COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OPINIONS

Alan Hall v. State of Tennessee
E2000-01522-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Trial Court Judge: Judge R. Jerry Beck

On April 30, 1996, the petitioner, Alan Hall, pled guilty in the Sullivan County Criminal Court to first degree murder, especially aggravated robbery, especially aggravated burglary, aggravated burglary, theft over $1000, and possession of burglary tools. The petitioner received a total effective sentence of life plus twelve years. Subsequently, on September 15, 1999, the trial court entered an order correcting the petitioner's judgment of conviction for especially aggravated robbery to reflect that the petitioner would serve one hundred percent (100%) of his sentence in confinement instead of thirty percent (30%) as was erroneously reflected on the original judgment. Within a year after the entry of the corrected judgment, the petitioner filed a pro se petition for post-conviction relief. The post-conviction court dismissed the petition as being barred by the statute of limitations. On appeal, the petitioner contests the dismissal of his petition for post-conviction relief. Upon review of the record and the parties' briefs, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Sullivan Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Judy K. Caruso
M2000-01265-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R Wade
Trial Court Judge: Judge Timothy L. Easter

The defendant, Judy K. Caruso, entered pleas of guilt to two counts of aggravated burglary and two counts of theft of property over $1,000. As a part of the plea agreement, the state agreed to dismiss two charges of possession of stolen property and one charge of misdemeanor vandalism. The defendant negotiated concurrent sentences of four years on the burglary convictions and two years on the theft convictions. The trial court denied a request for probation, ordered a 200-day jail sentence to be served day for day, and required the balance of the four-year sentence to be served in a Community Corrections program. In this appeal of right, the defendant claims that she should have been granted an alternative sentence involving immediate release. The judgment is affirmed.

Lewis Court of Criminal Appeals

Antwan Lamar Patton v. State of Tennessee
M2000-00370-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry L. Smith
Trial Court Judge: Judge Seth W. Norman

A Davidson County jury convicted the petitioner of two counts of child rape. For each of these offenses, he received a sentence of eighteen years, and the trial court ordered the sentences to be run consecutively. On direct appeal this Court modified the petitioner's sentences to sixteen and one half years each, resulting in an effective sentence of thirty-three years, but otherwise found the petitioner's claims merited no relief. Subsequently the petitioner filed a pro se post-conviction petition alleging ineffective assistance of counsel. Determining that the petitioner had raised a colorable claim, the trial court appointed counsel to represent him and later conducted an evidentiary hearing on the petition. After taking the matter under advisement, the trial court filed an opinion denying the petition. From this denial the petitioner brings the instant appeal alleging that trial counsel provided ineffective assistance by inadequately advising the petitioner of the potential sentence he could receive should he elect to go to trial. However, following our review of the record, we find that the trial court correctly denied the petition, and we, therefore, affirm the lower court's decision.

Davidson Court of Criminal Appeals

Leland Ray Reeves v. State of Tennessee
M2000-01896-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Trial Court Judge: Judge J. O. Bond

The petitioner's conviction for rape was affirmed on direct appeal. He filed a petition for post-conviction relief in which he claimed that he received inadequate assistance of counsel at his trial. Following a hearing, the post-conviction court dismissed the petition. We affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Macon Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Henry Ford Williams, Jr.
M2000-01495-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge John H. Gasaway, III

The defendant, Henry Ford Williams, appeals the Robertson County Circuit Court's revocation of his community corrections sentence. The trial court accepted the defendant's guilty pleas to Class B felony possession of cocaine for resale and to Class C felony possession of cocaine. On September 16, 1993, the trial court imposed an effective sentence of ten years, with eleven months and 29 days to be served in local confinement and the balance to be served in community corrections. On February 18, 2000, the state filed a community corrections revocation warrant. The trial court conducted an evidentiary hearing and revoked the defendant's community corrections placement. From that order, the defendant has appealed to this court. Upon our review of the record, the briefs of the parties, and the applicable law, we affirm the action of the trial court..

Robertson Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Noah Hamilton
E2000-01018-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge Carroll L. Ross

The defendant appeals and asserts that the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction of vandalism. Specifically, he contends that the State's evidence failed to prove the amount of damage beyond a reasonable doubt to establish a felony. After review, we hold that the trial court properly calculated the value of the amount of damages done by the defendant and that the evidence was sufficient to support the defendant's conviction for felony vandalism.

Monroe Court of Criminal Appeals

Ralph Phillip Claypole, Jr. v. State of Tennessee
M1999-02591-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Trial Court Judge: Judge Frank G. Clement, Jr.

The petitioner filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus, claiming that the constitutional prohibition against double jeopardy was violated by his multiple sentences. The post-conviction court denied the petition, finding that the judgments of conviction were facially valid. We affirm the order of the post-conviction court dismissing the petition.

Davidson Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Joshua James Henry Pugh
M2000-02205-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Trial Court Judge: Judge W. Charles Lee

The defendant appeals his conviction of the sale of less than .5 grams of a Schedule II controlled substance, cocaine, a Class C felony. The trial court sentenced him as a Range II, multiple offender to nine years, three months in the Tennessee Department of Correction, and imposed a $2000 fine. On appeal, the defendant argues that the evidence was insufficient to sustain his conviction, and that his sentence is excessive and contrary to law. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Marshall Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Randy R. Wilson
M2000-01537-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Trial Court Judge: Judge John H. Gasaway, III

The defendant contends that the State should be barred from revoking his Community Corrections sentence because no detainer was placed on him while he served a six-year prison sentence in North Carolina while his revocation warrant was pending in Tennessee and the State knew of his location. We conclude that the State was under no obligation to file a detainer against the defendant, and that the State was not time barred from proceeding with the Community Corrections revocation after the defendant's return to this state. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Robertson Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Noah J. Love
E2000-00254-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R Wade
Trial Court Judge: Judge Joseph F. DiRisio & Judge Douglas A. Meyer

The defendant, Noah J. Love, appeals the trial court's denial of his motion to correct his sentence. The single issue presented for review is whether the trial court properly denied relief. Because the trial court had no jurisdiction to amend the sentence four years after the defendant had been transferred to the Department of Correction, the judgment is reversed.

Hamilton Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Jashua Shannon Sides
E2000-01422-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Trial Court Judge: Judge Rebecca J. Stern

This is a state appeal from the suppression of evidence. The defendant was indicted for driving under the influence (DUI), second offense, and leaving the scene of an accident. The defendant filed a motion to suppress which the trial court granted. In this appeal, the state alleges that the trial court erroneously concluded the defendant was unlawfully arrested, or, in the alternative, the order of suppression was overbroad. Upon review of the record, we modify the order of suppression to allow evidence gathered prior to the unlawful arrest. We remand for further proceedings.

Hamilton Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Jashua Shannon Sides - Dissenting
E2000-01422-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry L. Smith
Trial Court Judge: Judge Rebecca J. Stern

I must dissent from the holding of the majority opinion in this case for the following reasons:

Hamilton Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Calvin T. Barham
W2000-00871-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Trial Court Judge: Judge Roger A. Page

Defendant entered a best interest plea of guilty to possession of cocaine with the intent to sell and was sentenced to four years on community corrections. The plea attempted to reserve a certified question of law relating to the suppression of evidence. Upon our review of the record, we conclude that we do not have jurisdiction to address the certified question of law. The appeal is dismissed.

Chester Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Timothy C. Jewell, Jr.
W2000-00998-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Trial Court Judge: Judge Arthur T. Bennett

The Defendant pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated burglary, a Class C felony, and two counts of theft over one thousand dollars, Class D felonies. The trial court sentenced the Defendant to an effective sentence of three years incarceration in the local workhouse. The Defendant now appeals, arguing that the trial court erred in denying him alternative sentencing. Finding no error, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Shelby Court of Criminal Appeals

Shannon Smith, et al. v. State of Tennessee
W1999-01708-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Trial Court Judge: Judge Bobby H. Capers

Pursuant to a plea agreement, the Petitioners in the instant case each pled guilty to one count of murder in the perpetration of a robbery under Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-13-202, one count of especially aggravated robbery under Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-13-403, and one count of aggravated assault under Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-13-102. The Petitioners were sentenced to concurrent sentences of life, twenty-five years, and six years, respectively. On April 20, 1995, the Petitioners filed a petition for post-conviction relief. Special Judge Bobby Capers was appointed to hear the post-conviction petition. The trial court heard the Petitioners' petition between August 9, 1999 and August 19, 1999, and granted post-conviction relief to Petitioners Smith and Versie. On December 3, 1999, the State filed a notice of appeal, challenging the post-conviction court's findings that neither of the Petitioners received effective assistance of counsel. After a thorough review of the record, we conclude that the trial court was correct in granting post-conviction relief to the Petitioners. The judgment of the post-conviction court is affirmed.

Shelby Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Jerry Lynn Sanders
W2000-01163-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Trial Court Judge: Judge Julian P. Guinn

The Defendant, Jerry Lynn Sanders, appeals from his convictions of aggravated burglary, theft of property less than $500.00, and possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance. He asserts that the evidence presented at trial was insufficient to support his convictions and that the trial court erred by denying his request to admit into evidence a notarized statement wherein the alleged victim stated that he wanted to dismiss the charges in this matter. We find no error; thus, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Benton Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Rain Thomas Chesher
W2000-01701-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Trial Court Judge: Judge Julian P. Guinn

A jury convicted the Defendant of first degree premeditated murder, and he was sentenced to life imprisonment. In this direct appeal, the Defendant contends that he received ineffective assistance of counsel at trial and challenges the sufficiency of the evidence. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Henry Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. William Tony Melton
W2000-01742-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Trial Court Judge: Judge C. Creed McGinley

The Defendant pleaded guilty to manufacturing methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance. The Defendant was sentenced as a Range I standard offender to five years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. The Defendant now appeals, arguing that the trial court erred in denying him alternative sentencing. Finding no error, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Carroll Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Antonio Teran Seay
M2000-01696-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Trial Court Judge: Judge John D. Wootten, Jr.

Upon his guilty plea, the Defendant was sentenced to two concurrent ten year sentences to be served on community corrections. Several months into service of his sentences, the Defendant was arrested and his community corrections sentences were revoked. The trial court subsequently resentenced the Defendant to two consecutive ten year sentences. The Defendant now appeals, contending that the trial court was without authority to impose consecutive sentences and that consecutive sentences are improper. We affirm the trial court's judgment.

Wilson Court of Criminal Appeals

Cyrus D. Wilson v. State of Tennessee
M2000-01237-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Trial Court Judge: Judge Seth W. Norman

The Defendant, Cyrus D. Wilson, was convicted by a jury of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. His conviction was affirmed on direct appeal.1 The Defendant subsequently filed for post-conviction relief alleging that he had received ineffective assistance of counsel at trial and that his trial was tainted by due process violations. After an evidentiary hearing the post-conviction court denied relief. The Defendant now appeals as of right. The judgment of the post-conviction court is affirmed.

Davidson Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Thomas Jared Richardson
99-D-2936-A,
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R. Wade
Trial Court Judge: Judge Steve R. Dozier

The defendant, Thomas Jared Richardson, pled guilty to two counts of possession of less than .5 grams of cocaine with the intent to manufacture, deliver, or sell, a Class C felony. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-417. The trial court imposed concurrent sentences of six years for each count, to be served in the Davidson County Workhouse. The trial court also assessed a fine of $3,500 and ordered the defendant to forfeit his weapon. In this appeal of right, the defendant argues that the trial court should have imposed probation or some other alternative sentence. The judgment is affirmed.

Davidson Court of Criminal Appeals

Laverne M. Lain, Jr. v. State of Tennessee
M2000-00605-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Trial Court Judge: Judge L. Craig Johnson

The petitioner appeals from the denial of his post-conviction petition, contending that his guilty plea was not entered voluntarily and intelligently and that he received the ineffective assistance of counsel. We affirm the trial court's denial of the petition.

Coffee Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Ronald Stanley
M2000-00790-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Trial Court Judge: Judge Steve R. Dozier

The Defendant pled guilty to selling over twenty-six grams of cocaine, possession with intent to sell over 300 grams of cocaine, and possession with intent to sell between ten and seventy pounds of marijuana. As to his conviction for possession with intent to sell over 300 grams of cocaine, the Defendant reserved the following certified question of law: whether the search warrant was void for execution more than 120 hours after issuance. We hold that the five-day period in which a search warrant must be executed is to be computed using calendar days rather than hours. Thus, a search warrant is valid if executed by midnight of the fifth day after its issuance, with the calculation of days to exclude the day of issuance. We further hold that the search warrant in this case was properly executed within the five-day period and therefore affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Davidson Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Dwayne Simmons
M2000-01199-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Trial Court Judge: Judge Robert L. Jones

The defendant, indicted for the false reporting of a bomb threat at an elementary school, was convicted of the offense of harassment, and fined $1000. No motion for a new trial was filed. In a pro se appeal to this court, the defendant raises essentially four issues: (1) whether he was denied effective assistance of counsel; (2) whether he was denied the right to testify at trial; (3) whether the State withheld exculpatory evidence; and (4) whether the evidence was sufficient to support his conviction of harassment. After a careful review of the record and applicable law, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Maury Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. William M. Fahr
W2000-00973-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Trial Court Judge: Judge Joseph B. Brown

Defendant was indicted by a Shelby County grand jury on the charge of rape of a child. Pursuant to a negotiated plea agreement, defendant entered a plea of nolo contendere to sexual battery and received a two-year sentence. The issue of how his sentence should be served was submitted to the trial court. Upon our review of the record, we conclude that it is necessary to remand for a new sentencing hearing since the trial court relied upon the defendant's failure to make a public confession at a church in determining the sentence.

Shelby Court of Criminal Appeals