APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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State of Tennessee v. Johnny Leach

03C01-9810-CR-00373

The defendant, Johnny Leach, appeals the order of the Criminal Court of Campbell County denying his request to withdraw his guilty plea to two counts of aggravated sexual battery. On July 2, 1998, the defendant entered his plea and received two ten-year sentences to be served concurrently. Because the defendant’s plea became final on the date of entry of the plea pursuant to the plea agreement, we conclude that his motion to withdraw was untimely.  Accordingly, we AFFIRM the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge W. Lee Asbury
Campbell County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/05/99
State of Tennessee vs. Jason Burns

01C01-9809-CC-00371

A jury found the defendant guilty of aggravated child abuse and neglect, and he received an eighteen year sentence in the Tennessee Department of Correction. He now appeals, raising the following issues:

I. Whether the convicting evidence is sufficient;
II. Whether the trial court erred in admitting testimony from a Department of Child Services investigator that the victim cried at the mention of the defendant’s name;
III. Whether the trial court erred in failing to suppress his statements to the police on the basis his mental incompetence prevented a knowing and voluntary waiver of his Miranda rights; and
IV. Whether the trial court erred in not allowing educators to testify about the defendant’s mental abilities unless the defendant first testified.

Finding no merit to the defendant’s arguments, we affirm his conviction.

Authoring Judge: Judge John H. Peay
Originating Judge:Judge Donald P. Harris
Williamson County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/05/99
Jacques Bennett vs. State of Tennessee

03C01-9809-CR-00338

The petitioner, Jacques B. Bennett, appeals the summary dismissal of his “Motion to Vacate/Set Aside Judgment/Plea: and, to Declare Said Judgment/Plea Void” by the Hamilton County Criminal Court on January 9, 1998. Following a thorough review of the record, we conclude that this is an appropriate case for affirmance pursuant to Ct. of Crim. App. Rule 20.

Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Douglas A. Meyer
Hamilton County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/05/99
Charles Gaylor vs. State

03C01-9702-CR-00066

Originating Judge:James W Itt
Campbell County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/30/99
01C01-9806-CR-00265

01C01-9806-CR-00265

Originating Judge:Jane W. Wheatcraft
Sumner County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/30/99
State vs. Jackie Dean Mayes, Jr.

01C01-9812-CC-00494
Williamson County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/30/99
State vs. James Gilbert

03C01-9808-CC-00303

Originating Judge:Rex Henry Ogle
Jefferson County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/29/99
State vs. Harold Dufour

03C01-9902-CR-00063

Originating Judge:James Curwood Witt
Washington County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/29/99
State vs. Dennis Wade Suttles

03C01-9801-CR-00036
Knox County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/29/99
State vs. Teresa Everett

E1999-02647-CCA-R3-CD
Following a trial on September 28, 1998, a Loudon County jury convicted Teresa Everett, the defendant and appellant, of attempt to commit second-degree murder. The trial court subsequently sentenced her to serve fifteen (15) years in the Tennessee Department of Corrections. The defendant presents the following issues on appeal (1) Whether the evidence was sufficient to convict her; (2)Whether the trial court erred by allowing improper impeachment; (3) Whether the trial court erred by allowing a lay-witness to testify to his opinion; (4) Whether the trial court erred by allowing the state to introduce character evidence; (5) Whether the state's closing arguments were improper; and (6) Whether the defendant should be granted a new trial based on newly discovered evidence. Although the evidence is sufficient to support the verdict, we find the cumulative effect of all the remaining errors deprived the defendant of a fair trial. Accordingly, we reverse the judgment of the trial court and remand the case for a new trial.
Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry Smith
Originating Judge:E. Eugene Eblen
Loudon County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/29/99
State vs. Glen Porter

03C01-9808-CR-00294
McMinn County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/29/99
Rocky Hipps vs. State

03C01-9807-CC-00237

Originating Judge:D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.
Blount County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/28/99
State vs. James David Shropshire

E1998-00872-CCA-R3-CD
In March 1996, James David Shropshire, the defendant and appellant, was convicted in the Knox County Criminal Court of aggravated sexual battery and simple assault. Following the jury's verdict, the trial court dismissed the simple assault charge. On appeal, the defendant challenges his conviction for aggravated sexual battery. He raises the following issues: (1) whether the evidence was sufficient to support the conviction; (2) whether a variance between the bill of particulars and the proof adduced at trial was fatal; (3) whether the defendant's conviction violated the double jeopardy clauses of the United States and Tennessee Constitutions; (4) whether the state made improper closing arguments; and (5) whether the trial court erred in allowing the state to introduce evidence that the defendant had committed prior bad acts. Because the jury heard evidence that the defendant committed a crime other than that for which he was on trial, which was the subject of an acquittal, the judgment of the trial court is reversed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry Smith
Originating Judge:Richard R. Baumgartner
Knox County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/28/99
State vs. Timothy V. Bowling

03C01-9805-CR-00167

Originating Judge:Lynn W. Brown
Washington County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/28/99
Alfonzo T. Peck vs. State

03C01-9809-CR-00329

Originating Judge:Douglas A. Meyer
Hamilton County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/28/99
State vs. James Cannon

03C01-9808-CR-00272

Originating Judge:Stephen M. Bevil
Hamilton County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/27/99
State vs. Cedron Orgain

01C01-9808-CC-00334

Originating Judge:Robert W. Wedemeyer
Montgomery County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/27/99
State vs. James Oakley

03C01-9808-CR-00297
Knox County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/27/99
State vs. Bruce Edward Rochefort

01C01-9902-CR-00029
DeKalb County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/27/99
State vs. Fred W. Kincaid, Jr.

03C01-9707-CR-00306

Originating Judge:D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.
Blount County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/27/99
Thomas Eugene Graham vs. State

03C01-9809-CR-00337
Hamilton County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/27/99
State vs. Blane Scott Holder

03C01-9812-CC-00439
Jefferson County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/27/99
Willie Lee Benford vs State

01C01-9905-CR-00157
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/27/99
State vs. Michael O. Brown

01C01-9711-CC-00518

Originating Judge:W. Charles Lee
Lincoln County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/24/99
State vs. John David Neblett

01C01-9805-CC-00231
Montgomery County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/24/99