley, Jr.

The defendant, Brandon D. Thomas, was convicted of one count of resisting arrest, a Class B misdemeanor; and three drug offenses including possession with intent to sell a Schedule II controlled substance (cocaine), a Class B felony; possession with intent to sell a Schedule III controlled substance (dihydrocodeinone), a Class D felony; and simple possession of marijuana, a Class A misdemeanor. He was sentenced to ten years in the Tennessee Department of Correction for the cocaine offense, eleven months and twenty-nine days on each of the other drug offenses and six months for the conviction for resisting arrest, with all the sentences to run concurrently for a total effective sentence of ten years as a Range I, standard offender. On appeal, he argues that the evidence was insufficient to support his cocaine conviction and that he was sentenced improperly. After careful review, we find that the defendant was sentenced improperly but not for the issues on which he appeals. The sentence of eleven months and twenty-nine days for the Class D felony conviction is illegal because the minimum sentence for a Class D felony is two years. We remand to the trial court for entry of a corrected judgment reflecting the minimum sentence and affirm the trial court as to the other raised issues.

Warren Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. James Polk
01C01-9410-CC-00369
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge Jim T. Hamilton

The appellant, James Polk, appeals from a conviction for aggravated robbery entered in the Circuit Court of Maury County. The appellant contends that the trial court should have ordered a new trial pursuant to Rule 33(f) of the Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure.  After a review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Maury Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Charles Edward Meeks
01C01-9506-CC-00170
Authoring Judge: Judge John H. Peay
Trial Court Judge: Judge Thomas W. Graham

The defendant, Charles Edward Meeks, was indicted for first-degree murder. The jury found him guilty as charged and he was sentenced to life imprisonment.  He has appealed as of right, raising for review the trial court's instructions to the jury and the State's conduct during closing argument. We find the defendant's issues are without merit and affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Grundy Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Richard Wayne Otey
01C01-9409-CC-00316
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Jerry Scott
Trial Court Judge: Judge Cornelia A. Clark

The appellant, Richard Wayne Otey, appeals as of right from a judgment entered in the Circuit Court of Williamson County, finding him guilty of aggravated assault in violation of Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-102(a). Following a sentencing hearing, the trial judge sentenced the appellant to ten years in the Department of Correction as a Range II, multiple offender, to be served consecutively to a sentence for which the appellant was on parole at the time of the offense at issue in this case.

Williamson Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Maurice Lashaun Nash
W2007-00321-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge Joseph H. Walker, III

The Appellant, Maurice Lashaun Nash, appeals the sentencing decision of the Tipton County Circuit Court. Under the terms of a plea agreement, Nash entered guilty pleas to six felonies and one misdemeanor and received an effective ten-year sentence. The agreement provided that the ten-year sentence would run consecutively to an effective ten-year sentence which Nash was serving at the time of sentencing. The terms of the plea agreement also provided that the manner of service of the ten-year sentence would be determined by the trial court. Following a sentencing hearing, the trial court denied Nash’s request for alternative sentencing, which Nash now asserts was error. After review, the judgments of the trial court are affirmed.

Tipton Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Danny Lee Ross, Jr.
01C01-94l0-PB-00365
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Jerry Scott
Trial Court Judge: Judge James R. Everett, Jr.

On February 10, 1994, the appellant was convicted by a jury of his peers of three counts of vehicular homicide by intoxication.1 Following a sentencing hearing, the appellant was sentenced to six years incarceration for each count with each sentence to be served consecutively. Much aggrieved by his convictions and resultant sentences, the appellant appeals from the judgment of the trial court pursuant to Rule 3, Tenn. R. App. P.

Davidson Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Thomas H. Aldridge
02C01-9512-CR-00393
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Joe B. Jones
Trial Court Judge: Judge Joseph B. Dailey

The appellant, Thomas H. Aldridge, was convicted of driving while under the influence, a Class A misdemeanor, leaving the scene of an accident, a Class A misdemeanor, and driving after having been declared a habitual vehicle offender, a Class E felony, following his pleas of guilty to these offenses. The trial court imposed the following sentences pursuant to the plea bargain agreement:

a.) Driving while intoxicated, a fine of $500 and confinement for thirty (30) days in the Shelby County Correctional Center, twenty-eight days of the sentence was suspended;

b.) Leaving the scene of an accident, a fine of $500; and

c.) Driving after having been declared a habitual vehicle offender, a Range I, standard offender sentence consisting of a $500 fine and confinement for one (1) year in the Shelby County Correctional Center.

Shelby Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Jackie H. Martin
02C01-9512-CR-00374
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge W. Fred Axley

The appellant, Jackie H. Martin, appeals the order entered by the Criminal Court of Shelby County denying his petition for discharge from involuntary commitment.1 On appeal, the appellant presents two issues for our review: (1) whether the evidence preponderates against the trial court's finding that the appellant is not eligible for mandatory outpatient treatment as an alternative to commitment; and (2) whether the trial judge should have recused himself from this case.

Shelby Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Ronnie Michael Cauthern
02C01-9506-CC-00164
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Trial Court Judge: Judge Dick Jerman, Jr.

The original trial of this case took place in Montgomery County. Judge John H. Peay presided over the trial of the appellant and his co-defendant, Brett Patterson, which resulted in two convictions for felony murder, one conviction for first degree burglary, and one conviction for aggravated rape for each defendant. The jury sentenced the appellant to death. The appellant’s co-defendant received a life sentence. On direct appeal to the Supreme Court, the appellant’s convictions were affirmed, but the death penalty was set aside and the case was remanded for a new sentencing hearing. State v. Cauthern, 778 S.W.2d 39 (Tenn. 1989). On remand, Judge Peay granted the appellant’s motion to transfer the case out of Montgomery
County. The new sentencing hearing was held in Gibson County.

Gibson Court of Criminal Appeals

Wallace Butler v. Ricky Bell, Warden
02C01-9510-CC-00297
Authoring Judge: Judge John H. Peay
Trial Court Judge: Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood

The petitioner was convicted by a jury of five counts of armed robbery, four of which were affirmed and one of which was reversed and dismissed by this Court in an opinion filed on March 6, 1985. Application for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court was denied on June 10, 1985. The petitioner subsequently filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus on May 24, 1995, which the court below treated as one for post-conviction relief and dismissed without a hearing on the basis that it was time-barred. He contends that this summary dismissal was improper. After reviewing the record, we affirm the lower court’s judgment.

Fayette Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Bruce Cole
02C01-9510-CC-00290
Authoring Judge: Judge William M. Barker
Trial Court Judge: Judge Dick Jerman, Jr.

The Appellant, Bruce Cole, appeals as of right his sentences for five convictions of sale of a Schedule II controlled substance. The Appellant argues on appeal that the trial court erred when it enhanced his sentences and ordered them to be served consecutively. Following a careful review of the record on appeal, we remand the case to the trial court for a new sentencing hearing.

Gibson Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Carolyn L. Curry
02C01-9601-CC-00005
Authoring Judge: Judge John H. Peay
Trial Court Judge: Judge C. Creed McGinley

The defendant was charged in the indictment with theft of property valued between ten thousand dollars ($10,000) and sixty thousand dollars ($60,000). On September 21, 1995, she filed an application for pretrial diversion. The district attorney general denied the application on September 28, 1995. The defendant then filed a petition for a writ of certiorari, seeking review of the  district attorney general’s decision to deny her application. After a hearing, the trial court found that the State had abused its discretion and ordered the defendant placed on pretrial diversion. In this appeal pursuant to T.R.A.P. 9, the State contends the trial court erred in finding that the State had abused its discretion in denying pretrial diversion. We reverse the judgment of the trial court and remand this matter for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

Carroll Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Carolyn L. Curry - Concurring
02C01-9601-CC-00005
Authoring Judge: Special Judge Cornelia A. Clark
Trial Court Judge: Judge C. Creed McGinley

I concur with the majority opinion and also with Judge Welles’ concurring
opinion.

Carroll Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Carolyn L. Curry - Concurring
02C01-9601-CC-00005
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Trial Court Judge: Judge C. Creed McGinley

I concur with Judge Peay’s opinion in this case. I write separately to point out that, in my opinion, a finding by the trial judge that the district attorney general did not consider all relevant factors in denying pretrial diversion does not necessarily lead to the conclusion that pretrial diversion will be granted. Even though the district attorney general may have abused his discretion by failing to consider all relevant factors, the denial may be justified after all relevant factors are considered. If such is the case, in a manner somewhat analogous to a “harmless error” analysis, the denial of pretrial diversion should be upheld.

Carroll Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Robert Lee Boyd, Jr.
02C01-9510-CC-00326
Authoring Judge: Judge John H. Peay
Trial Court Judge: Judge Julian P. Guinn

The defendant was indicted on November 7, 1994, for the first-degree murder of Lisa C. Stewart. A jury convicted him of second-degree murder and fined him fifty thousand dollars ($50,000). After a hearing, the defendant was sentenced to twenty-five years in the Department of Correction. In this appeal as of right, the defendant contends that the evidence was insufficient to justify a finding of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. After a review of the entire record, we find that this issue is without merit, and therefore, his conviction is affirmed.

Henry Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Darren Campbell
02C01-9510-CR-00296
Authoring Judge: Judge Paul G. Summers
Trial Court Judge: Judge Joseph B. Dailey

The appellant, Darren Campbell, was convicted by a jury of first degree murder. This Court reduced his conviction to second degree murder and remanded to the trial court for sentencing.1 The appellant was sentenced as a Range I offender to 23 years incarceration. His sole issue on appeal is whether his sentence was excessive. We affirm the trial court's judgment.

Shelby Court of Criminal Appeals

Andre Anthony v. State of Tennessee
W2007-00532-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Trial Court Judge: Judge W. Otis Higgs, Jr.

The petitioner, Andre Anthony, was convicted by a Shelby County jury of criminal attempt to commit first degree murder, a Class A felony; especially aggravated robbery, a Class A felony; forgery over $1000, a Class D felony; and two counts of forgery over $500, a Class E felony. He received an effective total sentence of forty-six years. He seeks post-conviction relief and argues that he received the ineffective assistance of counsel. The trial court denied relief, and we affirm that judgment

Shelby Court of Criminal Appeals