State of Tennessee v. Willie Earl Brown, Jr.
M2009-00505-CCA-R3-CD
Following a jury trial, the Defendant was convicted of 11 counts of rape of a child, a Class A felony, and was sentenced to an effective sentence of 74 years. In this appeal as of right, the defendant contends that (1) the evidence was insufficient to sustain his convictions of rape of a child in counts 13 and 14; (2) the defendant's conviction of rape of a child in counts 4 and 5 violated the principles of double jeopardy; (3) the trial court erred in admitting evidence of uncharged conduct in violation of Tennessee Rule of Evidence 404(b); (4) the trial court erred in refusing to allow cross-examination of the victim regarding her pregnancy; (5) the trial court erred in admitting statements from a clinical social worker that were not obtained for the purpose of medical diagnosis and treatment; and (6) the trial court erred in sentencing the defendant. Following our review, we conclude that the trial court erroneously admitted evidence of the defendant's uncharged sexual conduct with the victim and that this error was not harmless. Accordingly, we reverse the judgments of the trial court and remand the defendant's case for a new trial.
Authoring Judge: D. Kelly Thomas, Jr., J.
Originating Judge:Steve Dozier, Judge |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/05/10 | |
State of Tennessee v. Sean Terrell Horton
M2009-02552-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Sean Terrell Horton, appeals his Davidson County Criminal Court jury convictions of possession with the intent to deliver or sell 26 grams or more of cocaine, a Class B felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class A misdemeanor. On appeal, he contends that the evidence is insufficient to support his convictions. Discerning no error, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge James Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Cheryl Blackburn |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/05/10 | |
State of Tennessee v. Aubrey Tremaine Eisom and Cedric Moses
W2009-02098-CCA-R3-CD
A Dyer County Circuit Court jury convicted the defendant, Aubrey Tremaine Eisom, of two counts of first degree felony murder and one count of especially aggravated robbery and convicted the defendant, Cedric Moses, of two counts of the facilitation of first degree felony murder and one count of especially aggravated robbery. The trial court sentenced Mr. Eisom to consecutive sentences of life imprisonment for both of the felony murder convictions and a consecutive sentence of 40 years' incarceration for the especially aggravated robbery conviction. The trial court sentenced Mr. Moses to 25 years' incarceration for each of his three convictions and ordered the sentences to be served concurrently, for a total effective sentence of 25 years. In this appeal, Mr. Eisom contends that the trial court erred by denying his motion for a bill of particulars, that the trial court erred by denying his motion to sever his trial from that of Mr. Moses, that the trial court erred by prohibiting him from presenting a "third party defense," and that the evidence was insufficient to support his convictions. Mr. Moses also challenges the sufficiency of the convicting evidence, claiming that the State failed to sufficiently corroborate the testimony of accomplice Ewan Dewayne Anthony. Mr. Moses additionally asserts that the trial court erred by refusing to sever his trial from that of Mr. Eisom and that his sentence is excessive. Discerning no error in the judgments of the trial court in Mr. Eisom's case, we affirm Mr. Eisom's convictions and the accompanying sentence. Because the State failed to produce sufficient evidence to corroborate the accomplice testimony relative to Mr. Moses' involvement in the crimes, we reverse Mr. Moses' convictions and dismiss the charges against him.
Authoring Judge: Judge James Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Lee Moore |
Dyer County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/05/10 | |
State of Tennessee v. Jeffrey Thomas Pardue
M2009-01163-CCA-R3-CD
Appellant, Jeffrey Thomas Pardue, was indicted by the Davidson County Grand Jury for burglary of a motor vehicle and theft of property valued at more than $1,000. A jury found aAppellant guilty of both charges. The trial court sentenced appellant to two years for burglary and three years for theft, and the sentences were ordered to be served concurrently. The trial court suspended the sentences and placed appellant on probation. Appellant was also ordered to receive alcohol treatment and pay restitution in the amount of $1,184. After the denial of a motion for new trial, appellant filed a timely notice of appeal. On appeal, appellant argues that the evidence was insufficient to sustain the convictions. After a review of the record, we determine that the evidence was sufficient to support the convictions for burglary of a vehicle and theft of property valued at more than $1,000. Consequently, the judgments of the trial court are affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Steve Dozier |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/04/10 | |
Kathy Michelle Fowler v. State of Tennessee
M2009-00700-CCA-WR-CO
Petitioner, Kathy Michelle Fowler, was indicted by the Davidson County Grand Jury in one indictment for domestic assault, harassment, and aggravated criminal trespass. Petitioner subsequently pled guilty to domestic assault. The remaining two charges were dismissed. Petitioner was sentenced to eleven months and twenty-nine days, to be served on probation. Petitioner filed a petition to expunge the dismissed charges pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-32-101. After a hearing, the trial court denied the petition, concluding that the plain language of the statute excluded expungement of "cases in which the defendant has been convicted of a charge within the case." Petitioner filed a petition for a writ of certiorari in this Court. We granted the petition in order to determine if the trial court has exceeded its jurisdiction or has acted illegally. After a review of the record, we determine that based on this Court's decision in State v. Gerald Gifford, No. E2006-02500- CCA-R3-CD, 2008 WL 1813105 (Tenn. Crim. App., at Knoxville, Apr. 23, 2008), perm. app. denied, (Tenn. Oct. 27, 2008), the trial court herein improperly denied the petition to expunge the dismissed charges where petitioner was indicted in a multi-count indictment, pled guilty to one count of the indictment, and the remaining charges were dismissed. The judgment of the trial court is, therefore, reversed and the matter is remanded to the trial court for further proceedings, including granting petitioner's petition to expunge the dismissed charges of harassment and aggravated criminal trespass.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Steve Dozier |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/04/10 | |
State of Tennessee v. Jim Hunter
E2009-01967-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant, Jim Hunter, was indicted for attempted first degree murder and domestic aggravated assault. After a jury trial, the Defendant was convicted of reckless endangerment and reckless aggravated assault. The trial court sentenced the Defendant to concurrent sentences of eight years for the reckless aggravated assault conviction and 11 months and 29 days for the reckless endangerment conviction. In this appeal as of right, the Defendant contends (1) that the trial court violated his Sixth Amendment right to a jury trial by basing his sentence on enhancement factors not determined by the jury and (2) that one of his convictions should not have been considered in determining his status as a multiple offender because of its age. Following our review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Rebecca J. Stern |
Hamilton County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/03/10 | |
Philander Butler v. State of Tennessee
W2010-00118-CCA-R3-PC
The petitioner, Philander Butler, pro se, appeals the summary dismissal of his petition for post-conviction relief for being filed after the statute of limitations had expired. On appeal, he argues that the post-conviction court erred in dismissing his petition before appointing counsel and conducting a hearing to determine the merits of his petition. After review, we affirm the summary dismissal of the petition for post-conviction relief.
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge W. Otis Higgs, Jr. |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/02/10 | |
State of Tennessee v. Chad Nicholas Hale
M2009-00696-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant, Chad Nicholas Hale, was convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) per se, a Class A misdemeanor. He was sentenced to eleven months, twenty-nine days to serve 10 days by incarceration and the balance suspended and served on probation. On appeal, Defendant contends that the trial court erred by failing to suppress the results of his breath alcohol content test. After a thorough review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Senior Judge Allen Wallace |
Dickson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/02/10 | |
State of Tennessee v. Thomas P. Isbell
M2009-00175-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant, Thomas P. Isbell, was indicted for possession of oxycodone, burglary, two counts of theft over $1,000, and vandalism over $10,000. On October 21, 2008, Defendant pled guilty as charged. The sentence was left to the trial court's determination. Following a sentencing hearing, the trial court merged the two theft convictions and imposed an effective sentence of three years and six months, as a Range I standard offender, to be served by incarceration. On appeal, Defendant challenges the trial court's denial of alternative sentencing. After a thorough review of the record, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Robert Crigler |
Lincoln County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/02/10 | |
State of Tennessee v. Vicky Gillig, A/K/A Vicki Gillig, A/K/A Vicky Taylor, A/K/A Vicky Little
E2010-00251-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Vicky Ann Gillig, a/k/a Vicki Gillig, a/k/a Vicky Taylor, a/k/a Vicky Little, entered best interest guilty pleas in the Sullivan County Criminal Court to the offenses of aggravated assault, a Class C felony; child abuse and neglect, a Class A misdemeanor; and contributing to the delinquency or unruliness of a minor, a Class A misdemeanor, in exchange for an effective sentence of four years. Following a sentencing hearing, the trial court denied the defendant's request for probation, the denial of which she now appeals. After review, we affirm the trial court's sentencing decision.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge R. Jerry Beck |
Sullivan County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/02/10 | |
State of Tennessee v. Franklin A. Christy
M2009-00460-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant, Franklin A. Christy, appeals the trial court's order revoking his probation and ordering him to serve his sentence in confinement. In this appeal, Defendant acknowledges that the evidence showed he violated the terms of his probation. However, he argues that the trial court should have sentenced him to community corrections rather than order service
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Robert E. Burch |
Dickson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/02/10 | |
State of Tennessee v. Elliot Fullilove
W2009-01113-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Elliot Fullilove, was convicted of first degree (felony) murder and especially aggravated robbery, a Class A felony. He was sentenced to concurrent life sentences. On appeal, he argues that the evidence was insufficient to support his convictions and that the trial court erred in denying his motion to suppress a statement he made to the police, in admitting hearsay, and in admitting a crime scene photograph. After careful review, we affirm the judgments from the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge W. Otis Higgs, Jr. |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/02/10 | |
State of Tennessee v. Michael Anthony Tharpe
W2010-00936-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Michael Anthony Tharpe, appeals the revocation of his probation by the Circuit Court for Carroll County. On May 11, 2009, he entered a guilty plea to theft over $500, and was sentenced to three years probation. He later committed new law violations and failed to report to his probation officer. Following a hearing on March 29, 2010, the defendant's probation was revoked, and he was ordered to serve the balance of his sentence in confinement. After careful review, we affirm the judgment of the Circuit Court.
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Donald Parish |
Carroll County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/02/10 | |
State of Tennessee v. Archie Hill, Jr.
M2010-00093-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant, Archie Hill, Jr., pled guilty to one count of aggravated burglary and one count of burglary. The trial court sentenced him to seven years, with the Defendant to serve eleven months and twenty-nine days in confinement and then be released to probation. Soon after the Defendant began serving his probation sentence, a violation of probation affidavit was filed against the Defendant. After a hearing, the trial court revoked the Defendant's probation sentence and ordered him to serve the remainder of his sentence in confinement. The Defendant appeals, contending the trial court erred in placing into effect his original sentence. After a thorough review of the record and applicable law, we affirm the trial court's judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Buddy D. Perry |
Franklin County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/02/10 | |
State of Tennessee v. Albert Lynn Norton
E2010-00609-CCA-R3-CD
The Appellant, Albert Lynn Norton, appeals as of right from the Blount County Circuit Court's order revoking his probation and ordering him to serve his sentences in incarceration. On appeal, he argues that the trial court abused its discretion by ordering him to serve his sentences in confinement. Following our review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge David R. Duggan |
Blount County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/02/10 | |
State of Tennessee v. Matthew Joseph Carter
E2009-00217-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant, Matthew Joseph Carter, was sentenced as a Range I, violent offender to twenty-three years for second degree murder, a Class A felony, and as a Range I, standard offender to eleven years each for two counts of attempted second degree murder, a Class B felony, and to six years each for three counts of aggravated assault, a Class C felony. The trial court ordered partially consecutive sentences, for an effective forty-year sentence in the Department of Correction. On appeal, the Defendant contends that the sentences are excessive and that the trial court erred in imposing consecutive sentencing. Although we conclude that the trial court erred in applying three of the nine enhancement factors, we hold that the lengths of the sentences imposed by the trial court are appropriate. We hold, though, that the imposition of consecutive sentences was in error and modify the Defendant's sentences to be served concurrently, for an effective twenty-three-year sentence.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge Mary Beth Leibowitz |
Knox County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/02/10 | |
Russell Lee Maze v. State of Tennessee
M2008-01837-CCA-R3-PC
Petitioner, Russell Lee Maze, appeals the dismissal of his petition for post-conviction relief in which he alleged that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance of counsel. Specifically, Petitioner contends that (1) counsel failed to make an offer of proof regarding the testimony of Dr. Edward Yazbak; and (2) counsel failed to consult with a qualified medical expert regarding imaging evidence of the victim's neurological damage and failed to present a qualified medical expert to contradict the State's medical evidence regarding causation of the victim's brain and neurological damage. Petitioner also contends that the trial court erred in denying his petition for writ of error coram nobis. After a thorough review of the record, we conclude that Petitioner has failed to show that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance of counsel. Furthermore, the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it denied the petition for writ of error coram nobis. Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Steve Dozier |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/02/10 | |
State of Tennessee v. Calvin Eugene Bryant, Jr.
M2009-01718-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Calvin Eugene Bryant, Jr., was convicted by a Davidson County Criminal Court jury of two counts of sale of a Schedule I controlled substance in a Drug-Free School Zone and two counts of delivery of a Schedule I controlled substance in a Drug-Free School Zone, all Class A felonies. The delivery counts were merged with the sale counts, and the defendant was sentenced to concurrent terms of seventeen years in the Department of Correction. On appeal, he argues that the evidence was insufficient to sustain his convictions; the trial court erred in declaring one of the State's witnesses unavailable and allowing the witness's prior testimony to be read to the jury; the trial court erred in failing to instruct the jury on the lesser-included offense of facilitation; and the trial court erred in ordering that he serve 100% of his effective seventeen-year sentence. After review, we affirm the defendant's convictions but remand for entry of corrected judgments showing that 100% service only applies to fifteen years of the seventeen-year sentence.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge Steve R. Dozier |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/01/10 | |
State of Tennessee v. Derrick Gates
W2009-01311-CCA-R3-CD
The appellant, Derrick Gates, pled guilty in the Shelby County Criminal Court to aggravated robbery and attempted aggravated robbery. After a sentencing hearing, the trial court ordered him to serve consecutive sentences of thirty and ten years, respectively. On appeal, the appellant argues that the trial court erred by ordering consecutive sentencing. 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 Chris Craft |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/01/10 | |
Gene Shelton Rucker v. State of Tennessee
E2010-00440-CCA-R3-HC
The Petitioner, Gene Shelton Rucker, appeals as of right from the Hamilton County Criminal Court's dismissal of his petition for a writ of habeas corpus. The Petitioner contends that his sentence was enhanced in violation of his Sixth Amendment rights. Following our review, we affirm the judgment of the habeas corpus court.
Authoring Judge: Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Barry A. Steelman |
Hamilton County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/01/10 | |
State of Tennessee v. Michael Pierre Adams
E2010-00083-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant, Michael Pierre Adams, appeals as of right from the Hamilton County Criminal Court's revocation of his community corrections sentences and order of incarceration. The Defendant contends that (1) the trial court's revocation is erroneous and based upon insufficient proof and (2) the State failed to provide him with adequate discovery before the hearing. Additionally, the judgments of the trial court do not reflect that the Defendant was given credit for time served in community corrections. See Tenn. Code Ann. _ 40-36-106(e)(4). Following our review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court but remand the case for correction of the judgments to reflect credit for time served in community corrections.
Authoring Judge: Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Don W. Poole |
Hamilton County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/01/10 | |
Curtis Smith v. State of Tennessee
W2009-01689-CCA-R3-PC
The petitioner, Curtis Smith, appeals the denial of his petition for post-conviction relief. On appeal, he argues that the court erred in determining that: his guilty plea was knowingly and voluntarily entered; trial counsel provided effective assistance of counsel; and the trial court did not abuse its discretion in accepting his guilty plea. After careful review, we affirm the denial of post-conviction relief.
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Carolyn Wade Blackett |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/01/10 | |
Corey Finley v. State of Tennessee
W2010-00902-CCA-RM-PC
The petitioner, Corey Finley, appeals the post-conviction court's summary dismissal of his petition for post-conviction relief from his attempted first degree murder and aggravated assault convictions. On appeal, he argues that he stated a colorable claim in his petition; therefore, the post-conviction court erred in dismissing his petition without conducting an evidentiary hearing. The State concedes that the post-conviction court erred in summarily dismissing the petition. After review, we reverse the judgment of the post-conviction court and remand for the appointment of counsel and an evidentiary hearing.
Authoring Judge: Alan E. Glenn, J.
Originating Judge:W. Otis Higgs, Jr., Judge |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/01/10 | |
State of Tennessee v. Michael Hilliard
W2008-02813-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Michael Hilliard, was indicted on March 25, 2003, for first degree premeditated murder, felony murder, attempted first degree murder, and especially aggravated robbery. The defendant was tried on the charges in June 2007, with the State seeking the death penalty. However, a mistrial was declared after the jury was unable to reach verdicts on the charges. In December 2007, the defendant was indicted for especially aggravated robbery, allegedly occurring during the 2002 episode in which the victim was shot and the defendant was charged with attempted first degree murder. The defendant then was tried upon the indictment returned in 2003, as well as that returned in 2007, and found guilty of two counts of criminally negligent homicide which were merged, one count of misdemeanor reckless endangerment, and two counts of aggravated robbery. He was sentenced to an effective sentence of seventeen years, eleven months, twenty-nine days. On appeal, he argues both that the trial court erred in not dismissing the 2007 indictment for especially aggravated robbery because it was not returned with the 2003 indictment and in concluding that he could not present evidence of the guilt of a third party. Following our review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge James M. Lammey, Jr. |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/01/10 | |
Timothy Neal James v. State of Tennessee
M2009-02167-CCA-R3-PC
Pursuant to a plea agreement, the Petitioner, Timothy Neal James, pled guilty to two counts of rape of a child and one count of incest, and the trial court sentenced him to an effective sentence of twenty-five years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. The petitioner filed a petition for post-conviction relief, which the post-conviction court denied after a hearing. On appeal, the petitioner contends that he received the ineffective assistance of counsel and that his guilty plea was not knowingly and voluntarily entered. After a thorough review of the record and applicable law, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Dee David Gay, Judge |
Sumner County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 10/29/10 |