William Carl Godfrey v. State of Tennessee
Petitioner, William Carl Godfrey, initially agreed to plead guilty to domestic aggravated assault, resisting arrest, and vandalism under $1000. During the plea submission hearing, Petitioner stated that he was not guilty. The State then offered to accept a plea of “no contest,” and after discussion with trial counsel and the trial court, Petitioner accepted the no contest plea. The trial court imposed an effective sentence of six years’ probation. On appeal, Petitioner argues that he was denied the effective assistance of counsel and that his plea was unknowing and involuntary. After a thorough review, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court. |
Sumner | Court of Criminal Appeals | |
State of Tennessee v. Henry Dwayne Autrey
Following a traffic stop of his vehicle that yielded five packages of methamphetamine hidden inside the spare tire, the Defendant, Henry Dwayne Autrey, was indicted by the Putnam County Grand Jury for possession of more than 300 grams of methamphetamine with the intent to sell and with the intent to deliver. He filed a motion to suppress, arguing that the search of the spare tire was unconstitutional because it was conducted after the initial search of the vehicle had been completed and without sufficient probable cause. The trial court granted his motion to suppress and subsequently dismissed the indictment upon the request of the State. The State now appeals, arguing that the officers had probable cause for the search of the spare tire and did not unreasonably detain the Defendant to complete the search. We agree with the State. Accordingly, we reverse the order of the trial court granting the motion to suppress and remand for reinstatement of the indictment. |
Putnam | Court of Criminal Appeals | |
State of Tennessee v. Jamee White-McCray
The Defendant, Jamee White-McCray, was convicted in the Sullivan County Criminal Court of facilitation of attempted first degree premeditated murder and facilitation of employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony and received an effective ten-year sentence to be served in confinement. On appeal, the Defendant contends that the trial court erred by not imposing a sentence of split confinement. After review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court. |
Sullivan | Court of Criminal Appeals | |
Randy Champion v. State of Tennessee
Petitioner, Randy Champion, appeals as of right from the Shelby County Criminal Court’s denial of his petition for post-conviction relief, wherein he challenged his convictions for especially aggravated robbery, attempted second degree murder, employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, attempted aggravated robbery, and attempted especially aggravated robbery. On appeal, Petitioner asserts that he received ineffective assistance of trial counsel because counsel (1) failed to use a peremptory challenge to remove a prospective juror who was an active Tipton County prosecutor and (2) failed to object to the State’s inconsistent theories, thereby waiving this court’s plenary review of the issue on direct appeal. Following our review, we affirm. |
Shelby | Court of Criminal Appeals | |
Donte Green v. State of Tennessee
The Petitioner, Donte Green, appeals the denial of his petition for post-conviction relief from his convictions relating to the possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia resulting from law enforcement’s seizure of illegal substances from the Petitioner’s motel room pursuant to a search warrant. He claims that appellate counsel was ineffective due to her failure to challenge the validity of the search warrant on direct appeal. See State v. Donte Lavon Green, No. W2018-00092-CCA-R3-CD, 2019 WL 1595684 (Tenn. Crim. App. Apr. 15, 2019), perm. app. denied (Tenn. Aug. 16, 2019). He also claims that his convictions are voidable due to the abridgement of his Fourth Amendment rights and article I, section 7 of the Tennessee Constitution because the search conducted by law enforcement was illegal and that the evidence seized should have been suppressed as a result. After review, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court. |
Madison | Court of Criminal Appeals | |
Trendell Brady v. State of Tennessee
The Petitioner, Trendell Brady, appeals the Knox County Criminal Court’s denial of his post-conviction petition, seeking relief from his convictions for two counts of rape of a child and resulting effective fifty-year sentence. On appeal, the Petitioner contends that he received the ineffective assistance of counsel because trial counsel should have expressly advised him not to testify at trial. After review, we affirm the judgment of the postconviction court. |
Knox | Court of Criminal Appeals | |
George Ellis Clark v. State of Tennessee
George Ellis Clark, Petitioner, sought post-conviction relief on the basis that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to impose a sentence because of a violation of the Interstate Agreement on Detainers (“IAD”). The post-conviction court dismissed the petition on the basis that the IAD provided a statutory right, not a constitutional right and, therefore, not a proper basis for post-conviction relief. Petitioner appealed. Because Petitioner has failed to present an adequate record for this Court’s review, we dismiss the appeal. |
Madison | Court of Criminal Appeals | |
Akeem Goodman v. State of Tennessee
The Petitioner, Akeem Goodman, appeals the Knox County Criminal Court’s denial of his post-conviction petition, seeking relief from his convictions of attempted first degree murder and especially aggravated robbery and resulting effective forty-four-year sentence. On appeal, the Petitioner contends that he received the ineffective assistance of counsel because trial counsel failed to prepare for trial adequately, failed to advise him about his case, failed to interview multiple witnesses, and failed to call a witness to testify at trial. After review, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court. |
Knox | Court of Criminal Appeals | |
Darryl Claxton v. State of Tennessee
The petitioner, Darryl Claxton, appeals the denial of his petition for post-conviction relief, which petition challenged his 2015 Shelby County Criminal Court Jury conviction of first degree murder, arguing that he was deprived of the effective assistance of counsel at trial. Discerning no error, we affirm. |
Shelby | Court of Criminal Appeals | |
Cortez Bennett v. Kevin Genovese, Warden
The petitioner, Cortez Bennett, appeals the summary denial of his petition for writ of habeas corpus, which petition challenged his Lake County Circuit Court Jury convictions of first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, and especially aggravated robbery, arguing that he is entitled to habeas corpus relief on grounds that the sentence imposed for his conviction of first degree murder was imposed in direct contravention of a statute, that the count alleging attempted first degree murder was void, and that his convictions of especially aggravated robbery violate double jeopardy principles. Discerning no error, we affirm. |
Lake | Court of Criminal Appeals | |
Donald J. Vaughn v. State of Tennessee
The petitioner, Donald J. Vaughn, appeals the denial of his petition for post-conviction relief, which petition challenged his |
Davidson | Court of Criminal Appeals | |
Marcus Levy v. State of Tennessee
The petitioner, Marcus Levy, appeals the denial of his petition for post-conviction relief, which petition challenged his conviction of first degree murder, alleging that he was deprived of the effective assistance of counsel. Discerning no error, we affirm the denial of post-conviction relief. |
Shelby | Court of Criminal Appeals | |
Randall Ward v. State of Tennessee
The petitioner, Randall Ward, appeals the denial of his petition for post-conviction relief, which petition challenged his 2018 Madison County Circuit Court jury convictions of possession with the intent to sell and deliver cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia, alleging that he was deprived of the effective assistance of counsel. Discerning no error, we affirm the denial of post-conviction relief. |
Madison | Court of Criminal Appeals | |
Rickey R. Jordan v. State of Tennessee
The petitioner, Rickey R. Jordan, appeals the denial of his petition for post-conviction relief, which petition challenged his 2020 Shelby County Criminal Court guilty-pleaded convictions of aggravated robbery and aggravated assault, arguing that he was deprived of the effective assistance of counsel. Discerning no error, we affirm. |
Shelby | Court of Criminal Appeals | |
State of Tennessee v. Roy Thomas Rogers, Jr.
A Gibson County jury convicted the Defendant, Roy Thomas Rogers, Jr., of initiating the manufacture of methamphetamine, promoting the manufacture of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and criminal impersonation. The trial court sentenced the Defendant to an effective sentence of twelve years. On appeal, the Defendant argues that: (1) the trial court improperly admitted evidence, (2) the evidence was insufficient to support his convictions, and (3) the trial court improperly sentenced him. After review, we affirm the trial court’s judgments. |
Gibson | Court of Criminal Appeals | |
State of Tennessee v. Corey Young
A jury convicted the Defendant, Corey Young, of possession of three hundred grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to sell in a school zone, a Class A felony; possession of three hundred grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to deliver in a school zone, a Class A felony; two counts of possession of a firearm with the intent to go armed during the commission of or attempt to commit a dangerous felony, a Class D felony; and two counts of possession of a firearm after having been convicted of a felony drug offense, a Class C felony. He received an effective sentence of forty-one years. On appeal, the Defendant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence and asserts that his right to confront witnesses was violated. After a thorough review of the record, we affirm the Defendant’s convictions and remand for correction of the judgment forms. |
Shelby | Court of Criminal Appeals | |
Alina F. Sherlin v. State of Tennessee
Alina F. Sherlin, Petitioner, was indicted for first degree murder in 2013. After a jury trial, Petitioner was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 15 years in incarceration. Her conviction and sentence were affirmed by this Court on appeal. State v. Alina Frankie Sherlin, No E2017-01225-CCA-R3-CD, 2018 WL 3561728, at *1 (Tenn. Crim. App. July 24, 2018), perm. app. denied (Tenn. Dec. 7, 2018). Petitioner sought postconviction relief on the basis of ineffective assistance of counsel and also challenged the search and seizure of her property. After a hearing, the post-conviction court denied relief. Petitioner appealed to this Court. After a review, we affirm the denial of post-conviction relief. |
Bradley | Court of Criminal Appeals | |
John A. Purcell v. State of Tennessee
Petitioner, John A. Purcell, appeals the dismissal of his post-conviction petition for being untimely filed. On appeal, he asserts that he received ineffective assistance of trial counsel before entering his guilty plea and that the post-conviction court erred by not conducting a complete evidentiary hearing before dismissing his petition as untimely. Having reviewed the record and the parties’ briefs, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court. |
Washington | Court of Criminal Appeals | |
State of Tennessee v. Ida Veronica Thomas
The Defendant, Ida Veronica Thomas, pleaded guilty to theft of property valued at $60,000 or more, but less than $250,000 and, pursuant to a plea agreement, the trial court ordered the Defendant to serve twelve years on community corrections. At a subsequent restitution hearing, the trial court imposed a restitution amount of $151,385, to be paid at a rate of $75 per month. The Defendant appealed, and this court affirmed the case in part, but remanded the case for the trial court to order a presentence report and determine the restitution amount, distinct from the pecuniary loss, by considering the Defendant’s financial resources and ability to pay. State v. Ida Veronica Thomas, No. M2019-02137-CCA-R3-CD, 2021 WL 286736, at *1 (Tenn. Crim. App., at Nashville, Jan. 28, 2021). On remand, the trial court ordered a restitution amount of $92,225 to be paid monthly according to a graduated payment schedule. The Defendant now appeals from the trial court’s order of restitution. Finding no error, we affirm the judgment of the trial court. |
Davidson | Court of Criminal Appeals | |
State of Tennessee v. Willie Hooper, Sr.
Willie Hooper, Sr., Defendant, was convicted of one count of rape of a child and one count of aggravated sexual battery after a jury trial. He was sentenced to an effective sentence of twenty-five years at 100% for the convictions. After the denial of a motion for new trial, Defendant appeals, challenging the sufficiency of the evidence to support his convictions. After a review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court. |
Shelby | Court of Criminal Appeals | |
Michael Lewis Freeman v. State of Tennessee
Petitioner, Michael Lewis Freeman, appeals the denial of his post-conviction petition. Specifically, Petitioner alleges that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to advise him to testify at trial in support of his claim of self-defense. Following our review of the entire record and the briefs of the parties, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court. |
Knox | Court of Criminal Appeals | |
Thomas Edward Clardy v. State of Tennessee
For a 2005 shooting, a Davidson County jury convicted the Petitioner, Thomas Edward Clardy, of one count of first degree premeditated murder, two counts of attempted first degree premeditated murder, and three counts of reckless endangerment. The trial court imposed a life sentence. On December 8, 2020, the Petitioner filed a petition for a writ of error coram nobis, alleging newly discovered evidence in the form of an affidavit showing that he did not participate in the crime. The Petitioner acknowledged that he did not file the petition within the applicable statute of limitations but said he was entitled to an equitable tolling. The State agreed, and it asked the trial court for an equitable tolling and to hear the case on its merits. The coram nobis court, noting that it was not bound by the State’s concession, dismissed the petition as untimely. After review, we conclude that the coram nobis court erred and that the Petitioner is entitled to an equitable tolling of the statute of limitations. As such, we reverse and remand to the coram nobis court for a hearing on the Petitioner’s error coram nobis claims. |
Davidson | Court of Criminal Appeals | |
Blackthorn House, LLC v. First Volunteer Bank
This dispute involves a lender bank’s deed of trust for a leasehold interest related to real property on Lookout Mountain, Tennessee. After the trial court found, inter alia, that the deed of trust was no longer in effect and the bank’s interest in it ceased when the lease terminated, the lender appealed. The contractual issues before us are between the lender bank and the borrower’s landlord. We affirm the ruling of the trial court. |
Hamilton | Court of Criminal Appeals | |
State of Tennessee v. Kadrean J. Brewster
Defendant, Kadrean J. Brewster, pled guilty to possession with the intent to sell more than 0.5 grams of cocaine. He was sentenced to eight-years split between one year in confinement and the remainder of the sentence on probation. Following revocation hearings, Defendant’s probation was revoked and Defendant was ordered to serve the balance of his sentence in confinement. On appeal, Defendant contends the trial court abused its discretion in revoking his probation and ordering him to serve the sentence in confinement. Following our review of the entire record and the briefs of the parties, we affirm the judgment of the trial court. |
Knox | Court of Criminal Appeals | |
State of Tennessee v. Denzel Washington
Defendant, Denzel Washington, was convicted following a jury trial of possession of heroin with intent to sell or deliver within 1,000 feet of a childcare agency (Count 1), possession of fentanyl with intent to sell or deliver within 1,000 feet of a childcare agency (Count 2), possession of marijuana (Count 3) and delivery of heroin within 1,000 feet of a childcare agency (Count 4). The trial court ordered Defendant to serve an effective nineyear sentence. On appeal, Defendant argues that the evidence was insufficient to support his convictions and that his convictions in Counts 1 and 2 should have merged. Following our review of the entire record and the parties’ briefs, we affirm the judgments of the trial court. |
Knox | Court of Criminal Appeals |
