APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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State of Tennessee v. Rebecca G. Ratliff

E2004-00940-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Rebecca G. Ratliff, appeals from the Sullivan County Criminal Court's revocation of her probation. On appeal, the defendant claims that the trial court erred in ordering her to serve her original two-year sentence in the Department of Correction. Because the record supports the trial court in its discretionary determination to order incarceration, we affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge James Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge R. Jerry Beck
Sullivan County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/15/05
State of Tennessee v. James Harvey Farrar, Jr.

M2003-02271-CCA-R3-CD

This is a direct appeal from convictions on a jury verdict of attempted aggravated robbery, resisting arrest and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The trial court sentenced the Defendant to a term of nine years, and concurrent sentences of six months, and eleven months and twenty-nine days, respectively. On appeal, the Defendant raises one issue, arguing that there was insufficient evidence to find him guilty of attempted aggravated robbery. We affirm the judgments of the trial court but reduce the effective sentence to eight years.

Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Judge Lee Russell
Bedford County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/15/05
David Gene Skipper v. State of Tennessee

M2004-01137-CCA-R3-PC

The Petitioner, David Gene Skipper, pled guilty to two counts of rape of a child and one count of attempted aggravated sexual battery. The trial court sentenced him to an effective sentence of thirty-one years in prison. The Petitioner filed a petition for post-conviction relief, which the post-conviction court dismissed after a hearing. The Petitioner now appeals, contending that: (1) he was denied the effective assistance of counsel; (2) his guilty pleas were not knowingly and voluntarily entered; and (3) there was not a sufficient factual basis to support the guilty pleas. Finding no error in the judgment of the post-conviction court, we affirm the dismissal of the Petitioner's petition.

Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Leon C. Burns, Jr.
Putnam County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/15/05
State of Tennessee v. Michael Wayne Smithson

M2004-01411-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant appeals the revocation of his probation after he left the state to participate in a religious activity, failed to complete the required psychosexual evaluation, and failed to obtain employment. The defendant contends that the trial court erred in (1) basing his revocation on an order that violated his right to free exercise of his religion, and (2) determining that he had failed to complete the psychosexual evaluation and obtain employment because his arrest in Texas prevented him from having an opportunity to comply with those conditions. Following our review, we affirm the trial court's revocation of probation.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge J. S. Daniel
Cannon County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/15/05
State of Tennessee v. Stacy Johnson

W2004-00464-CCA-R3-CD

A Shelby County jury convicted the Defendant, Stacy Johnson, of two counts of burglary of a building, two counts of theft of property over $1,000, and eight counts of burglary of a motor vehicle. The trial court sentenced the Defendant to an effective sentence of thirty years. On appeal, the Defendant contends that: (1) the consolidation of the Defendant’s indictments deprived him of a fair trial; (2) the evidence is insufficient to sustain his convictions; (3) the State improperly used specific theft locations without proper foundation; and (4) the trial court improperly allowed security videotape recordings to be admitted into evidence. Finding no reversible error, we affirm the trial court’s judgments.

Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge W. Otis Higgs, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/15/05
State of Tennessee v. Orson Wendell Hudson

M2004-00077-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Orson Wendell Hudson, pled guilty in Sumner County Criminal Court to possession with the intent to sell more than twenty-six grams of cocaine, a Class B felony, and the trial court sentenced him as a Range I, standard offender to eight years in the Department of Correction. The defendant appeals upon certified questions of law from the trial court's denial of his motion to suppress evidence seized pursuant to a traffic stop. He claims the trial court should have granted his motion because (1) the arresting officer's stated justification for stopping his car was pretextual, (2) the officer did not have probable cause to stop his car for following too closely, (3) the officer's questioning transformed his detention into an unreasonable seizure, (4) the officer's questioning of his six-year-old daughter outside his presence was illegal, and (5) the officer coerced his consent to search. We affirm the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge Jane W. Wheatcraft
Sumner County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/15/05
State of Tennessee v. Gary Wayne Young

M2004-00390-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Gary Wayne Young, appeals as of right the Davidson County Criminal Court's denial of his motion to withdraw his guilty pleas to two Class B felony drug offenses and its imposition of concurrent sentences of twenty-one years as a Range II, multiple offender. He contends that his guilty pleas were involuntary and unknowing because he was under the influence of narcotics when he entered them and that the sentences are illegal because they are outside of the range for a multiple offender convicted of a Class B felony. We affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge Steve R. Dozier
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/15/05
State of Tennessee v. Randy L. Johnson

E2004-01124-CCA-R3-CD

The appellant, Randy L. Johnson, pled guilty in the Sullivan County Criminal Court to two counts of aggravated assault and one count of theft of property valued over $1,000. He received a total effective sentence of nine years incarceration in the Tennessee Department of Correction. The trial court granted the appellant probation. Subsequently, his probation was revoked because of new offenses and a positive drug screen. The trial court ordered the petitioner to serve his sentences in confinement. On appeal, the appellant challenges the revocation of his probation. Upon review of the record and the parties' briefs, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Phyllis H. Miller
Sullivan County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/15/05
State of Tennessee v. Daniel W. Livingston

M2004-00086-CCA-R3-CD

This is a direct appeal as of right from a conviction on a jury verdict of evading arrest by motor vehicle with risk of death or injury. The trial court determined that the Defendant, Daniel Livingston, was a career offender and sentenced him to twelve years for the felony evading arrest conviction and time served for a misdemeanor resisting arrest conviction. On appeal, the Defendant argues five issues: (1) the evading arrest statute is unconstitutional because it violates the "Caption Clause" of the Tennessee Constitution; (2) the evidence is insufficient to sustain the conviction for felony evading arrest with risk of death or injury; (3) the trial court erred in sentencing the Defendant as a career offender because the State's notice of enhanced punishment was defective; (4) the Defendant received ineffective assistance of counsel at trial; and (5) the Defendant's Sixth Amendment right to a jury trial was violated because the trial court made findings of fact for sentencing purposes. We affirm the Defendant's conviction, but modify the sentence to four years to be served as a Range I standard offender.

Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Judge Cheryl A. Blackburn
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/15/05
State of Tennessee v. Nona Pilgrim

E2004-00242-CCA-R3-CD

A Bledsoe County grand jury indicted the defendant, Nona Pilgram, for assault and vandalism resulting in $1,000 to $10,000 in damages to the vehicle of the victim, Molly Myers. A jury acquitted the defendant of assault but convicted her of vandalism resulting in $500 to $1,000 in damages. For this conviction, the court ordered the defendant to serve a six-year probationary sentence. The defendant now appeals her conviction and sentence, arguing that she is entitled to a new trial or resentencing on the following grounds: (1) The trial court erred by refusing to allow testimony regarding the victim's prejudice towards the defendant; (2) the trial court erred by allowing hearsay evidence regarding the fair market value of the victim's vehicle; (3) the trial court erred by refusing to allow the introduction of an internet-based estimate of the victim's vehicle; and (4) the trial court erred by failing to comply with Tennessee Code Annotated sections 40-35-102 through 121 when determining whether the defendant was a viable candidate for judicial diversion. After a thorough review of the record and applicable law, we affirm the defendant's conviction and sentence.

Authoring Judge: Judge James Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Thomas W. Graham
Bledsoe County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/14/05
Sonya Gosnell v. State of Tennessee

E2004-00941-CCA-R3-PC

The Appellant, Sonya Gosnell, appeals the Greene County Criminal Court's denial of her petition for post-conviction relief. On appeal, Gosnell raises the single issue of whether she was denied the effective assistance of counsel. After review of the record, we find no error and affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Judge James E. Beckner
Greene County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/14/05
State of Tennessee v. Gary Alden Bowers

E2004-00697-CCA-R3-CD

The appellant, Gary Alden Bowers, pled guilty in the Carter County Criminal Court to three counts of aggravated burglary, one count of burglary, two counts of theft of property over $500, two counts of theft of property under $500, and one count of felony failure to appear. Following a sentencing hearing, the trial court sentenced the appellant to an effective sentence of twenty years incarceration in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the appellant challenges the sentences imposed by the trial court in light of the United States Supreme Court's decision in Blakely v. Washington, 542 U.S. __, 124 S. Ct. 2531 (2004). Upon review of the record and the parties' briefs, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Lynn W. Brown
Carter County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/14/05
State of Tennessee v. Gary Lee Marise

W2003-02434-CCA-R3-CD

The Appellant, Gary Lee Marise, was convicted by a Carroll County jury of possession of anhydrous ammonia with the intent to manufacture a controlled substance, a class E felony, and the misdemeanor offenses of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. For his conviction for the possession of anhydrous ammonia, Marise received a two-year sentence, with service of ninety days confinement, followed by supervised probation. On appeal, Marise raises two issues for our review: (1) whether the evidence is sufficient to support the convictions and (2) whether his sentence for possession of anhydrous ammonia is excessive. After review of the record, we affirm the judgments of conviction and resulting felony sentence.

Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Judge C. Creed McGinley
Carroll County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/14/05
Clifford L. Taylor v. State of Tennessee

W2003-02198-CCA-R3-PC

The Appellant, Clifford L. Taylor, appeals the trial court's denial of his motion for arrest of 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. The 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. Accordingly, we grant the State's motion and affirm the judgment of the lower court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge J. C. Mclin
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/11/05
Lawrence Montgomery v. State of Tennessee

W2004-02697-CCA-R3-HC

The Petitioner, Lawrence Montgomery, appeals the trial court's denial of his application for writ of 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. It appears from the record before us that the notice of appeal was not timely filed and this Court cannot conclude that justice requires that this Court waive the timely filing requirement. Accordingly, the State’s motion is granted and the above-captioned appeal is dismissed.

Authoring Judge: Judge J. C. McLin
Originating Judge:Judge Joseph H. Walker, III
Lauderdale County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/11/05
Marvin Anthony Matthews v. David Mills, Warden

W2004-02209-CCA-R3-HC

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. Petitioner has failed to establish either that this sentence has expired or that his conviction or sentence is void. Accordingly, we grant the State's motion and affirm the judgment of the lower court.

Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Judge Joseph H. Walker, III
Lauderdale County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/11/05
Raymond A. Clark v. Tony Parker, Warden

W2004-02488-CCA-R3-HC

This matter is before the Court upon the State’s motion to affirm the judgment of the trial court by opinion pursuant to Rule 20, Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals. The Petitioner is appealing the trial court's denial of habeas corpus relief. A review of the record reveals that the Petitioner is not entitled to habeas corpus relief. Accordingly, the State's motion is granted and the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Judge R. Lee Moore Jr.
Lake County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/11/05
Darren Ray Case v. State of Tennessee

M2004-01727-CCA-R3-HC

The Petitioner, Darren Ray Case, appeals from the dismissal of his petition for the writ of habeas corpus. The State has filed a motion requesting that the Court affirm the trial court's denial of relief pursuant to Rule 20, Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals. We find the State's motion has merit. Accordingly, the motion is granted and the appeal is affirmed pursuant to Rule 20, Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals.

Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Robert L. Jones
Wayne County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/10/05
Kelvin Wade Cloyd v. State of Tennessee

E2004-02003-CCA-R3-HC

The petitioner, Kelvin Wade Cloyd, appeals the summary dismissal of his petition for habeas corpus relief. He alleges that he was denied the effective assistance of counsel, claims that the state knowingly used false testimony during his trial, and asserts that he was erroneously assessed costs. The judgment is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R. Wade
Originating Judge:Judge Lynn W. Brown
Johnson County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/10/05
Joseph L. Coleman v. Tony Parker, Warden

W2004-01527-CCA-R3-HC

The Petitioner, Joseph L. Coleman, 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 show either that his sentence has expired or that the trial court was without jurisdiction, we grant the State's motion and affirm the judgment of the lower court.

Authoring Judge: Judge J. C. McLin
Originating Judge:Judge R. Lee Moore Jr.
Lake County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/10/05
Rico Raybon v. State of Tennessee

W2004-01447-CCA-R3-PC

This matter is before the Court upon the State’s motion to affirm the judgment of the trial court pursuant to Rule 20, Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals. The Petitioner, Rico Raybon, appeals the trial court’s denial of post-conviction relief. The petition was filed outside the applicable statute of limitation and is, therefore, time-barred. Accordingly, we affirm the
dismissal of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge J. C. McLin
Originating Judge:Judge Arthur T. Bennett
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/10/05
State of Tennessee v. Steven Totty

W2004-01916-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant appeals his conviction for sexual battery, contesting the sufficiency of the evidence and asserting ineffective assistance of trial counsel. Following our review, we conclude that the evidence was sufficient to support the conviction. The issue of ineffective assistance is waived for failure to perfect the record, cite to relevant authority, or reference the record. Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Clayburn L. Peeples
Gibson County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/09/05
State of Tennessee v. Chad Allen Conyers

E2004-00360-CCA-R3-CD

The Defendant, Chad Allen Conyers, pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter. The trial court deferred entry of a judgment of conviction and placed the Defendant on judicial diversion for fifteen (15) years. The Defendant was subsequently charged with violating the terms of his probation. After an evidentiary hearing, the trial court revoked the Defendant's probation. The trial court subsequently sentenced the Defendant to four years, split confinement. The Defendant now appeals both the revocation of his probation and the manner of service of his sentence. Finding that the trial court abused its discretion in revoking the Defendant's probation, we reverse the judgment of the trial court and order that the Defendant's probation be reinstated.

Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Judge Richard R. Baumgartner
Knox County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/09/05
State of Tennessee v. Jason Allen Needel

M2004-01412-CCA-R3-CD

The appellant, Jason Allen Needel, pled guilty in the Sumner County Criminal Court to aggravated burglary, theft over $1000, and theft under $500. He received a total effective sentence of fourteen years incarceration in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the appellant challenges the imposition of consecutive sentencing. Upon review of the record and the parties’ briefs, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Jane W. Wheatcraft
Sumner County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/09/05
Robert Shawn Clark v. State of Tennessee

W2004-01582-CCA-R3-PC

The petitioner, Robert Shawn Clark, appeals the trial court’s denial of his petition for post-conviction relief. The single issue presented for review is whether the petitioner was denied the effective assistance of counsel at trial. After a review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge J. C. McLin
Originating Judge:Judge Bernie Weinman
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/09/05