COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OPINIONS

Milburn L. Edwards v. State of Tennessee
M2002-02124-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Trial Court Judge: Judge J. Randall Wyatt, Jr.

Petitioner, Milburn L. Edwards, filed a petition for post-conviction relief, which was subsequently amended. Following an evidentiary hearing, the petition for post-conviction relief was dismissed. On appeal, Petitioner argues (1) that the post-conviction court erred in not stating its findings of fact and conclusions of law in its order denying Petitioner post-conviction relief; (2) that Petitioner received ineffective assistance of counsel at trial and on appeal; and (3) that Petitioner was not afforded a full and fair evidentiary hearing. After a thorough review of the record, we find no error and affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Davidson Court of Criminal Appeals

Jerry Lee Cowan v. State of Tennessee
E2003-00652-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.

The petitioner, Jerry Lee Cowan, seeks appellate review of the Blount County Circuit Court's denial of his motion to reopen his 1992 post-conviction relief petition. Finding no merit in the appeal, we affirm the lower court's judgment.

Blount Court of Criminal Appeals

Carl E. Saine v. State of Tennessee
W2002-03006-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Trial Court Judge: Judge W. Fred Axley

On September 1, 1977, the petitioner, Carl E. Saine, was convicted by a jury in the Shelby County Criminal Court of one count of rape and one count of assault with the intent to commit murder in the first degree. He was sentenced to ninety-five years imprisonment for his rape conviction and to not less than six years nor more than twenty-one years imprisonment for his assault conviction. Subsequently, the petitioner filed to compel testing of evidence under the Post-Conviction DNA Analysis Act of 2001. The post-conviction court denied the petition and the petitioner timely appealed. Upon review of the record and the parties’ briefs, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Shelby Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Titus Champion
W2002-02829-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Trial Court Judge: Judge Clayburn L. Peeples

The appellant, Titus Champion, was convicted of robbery pursuant to a bench trial in the Gibson County Circuit Court. The trial court sentenced the appellant as a Range II multiple offender to six years incarceration in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the appellant contends that the State did not prove the element of violence as was alleged in the indictment charging the appellant with robbery. Finding the appellant’s argument to have merit, we modify his conviction for robbery to a conviction for theft under $500 and remand to the trial court for sentencing.

Gibson Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Hoyle Orr
E2002-03061-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Trial Court Judge: Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.

The defendant, Hoyle Orr, appeals as of right from his convictions following a bench trial in the Blount County Circuit Court for driving under the influence (DUI), third offense, a Class A misdemeanor, and driving on a revoked license, a Class B misdemeanor. The defendant received concurrent sentences of eleven months, twenty-nine days for the DUI and six months for driving on a revoked license and was ordered to serve seven months of his sentence in the county jail, the remainder on probation. He was fined one thousand, one hundred dollars and his license was revoked for three years. The defendant contends that (1) the evidence is insufficient to support his conviction for DUI, and (2) the trial court erred by sentencing him to more than the statutory minimum amounts of confinement for the convictions. We affirm the judgments of conviction.

Blount Court of Criminal Appeals

Jason Michael Crim v. State of Tennessee
M2002-03013-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R Wade
Trial Court Judge: Judge John H. Gasaway, III

The petitioner, Jason Michael Crim, appeals the trial court's denial of his application for post-conviction relief. The single issue presented for review is whether the petitioner was denied the effective assistance of counsel. The judgment is affirmed.

Montgomery Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Steven A. Norvell
M2002-01866-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Trial Court Judge: Judge Frank G. Clement, Jr.

The defendant, Steven A. Norvell, was convicted by a Davidson County Criminal Court jury of driving under the influence (DUI), third offense, a Class A misdemeanor. The trial court sentenced him to eleven months, twenty-nine days to be served as one hundred forty days in jail and the remainder on probation. In addition, the trial court ordered that he participate in an alcohol evaluation and treatment program, suspended his driving privileges for three years, and imposed a one thousand one hundred dollar fine. The defendant contends that the evidence is insufficient to support his conviction because the state offered no proof that the result of his breathalyzer test was accurate. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Davidson Court of Criminal Appeals

Andrew Levi Jefferson v. State of Tennessee
M2002-01604-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge Steve R. Dozier

The petitioner, Andrew Levi Jefferson, appeals from the Davidson County Criminal Court's denial of post-conviction and habeas corpus relief. In his amended, combined petitions for relief, the petitioner challenges his 2001, guilty-pleaded convictions of second degree murder and attempt to commit especially aggravated robbery. On appeal, the petitioner claims post-conviction relief because his trial counsel were ineffective in failing to defeat the transfer of the petitioner's case from juvenile court to criminal court, in preventing the petitioner from testifying at the transfer hearing, by failing to investigate and discover the petitioner's mental status, and in failing to present a critical issue in pretrial motions. Also, the petitioner claims that his guilty pleas were involuntary and unknowing and that he was denied due process because he was not allowed to testify in the juvenile court transfer hearing. In his joined claim for habeas corpus relief, the petitioner claims that, because of errors in the transfer from juvenile court, the criminal court lacked jurisdiction to adjudicate his case. Based upon our review, we find no reversible error and affirm the actions of the post-conviction court.

Davidson Court of Criminal Appeals

Frank Robert Bigsby v. State of Tennessee - Dissenting
M2002-02260-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R. Wade
Trial Court Judge: Judge James K. Clayton, Jr.
I write separately because I believe that in this instance the post-conviction court's failure to make specific findings of fact does not preclude appellate review. Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-30-211 provides, in pertinent part, as follows:(b) Upon the final disposition of every petition, the court shall enter a final order, and except where proceedings for delayed appeal are allowed, shall set forth in the order or a written memorandum of the case all grounds presented, and shall state the findings of fact and conclusions of law with regard to each such ground.

Rutherford Court of Criminal Appeals

Frank Robert Bigsby v. State of Tennessee
M2002-02260-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge James K. Clayton, Jr.
The Appellant, Frank Robert Bigsby, appeals the Rutherford County Circuit Court’s dismissal of his petition for post-conviction relief. The sole issue in this appeal is whether Bigsby was denied the effective assistance of counsel. We are precluded, however, from reviewing this issue based upon the post-conviction court’s failure to make discernable findings of fact and conclusions of law, as required by Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-30-111(b) (2003). Accordingly, this case is remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

Rutherford Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Mark Maynard
M2002-02466-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge Michael R. Jones

The defendant, Mark Steve Maynard, appeals from the Montgomery County Circuit Court's ruling on a probation violation warrant. On September 11, 2002, the court revoked the defendant's October 20, 2000 probation that had resulted from four felony bad check convictions. The court ordered the defendant to serve his original effective sentence of eight years in the Department of Correction. Although the defendant admitted that he had violated his probation, he challenges the trial court's decision to require him to serve the original sentences in incarceration. Discerning no error in the lower court's judgment, we affirm.

Montgomery Court of Criminal Appeals

Shannon Pattum v. State of Tennessee
M2002-02435-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge Seth W. Norman

The petitioner, Shannon Pattum, appeals from the Davidson County Criminal Court’s denial of post-conviction relief. He claims that his 1999 conviction for attempt to commit second degree murder is the result of ineffective assistance of counsel and an unknowing, involuntary guilty plea. The lower court disagreed and dismissed the petition. Upon our review of the record, the briefs of the parties, and the applicable law, we affirm.

Davidson Court of Criminal Appeals

Michael T. Guthrie v. State of Tennessee
M2003-00832-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Trial Court Judge: Judge W. Charles Lee

The petitioner appeals the summary dismissal of his post-conviction petition, alleging that proof of counsel's substance abuse was a "late-arising" claim that involved due process concerns. The petitioner also challenged his hybrid sentence as to voluntary manslaughter as illegal and unconstitutional. We affirm the trial court's dismissal.

Lincoln Court of Criminal Appeals

Bobby D. Canada v. State of Tennessee
E2003-00804-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Trial Court Judge: Judge E. Shayne Sexton

The petitioner was indicted for first degree murder and aggravated arson. Pursuant to a plea agreement, he pled guilty to second degree murder and setting fire to personal property. The petitioner filed for post-conviction relief, contending that he received ineffective assistance of counsel and that his guilty plea was not knowing and voluntary. The post-conviction court denied the petitioner relief. The judgment of the post-conviction court is affirmed.

Campbell Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Steven Brian Wooley
W2003-00976-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Trial Court Judge: Judge Roy B. Morgan, Jr.

A Madison County jury convicted the defendant, Steven Brian Wooley,1 of theft of property over $10,000. The trial court sentenced him to four years in confinement as a Range I standard offender. On direct appeal, the defendant contends he received ineffective assistance of counsel at trial. We affirm the judgment of the trial court

Madison Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Dominic O. Woods
W2003-00029-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Trial Court Judge: Judge C. Creed McGinley

The defendant contends on appeal that the trial court erred in denying alternative sentencing. The defendant pled guilty to possession of crack cocaine (Schedule II controlled substance) with intent to sell (Class B felony). He agreed to an eight-year sentence, with the manner of service to be determined at a sentencing hearing. The trial court ordered the sentence to be served in the Tennessee Department of Correction, based on the defendant’s prior criminal record and his inability to reform his conduct. The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

Hardin Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Melissa A. Mellinger
M2002-01029-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Trial Court Judge: Judge John D. Wootten, Jr.

The appellant, Melissa A. Mellinger, was convicted by a jury in the Wilson County Criminal Court of two counts of first offense driving under the influence (DUI), Class A misdemeanors. The trial court merged the convictions, imposed a three hundred fifty dollar ($350) fine, and sentenced the appellant to eleven months and twenty-nine days to be suspended upon serving two hundred seventy-three (273) days in the county jail. The trial court also suspended the appellant's driver's license for one year. On appeal, the appellant argues that the sentence imposed by the trial court was excessive. Upon review of the record and the parties' briefs, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Wilson Court of Criminal Appeals

Corwyn E. Winfield v. State of Tennessee
W2003-00889-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Trial Court Judge: Judge James C. Beasley, Jr.

The petitioner appeals the denial of post-conviction relief relating to his conviction for second degree murder. He argues: (1) the trial court at his original trial improperly instructed the jury regarding the definition of “knowing”; (2) the prosecutor committed misconduct during closing argument at the original trial; and (3) he did not receive the effective assistance of counsel at trial and on appeal. We affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Shelby Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Kenneth Pence
W2003-00639-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Trial Court Judge: Judge Clayburn L. Peeples

The defendant pled guilty to aggravated assault in exchange for a three-year sentence to be served on supervised probation with the trial court to determine the amount of restitution. Following a sentencing hearing, the trial court ordered the defendant to pay approximately $7,900.00 in restitution. In this appeal, the defendant argues: (1) the trial court erred in refusing to allow proof at sentencing regarding the circumstances surrounding the offense; and (2) the trial court erred in imposing restitution for the victim’s lost wages, attorney’s fees, and bond expenses, the latter two expenses resulting from the victim’s defending himself against baseless criminal charges brought by the defendant. We affirm the trial court’s decision regarding the admissibility of evidence and its order requiring the defendant to pay restitution for the victim’s lost wages; we reverse the portion of the judgment which requires the defendant to pay restitution for the victim’s attorney’s fees and bond expenses.

Gibson Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Kenneth E. Coffey
E2002-02794-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Trial Court Judge: Judge Lynn W. Brown

The Johnson County Grand Jury indicted the Defendant, Kenneth E. Coffey, for possession with intent to sell and deliver 241.1 grams of marijuana, in violation of Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-17-417 (Supp. 2000). Following the trial court's denial of the Defendant's motion to suppress evidence, the Defendant pled guilty to Possession of Marijuana for Purpose of Sale. The trial court sentenced the Defendant to one year in prison and imposed a $2,000.00 fine. The Defendant reserved the right to appeal a certified question of law regarding the trial court's denial of his motion to suppress. Finding no error, we affirm the trial court's judgment.

Johnson Court of Criminal Appeals

Darrow Lynn Williams v. State of Tennessee
W2002-03150-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge Joseph H. Walker, III

The petitioner, Darrow Lynn Williams, seeks post-conviction relief from his 2001 second degree murder conviction. The Tipton County Circuit Court denied post-conviction relief, and now on appeal, the petitioner claims that his trial counsel was ineffective in failing to prepare and devise a trial strategy. Because the record supports the lower court’s decision, we affirm the dismissal of the post-conviction petition.

Tipton Court of Criminal Appeals

Dwan L. Crisp v. State of Tennessee
W2002-01661-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Trial Court Judge: Judge William B. Acree

The petitioner, Dwan L. Crisp, pled guilty in the Obion County Circuit Court to one count of rape and was sentenced to eight years incarceration in the Tennessee Department of Correction.  Subsequently, the petitioner filed for testing of human biological evidence under the Post-Conviction
DNA Analysis Act of 2001. The post-conviction court denied the petition and the petitioner timely appealed. Upon review of the record and the parties’ briefs, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Obion Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Carlos Curry
M2002-03022-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry L. Smith
Trial Court Judge: Judge Donald P. Harris

The Appellant, Carlos A. Curry, was convicted by a jury of first offense driving under the influence of an intoxicant. However, the jury acquitted the Appellant of four counts of vehicular homicide. Following a sentencing hearing, the trial court ordered the Appellant to serve eleven months and twenty-nine days in the county jail. Because we find that the trial court did not err in sentencing the Appellant, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Williamson Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Morgan L. Ray
M2002-02910-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Trial Court Judge: Judge Lee Russell

The defendant pled guilty to driving while under the status of a habitual motor offender; two counts of driving under the influence, seventh offense; two counts of driving on a revoked license, eighth offense; and violation of the implied consent law. The trial court gave the defendant an effective sentence of nine years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. The defendant contends on appeal that the trial court erred by not granting him alternative sentencing. Plain error requires us to vacate the judgment of conviction for driving on a revoked license (count three) because of double jeopardy prohibitions. The other judgments from the trial court are affirmed in all respects.

Bedford Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Joseph Scott Hayes
M2002-01871-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Trial Court Judge: Judge Timothy L. Easter

Defendant, Joseph Scott Hayes, was indicted for two counts of aggravated assault, one count of stalking and one count of coercion of a witness. Following a bench trial, Defendant was convicted of two counts of aggravated assault and one count of coercion of a witness. The trial court found the evidence insufficient to sustain a conviction on the charge of stalking. The trial court sentenced Defendant to four years imprisonment on each count of aggravated assault and three years imprisonment for his conviction for coercion of a witness. The trial court ordered Defendant's sentences for aggravated assault to run consecutively, and his sentence for coercion of a witness to run concurrently with his aggravated assault convictions for an effective sentence of eight years. Defendant now appeals challenging the sufficiency of the convicting evidence. Following a review of the record, we affirm the trial court's judgments.

Williamson Court of Criminal Appeals