APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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State vs. Matthew Leonard & Bernie Evans

E1999-02724-CCA-R3-CD
The appellants, Matthew W. Leonard and Bernie J. Evans, each pled guilty in the Criminal Court for Washington County to three counts of kidnapping, a class C felony, three counts of aggravated assault, a class C felony, one count of escape, a class E felony, and one count of theft over $10,000, a class C felony. The appellants requested that the trial court grant them full probation. After a probation hearing, the trial court denied the appellants' request. The appellants present the following issue for our review: whether the trial court erred in denying the appellants full probation. After a review of the record and the parties' briefs, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Lynn W. Brown
Washington County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/14/00
State of Tennessee v. Marcus Askew

98-07544-45-46

Originating Judge:Joseph B. Dailey
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/14/00
State vs. Retha Smith

W1999-00607-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant appeals her jury conviction and sentence for possession of a Schedule II controlled substance with the intent to manufacture, sell or deliver. She received a sentence of three years with one year to be served in confinement and the remainder to be served on community corrections. The defendant raises the following issues for review: (1) whether the evidence is insufficient to sustain her conviction; (2) whether the prosecuting attorney made improper remarks during his closing argument; and (3) whether her sentence is excessive. Upon a review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court but remand for the assessment of the fine.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Originating Judge:Julian P. Guinn
Henry County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/14/00
State vs. James Starnes

W1999-01854-CCA-R3-PC
The petitioner appeals from a denial of post-conviction relief, claiming his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance. We conclude the record is insufficient for proper appellate review. Thus, we remand to the trial court for an additional hearing.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Julian P. Guinn
Henry County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/14/00
State vs. Donaven Brown

W1999-00629-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant and the victim were both maximum security inmates at the Corrections Corporation of America facility in Clifton, Tennessee. After the victim, his hands and feet restrained, had been released from his cell to use a telephone, the defendant asked to be released from his cell take a shower. After his hands, but not his feet had been restrained, he pushed a correctional officer aside and ran from his cell, confronting the victim near the telephones. "Bad blood" had existed between the victim and the defendant, both of whom had armed themselves that day with shanks, or homemade prison knives. The victim received six knife stab wounds, two of which were potentially fatal. The defendant was then charged with first degree murder and felony possession of a weapon in a penal institution and, following his convictions of both offenses, sentenced to life without parole and three years, respectively, the sentences to be served concurrently. He timely appealed, presenting as issues whether the trial court erred in allowing proof that he had asserted his right to remain silent and requested an attorney and whether the evidence was sufficient to sustain the conviction for first degree murder. Based upon our review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Joseph H. Walker, III
Tipton County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/14/00
State vs. John Palmer

W1999-01310-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant, John David Palmer, was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and especially aggravated robbery following a jury trial in Gibson County Circuit Court. He was sentenced to serve three years for voluntary manslaughter and twenty years for especially aggravated robbery with the sentences to be served concurrent with each other. He does not appeal the voluntary manslaughter conviction or sentence. However, regarding the conviction for especially aggravated robbery, Defendant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to support the conviction and argues that the trial court committed reversible error by not instructing the jury on the lesser-included offense of theft and unauthorized use of a vehicle, i.e., joyriding. After review, we reverse and remand for a new trial on the offense of especially aggravated robbery.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Dick Jerman, Jr.
Gibson County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/13/00
State vs. James M. Loveday

E1999-02072-CCA-R3-CD
Following a jury trial, Defendant, James M. Loveday, was convicted of one count of attempted first degree murder, four counts of aggravated assault, and two counts of reckless endangerment. The trial court sentenced him to twenty-five (25) years for the attempted first degree murder conviction, six (6) years for each of the four aggravated assault convictions, and two (2) years for each of the reckless endangerment convictions. The sentences were ordered to be served consecutively to each other for a total sentence of fifty-three (53) years. On appeal, he challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to sustain the convictions of attempted first degree murder and aggravated assault, and argues that the trial court erroneously admitted testimony of prior bad acts, improperly considered victim impact letters in the presentence report, and argues that the sentences are excessive and that the trial court erred by ordering consecutive sentencing. After a review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court as modified herein.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Richard R. Vance
Sevier County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/13/00
State vs. Willie Boyland

W1999-00634-CCA-R3-CD
Following a jury trial in the Hardeman County Circuit Court, Defendant was convicted of the offense of casual exchange of marijuana. On appeal, Defendant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to sustain the conviction. He also asserts that the trial court erred by prohibiting Defendant from questioning a state witness about a civil warrant and judgment against the witness and that the trial court erred by overruling his objection to the State eliciting testimony from its primary witness regarding the witness' employment. We have reviewed the record on appeal and the briefs of the parties and find no reversible error. Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Jon K. Blackwood
Hardeman County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/13/00
State vs. Edward Mitchell

W1999-01314-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Edward Mitchell, appeals as of right from his conviction by a jury in the Shelby County Criminal Court for two counts of aggravated assault, a Class C felony. His sole issue on appeal is whether the trial court erred by denying him a continuance because of the unavailability of a witness. After a review of the record, we reverse the judgment of the trial court and remand for a new trial.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Carolyn Wade Blackett
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/13/00
State vs. Henry Marshall Jr.

W1999-01159-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant Henry Marshall, Jr. was convicted of reckless aggravated assault following a jury trial in the Madison County Circuit Court. After a sentencing hearing, the trial court sentenced Defendant as a Range I Standard Offender to a term of two years, with the Defendant to serve eleven months and twenty-nine days in the local jail, and the remaining one year and one day on supervised probation. The Defendant challenges his conviction and his sentence, raising the following issues: (1) whether the trial court erred in denying Defendant's request for an instruction on self-defense, (2) whether the trial court erred in denying Defendant's request for an instruction on the lesser-included offense of simple assault and (3) whether the trial court correctly sentenced the defendant. After a review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court as modified herein.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Roy B. Morgan, Jr.
Madison County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/13/00
State vs. Joshua Dailey

E1999-01342-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant, Joshua Dailey, pled guilty to two counts of the Class E felony offense of violation of the Habitual Motor Vehicle Offender Act. The trial court sentenced Defendant to two years for each conviction, to be served consecutively. Furthermore, the trial court ordered the first sentence to be served in split confinement, with 300 days incarceration in the county jail followed by placement in Community Corrections. The Defendant appeals, challenging the length of the total effective sentence and arguing that he should serve the entire sentence in Community Corrections. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.
Blount County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/13/00
State vs. Ronnie Bradfield

W1999-02344-CCA-R3-PC
Petitioner, Ronnie Bradfield, was convicted by a jury in the Shelby County Criminal Court of three counts of attempt to commit second degree murder, which this Court affirmed on direct appeal. Petitioner subsequently filed a pro se petition together with an amended and supplemental petition for post-conviction relief alleging, primarily, ineffective assistance of counsel. The post-conviction judge denied relief following an evidentiary hearing which took place over numerous days. Petitioner now appeals the judgment of the post-conviction court denying his petition. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:James C. Beasley, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/13/00
State vs. Billy Thompson

W1999-01001-CCA-R3-CD
In 1995, Billy Thompson, a Mississippi resident, was convicted in Shelby County of driving under the influence, resulting in suspension of his driving privileges in this state for one year. Fifteen months later, Thompson was again charged and convicted of driving under the influence, sixth offense, reckless driving and driving while revoked, being the instant offenses before this court. On the date of the latter offenses, Thompson possessed a valid Mississippi driver's license, however, he had not complied with the statutory requirements for reinstatement of his driving privileges in this state. Thompson appeals his convictions contending the trial court erred (1) by failing to sever the charge of driving while license revoked from the remaining counts and (2) by failing to grant his motion for judgment of acquittal as to the charge of driving while license revoked. We conclude that all charges were properly joined pursuant to Tenn. R. Crim. P. 8(a). Moreover, we hold that a nonresident motorist, although possessing a valid out-of-state license, may not operate a motor vehicle in this state following this state's revocation of his driving privileges until the motorist complies with Tennessee's reinstatement procedures. Because we find the proof sufficient to support the challenged conviction, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:James C. Beasley, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. Joe C. Anderson a/k/a Uncle Tom

E1999-02485-CCA-R3-CD
Raising issues of sufficiency of the evidence and improper sentencing, Joe C. Anderson appeals from his conviction of second degree murder in the Loudon County Criminal Court. Because we discern no error requiring reversal, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:E. Eugene Eblen
Loudon County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
William Collins vs. State

E1999-02759-CCA-R3-PC
Because the trial court properly treated a habeas corpus petition as one for post-conviction relief and because the statute of limitations barred any review of constitutional issues, the petition was properly dismissed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:Lynn W. Brown
Washington County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. Darron Lenon

W1999-01951-CCA-R3-CD
In this case the Defendant, Darron Lenon, was found guilty of unlawful delivery of a Schedule II controlled substance, a Class B felony, following a jury trial. The trial court imposed a maximum Range I sentence of twelve years. In this appeal, the Defendant, in three issues, argues that the trial court erroneously applied an enhancement factor; failed to apply a mitigating factor; and failed to follow the mandates of the Tennessee Criminal Sentencing Reform Act of 1989. The Defendant asks this court to reverse the trial court and impose the minimum sentence of eight years. We decline to do so, and therefore affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Dick Jerman, Jr.
Gibson County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. Shannon Corley

E2000-00382-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant seeks full probation after pleading guilty to aggravated burglary and theft. She claims the trial court erred in requiring her to be incarcerated for ninety days of her four-year sentence. We affirm the sentence as imposed.
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.
Blount County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. Michael Upshaw

W1999-00777-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:James C. Beasley, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. Jenniefer Oakley

W1999-00850-CCA-R3-CD
Jennifer E. Oakley entered guilty pleas to three counts of misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. The manner of service, including the request for judicial diversion, was submitted to the trial court. The trial court denied a grant of judicial diversion based upon the circumstances of the offenses and the inherent dangerous effect of drugs to our communities. After review, we conclude that the record supports the trial court's denial of diversion. The judgment, accordingly, is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Bernie Weinman
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
Jimmy Lee Pierce v. State of Tennessee

W2000-00630-CCA-R3-CD

Originating Judge:Jon Kerry Blackwood
Fayette County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. Julius Parker

W1999-01327-CCA-R3-PC
Because the petitioner, Julius Parker, who was convicted of aggravated robbery and felony murder, received the effective assistance of counsel at trial, he is not entitled to post-conviction relief.
Authoring Judge: Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:Joseph B. Brown
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. Dereke Fitzgerald

W2000-01279-CCA-R3-CD
The appellant, Dereke Emont Fitzgerald, was convicted by a jury of aggravated assault and was sentenced to six years incarceration in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the appellant raises one issue: Whether the trial court erred in refusing to instruct the jury on the issue of self-defense. Finding no error, we affirm the judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Julian P. Guinn
Henry County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. Michael Addison

W1999-00432-CCA-R3-PC
Because the evidence does not preponderate against the trial court's determination that the petitioner received the effective assistance of counsel at trial and on direct appeal, the order denying post-conviction relief is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:Bernie Weinman
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. Michael Upshaw

W1999-00777-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:James C. Beasley, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. Mark Williams

W1999-01456-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Mark Williams, was indicted for attempted first degree murder. After being convicted for attempted second degree murder, he was sentenced, as a Range I offender, to 12 years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. In this appeal of right, the defendant contends that because the indictment did not allege an overt act, the conviction is void. He further asserts that the jury charge on attempted second degree murder was erroneous in that it did not require the jury to find that he intended to kill the victim. The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:Chris B. Craft
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00