Derek Lee White v. State of Tennessee

The Petitioner, Derek Lee White, pled guilty to second degree murder, attempted first degree murder, and two counts of especially aggravated robbery, with an agreed effective sentence of thirty years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. The Petitioner timely filed a petition seeking post-conviction relief, claiming that he had received the ineffective assistance of counsel. The post-conviction court denied the petition after a hearing. On appeal, the Petitioner claims that his attorney failed to: (1) meet with him; (2) fully utilize exculpatory evidence; and (3) hire a private investigator to assist in the defense. After a thorough review of the record, the briefs, and relevant authorities, we affirm the post-conviction court’s judgment.