State of Tennessee v. William Paul Watson

The Defendant, William Paul Watson, pled guilty to possessing more than one-half gram
of cocaine with intent to sell within a drug-free zone and received a fifteen-year sentence
to be served at one hundred percent. More than ten years later, he filed a motion to be
resentenced pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-17-432(h). The trial court
held a hearing, granted the Defendant’s motion, and resentenced him to fifteen years with
eight years to be served at one hundred percent and the remainder to be served at a thirtyfive
percent release eligibility. On appeal, the Defendant contends that the trial court
imposed an illegal sentence. The State argues that we should dismiss the appeal for lack
of jurisdiction under Tennessee Rule of Appellate Procedure 3(b) and that, in any event,
the Defendant’s sentence is not illegal. Based upon the oral arguments, the record, and the
parties’ briefs, we agree with the Defendant, reverse and vacate the judgment of the trial
court, and remand the case for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.