Marcellus Hurt v. State of Tennessee

The petitioner, Marcellus Hurt, appeals the Madison County Circuit Court’s denial of his petition for post-conviction relief. On appeal, the petitioner argues he was denied the effective assistance of counsel based upon trial counsel’s failure to exercise his influence and persuade the petitioner to plead guilty. The State has filed a motion requesting that this court affirm the post-conviction court’s dismissal pursuant to Rule 20 of the Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals. Because the petitioner has failed to allege any ground which would establish a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, we grant the State’s motion and affirm the judgment of the Madison County Circuit Court.