APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

Please enter some keywords to search.
Patrick D. Paris v. State of Tennessee

E2003-01930-CCA-R3-PC

The petitioner, Patrick D. Paris, appeals the denial of his post-conviction relief petition relating to his convictions for attempted first degree murder and especially aggravated robbery. On appeal, the petitioner contends: (1) he received ineffective assistance of counsel at trial; and (2) the trial court erred in failing to charge attempted voluntary manslaughter as a lesser-included offense of attempted first degree murder. We affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Originating Judge:Judge Stephen M. Bevil
Hamilton County Court of Criminal Appeals 05/11/04
State of Tennessee v. Stanley Ray Davis In Re: Ray D. Driver, d/b/a Driver Bail Bonds

E2003-00765-CCA-R3-CD

Ray D. Driver appeals the Campbell County Criminal Court’s judgment requiring his bail bonding company, Driver Bail Bonds, to pay $570.50 as a bond forfeiture because Stanley Ray Davis failed to appear at a general sessions court probation hearing. The appellant contends that T.C.A. § 40-11-138(b) relieved his company from liability under the bond because the defendant already had pled guilty and been sentenced. He also claims that his company is not liable for the defendant’s fine and costs because his company did not assume such obligations in the defendant’s bond. We hold that appellant remained obligated under the bond and that the trial court did not require him to pay the defendant’s fine and costs. The trial court is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge E. Shayne Sexton
Campbell County Court of Criminal Appeals 05/11/04
State of Tennessee v. Jama Elaine Penley

E2003-00820-CCA-R3-CD

The appellant, Jama Elaine Penley, was convicted by a Greene County jury of facilitation of first degree premeditated murder, a Class A felony. Following a sentencing hearing, the trial court sentenced the appellant as a Range I standard offender to twenty-five years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the appellant challenges the denial of her motion for judgment of acquittal and the sentence imposed by the trial court. Upon review of the record and the parties' briefs, we remand to correct a clerical error in the judgment but otherwise affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge James E. Beckner
Greene County Court of Criminal Appeals 05/11/04
State of Tennessee v. Stanley Ray Davis in re: Ray D. Driver, d/b/a Driver Bail Bonds - Dissenting

E2003-00765-CCA-R3-CD

I agree that Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-11-130 governs the issue of the duration of Driver Bail Bonds' obligation. The current statute, passed in 1996, permits the trial court to extend the liability of the surety on a bail bond for the length of a sentence of probation by providing in a written order that the current bond is sufficient. In this case, the General Sessions Court noted on the judgment form that the defendant and surety were to remain liable under the original bond. Thus, Driver remained obligated under the terms of the original bond to secure the defendant's appearance at the March 11, 2002, hearing.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R. Wade
Originating Judge:Judge E. Shayne Sexton
Campbell County Court of Criminal Appeals 05/11/04
State of Tennessee v. James D. Rowland

M2003-00878-CCA-R3-CD

This appeal involves review of a certified question of law following the Defendant, James D. Rowland's, guilty plea to DUI. See Tenn. R. Crim. P. 37(b)(2)(1). Because we find that the certified question is not dispositive, we are without jurisdiction to entertain the appeal. Accordingly, the appeal is dismissed.

Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Judge James K. Clayton, Jr.
Rutherford County Court of Criminal Appeals 05/11/04
Don Wesley McMillen v. State of Tennessee

M2003-00879-CCA-R3-PC

The petitioner, Don Wesley McMillen, entered a plea of guilty to two (2) counts of attempted rape of a child in May of 1998. In exchange for the guilty pleas, the petitioner received concurrent, seventeen-year sentences at 35% as a Range II Offender. The petitioner timely filed a petition for post-conviction relief arguing that he received ineffective assistance of counsel and that his guilty plea was not knowing or voluntary because the trial court violated the provisions of State v. Mackey, 553 S.W.2d 337 (Tenn. 1977). The trial court denied the petition following an evidentiary hearing and this appeal followed. We affirm the dismissal of the post-conviction petition.

Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry Smith
Originating Judge:Judge John W. Rollins
Coffee County Court of Criminal Appeals 05/10/04
State of Tennessee v. Roxanne R. Vance

M2003-01748-CCA-R3-CD

Following a bench trial, the defendant, Roxanne R. Vance, was convicted of DUI per se, a Class A misdemeanor, and was sentenced to eleven months, twenty-nine days, all suspended except seven days with the balance to be served on probation. In addition, her driver's license was suspended for one year and she was ordered to pay a fine of $350 and attend alcohol and drug safety school. On appeal, she argues that the trial court erred in finding that her breath alcohol test results created an irrebuttable presumption of DUI per se and that the evidence was insufficient to support her conviction. Based upon our review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge J. Randall Wyatt, Jr.
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 05/10/04
State of Tennesseev. Ira Ishmael Muhammed, alias Ira Ishamel Muhammed

E2003-01629-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Ira Ishmael Muhammed, was convicted of attempted second degree murder, a Class B felony; two counts of aggravated assault, Class C felonies; attempted voluntary manslaughter, a Class D felony; and felony reckless endangerment which the trial court, acting as thirteenth juror, dismissed at the sentencing hearing. He was sentenced as a Range I, standard offender to twelve years for the attempted second degree murder conviction, six years for each aggravated assault conviction, and four years for the attempted voluntary manslaughter conviction, with the sentences to be served consecutively, for an effective sentence of twenty-eight years. On appeal, the defendant argues: (1) the trial court erred in admitting an audiotape of telephone conversations between him and his ex-wife, one of the victims; (2) the trial court erred in not suppressing an audiotape of statements he made shortly after being shot; (3) the trial court erred in imposing consecutive sentencing; and (4) the application of consecutive sentencing is unconstitutional. Following our review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge Stephen M. Bevil
Hamilton County Court of Criminal Appeals 05/10/04
Timothy Earl Waters, pro se v. State of Tennessee

W2003-02460-CCA-R3-CO

The Petitioner, Timothy Earl Waters, appeals the trial court's summary dismissal of his petition for common law writ of certiorari seeking relief from a post-conviction judgment. The State has filed a motion requesting that this Court affirm the trial court's denial of relief pursuant to Rule 20, Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals. Finding that the lower court properly dismissed the petition, theState's motion is granted and the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge Carolyn Wade Blackett
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 05/10/04
Michael D. Hughes v. State of Tennessee

M2003-00819-CCA-R3-PC

On November 30, 1992, the petitioner, Michael Douglas Hughes, entered a plea of no contest to one (1) count of aggravated rape and a plea of guilty to ten (10) counts of aggravated rape. He received an effective eighty-year sentence after a sentencing hearing. The petitioner’s sentence was affirmed in a delayed appeal. See State v. Michael Douglas Hughes, No. 01C01-9701-CR-00021, 1998 WL 301730, at *1 (Tenn. Crim. App. at Nashville, June 10, 1998), perm. to appeal denied (Tenn. Feb. 22, 1999). The petitioner sought post-conviction relief on various grounds. After the trial court denied the petition as untimely, the petitioner appealed. This Court reversed the trial court’s dismissal of the petition and remanded for an evidentiary hearing. See Hughes v. State, 77 S.W.3d 801 (Tenn. Crim. App. 2001). On remand, the trial court denied the petition after an evidentiary hearing. The petitioner then presented this appeal, arguing that the trial court erred finding that the petitioner received the effective assistance of counsel and that his guilty plea was knowingly and voluntarily entered. We affirm the dismissal of the petition.

Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry L. Smith
Originating Judge:Judge Cheryl A. Blackburn
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 05/10/04
Patrick E. Simpson v. State of Tennessee

M2003-01750-CCA-R3-HC

The petitioner, Patrick E. Simpson, pled guilty to two counts of aggravated assault and was sentenced to concurrent terms of three years to be served consecutively to his parole violation. He appeals the summary dismissal of his petition for habeas corpus relief, arguing that the trial court failed to enforce his guilty plea agreement and that his sentence has expired. Following our review, we affirm the dismissal of the petition.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge Steve R. Dozier
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 05/10/04
Henry Rankins v. State of Tennessee

W2003-01749-CCA-R3-PC

The Petitioner, Henry Rankins, filed a petition for post-conviction relief based on the Post- Conviction DNA Analysis Act. The trial court denied relief and Petitioner now seeks review of the lower court’s decision. The State has filed a motion requesting that this Court affirm the trial court's denial of relief pursuant to Rule 20, Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals. After review, we conclude that the petition fails to satisfy the criteria of the Post-Conviction DNA Analysis Act. Accordingly, the State's motion is granted and the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Originating Judge:J. C. McLin
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 05/10/04
Ronald L. Johnson v. Flora Holland, Warden

M2003-01992-CCA-R3-HC

The petitioner, Ronald L. Johnson, appeals as of right from the Davidson County Criminal Court's summary dismissal of his petition for writ of habeas corpus. He argues that his convictions for two counts of passing worthless checks are void because they were not ordered to be served consecutively to a sentence from which he had been paroled at the time of the check offenses, his parole subsequently being revoked. The habeas corpus court dismissed his petition without a hearing, and we affirm that action.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge J. Randall Wyatt, Jr.
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 05/10/04
Eddie Wayne Gordon v. State of Tennessee

W2003-02376-CCA-R3-PC

The Appellant, Eddie Wayne Gordon, appeals the Gibson County Circuit Court’s denial of his petition for post-conviction relief. In 1983, Gordon pled guilty to first degree murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment. In 1984, Gordon, proceeding pro se, filed the instant petition for post-conviction relief. For twenty years, Gordon has unsuccessfully sought an evidentiary hearing on his petition. Fundamental fairness dictates that Gordon receive the process that is due him. Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court is reversed, and this matter is again remanded to the Gibson County Circuit Court for an evidentiary hearing upon Gordon’s petition for post-conviction relief.

Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Judge Clayburn L. Peeples
Gibson County Court of Criminal Appeals 05/07/04
State of Tennessee v. James Allen Bates

E2003-01475-CCA-R3-CD

A jury convicted the Defendant, James A. Bates, of two counts of especially aggravated kidnapping, three counts of assault (which the trial court merged into a single count), one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, one count of felony evading arrest, and one count of possession of marijuana. The trial court subsequently sentenced the defendant on the especially aggravated kidnapping convictions as a Range II, multiple offender to an effective term of thirty-eight years in the Department of Correction. The defendant now appeals, challenging the sufficiency of the evidence supporting his convictions of especially aggravated kidnapping and the trial court's decision to sentence him as a Range II, multiple offender on those offenses. We affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Judge Phyllis H. Miller
Sullivan County Court of Criminal Appeals 05/07/04
State of Tennessee v. Bobby Joe Gentry

E2003-01069-CCA-R3-CD

A Knox County jury convicted the Defendant, Bobby Joe Gentry, of aggravated rape, and the trial court sentenced the Defendant as a repeat violent offender to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The Defendant appeals, contending that: (1) the evidence is insufficient to support his conviction; (2) the trial court erred when it failed to dismiss the indictment; (3) the trial court erred when it charged the jury on the elements of aggravated rape and aggravated sexual battery and on the culpable mental state; (4) he was denied effective assistance of counsel; (5) Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-35-120 (1997), under which the Defendant was sentenced as a violent offender, is unconstitutional; and (6) the trial court erred when it found that the Defendant qualified as a violent offender pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-35-120. Finding no reversible error, we affirm the trial court's judgment.

Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Richard R. Baumgartner
Knox County Court of Criminal Appeals 05/06/04
William Berrios v. State of Tennessee

E2003-01791-CCA-R3-PC

The petitioner, William Berrios, appeals the post-conviction court's denial of his post-conviction relief petition in relation to his guilty plea to felony murder for which he received a life sentence. On appeal, the petitioner contends: (1) the state failed to satisfy a condition of the plea agreement; and (2) his plea was unknowingly and involuntarily entered. We affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Originating Judge:Judge Richard R. Baumgartner
Knox County Court of Criminal Appeals 05/05/04
William Alexander Cocke Stuart v. State of Tennessee

M2003-01387-CCA-R3-PC

The petitioner, William Alexander Cocke Stuart, pled guilty in the Davidson County Criminal Court to theft of property over $10,000 and received a five-year sentence to be served in split confinement. Subsequently, he filed a petition for post-conviction relief, alleging that he received the ineffective assistance of counsel and that his guilty plea was not knowing or voluntary. The post-conviction court, without holding an evidentiary hearing, dismissed the petition and the petitioner appealed. Upon review of the record and the parties' briefs, we reverse the judgment of the post-conviction court and remand for further proceedings.

Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Seth W. Norman
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 05/04/04
State of Tennessee v. Tyrie Brown

M2003-00556-CCA-R3-CD

A Franklin County jury convicted the Defendant, Tyrie Brown, of possession with intent to deliver more than 0.5 grams of cocaine, assault and resisting arrest. The trial court sentenced the Defendant to thirteen years for the possession conviction and ninety days on both the assault conviction and the resisting arrest conviction. On appeal, the Defendant contends that the evidence is insufficient to support his convictions. Finding no reversible error, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Thomas W. Graham
Franklin County Court of Criminal Appeals 05/04/04
Gary Johnson v. State of Tennessee

W2003-00220-CCA-R3-PC

The petitioner pled guilty to one count of burglary and one count of theft of property between $1,000 and $10,000 on August 21, 2001. He was sentenced to twelve years for each offense to run concurrently to be served at sixty percent as a career offender. The petitioner filed a petition for post-conviction relief on April 16, 2002. The trial court denied the petition on January 13, 2003.  The petitioner appeals this denial alleging that he was afforded ineffective assistance of counsel and his plea was not knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily entered. We affirm the decision of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry L. Smith
Originating Judge:Judge Joseph H. Walker, III
Tipton County Court of Criminal Appeals 05/03/04
State of Tennessee v. Stanley Davis In Re: Ray D. Driver, D/B/A Driver Bail Bonds - Order

E2003-00765-CCA-R3-CD

Upon its own motion, the court hereby withdraws the opinion and vacates the judgment
previously filed on April 26, 2004, in this case. A new opinion and judgment will be filed.

Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Campbell County Court of Criminal Appeals 05/03/04
Damien Owes v. State of Tennessee

M2002-03020-CCA-R3-PC

The petitioner, Damien Lamar Owes, was found guilty by a Davidson County jury and stands convicted of especially aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, and five counts of especially aggravated kidnapping. He is serving a 30-year sentence. Aggrieved by his convictions, the petitioner pursued a pro se action for post-conviction relief predicated on the alleged ineffective assistance of trial and appellate counsel. Following the appointment of counsel and a hearing, the petition was denied. The petitioner appeals and urges that he is entitled to relief. We disagree and affirm the dismissal of the petition.

Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Steve R. Dozier
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 05/03/04
State of Tennessee v. David Clinton York

M2003-00525-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, David Clinton York, an inmate in the Clay County Jail, pled guilty to felony escape and was sentenced as a Range III, persistent offender to five years in the Department of Correction. On appeal, he argues that the trial court erred in determining that he was a persistent offender, in denying alternative sentencing, and in applying the enhancement and mitigating factors. Following our review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge Lillie Ann Sells
Clay County Court of Criminal Appeals 05/03/04
State of Tennessee v. Patrick Collins

M2002-02885-CCA-R9-CO

The trial court dismissed count two of this indictment charging the violation of the implied consent law and barred the State from arguing in the defendant's trial for DUI that he knew he would suffer a loss of driver's license if he refused the breath test. The State appeals. We conclude that the defendant was sufficiently advised of the possible suspension of his driver's license upon his refusal to submit to testing to satisfy the warning requirement of Tennessee Code Annotated section 55-10-406(a)(2). The defendant need not be advised of the correct and exact term of the suspension in order to satisfy the statutory warning requirements. The defendant was advised that he would suffer a loss of driver's license if he refused the breath test. We reverse the trial court's dismissal of the violation of implied consent law. Likewise, we reverse the trial court's limiting the State from arguing that the defendant knew he would suffer a loss of driver's license if he refused the breath test. Accordingly, we remand for trial consistent with this opinion.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Frank G. Clement, Jr.
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 05/03/04
State of Tennessee v. Anthony Crowe

W2003-00800-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Anthony Crowe, appeals as of right the McNairy County Circuit Court’s denial of his motion to withdraw his guilty plea to facilitation of first degree murder, for which he is serving a sentence of eighteen years in the Department of Correction. He also complains that the length of his sentence is excessive and should be modified. We conclude that the defendant has failed to establish that the trial court abused its discretion in denying the motion to withdraw the guilty plea. Additionally, we find no error in the sentence imposed by the trial court. Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood
McNairy County Court of Criminal Appeals 04/30/04