Donald H. Runions v. State of Tennessee

The Petitioner, Donald H. Runions, appeals the Lewis County Circuit Court’s denial of his petition for post-conviction relief from his multiple convictions for violation of the Child Protection Act, rape of a child, and aggravated sexual battery. On appeal, the Petitioner contends that the post-conviction court erred by denying relief on his claims alleging that he received the ineffective assistance of trial counsel. The Petitioner argues that trial counsel was ineffective by (1) failing to lodge an objection or move for a continuance due to the Petitioner’s absence from certain pretrial evidentiary hearings; (2) failing to present a sound trial strategy based upon adequate preparation; and (3) failing to allow the Petitioner to testify on his own behalf at trial. After review, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.