COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OPINIONS

Welister L. White, Pro Se v. State of Tennessee
W2003-00888-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Trial Court Judge: Judge Joseph B. Dailey

This matter is before the Court upon the State’s motion to affirm the judgment of the trial court by order pursuant to Rule 20, Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals. Petitioner seeks review of the lower court’s dismissal of his motion in arrest of judgment. Finding that the instant petition is not proper as either a motion in arrest of judgment, petition for post-conviction relief, or application for writ of habeas corpus relief, we affirm the dismissal of the trial court.

Shelby Court of Criminal Appeals

Timmy Herndon, Pro Se V. Glen Turner, Warden, Paul Summers, State Attorney General, And Elizabeth Rice
W2003-00839-CCA-R3-CO
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Trial Court Judge: Judge Jon K. Blackwood

The Petitioner, Timmy Herndon, appeals the trial court's denial of his petition for habeas corpus relief. 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. Because Petitioner has failed to allege a ground for relief which would render the judgment void, we grant the State's motion and affirm the judgment of the lower court.

Hardeman Court of Criminal Appeals

James Oliver Ross, Pro Se v. State of Tennessee
W2003-00843-CCA-R3-HC
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge Roy B. Morgan, Jr.

The Petitioner, James Oliver Ross, appeals the trial court's denial of his petition for habeas corpus relief. 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. The Petitioner fails to assert a cognizable claim for which habeas corpus relief may be granted. Accordingly, the State's motion is granted and the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

Madison Court of Criminal Appeals

Jessie Hodges, Pro Se v. State of Tennessee
W2003-01006-CCA-R3-CO
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge Joseph H. Walker, III

This matter is before the Court upon the State’s motion to affirm the judgment of the trial court by order pursuant to Rule 20, Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals. The Petitioner is appealing the trial court's denial of habeas corpus relief. The Petitioner fails to assert a ground of relief entitling him to habeas corpus relief. Accordingly, the State's motion is granted and the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

Lauderdale Court of Criminal Appeals

Marvin Anthony Matthews, Pro Se v. State of Tennessee and Bruce Westbrooks, Warden, West Tennessee State Penitentiary
W2003-00106-CCA-R3-CO
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Trial Court Judge: Judge Joseph B. Dailey

The Petitioner, Marvin Anthony Matthews, appeals the trial court's denial of his petition for habeas corpus relief. 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. Because Petitioner filed his petition in the wrong venue without providing a sufficient reason for not applying in the proper court, we grant the State's motion and affirm the judgment of the lower court.

Shelby Court of Criminal Appeals

Eric Biggs v. State of Tennessee
W2002-00859-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge James Curwood Witt, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge James C. Beasley, Jr.

Eric Biggs appeals the Shelby County Criminal Court's denial of his petition for post-conviction relief. Biggs is presently serving an effective 45-year sentence for fourteen robbery-related offenses to which he pleaded guilty. In his post-conviction attack, he claims that he was not afforded the effective assistance of counsel in the conviction proceedings and that as a result, his guilty pleas were not knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently entered. The petitioner also makes a second claim that his guilty pleas were not knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently entered because he believed that his sentencing range would increase with each subsequent conviction.

Shelby Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. John Wayne Britt
W2002-01923-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge James Curwood Witt, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge Roger A. Page

Indicted for the February 10, 2001 first degree premeditated murder of Anthony Sims, the defendant, John Wayne Britt, was convicted by a Henderson County jury of second degree murder. Following a sentencing hearing, the trial court sentenced the defendant to 25 years in the Department of Correction. Now on appeal, the defendant claims that insufficient evidence supports his conviction and that his sentence is excessive. We disagree and affirm the trial court’s judgment.

Henderson Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Alveto Martel Higgins
W2002-02498-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Trial Court Judge: Judge C. Creed McGinley

The defendant entered open guilty pleas to three counts of the sale of less than 0.5 grams of cocaine, possession of over 0.5 grams of cocaine with intent to sell or deliver, simple possession of marijuana, and driving on a revoked license. The trial court gave the defendant an effective sentence of nine years to be served in the Tennessee Department of Correction. The defendant contends that the trial court erred in denying him alternative sentencing. The judgments of the trial court are affirmed.

Hardin Court of Criminal Appeals

Mario Gates, Pro Se v. State of Tennessee
W2002-02873-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge James C. Beasley, Jr.

This matter is before the Court upon the State’s motion to affirm the judgment of the trial court by order pursuant to Rule 20, Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals. The Petitioner appeals the trial court’s denial of his motion to reopen his petition for post-conviction relief. The Petitioner fails to assert a cognizable ground for reopening his petition. Accordingly, the State's motion is granted and the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

Shelby Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Kevin Lamont Hutchison
M2001-03174-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Trial Court Judge: Judge Michael R. Jones

The appellant, Kevin Lamont Hutchison, was convicted by a jury in the Montgomery County Circuit Court of aggravated robbery. The trial court sentenced the appellant to seventeen years imprisonment in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the appellant contends that the evidence was not sufficient to support his conviction. Upon review of the record and the parties' briefs, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Montgomery Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Treasa Renee Shorter
M2002-02387-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Trial Court Judge: Judge W. Charles Lee

The defendant, Treasa Renee Shorter, pled guilty to possession of .5 grams or more of cocaine with intent to sell. The trial court imposed a sentence of nine years and nine months to be served in the Department of Correction. In this appeal, the defendant contends: (1) her sentence is excessive; and (2) the trial court erred in denying alternative sentencing. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Marshall Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Jesse Tuggle
M2002-02426-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Trial Court Judge: Judge Timothy L. Easter

The appellant, Jesse Tuggle, was convicted by a jury in the Williamson County Circuit Court of one count of forgery, one count of theft of property valued under $500, and one count of criminal impersonation. The trial court sentenced the appellant to one and one-half years of imprisonment in the Tennessee Department of Correction for the forgery conviction, eleven months and twenty-nine days imprisonment for the theft conviction, and six months imprisonment for the criminal impersonation conviction. The trial court further ordered the sentences to be served concurrently. On appeal, the appellant contests the sufficiency of the evidence supporting his forgery conviction and argues that the trial court erred in denying alternative sentencing. Upon review of the record and the parties' briefs, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Williamson Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Vernica Shabree Ward
M2002-01816-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Trial Court Judge: Judge Cheryl A. Blackburn
Defendant, Vernica Shabree Ward, appeals her conviction for second degree murder following a jury trial in the Davidson County Criminal Court. The victim was her daughter Stephanie Ward.  Defendant was sentenced to twenty-five years in confinement. In this appeal as of right, Defendant presents eight issues for our review: (1) whether the trial court erred by allowing expert testimony by two witnesses based in part upon the deaths of two other children in addition to the victim in this case; (2) whether the trial court abused its discretion by allowing an expert to testify as to Defendant’s prior attempts to seek medical treatment for Stephanie and that Defendant had other living children; (3) whether the trial court erred by ruling that testimony regarding the statistical improbability of three unexplained infant deaths in the custody of the same caregiver would be admissible by the State as rebuttal proof if Defendant raised the issue of accident or mistake; (4) whether the trial court erred by allowing Dr. Case to testify despite the fact that defense counsel was unable to meet with Dr. Case prior to trial; (5) whether the testimony of the two medical experts at trial was cumulative; (6) whether the trial court properly denied Defendant’s request for a mistrial based on the State’s closing argument; (7) whether the evidence was sufficient to convict Defendant of second degree murder; and (8) whether the trial court properly sentenced Defendant to twenty-five years imprisonment. After a careful review of the record, we reverse the judgment of the trial court and remand for a new trial.

Davidson Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Vernica Shabree Ward - Concurring
M2002-01816-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Trial Court Judge: Judge Cheryl A. Blackburn
I agree with the majority opinion that the so-called “rule of three” evidence should have been excluded in this case, based upon the trial court’s initial ruling that there was insufficient foundation laid to allow its admissibility. I write separately to express that I limit my decision to the instant case. After careful review, I concluded that the admissibility of this evidence was a very close decision and deferred, as I must, to the trial court’s decision. However, with additional testimony concerning the McDaniel factors, a proper foundation might be laid for admitting expert testimony concerning the “rule of three."

Davidson Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Mikel Ulysees Primm
M2002-01889-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R Wade
Trial Court Judge: Judge Allen W. Wallace

The defendant, Mikel Ulysees Primm, was convicted of speeding, simple possession of cocaine, simple possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and criminal impersonation. The trial court imposed a sentence of 30 days for the speeding offense, 11 months and 29 days on each of the three possession offenses, and six months for the criminal impersonation offense. The sentence for criminal impersonation is to be served consecutively to the sentence for simple possession of cocaine. The remaining sentences are to be served concurrently to the sentence for simple possession of cocaine and to each other. In this appeal of right, the defendant argues that the trial court provided erroneous instructions to the jury as to the definition of constructive possession. The judgments are affirmed.

Dickson Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Jerome Comer
M2003-00733-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Trial Court Judge: Judge Buddy D. Perry

A Franklin County jury convicted the Defendant of one count of Sale of a Schedule II Controlled Substance, cocaine, and one count of Delivery of a Controlled Substance, also cocaine. The trial court merged the convictions and sentenced the Defendant to eight years in prison. The Defendant appeals, contending: (1) there was insufficient evidence to support his convictions; and (2) that the trial court imposed an excessive sentence. After reviewing the record, we conclude that sufficient evidence was presented to support the Defendant's convictions and the trial court did not err in sentencing the Defendant. Accordingly, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Franklin Court of Criminal Appeals

Freddie Vaught v. State of Tennessee
M2003-00955-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Trial Court Judge: Judge James K. Clayton, Jr.

The petitioner appeals the denial of post-conviction relief. He argues his guilty plea to second degree murder was involuntary due to ineffective assistance of trial counsel. We affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Rutherford Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Lavondas Cordell Nelson
M2003-01525-CCA-R3-CO
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Trial Court Judge: Judge Don R. Ash

The Petitioner, Lavondas Cordell Nelson, pled guilty to one count of reckless endangerment with a weapon and one count of possession of a handgun by a felon in the Rutherford County Circuit Court, and the trial court imposed suspended two year sentences for each count, to be served consecutively, plus four years of probation at the expiration of those terms. The Petitioner filed a pro se petition for writ of habeas corpus and a motion requesting that the trial court appoint an attorney to represent him during the habeas corpus proceeding. The trial court denied his motion and dismissed his petition for writ of habeas corpus. On appeal, the Petitioner contends that: (1) the trial court erred in dismissing his petition for writ of habeas corpus; and (2) the trial court erred by denying his motion for appointment of counsel. Finding no reversible error, we affirm the trial court's judgment.

Rutherford Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Lori Ann Duncan
E2003-00423-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge R. Jerry Beck

Lori Ann Duncan appeals the Sullivan County Criminal Court's revocation of her probationary sentence. Duncan claims that the lower court abused its discretion in ordering her to serve her sentence in incarceration in the Department of Correction. However, we are unpersuaded and affirm the lower court's judgment.

Sullivan Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Julius L. Jones
W2002-02336-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Trial Court Judge: Judge W. Fred Axley

The defendant was convicted of facilitation of felony murder, a Class A felony, and sentenced to twenty-three years. The defendant contends on appeal that the trial court erred in 1) allowing testimony by Dozier that the defendant told her the victim had been involved in the robbery because the statement was inadmissible hearsay, and 2) refusing to admit the prior written statement of Dozier into evidence under Tennessee Rule of Evidence 613(b). We remand for correction of the judgment form to reflect the correct felony classifications. The judgment of the trial court is affirmed in all other respects.

Shelby Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Billy M. Higgins
W2003-00310-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Trial Court Judge: Judge C. Creed McGinley

The defendant, Billy M. Higgins, appeals the revocation of his probation, arguing that the trial court abused its discretion in revoking his probation for failure to complete a drug rehabilitation program. Following our review, we affirm the order of the trial court.

Hardin Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Andre Anthony
W2002-01377-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Trial Court Judge: Judge Chris B. Craft

Following a jury trial, Defendant, Andre Anthony, was convicted of two counts of forgery over five hundred dollars, one count of forgery over one thousand dollars, one count of criminal attempt to commit first degree murder, and one count of especially aggravated robbery. In his appeal, Defendant argues that (1) the evidence was insufficient to find him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of attempt to commit first degree murder and especially aggravated robbery; (2) the trial court erred in denying Defendant's motion to suppress evidence obtained through an inventory search of Defendant's vehicle; (3) the trial court erred in failing to instruct the jury that "serious bodily injury" is an element of the offense of especially aggravated robbery; and (4) the trial court erred in ordering Defendant's sentences for attempt to commit first degree murder and especially aggravated robbery to be served consecutively. After a thorough review of the record, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Shelby Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Nesha Newsome
W2002-01306-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Trial Court Judge: Judge Joseph B. Dailey

The defendant was convicted of especially aggravated kidnapping, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, and robbery. The defendant contends on appeal that the trial court erred in (1) not properly transferring the case from juvenile court, (2) denying her request for a continuance, (3) admitting a tape recorded statement by the defendant, (4) admitting certain photographs of the victim, (5) refusing to allow expert testimony regarding the defendant's mental condition, (6) refusing to allow evidence of a co-defendant's subsequent crimes, (7) failing to instruct the jury on certain lesser included offenses, and (8) sentencing. We conclude that the trial court erred in applying enhancement factors six and ten. The trial court also erred in not applying the mitigating factor (victim released alive) to the especially aggravated kidnapping conviction. The sentence is reduced for (1) aggravated robbery from ten years to nine years, (2) aggravated kidnapping from ten years to nine years, and (3) especially aggravated kidnapping from twenty-one years to twenty years. We reverse the trial court's determination that the sentences should be served consecutively. We remand to the trial court to amend the judgment for case number 01-00564 to reflect that the defendant was a standard violent offender rather than a repeat violent offender. We affirm the judgments of the trial court in all other respects.

Shelby Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Jermaine Reshawn Scott, Anthony Ray Tharpe, and Felicia Ann Taylor
W2002-01812-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Trial Court Judge: Judge Julian P. Guinn

Each of the defendants in this case was convicted of drug charges following the search of their home. They contend that the search warrant was invalid because of material misrepresentations and lack of probable cause. They also contend the trial court erred in sentencing each of them. After careful review of the record, we conclude the trial court did not err in failing to suppress the evidence obtained as a result of the search warrant, and we affirm each defendant’s conviction. After de novo review of the trial court’s sentencing determinations, we modify the sentences of defendants Scott and Tharpe. The sentence of Felicia Ann Taylor is affirmed. Accordingly, the case is remanded for entry of corrected judgments of conviction consistent with this opinion.

Henry Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Travis Anderson
W2003-00674-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Trial Court Judge: Judge Bernie Weinman

The Defendant, Travis Anderson, pled guilty to two counts of aggravated burglary, with an agreed sentence of three years on each count to be served concurrently. Pursuant to the plea agreement, the trial court was to determine whether the Defendant merited for alternative sentencing. Following a sentencing hearing, the trial court denied the Defendant’s application for judicial diversion, suspended his sentence for three years, and placed the Defendant on probation for three years. On appeal, the Defendant contends that the trial court erred in refusing to grant his application for judicial diversion. Finding no error, we affirm the trial court’s judgments.

Shelby Court of Criminal Appeals