
Here is today's issue of TBALink Opinion-Flash. What follows is the document name, first paragraph and the names of the attorneys for the parties (If you know one of them you might want to give them a call, chances are they don't know about the opinion yet) of each electronic opinion/rules released TODAY from the three appellate courts.
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- 10-New Opinions From TCCA
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STANLEY ADAMS vs. STATE OF TENNESSEE Court:TCCA Attorneys: FOR THE APPELLANT: FOR THE APPELLEE: Roseanne Ballin Charles W. Burson Attorney at Law Attorney General & Reporter 4515 Poplar Avenue, Suite 527 Memphis, TN 38117-7584 Clinton J. Morgan Counsel for the State 450 James Robertson Parkway Nashville, TN 37243-0493 William L. Gibbons District Attorney General(Present) John W. Pierotti District Attorney General (Former) Rhea Clift Asst. Dist. Attorney General 201 Poplar Avenue, Third Floor Memphis, TN 38103 Judge: SUMMERS First Paragraph: The appellant, Stanley Adams, was indicted for first degree murder and especially aggravated robbery. The state sought the death penalty. Pursuant to a negotiated plea, however, the appellant pled guilty to second degree murder and aggravated robbery. He was sentenced to 45 years for second degree murder and 15 years for aggravated robbery. The sentences were ordered to be served concurrently. AFFIRMED. URL:http://www.tba.org/tba_files/TCCA/ADAMSS_OPN.WP6HOWARD FRANKLIN vs. STATE OF TENNESSEE Court:TCCA Attorneys: FOR THE APPELLANT: FOR THE APPELLEE: Melanie E. Taylor Charles W. Burson Attorney at Law Attorney General & Reporter 50 Front St N, Suite 1150 500 Charlotte Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 Nashville, TN 37243-0497 Clinton J. Morgan Assistant Attorney General 450 James Robertson Parkway Nashville, TN 37243-0493 John W. Pierotti District Attorney General 201 Poplar Avenue, Suite 3-01 Memphis, TN 38103 Amy P. Weirich Assist District Attorney General 201 Poplar Avenue, Suite 3-01 Memphis, TN 38103 Judge: Jones First Paragraph: The appellant Howard Franklin, appeals as of right from a judgment of the trial court dismissing his suit for post-conviction relief following an evidentiary hearing. The appellant contends the trial court erroneously concluded the appellant received the effective assistance of counsel within the meaning of the United States Constitution and the Tennessee Constitution. After a thorough review of the record, the briefs submitted by the parties, and the law governing the issue presented for review, it is the opinion of this Court the judgment of the trial court should be affirmed pursuant to Rule 20, Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals. URL:http://www.tba.org/tba_files/TCCA/FRANKLNH_OPN.WP6
STATE OF TENNESSEE vs. LARRY GENE HOPSON Court:TCCA Attorneys: FOR THE APPELLANT: FOR THE APPELLEE: W. Thomas Dillard Charles W. Burson Attorney at Law Attorney General & Reporter 606 West Main Street, Suite 300 500 Charlotte Avenue Knoxville, TN 37901-1126 Nashville, TN 37243-0497 Kenneth F. Irvine, Jr. William D. Bridgers Attorney at Law Assistant Attorney General 606 West Main Street, Suite 350 450 James Robertson Parkway Knoxville, TN 37901-0084 Nashville, TN 37243-0493 Randall E. Nichols District Attorney General Pro Tempore P.O. Box 1468 Knoxville, TN 37901-1468 Andrew Jackson, VI Asst. District Attorney General Pro Tem P.O. Box 1468 Knoxville, TN 37901-1468 Judge: Jones First Paragraph: This Court granted the appellant's application for permission to appeal to decide whether the Double Jeopardy Clause contained in the United States Constitution and the Tennessee Constitution bars a criminal prosecution when a law enforcement officer has seized the property of an accused (a) used in the commission of the crime or (b) constituted the fruits of the crime. After a thorough review of the record, the excellent briefs submitted by the parties, and the authorities which govern this issue, it is the opinion of this Court the judgment of the trial court should be affirmed in part and reversed in part. The judgment is affirmed to the extent the trial court denied the motion to dismiss several counts of the indictment. The judgment is reversed to the extent the trial court granted the motion as to one count of the indictment. URL:http://www.tba.org/tba_files/TCCA/HOPSONLG_OPN.WP6
DERRICK JOHNSON vs. STATE OF TENNESSEE Court:TCCA Attorneys: FOR THE APPELLANT: FOR THE APPELLEE: Daniel L. Flatt Charles W. Burson Assistant Public Defender Attorney General & Reporter 201 Poplar Avenue, Suite 2-01 500 Charlotte Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 Nashville, TN 37243-0497 (Appeal Only) Ellen H. Pollack Donna J. Armstard Assistant Attorney General Assistant Public Defender 450 James Robertson Parkway 201 Poplar Avenue, Suite 2-01 Nashville, TN 37243-0493 Memphis, TN 38103 (Trial Only) John W. Pierotti District Attorney General OF COUNSEL: 201 Poplar Avenue, Suite 3-01 Memphis, TN 38103 A C Wharton, Jr. Shelby County Public Defender Reginald Henderson 201 Poplar Avenue, Suite 2-01 Assist District Attorney General Memphis, TN 38103 201 Poplar Avenue, Suite 3-01 Memphis, TN 38103 Judge: Jones First Paragraph: The sole issue presented for review is whether the appellant is entitled to have the judgment of this Court vacated and reinstated to permit the filing of an application for permission to appeal in the supreme court. The trial court found counsel did not file an application for permission to appeal, and counsel failed to advise the appellant he was not going to file an application for permission to appeal on his behalf. The State of Tennessee confesses error. The state agrees this Court should vacate its judgment and reinstate it so the appellant can file an application for permission to appeal. URL:http://www.tba.org/tba_files/TCCA/JOHNSON1_OPN.WP6
STATE OF TENNESSEE vs. TRAVIS LOVE and JAMES LEE Court:TCCA Attorneys: For Appellant Love: For the Appellee: William A. Zierer Charles W. Burson 124 W. Main Street Attorney General of Tennessee P.O. Box 1276 and Morristown, TN 37816 Sharon S. Selby Assist Attorney General of Tenn For Appellant Lee: 450 James Robertson Parkway Nashville, TN 37243-0493 William H. Bell 114 S. Main Street C. Berkeley Bell, Jr. Greeneville, TN 37743 District Attorney General and Anthony E. Hagan Assist District Attorney General 113 West Church Street Greeneville, TN 37743 Judge: Tipton First Paragraph: The defendants, Travis Love and James Lee, were convicted upon guilty pleas in the Greene County Criminal Court of the offenses of possession with the intent to sell more than one-half gram of cocaine, a Class B felony, and simple possession of marijuana, a Class A misdemeanor. Lee also pled guilty and was convicted of possessing less than one-half gram of cocaine with the intent to sell or deliver it, a Class C felony. Each of the defendants received an eight-year sentence for the Class B cocaine conviction and a sentence of eleven months and twenty-nine days for the marijuana conviction. In addition, Lee received a four-year sentence for possessing less than one-half a gram of cocaine. All sentences are to be served concurrently. The defendants appeal as of right upon a certified question of law that is dispositive of this case. AFFIRMED. URL:http://www.tba.org/tba_files/TCCA/LOVET_OPN.WP6
STATE OF TENNESSEE vs. JONATHAN MOORE Court:TCCA Attorneys: FOR THE APPELLANT: FOR THE APPELLEE: Charles M. Corn Charles W. Burson District Public Defender Attorney General & Reporter P.O. Box 1453 500 Charlotte Avenue Cleveland, TN 37364-1453 Nashville, TN 37243-0497 Caroline R. Krivacka Assistant Attorney General 450 James Robertson Parkway Nashville, TN 37243-0488 Jerry N. Estes District Attorney General 203 East Madison Avenue Athens, TN 37371 Stephen D. Ward Assist District Attorney General 300 Tellico Street Madisonville, TN 37354-0793 Amy F. Armstrong Assist District Attorney General 203 East Madison Avenue Athens, TN 37371 Judge: Jones First Paragraph: The appellant, Jonathan Moore, was convicted of aggravated assault, a Class C felony, and coercion of a witness, a Class D felony, by a jury of his peers. The trial court found the appellant was a standard offender and imposed the following Range I sentences: (a) a fine of $5,000 and confinement for three (3) years in the Department of Correction, and (b) a fine of $3,000 and confinement for two (2) years in the Department of Correction. The sentences are to be served concurrently, but consecutively to an eight-year sentence for the possession of cocaine with intent to sell. After a thorough review of the record, the briefs submitted by the parties, and the authorities which govern the issues, it is the opinion of this Court the conviction for coercion of a witness should be affirmed, but the conviction for aggravated assault should be reversed and the prosecution against the appellant dismissed for the reasons set forth in this opinion. URL:http://www.tba.org/tba_files/TCCA/MOOREJ_OPN.WP6
BENJAMIN MOSS vs. STATE OF TENNESSEE Court:TCCA Attorneys: FOR THE APPELLANT: FOR THE APPELLEE: W. Mark Ward Charles W. Burson Assistant Public Defender Attorney General & Reporter 147 Jefferson Avenue, Suite 900 500 Charlotte Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 Nashville, TN 38103 (Appeal Only) Clinton J. Morgan Sherry Brooks Counsel for the State Assistant Public Defender 450 James Robertson Parkway 201 Poplar Avenue, Suite 2-01 Nashville, TN 37243-0493 Memphis, TN 38103 (Trial Only) John W. Pierotti District Attorney General OF COUNSEL: 201 Poplar Avenue, Third Floor Memphis, TN 38103 A C Wharton, Jr. Shelby County Public Defender Karen Cook 201 Poplar Avenue, Suite 201 Assist District Attorney General Memphis, TN 38103 201 Poplar Avenue, Third Floor Memphis, TN 38103 Judge: Jones First Paragraph: The appellant, Benjamin Moss, appeals as of right from the dismissal of his suit for post-conviction relief. He contends counsel terminated his right to file an application in the Supreme Court pursuant to Rule 11, Tennessee Rules of Appellate Procedure. The State of Tennessee confesses error. The state says in its brief: "Appellant is entitled to have the judgment entered on November 2, 1994, vacated and immediately reinstated in order to allow him to file with the Tennessee Supreme Court an application for permission to appeal." The record supports the state's position. REVERSED; JUDGMENT VACATED AND REINSTATED. URL:http://www.tba.org/tba_files/TCCA/MOSSBEN_OPN.WP6
STATE OF TENNESSEE vs. RANDIE W. STECKLEY Court:TCCA Attorneys: FOR THE APPELLANT: FOR THE APPELLEE: ALAN R. FELTES CHARLES W. BURSON Attorney for Appellant Attorney General & Reporter 159 West Main Street, Suite 1 Sevierville, TN 37862 SANDY R. COPOUS Assistant Attorney General 450 James Robertson Parkway Nashville, TN 37243-0493 AL SCHMUTZER, JR. District Attorney General STEVEN E. HAWKINS Assist District Attorney General Sevier County Courthouse 125 Court Avenue, Suite 301 Sevierville, TN 37862 Judge: WOODALL First Paragraph: The Appellant, Randie W. Steckley, appeals pursuant to Rule 3 of the Tennessee Rules of Appellate Procedure. The Appellant was indicted for one count of aggravated rape, one count of aggravated sexual battery and one count of aggravated burglary. The Appellant negotiated a guilty plea, and pled guilty to rape and aggravated burglary. As part of his guilty plea, the trial court was to decide the length of sentence between eight (8) and twelve (12) years, and the manner of service of sentence. He was sentenced by the Sevier County Criminal Court to eleven years on the rape and five years on the aggravated burglary to be run concurrently as a Range I Standard Offender. The Appellant appeals his eleven year sentence on the rape. AFFIRMED. URL:http://www.tba.org/tba_files/TCCA/STECKLEY_OPN.WP6
STATE OF TENNESSEE vs. PRINCE JAMEEL R. TARIQ Court:TCCA Attorneys: FOR THE APPELLANT: FOR THE APPELLEE: PRINCE TARIQ CHARLES W. BURSON Pro Se Attorney General and Reporter TIMOTHY F. BEHAN Assistant Attorney General 450 James Robertson Parkway Nashville, TN 37243-0493 Judge: WELLES First Paragraph: The Petitioner appeals as of right pursuant to Rule 3 of the Tennessee Rules of Appellate Procedure from the trial court's denial of his petition for post conviction relief. On July 25, 1995, the Petitioner pleaded guilty to aggravated kidnapping and received a ten year sentence. He filed a pro se petition for post-conviction relief on November 30, 1995. In his petition for post-conviction relief, the Petitioner argues that he was denied due process of law because the attorney who represented him at his preliminary hearing had a conflict of interest and that he was denied effective assistance of counsel at his guilty plea proceeding. On December 21, 1995, the trial court denied the petition without conducting an evidentiary hearing, finding that the Petitioner had waived consideration of the issues. AFFIRMED. URL:http://www.tba.org/tba_files/TCCA/TARIQ_OPN.WP6
STATE OF TENNESSEE vs. BOBBY TEASTER Court:TCCA Attorneys: FOR THE APPELLANT: FOR THE APPELLEE: EDWARD CANTRELL MILLER CHARLES W. BURSON District Public Defender Attorney General & Reporter SUSANNA LAWS THOMAS ELIZABETH T. RYAN Assistant Public Defender Assistant Attorney General Fourth Judicial District 450 James Robertson Parkway 102 Mims Avenue Nashville, TN 37243-0493 Newport, TN 37821-3614 AL SCHMUTZER, JR. District Attorney General G. SCOTT GREEN Assist District Attorney General Sevier County Courthouse 125 Court Avenue, Suite 301 Sevierville, TN 37862 Judge: WOODALL First Paragraph: The Appellant, Bobby Teaster, appeals as of right pursuant to Rule 3 of the Tennessee Rules of Appellate Procedure. He was convicted by a jury of bribery and subornation of perjury in the Sevier County Criminal Court. Teaster was assessed a fine of $10,000.00 for the bribery and $2,500.00 for the subornation of perjury. He was also sentenced to consecutive sentences of ten years for the bribery conviction and eleven months and twenty-nine days for the subornation of perjury conviction. AFFIRMED. URL:http://www.tba.org/tba_files/TCCA/TEASTER_OPN.WP6

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