APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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Delivetrick Blocker v. David Osborne, Warden

E2011-02723-CCA-R3-HC

The petitioner, Delivetrick Dewon Blocker, appeals the Morgan County Criminal Court’s summary dismissal of his petition for writ of habeas corpus. Because the petitioner has failed to state a cognizable claim for habeas corpus relief, we affirm the summary dismissal of the petition pursuant to Rule 20, Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge E. Eugene Eblen
Morgan County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/29/12
Corry Tyrone Owens v. State of Tennessee

W2011-01622-CCA-R3-PC

The Petitioner, Corry Tyrone Owens, pled guilty to theft of property valued over $1,000. The trial court sentenced the Petitioner, pursuant to a plea agreement, to ten years of incarceration, to be served at 45%. The Petitioner filed a petition for post-conviction relief, alleging that he had received the ineffective assistance of counsel, and the post-conviction court dismissed the petition after holding a hearing. On appeal, the Petitioner contends that he received the ineffective assistance of counsel. After a thorough review of the record and applicable authorities, we affirm the post-conviction court’s dismissal of his petition.

Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Joseph H. Walker III
Tipton County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/29/12
Davidson Taylor v. State of Tennessee

W2011-00979-CCA-R3-PC

Davidson Taylor (“the Petitioner”) filed for post-conviction relief from his convictions for evading arrest in a motor vehicle and driving under the influence. In his petition, he alleged that he received ineffective assistance of counsel at trial. After an evidentiary hearing, the post-conviction court denied the petition. The Petitioner appeals, arguing that the postconviction court erred in denying his petition. On appeal, the Petitioner asserts that his trial counsel: (1) failed to advise the Petitioner properly regarding his right to testify; and (2) failed to request a continuance once trial counsel learned of a death in his family. After a careful review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Jeffrey S. Bivins
Originating Judge:Judge W. Otis Higgs Jr.
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/29/12
State of Tennessee v. Patrick Wayne Carter

M2011-00097-CCA-R3-CD

The Defendant, Patrick Wayne Carter, appeals from the trial court’s revocation of his probation and order that he serve the remainder of his sentence in confinement. The Defendant contends that the evidence was insufficient to sustain the revocation of his probation. Following our review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Dee David Gay
Macon County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/29/12
Michael Lindsey v. Joe Easterling, Warden

W2011-01897-CCA-R3-HC

Michael Lindsey (“the Petitioner”), pro se, filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus, alleging that the sentence on his second degree murder conviction is illegal, and therefore, his judgment of conviction was void. The habeas corpus court denied relief without a hearing. The Petitioner then filed this appeal. Upon our thorough review of the record and applicable law, we affirm the judgment of the habeas corpus court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Jeffrey S. Bivins
Originating Judge:Judge Joseph H. Walker III
Hardeman County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/28/12
Stephen Lee Scott v. State of Tennessee

M2011-00539-CCA-R3-PC

The Petitioner-Appellant, Stephen Lee Scott, appeals the denial of post-conviction relief, contending that he received the ineffective assistance of counsel in connection with his guilty plea because counsel misinformed him regarding the elements of felony murder. Upon review, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Camille R. McMullen
Originating Judge:Judge Monte Watkins
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/28/12
Joe Eddie Maclin v. State of Tennessee

W2011-01112-CCA-R3-PC

The Petitioner-Appellant, Joe Eddie Maclin, appeals the denial of post-conviction relief, contending that he did not enter his guilty plea knowingly and voluntarily due to the ineffective assistance of counsel. Upon review, we affirm the judgment of the postconviction court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Camille R. McMullen
Originating Judge:Judge Joseph H. Walker III
Tipton County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/28/12
State of Tennessee v. Justin Alexander DeWeese

M2011-00534-CCA-R3-CD

Upon a plea of guilty, Defendant, Justin Alexander Deweese, was convicted of child abuse of a child eight years of age or less, in violation of Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-15401(a), a Class D felony. He submitted to the trial court to determine the length and manner of service of his sentence. After a hearing, the trial court ordered a three-year sentence of confinement. Defendant has appealed, asserting that he should receive a totally suspended sentence to be served on probation. He does not challenge the length of the sentence. Having fully reviewed the record and the briefs of the parties, we affirm the judgment of the trial court by memorandum opinion.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Lee Russell
Bedford County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/28/12
Michael Panzini v. State of Tennessee

E2011-01497-CCA-R3-HC

The Petitioner, Michael Panzini, pled guilty to aggravated sexual battery, and the trial court sentenced him to ten years, to be served at 100%. The record contains two judgments of conviction, one provided by the State and one provided by the Petitioner. The judgment form in the official court file indicates the box on the judgment form showing the Petitioner was sentenced to community supervision for life as checked. The judgment submitted by the Petitioner does not contain that check mark. The Petitioner filed a petition for habeas corpus relief, contending that his sentence was illegal because he was not sentenced to community supervision for life. The trial court dismissed the petition. On appeal, the Petitioner contends that his original judgment of conviction did not include community supervision for life as required by statute and that his judgment was modified without notice, a hearing, or an order. After a thorough review of the record and applicable authorities, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood
Knox County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/28/12
State of Tennessee v. Isaac McDonald Jr.

W2011-01233-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Isaac McDonald, Jr., was convicted by a jury of attempted aggravated rape, a Class B felony, and sentenced to serve twelve years in prison. On appeal, the defendant contends that the evidence at trial was insufficient to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. After a thorough review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Roger A. Page
Madison County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/28/12
State of Tennessee v. Deney Brockman

W2011-01939-CCA-R3-CD

Deney Brockman (“the Defendant”) was convicted by a jury of burglary of a building other than a habitation. After a hearing, the trial court sentenced the Defendant as a career offender to twelve years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. In this appeal, the Defendant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence supporting his conviction. Upon our thorough review of the record and applicable law, we hold that the evidence is sufficient to support the Defendant’s conviction. Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Jeffrey S. Bivins
Originating Judge:Judge James C. Beasley Jr.
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/28/12
State of Tennessee v. Robert Lee Vandergriff, Jr.

E2010-02560-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Robert Lee Vandergriff, Jr., was convicted of driving while intoxicated, a Class A misdemeanor, by a Union County jury. He was sentenced to a term of eleven months and twenty-nine days, all of which was suspended but for eight days service in the county jail. On appeal, the defendant’s single contention of error is that the trial court erred by failing to grant his motion to suppress. Specifically, he asserts this decision was error because he was seized without reasonable suspicion. Following review of the record, we affirm the denial of the motion to suppress.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge E. Shayne Sexton
Union County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/28/12
Tony Holmes v. State of Tennessee

W2011-02524-CCA-R3-PC

A Shelby County jury convicted petitioner, Tony Holmes, of one count of first degree premeditated murder and one count of attempted first degree premeditated murder. The jury sentenced him to life in prison for first degree murder, and the trial court sentenced him as a repeat violent offender to life in prison without the possibility of parole for attempted first degree premeditated murder, to be served consecutively. Following an unsuccessful direct appeal to this court, he filed a petition for post-conviction relief alleging that appellate counsel was ineffective for failing to argue that the trial court erred in denying his motion to suppress an eyewitness’s identification of him. He also contended in his petition that trial counsel was ineffective for improperly making personal attacks against the prosecutor during closing arguments, for failing to impeach witnesses with their prior criminal convictions, and for failing to impeach a witness with her prior inconsistent statement to police. Discerning no error, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Roger A. Page
Originating Judge:Judge James C. Beasley Jr.
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/28/12
State of Tennessee v. Jason Charles Austin

E2010-00796-CCA-R3-CD

Appellant, Jason Charles Austin, was indicted by a Washington County grand jury for one count of first-degree murder. After a jury trial, he was convicted of the lesser-included offense of second-degree murder and subsequently sentenced to twenty-three years. On appeal, Appellant argues that: (1) the trial court erred by allowing Appellant’s case to be severed from the case of his co-defendant; (2) the State violated Appellant’s rights under the Tennessee and United States Constitutions; (3) the trial court erred in concluding that Christina Boone was a hostile witness and allowing the State to examine her with regard to her previous statement made to the police; (4) the trial court erred in denying Appellant’s motion to dismiss the indictment based upon the loss of key evidence; (5) the State violated the Rule of Exclusion; (6) the trial court erred by refusing Appellant’s request to call a surrebuttal witness; (7) the trial court erred in instructing the jury that guilt may be inferred from evidence of flight and from concealment of evidence; (8) the trial court erred by imposing a twenty-three-year sentence; and (9) Appellant was denied a fair trial because of cumulative error. Following our review of the record, we find no reversible error and affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge R. Jerry Beck
Washington County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/28/12
State of Tennessee v. James Eric Hurd

W2011-01232-CCA-R3-CD

Following a jury trial, the defendant was convicted of two counts of aggravated sexual battery and was sentenced to twelve years’ imprisonment for each count, to be run concurrently, with a fine of $25,000 for the first count and a fine of $15,000 for the second count. On appeal, the defendant’s sole issue is the contention that the evidence at trial was insufficient to support the verdict. After a thorough review of the record, we conclude that the evidence is sufficient and affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Roy B. Morgan Jr.
Madison County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/28/12
State of Tennessee v. Michael Alvin Young

E2012-00726-CCA-RM-CD

A Sullivan County jury convicted the Defendant, Michael Alvin Young, of aggravated kidnapping and domestic assault. The trial court merged the two convictions and sentenced the Defendant to eight years and six months in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the Defendant contended that the evidence was insufficient to support his aggravated kidnapping conviction and that he received the ineffective assistance of counsel at trial. After a thorough review of the record and the applicable law, this Court affirmed the trial court’s judgment. See State v. Michael AlvinYoung, No. E2010-00849-CCA-R3-CD, 2011 WL 5517281 (Tenn. Crim. App., at Knoxville, Nov. 9, 2011). The Defendant filed a Rule 11 application, pursuant to the Tennessee Rules of Appellate Procedure, to the Tennessee Supreme Court. Our Supreme Court granted the application and remanded the case to this Court for reconsideration in light of State v. Jason Lee White, 362 S.W.3d 559 (Tenn. 2012). After considering the facts and circumstances of this case as compared to those in White, we again affirm the trial court’s judgment.

Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Robert H. Montgomery
Sullivan County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/28/12
Mikel Shane Hutto v. Cherry Lindamood, Warden

W2011-02451-CCA-R3-HC

The Petitioner, Mikel Shane Hutto, appeals the Hardeman County Circuit Court’s summary dismissal of his petition for writ of habeas corpus, alleging that he failed to receive statutorily mandated pretrial jail credits for his sentences, thereby rendering the confinement illegal. Upon review, we affirm the judgment of the habeas corpus court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Camille R. McMullen
Originating Judge:Judge Joseph H. Walker III
Hardeman County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/28/12
State of Tennessee v. Frederick Greene

W2011-01180-CCA-R3-CD

A Shelby County jury convicted the Defendant-Appellant, Frederick Greene, of first degree premeditated murder. Greene was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole according to a sentencing agreement. On appeal, he argues that (1) the evidence, specifically of premeditation and intent, was insufficient to support the jury’s verdict and (2) the trial court erred in denying his request to instruct the jury on self-defense. Upon review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Camille R. McMullen
Originating Judge:Judge James C. Beasley Jr.
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/27/12
State of Tennessee v. Martin Dean Gibbs

M2011-00740-CCA-R3-CD

A Davidson County Criminal Court Jury convicted the appellant, Martin Dean Gibbs, of four counts of rape of a child, a Class A felony, and eight counts of aggravated sexual battery, a Class B felony. After a sentencing hearing, the trial court sentenced him to concurrent sentences of twenty-five years for each rape of a child conviction and ten years for each aggravated sexual battery conviction for a total effective sentence of twenty-five years in confinement. On appeal, the appellant contends that (1) the trial court erred by allowing a social worker to testify about the victim’s allegations pursuant to Tennessee Rule of Evidence 803(4), the medical diagnosis and treatment exception to the hearsay rule; (2) the trial court erred by allowing the victim’s mother to testify about the victim’s allegations as prior consistent statements; (3) the evidence is insufficient to support the convictions in counts 7 and 11; and (4) his convictions in counts 1 and 9, 2 and 10, and 3 and 11 violate protections against double jeopardy. The State concedes that the evidence is insufficient as to count 11. Based upon the record and the parties’ briefs, we agree that the evidence is insufficient to support the appellant’s rape of a child conviction in count 11. Therefore, that conviction is reversed, and the charge is dismissed. The appellant’s remaining convictions are affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Mark J. Fishburn
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/27/12
Kevin McDougle v. State of Tennessee

W2011-01430-CCA-R3-PC

In two separate trials, a Shelby County jury found the Petitioner, Kevin McDougle, guilty of three counts of aggravated robbery, three counts of aggravated assault and one count of unlawful possession of a handgun. For all the convictions, the trial court sentenced him to an effective sentence of fifty-six years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. The Petitioner filed separate appeals for his cases, and this Court affirmed the judgments in both cases. State v. Kevin McDougle, No. W2009-01648-CCA-R3-CD, 2010 WL 2490752, at *1 (Tenn. Crim. App., at Jackson, June 11, 2010) no Tenn. R. App. P. 11 filed; State v. Kevin McDougle, No. W2007-01877-CCA-R3-CD, 2010 WL 2219591, at *1-3 (Tenn. Crim. App., at Jackson, May 24, 2010) no Tenn. R. App. P. 11 filed. The Petitioner filed a petition for post-conviction relief, claiming the two attorneys who represented him on each respective case were ineffective. After an evidentiary hearing, the post-conviction court dismissed the petition. On appeal, the Petitioner contends that the post-conviction court erred when it dismissed his petition, maintaining that he received the ineffective assistance of counsel in both cases. After a thorough review of the record and applicable law, we affirm the postconviction court’s judgment.

Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge John Fowlkes Jr.
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/27/12
State of Tennessee v. Martin Dean Gibbs-Concurring

M2011-00740-CCA-R3-CD

I concur in the results reached in the majority opinion. Indeed, I join in the majority opinion on all but one issue. I write separately to address the issue of the appropriate standard of review bythis Court on hearsayevidentiaryissues. The majorityapplies an abuse of discretion standard of review to the hearsay issue in this case.
 

Authoring Judge: Judge Jeffrey S. Bivins
Originating Judge:Judge Mark J. Fishburn
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/27/12
Reginald C. Malone, Sr. v. State of Tennessee

M2011-01033-CCA-R3-PC

Reginald C. Malone, Sr. (“the Petitioner”) filed for post-conviction relief, challenging his conviction for the sale of 0.5 grams or more of cocaine, which resulted in a sentence of eight years in confinement. As his bases for relief, he alleged several grounds of ineffective assistance of counsel, a Brady violation, illegal evidence, and malicious prosecution. After an evidentiary hearing, the post-conviction court denied relief, and this appeal followed. On appeal, the Petitioner asserts that trial counsel was ineffective because he failed to challenge the discrepancy in the reports of the weight of the cocaine through either a motion to suppress the cocaine or cross-examination as to its chain of custody. Additionally, the Petitioner argues that trial counsel failed to file a timely motion for new trial. After a thorough review of the record and the applicable law, we remand the case for the trial court to grant the Petitioner leave to file a motion for new trial.

Authoring Judge: Judge Jeffrey S. Bivins
Originating Judge:Judge Robert E. Corlew, III
Rutherford County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/27/12
State of Tennessee v. Brian Jermaine Dodson

M2011-00523-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Brian Jermaine Dodson, was convicted by a Maury County Circuit Court jury of first degree premeditated murder, attempted first degree murder, and aggravated assault and sentenced to an effective term of life imprisonment. On appeal, he argues that: (1) the trial court erred in allowing the State to amend counts two and three of the indictment over his objection; (2) the trial court erred in allowing a State witness, Adrian Walker, to testify concerning gang activity and in failing to grant his motion in limine regarding Walker’s testimony; (3) the evidence is insufficient to support his convictions; (4) the trial court erred in failing to instruct the jury on alibi; (5) the trial court erred in allowing the defendant’s prior convictions to be introduced during trial; (6) newly discovered evidence could have affected the outcome of the trial; and (7) the State committed prosecutorial misconduct by using perjured testimony and an improper closing argument, the cumulative effect of which deprived him of a fair trial. After review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge Stella L. Hargrove
Maury County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/27/12
State of Tennessee v. Kimberly Johnson

E2011-02257-CCA-R3-CD

The Defendant-Appellant, Kimberly Johnson, was charged by presentment with three counts of the sale of a Schedule II controlled substance and three counts of the delivery of a Schedule II controlled substance. Johnson subsequently entered guilty pleas to the charges in the Sullivan County Circuit Court. Pursuant to the terms of her plea agreement, Johnson was sentenced as a Range I, standard offender, she was required to pay a $6,000 fine, and her delivery convictions were merged with her sale convictions for an effective sentence of four years, with the manner of service of the sentence to be determined by the trial court. At the sentencing hearing, the trial court denied all forms of alternative sentencing and imposed a sentence of confinement in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, Johnson argues that the trial court erred in denying an alternative sentence. Upon review, we affirm the trial court’s judgments.

Authoring Judge: Judge Camille R. McMullen
Originating Judge:Judge R. Jerry Beck
Sullivan County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/27/12
State of Tennessee v. James Everett Ferrell

M2011-00870-CCA-R3-CD

After a bench trial, the Cannon County Circuit Court convicted the appellant, James Everett Ferrell, of violating the seatbelt law, second offense, and fined him twenty dollars. On appeal, the appellant contends that the trial court lacked jurisdiction because the court tried his case without a warrant and because the citing officer did not file an affidavit of complaint. Based upon the record and the parties’ briefs, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge J. Mark Rogers
Cannon County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/27/12