State of Tennessee v. Rodney Jennings
E2017-00330-CCA-R3-CD
A Hamilton County jury convicted the Defendant, Rodney Jennings, of second degree murder, and the trial court sentenced him to serve twenty-five years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. The Defendant appeals, asserting: (1) the trial court improperly allowed into evidence testimony concerning the Defendant’s gang affiliation and the Defendant’s 2013 domestic assault conviction; (2) the State improperly impeached the Defendant during cross-examination; and (3) the evidence is insufficient to support his conviction. After review, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Thomas C. Greenholtz |
Hamilton County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 03/06/18 | |
Benjamin Murrell v. State of Tennessee
W2017-00581-CCA-R3-PC
The petitioner, Benjamin Murrell, appeals the denial of his post-conviction petition, arguing the post-conviction court erred in finding he received effective assistance of counsel regarding the jury instructions presented at trial. Following our review, we affirm the denial of the petition.
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Ross Dyer
Originating Judge:Judge Chris Craft |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 03/06/18 | |
State of Tennessee v. Jeremy Peres Duncan
W2017-00529-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Jeremy Peres Duncan, was indicted for two counts of aggravated assault, one count of possession of cocaine with the intent to sell, one count of possession of cocaine with the intent to deliver, two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, one count of being a felon in possession of a handgun, and one count of tampering with evidence. The defendant was convicted as charged for all of the offenses. The trial court sentenced the defendant as a Range II offender and imposed an effective twenty-four-year sentence. On appeal, the defendant argues the evidence was insufficient to support his convictions for aggravated assault, possession of cocaine with the intent to sell and/or deliver, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony. The defendant also challenges the trial court’s evidentiary rulings regarding evidence of the defendant’s gang affiliation. Finally, the defendant challenges the trial court’s imposition of consecutive sentences. After our review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Ross Dyer
Originating Judge:Judge Roy B. Morgan, Jr. |
Madison County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 03/06/18 | |
Kervin Jackson v. State of Tennessee
W2017-01704-CCA-R3-PC
The petitioner, Kervin Jackson, appeals the denial of his post-conviction petition, arguing the post-conviction court erred in finding he received effective assistance of counsel at trial. Following our review, we affirm the denial of the petition.
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Ross Dyer
Originating Judge:Judge J. Robert Carter, Jr. |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 03/06/18 | |
State of Tennessee v. Ryan Michael Ramey
E2017-00580-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant, Ryan Michael Ramey, was convicted by a jury of rape, a Class B felony; and theft of $500 or less, a Class A misdemeanor. See Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 39-13-503, -14-103, -14-105 (2015). The trial court imposed a total effective sentence of fifteen years. On appeal, the Defendant contends (1) that the evidence was insufficient to sustain his convictions and (2) that the trial court erred in admitting the victim’s “single photo identification” and in-court identification of the Defendant. Following our review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Lisa N. Rice |
Unicoi County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 03/05/18 | |
State of Tennessee v. Ronald Orlando Glenn
M2017-00110-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant, Ronald Orlando Glenn, was convicted of domestic assault following a bench trial. He was sentenced to eleven months and twenty-nine days, to be released on supervised probation after serving ten days, and to complete a Batterer’s Intervention Program. On appeal, Defendant contends that the evidence is insufficient to support his conviction. After review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge J. Randall Wyatt |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 03/05/18 | |
State of Tennessee v. Michael Demond Starks
M2016-01827-CCA-R3-CD
After a jury trial, the defendant, Michael Demond Starks, was convicted of one count of second-degree murder, one count of attempted first-degree murder, four counts of attempted second-degree murder, and two counts of aggravated assault. On appeal, the defendant argues the evidence was insufficient to support his convictions because he was suffering from severe mental delusions. Additionally, the defendant argues the jury was improperly instructed on the lesser-included offense of voluntary manslaughter and that the trial court improperly excluded hearsay statements from a defense witness. Following our review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Ross Dyer
Originating Judge:Judge John D. Wootten, Jr. |
Wilson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 03/05/18 | |
State of Tennessee v. Fredrick R. Ross, Jr.
M2016-02180-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant, Frederick R. Ross, Jr., appeals the trial court’s decision to revoke his probation and place his twelve-year sentence into effect. Defendant argues that the State violated his due process rights by failing to give proper notice of the alleged violations of probation and by failing to disclose the evidence to be used against him. Additionally, Defendant argues that the trial court abused its discretion by placing Defendant’s full sentence into effect. Upon review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court but remand the case for the correction of clerical errors on the judgment forms.
Authoring Judge: Judge Timothy L. Easter
Originating Judge:Judge Dee David Gay |
Sumner County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 03/05/18 | |
Calvin Douglas v. State of Tennessee
W2017-00762-CCA-R3-PC
The Petitioner, Calvin Douglas, appeals the denial of his petition for post-conviction relief and the denial of his motion to reconsider, in which he argued that the facts presented at the post-conviction evidentiary hearing supported a writ of error coram nobis on the basis of newly discovered evidence. Pursuant to an order by this court, the Petitioner was permitted to file an untimely notice of appeal. After a review of the record, we hold that this court’s order allowing the Petitioner to late-file his notice of appeal was improvidently granted. Accordingly, we dismiss the appeal.
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Carolyn W. Blackett |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 03/02/18 | |
Donald Douglas v. State of Tennessee
W2017-00170-CCA-R3-PC
The Petitioner, Donald Douglas, filed a petition for post-conviction relief, alleging that he did not knowingly and voluntarily waive his right to a direct appeal in exchange for a sentence of eight years and that his trial counsel was ineffective. After a hearing, the post-conviction court denied the petition. On appeal, the Petitioner challenges the postconviction court’s ruling. Upon review, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge J. Robert Carter, Jr. |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 03/02/18 | |
State of Tennessee v. Joseph Langlinais
W2016-01686-CCA-R3-CD
A jury convicted the Defendant, Joseph Langlinais, of rape of a child, aggravated sexual battery, and attempted rape of a child, and he received an effective sentence of twenty eight years in prison. On appeal, the Defendant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence. The Defendant also challenges the admission of his recorded statement to law enforcement, alleging that the recording was inadmissible due to its poor quality, that the recording contained inadmissible evidence of the Defendant’s bad acts, and that the recording violated his right to confront witnesses. After a thorough review of the record, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Donald H. Allen |
Chester County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 03/02/18 | |
Michael Bell v. State of Tennessee
W2017-00915-CCA-R3-PC
The Petitioner, Michael Bell, appeals the denial of his petition for post-conviction relief. The Petitioner pled guilty to two counts of aggravated rape and two counts of aggravated robbery and received an effective sentence of twenty-one years with community supervision for life. The Petitioner sought post-conviction relief, asserting that he received ineffective assistance of counsel and that his guilty plea was not voluntarily and knowingly entered. Following a hearing, the post-conviction court denied relief. After review of the record and applicable law, we affirm the denial of post-conviction relief.
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Carolyn W. Blackett |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 03/02/18 | |
State of Tennessee v. William Waylon Hanson
M2016-00502-CCA-R3-CD
A Marshall County Circuit Court Jury convicted the Appellant, William Waylon Hanson, of violating an order declaring him to be a motor vehicle habitual offender, failing to provide evidence of financial responsibility, and passing another vehicle in a no passing zone. On appeal, the Appellant contends that the trial court erred by granting the State’s motion in limine to prohibit the Appellant from collaterally attacking the order declaring him to be a motor vehicle habitual offender, by limiting the defense’s closing argument, and by admitting the Appellant’s driving record into evidence through an employee of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Upon review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Forest A. Durard, Jr. |
Marshall County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 03/02/18 | |
Terry Lea Bunch v. State of Tennessee
M2017-00670-CCA-R3-PC
Petitioner, Terry Lea Bunch, appeals the dismissal of his petition for post-conviction relief from his guilty pleaded conviction for third offense driving under the influence (“DUI”). The pro se petition alleged a defect in the charging instrument and was summarily dismissed by the post-conviction court for failure to state a colorable claim. Petitioner argues on appeal that the post-conviction court should have allowed him the opportunity to amend his petition to include an allegation of ineffective assistance of counsel. We affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Timothy L. Easter
Originating Judge:Judge Jill Bartee Ayers |
Montgomery County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 03/02/18 | |
State of Tennessee v. Sidney B. Ray
E2017-00228-CCA-R3-CD
Pursuant to a plea agreement, the Defendant, Sidney B. Ray, entered a guilty plea to ten felonies and one misdemeanor and received an effective sentence of fourteen years, with the manner of service to be determined by the trial court. Following a sentencing hearing, the trial court denied the Defendant’s request for an alternative sentence and ordered his sentence to be served in confinement. In this appeal, the Defendant contends that the trial court erred in determining the manner of service of his sentence. Upon review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Camille R. McMullen
Originating Judge:Judge Bobby R. McGee |
Knox County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 03/02/18 | |
State of Tennessee v. Kimberly Johnson Hart
M2016-02365-CCA-R3-CD
A Maury County jury convicted the Defendant, Kimberly Johnson Hart, of facilitation of possession with intent to sell one-half ounce or more of marijuana and facilitation of possession with intent to sell less than two pounds of tetrahydrocannabinol, a schedule VI narcotic. The trial court sentenced the Defendant to concurrent terms of eleven months and twenty-nine days for each conviction, thirty days to be served in jail, with the remainder to be served on supervised probation. On appeal, the Defendant asserts that the evidence is insufficient to support her convictions and that the trial court erred when it denied her request for judicial diversion. After review, we affirm the trial court’s judgments.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Robert L. Jones |
Maury County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 03/01/18 | |
State of Tennessee v. Darlene F. Hottiman
W2016-02077-CCA-R3-CD
A Hardin County Circuit Court Jury convicted the Appellant, Darlene F. Hottiman, of operating a motor vehicle after having been declared a motor vehicle habitual offender, a Class E felony, and driving on a revoked license, a Class A misdemeanor, and she received an effective four-year sentence to be served in confinement. On appeal, the Appellant contends that the evidence is insufficient to support her convictions due to her defense of necessity; that the trial court made improper comments to an alternate juror, made improper comments about the length of jury deliberations, and made improper comments about plea negotiations during the sentencing hearing; and that the trial court improperly enhanced her felony sentence based upon her prior criminal history and should have granted her request for probation. Based upon the record and the parties’ briefs, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge C. Creed McGinley |
Hardin County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 02/28/18 | |
Cedric Taylor v. State of Tennessee
W2016-01710-CCA-R3-PC
The Petitioner, Cedric Taylor, filed a post-conviction petition, seeking relief from his convictions of aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, and employment of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony. In the petition, the Petitioner alleged that his trial counsel was ineffective by calling an alibi witness whose testimony was not favorable to the Petitioner. The post-conviction court denied the petition, and the Petitioner appeals. Upon review, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge J. Robert Carter, Jr. |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 02/28/18 | |
State of Tennessee v. Joshua Teffeteller
E2017-00101-CCA-R3-CD
In February 2013, the Defendant, Joshua Teffeteller, pleaded guilty to identity theft, and the trial court granted judicial diversion and ordered him to serve three years on Community Corrections. On September 17, 2015, the Defendant was charged with numerous offenses and, the following day, the Defendant’s Community Corrections officer filed an affidavit, alleging that the Defendant had violated his Community Corrections sentence on multiple grounds. The Defendant pleaded guilty to the charges on March 7, 2016, and received additional Community Corrections sentences. On August 25, 2016, another probation violation warrant was issued and, after a hearing, the trial court revoked the Defendant’s Community Corrections sentences and ordered the Defendant to serve the balance of his sentences in confinement. On appeal, the Defendant contends: (1) that the trial court erred when it ordered him to serve his sentences in confinement rather than reinstating his Community Corrections sentences; and (2) that one of his sentences had expired. After review, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge David Reed Duggan |
Blount County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 02/28/18 | |
State of Tennessee v. Randel Lee Burnett, II
W2016-01712-CCA-R3-CD
The Appellant, Randel Lee Burnett, II, pled guilty in the Fayette County Circuit Court to vehicular homicide by intoxication, aggravated child neglect, and three counts of vehicular assault. After a sentencing hearing, he received an effective twenty-four-year sentence. On appeal, the Appellant contends that the trial court improperly enhanced his sentences and erred by ordering consecutive sentencing based upon his being a dangerous offender. Upon review of the record and the parties’ briefs, we conclude that the trial court improperly applied two enhancement factors during sentencing but that the length of the Appellant’s sentences is not excessive. We also conclude that the trial court did not err by ordering consecutive sentencing. Accordingly, the judgments of the trial court are affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge J. Weber McCraw |
Fayette County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 02/28/18 | |
State of Tennessee v. Artt Tanner Horne
M2017-00752-CCA-R3-CD
After a bench trial, a judge found the Defendant, Artt Tanner Horne, guilty of theft of property valued less than $500 and sentenced him to eleven months and twenty-nine days of unsupervised probation. The trial court also ordered that he stay away from Walmart, where the theft occurred, and continue with his mental health treatment. On appeal, the Defendant contends that the evidence is insufficient to sustain his conviction. After review, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Cheryl Blackburn |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 02/27/18 | |
State of Tennessee v. Toby S. Earhart
M2017-00474-CCA-R3-CD
A Stewart County jury convicted the defendant, Toby Shane Earhart, of two counts of child abuse. On appeal, the defendant contends there was insufficient evidence to support the jury’s verdict; the trial court erred by admitting a videotaped forensic interview of the victim; the trial court erred by excluding the defendant’s expert witness; and the trial court erred when imposing consecutive sentences. Based upon our thorough review of the record, we agree the trial court erred when admitting the forensic interview; however, this error was harmless. Additionally, we conclude the evidence was sufficient to support the jury’s verdict, the trial court did not abuse its discretion when excluding the defendant’s expert witness, and the trial court properly ordered consecutive sentences. We affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Ross Dyer
Originating Judge:Judge Larry J. Wallace |
Stewart County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 02/27/18 | |
State of Tennessee v. Stephen D. Demps
M2017-00641-CCA-R3-CD
Stephen D. Demps, the Defendant, was convicted of five counts of rape of a child and four counts of aggravated sexual battery. The trial court merged counts six and eight, aggravated sexual battery, into counts two and four, rape of a child. He received a total effective sentence of twenty-five years’ incarceration. On appeal, he argues that: (1) his statement during his December 2013 interview with law enforcement should have been suppressed because he was in custody and was not informed of his rights under Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966); (2) his statement during his January 2014 interview with law enforcement should have been suppressed because he was coerced into confessing; (3) the trial court erred in denying his motion for mistrial after individuals spoke to the sequestered victim during trial; and (4) the State failed to properly submit a bill of particulars and he was prejudiced by this failure. After a thorough review of the facts and applicable case law, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert L. Holloway, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Gary McKenzie |
Putnam County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 02/27/18 | |
Bobby Daniel Pettie v. State of Tennessee
M2016-01838-CCA-R3-PC
The Petitioner, Bobby Daniel Pettie, appeals from the Bedford County Circuit Court’s denial of his petition for post-conviction relief. The Petitioner contends that he is entitled to post-conviction relief due to numerous instances of ineffective assistance of counsel. Discerning no error, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.
Authoring Judge: Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge F. Lee Russell |
Bedford County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 02/27/18 | |
State of Tennessee v. Dwayne Scott Franklin
M2017-00180-CCA-R3-CD
A jury convicted the Defendant, Dwayne Scott Franklin, of three counts of rape of a child, a Class A felony. The trial court imposed sentences of twenty-five, thirty, and thirty-five years in prison for the crimes, and the sentences were ordered to run partially consecutively for an aggregate sentence of sixty years. The Defendant appeals, challenging the sufficiency of the evidence, the State’s alleged failure to preserve evidence, and sentencing. After a thorough review of the record, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Franklin L. Russell |
Marshall County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 02/27/18 |