Shaquil Murphy v. State of Tennessee

Petitioner, Shaquil Murphy, was convicted by a Knox County Criminal Court jury of
attempted first degree premeditated murder, attempted second degree murder, unlawful
possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, two counts of aggravated assault, and two
counts of employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, for which he
received a total effective sentence of thirty years’ incarceration. Petitioner subsequently
filed a petition for post-conviction relief, which the post-conviction court denied after a
hearing. On appeal, Petitioner contends that he was denied the effective assistance of
counsel based upon trial counsel’s failure to move for a bifurcation of the trial for his charge
of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and, instead, stipulating to
Petitioner’s status as a convicted felon. Following a thorough review, we affirm the postconviction
court’s denial of relief.