APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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James Rodney Smith v. State of Tennessee

M2019-00820-CCA-R3-PC

The Petitioner, James Rodney Smith, appeals the Houston County Circuit Court’s order summarily dismissing his petition for
post-conviction relief as untimely. On appeal, the Petitioner argues that due process requires the tolling of the one-year limitations period. After reviewing the record, we conclude that while the petition was untimely, the Petitioner has alleged facts that would toll the limitations period. As such, we reverse the judgment of the post-conviction court and remand the case for an evidentiary hearing to determine whether the Petitioner is entitled a late-filed petition for post-conviction relief.

Authoring Judge: Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Larry J. Wallace
Houston County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/08/20
State of Tennessee v. Michael William Shavers

E2019-01558-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Michael William Shavers, appeals the Hamilton County Criminal Court’s order revoking his probation and ordering him to serve the balance of the 10-year effective sentence for his guilty-pleaded convictions of attempted second degree murder in confinement. Discerning no error, we affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge James Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Thomas C. Greenholtz
Hamilton County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/07/20
Allen Hill v. State of Tennessee

E2019-01994-CCA-R3-PC

The Petitioner, Allen Hill, appeals from the Knox County Criminal Court’s denial of his petition for post-conviction relief from his 2018 conviction for possession with the intent to sell 0.5 gram or more of cocaine, for which he is serving a twenty-year sentence as a Range II offender. The Petitioner contends that he received the ineffective assistance of counsel, rendering his guilty plea involuntary. We affirm the judgment of the postconviction court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Robert H. Montgomery, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Bobby R. McGee
Knox County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/07/20
State of Tennessee v. Maliq Asadi Muhammad

E2019-01988-CCA-R3-CD

The Defendant, Maliq Asadi Muhammad, appeals from the Blount County Circuit Court’s revocation of probation for his Range I,
eight-year sentence for possession with the intent to sell 0.5 gram or more of cocaine, a Class B felony. See T.C.A. § 39-17-417 (2018). The Defendant contends that the trial court erred in revoking his probation and ordering him to serve the remainder of his sentence in confinement. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Robert H. Montgomery, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Tammy M. Harrington
Blount County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/07/20
State of Tennessee v. Novodny Young

M2019-01221-CCA-R3-CD

Defendant, Novodny Young, appeals after the trial court revoked his probation and ordered him to serve his effective eight-year sentence in incarceration. Because the trial court did not abuse its discretion, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Timothy L. Easter
Originating Judge:Judge Stella L. Hargrove
Lawrence County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/07/20
State of Tennessee v. Jose Gonzalez Bonilla

M2019-01193-CCA-R3-CD

The Defendant, Jose Gonzalez Bonilla, was convicted by a jury of rape of a child and aggravated sexual battery, and he received an effective sentence of thirty-five years in confinement. The Defendant appeals, asserting that the evidence was insufficient to support the verdict, that the trial court erred in denying his motion to sever, that the trial court erred in permitting the testimony of a forensic social worker, that he is entitled to relief from the convictions under the theory of cumulative error, and that the trial court erred in sentencing him. After a thorough review of the record, we conclude that the Defendant is not entitled to appellate relief, and we affirm the trial court’s judgments.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Dee David Gay
Sumner County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/07/20
Quinton A. Cage v. State of Tennessee

M2019-01888-CCA-R3-HC

Petitioner, Quinton A. Cage, appeals the denial of his petition for habeas corpus relief in which he argues that he was deprived of a fair trial. Because we determine that Petitioner has failed to file a timely notice of appeal or provide a reason as to why the timely filing of the notice of appeal should be waived, the appeal is dismissed.

Authoring Judge: Judge Timothy L. Easter
Originating Judge:Judge Amanda Jane McClendon
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/06/20
Leonel Lopez v. State of Tennessee

M2019-00683-CCA-R3-PC

A Davidson County grand jury indicted Petitioner, Leonel Lopez, for first degree murder. After a jury trial, Petitioner was convicted of second degree murder. Petitioner received a twenty-year sentence. This Court upheld Petitioner’s conviction on appeal. State v. Lopez, 440 S.W.3d 601 (Tenn. Crim. App. 2014). Petitioner filed a pro se petition for post-conviction relief arguing that he received ineffective assistance of counsel, that the prosecution failed to disclose exculpatory evidence, that the State engaged in prosecutorial misconduct, and that the trial court made various errors. After two hearings, the post-conviction court denied relief. After reviewing the record, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Timothy L. Easter
Originating Judge:Judge Jennifer Smith
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/02/20
State of Tennessee v. Bryan James Cooke

M2019-01164-CCA-R3-CD

The Defendant, Bryan James Cooke, challenges his effective sentence of two consecutive terms of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole resulting from his convictions of two counts of first degree premeditated murder, two counts of felony murder, two counts of aggravated burglary, and a theft offense. Both the Defendant’s motion for a new trial and his notice of appeal were filed over one year after the entry of the judgment forms, and the Defendant has given no explanation of the untimely filings. Accordingly, we dismiss the appeal.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Larry B. Stanley, Jr.
Warren County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/02/20
Miguel Saenz v. State of Tennessee

W2019-01665-CCA-R3-PC

The petitioner, Miguel Saenz, appeals the dismissal of his post-conviction petition, arguing the post-conviction court erred in dismissing the petition as time-barred. Following our review, we affirm the post-conviction court’s dismissal of the petition.

Authoring Judge: Judge J. Ross Dyer
Originating Judge:Judge James M. Lammey
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/02/20
Dwight Michael Alston v. State of Tennessee

W2019-00930-CCA-R3-PC

The Petitioner, Dwight Michael Alston, appeals the post-conviction court’s denial of his petition for post-conviction relief in which he challenged his conviction for first degree premeditated murder. The Petitioner maintains that trial counsel was ineffective for advising him not to testify and for failing to investigate and raise issues regarding the competence of the Petitioner’s son. Additionally, the Petitioner asserts that the postconviction court erred in finding that appellate counsel was ineffective for failing to raise issues on appeal that were included in the motion for new trial. The Petitioner also argues that the post-conviction court erred in not allowing a continuance or bifurcated hearing so that appellate counsel could be present to testify. After a thorough review of the record and applicable law, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Joe H. Walker, III
Tipton County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/02/20
Kenneth Darrin Fisher v. State of Tennessee

E2019-01816-CCA-R3-PC

The petitioner, Kenneth Darrin Fisher, appeals the denial of his post-conviction petition, arguing the post-conviction court erred in finding he received the effective assistance of counsel at trial and on appeal. Specifically, the petitioner asserts trial counsel was ineffective for failing to properly prepare the petitioner to testify at trial; failing to object to the State’s assertion that the gun found in the petitioner’s vehicle was an “assault rifle;” failing to object to the admission of the unredacted video of the petitioner’s police interview; and failing to appeal the trial court’s admission of Ms. Burchett’s recorded preliminary hearing testimony. The petitioner also asserts he was deprived due process when the post-conviction court sustained the State’s objection regarding Ms. Green’s testimony. After our review of the record, briefs, and applicable law, we affirm the denial of the petition.

Authoring Judge: Judge J. Ross Dyer
Originating Judge:Judge Donald Ray Elledge
Anderson County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/01/20
State of Tennessee v. Carlton Smith

E2019-01532-CCA-R3-CD

A Knox County jury convicted the defendant, Carlton Smith, of three counts of burglary and one count each of assault and theft. As a result of his convictions, the trial court sentenced the defendant to 12 years’ confinement for each count of burglary and 11 months and 29 days for assault and theft. The trial court merged the three burglary convictions into one count and ordered the defendant’s sentences to be served concurrently. On appeal, the defendant challenges the application of the burglary statute, challenges the sufficiency of the evidence supporting his convictions, and claims his misdemeanor convictions for theft and assault should merge into his conviction for burglary. After reviewing the record and considering the applicable law, we affirm the defendant’s convictions. However, we conclude the defendant’s convictions for assault and theft should be merged with his conviction for burglary and remand the matter to the trial court for entry of amended judgments in accordance with this opinion.

Authoring Judge: Judge J. Ross Dyer
Originating Judge:Judge Bobby R. McGee
Knox County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/01/20
State of Tennessee v. Calvin Smith and Hayden Bowen

W2019-01227-CCA-R3-CD

The Shelby County Grand Jury indicted Defendants Calvin Smith and Hayden Bowen for attempted first degree murder in counts one and three and for employment of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony in counts two and four. Each Defendant filed a motion to dismiss the indictment, arguing that the failure of the State to name a specific victim in counts one and three violated their right against double jeopardy. Following a hearing, the trial court dismissed all counts of the indictment. The State appeals as of right from the trial court’s dismissal of Defendants’ indictment, arguing that the trial court improperly dismissed the indictment based on the weight of the evidence and that the indictment provided sufficient protection against double jeopardy. After a thorough review, the judgments of the criminal court are reversed, the indictment is reinstated, and the case is remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

Authoring Judge: Judge Robert L. Holloway, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Carolyn W. Blackett
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/30/20
Joseph S. McNair, Jr. v. Bert Boyd, Warden

E2019-01524-CCA-R3-HC

Petitioner, Joseph S. McNair, Jr., appeals from the dismissal of his petition for habeas corpus relief. On appeal and in his pro se petition, Petitioner argues that he is entitled to habeas corpus relief because the trial court permitted the State to improperly amend the original indictment. After review of the record and the briefs, we affirm the judgment of the habeas corpus court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Stacy L. Street
Johnson County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/30/20
Anthony Thompson v. State of Tennessee

W2019-01206-CCA-R3-PC

The petitioner, Anthony Thompson, appeals the denial of his petition for post-conviction relief, which petition challenged his conviction of first degree murder, alleging that he was deprived of the effective assistance of counsel. Discerning no error, we affirm the denial of post-conviction relief.

Authoring Judge: Judge James Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge J. Robert Carter, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/30/20
State of Tennessee v. Eddie Smith

W2018-01509-CCA-R3-CD

Defendant, Eddie Smith, appeals his conviction for second degree murder and his twentyone-year sentence. On appeal, Defendant contends that the trial court erred in (1) excluding proof of the victim’s prior bad acts as corroborative evidence that the victim was the initial aggressor and (2) instructing the jury that Defendant had a duty to retreat before using force intended or likely to cause death or serious bodily injury in selfdefense. We affirm the trial court’s judgment.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge James M. Lammey
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/30/20
State of Tennessee v. William Johnson

W2019-00914-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, William Johnson, appeals his Shelby County Criminal Court jury conviction of vandalism of property valued at $500 or less, arguing that the evidence was insufficient to sustain his conviction. Discerning no error, we affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge James Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge John W. Campbell
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/30/20
State of Tennessee v. Donquise Tremonte Alexander

M2019-01715-CCA-R3-CD

The Petitioner, Donquise Tremonte Alexander, entered a guilty plea to second-degree murder and was sentenced to thirty years in confinement. Following a motion to correct an illegal sentence and an untimely petition for post-conviction relief, the Petitioner filed a pro se petition to correct a clerical error on his judgment form, alleging that the form was not stamped “filed.” The post-conviction court denied the petition, and the Petitioner filed a timely appeal. Following our review, we affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Mark J. Fishburn
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/30/20
Marquette Jones v. State of Tennessee

W2019-00399-CCA-R3-PC

The Petitioner, Marquette Jones, appeals the denial of his petition for post-conviction relief. Following our review, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court denying the petition.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge Paula L. Skahan
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/29/20
State of Tennessee v. Michael Chambers

W2019-00661-CCA-R3-CD

The Defendant-Appellant, Michael Chambers, was convicted by a Shelby County jury of felony vandalism of property in an amount $2,500 or more but less than $10,000, in violation of Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-14-408, a Class D felony. The Defendant was sentenced as a Range II, multiple offender, to six years to be served on supervised probation. In this appeal as of right, the sole issue presented for our review is whether the evidence is sufficient to sustain the Defendant’s conviction for felony vandalism. Following our review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Camille R. McMullen
Originating Judge:Judge Chris Craft
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/29/20
State of Tennessee v. Terry Trammell

E2019-01147-CCA-R3-PC

Petitioner, Terry Trammell, was convicted by a Knox County Criminal Court jury of theft over $1000 and sentenced to twelve years in prison. This Court affirmed the judgment of the trial court on direct appeal. State v. Terry Trammell, No. E2016-01267- CCA-R3-CD, 2017 WL 1861792, at *3 (Tenn. Crim. App. May 8, 2017), no perm. app. filed. Petitioner sought post-conviction relief and the post-conviction court denied relief. On appeal, Petitioner contends that the post-conviction court erred by denying his claim that he received ineffective assistance of counsel during the guilt phase of the trial. After a thorough review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court on the basis that Petitioner received effective assistance of counsel.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge G. Scott Green
Knox County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/26/20
State of Tennessee v. Keisha Moses Richardson

M2019-00952-CCA-R3-CD

Defendant, Keisha Moses Richardson, was convicted by a Davidson County jury for violating an order of protection. The trial court imposed a sentence of eleven months and twenty-nine days to be served on probation. On appeal, Defendant argues that the evidence was insufficient to support her conviction. Having reviewed the entire record, the oral arguments, and the briefs of the parties, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Angelita Blackshear Dalton
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/26/20
Juan Cerano v. State of Tennessee

W2018-02037-CCA-R3-PC

The Petitioner, Juan Cerano, appeals the Shelby County Criminal Court’s denial of his petition for post-conviction relief from his convictions of rape of a child, a Class A felony, and aggravated sexual battery, a Class B felony, and resulting thirty-year sentence. On appeal, the Petitioner contends that the post-conviction court erred in finding that he was not prejudiced by trial counsel’s failure to include records from the Department of Children’s Services with the appellate record on direct appeal of his convictions, which resulted in this court’s being unable to review whether the trial court properly ruled that the records were inadmissible at trial. Based upon the oral arguments, the record, and the parties’ briefs, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge John Wheeler Campbell
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/25/20
Ronald Hudson v. State of Tennessee

W2019-00385-CCA-R3-PC

The pro se Petitioner, Ronald Hudson, appeals the summary dismissal of his petition for post-conviction relief as time-barred, arguing that he should be afforded counsel and an evidentiary hearing because his petition was timely. The State agrees there is some evidence that the petition was timely but notes that the Petitioner’s notice of appeal was clearly untimely. Because the notice of appeal is untimely and we find nothing that warrants the waiver of the timely notice of appeal requirement, we dismiss the appeal.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge Lee V. Coffee
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/25/20