ÿWPC< ßx¦ ¶c³ñhBUd ¼Ìc?híÖðߪLùsÓœûäð8Âî\d‰`N‹/xÿÒ$ÖôKúm%8ŽÄÄÊEMáV‡Ù-ûÒvÉšóFQá –}ÕÜAP6ëÅØuòóÓNE¢5Ã-¶ôÈqF•fXY¿ºä€~Ú'‰éxDÖ™œú¾Iþ´­”u땜ڦã!£Ïy—Û»@PÞT•óÇÛÕÑ7+xmhèL»;SÐSÚ“„1JÿÍz³»®è.ƒ&<‡säQ§êaÒ\©ÑYqíŽbÇcAÆõÙPI¢$©^]¯ËNHÀ†•/ -ìso8 ¥½$rþ¥ë%P„9ë×i[Íû¹x :e‹.iœôn;¹\ÕÿHý5öAÀ€¹‘ßmò8RNÐ>É'¼·TôÕ‡šù]vu©)H°ª¡\à”%{¨O-i, ë2“ˆ[3véëèduëcCÁ‡&xQ¼îtYäWî?gœžYˆ©ý("‹ û›œ£µ¡Þ_¢ú!Š­r}¥ÙñÈœÛy)4óÖ˜–Ä„<Æ82Ò—£­E)7è ‹/Ô.ÀR@fpÇ¡p¹[UH«ë2A ÚÓf‡e'7#ˆI–zˆãx èbc¯•¨lKOe)½Þa¼åá™2b#Á\ % ^ # 0ˆ/ UN· w 4 z Ò— i x mz UN‘ Æß Æ¥ Æk Æ16÷N---E////////////////////////b111111111111111111111111111111111111 0ë9999 B$$ 0¤A D3å D- 0KEE ASÆã 0¤© 0DM A«‘˜HP LaserJet 4 Plus,ð,,,,,ð0»T¡-s (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular¦[ƒ-01s02 ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt3|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 WeakleyAcree COA P.J. W.S.HighersWinstead i]fGearinP]laintiffSanjinesOrtwein CrimStrickland S.CtrehgTrant- ù-(|G2ó$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€«l»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôÅôò»»Ô d(|3$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€«l»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€«l»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€«l»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼«l»»»ÔÑ8€¨kXXdð»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡îãO«lÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@õõ%ìàAT€JACKSONÔ#†¼«l»îîãO #ԈРÜ, ÐÓ  ÓAssigned€On€Brief€August€28,€2002€Ð X ÐÔ‡X¨kX»¼«lÔÌò òÔ#†¼«l»XX¨ký#ÔROBERT€JESSIE€BURTON,€SR.€òòóó€v.€KENT€F.€GEARINòòóóÔ‡X¨kX»¼«lÔó óÐ  ` ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òDirect€Appeal€from€the€Circuit€Court€for€Weakley€CountyÐ  h Ðà@@øøìàNo.€3577€€€€€€William€B.€Acree,€Jr.,€JudgeÐ  X ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<×` AßÐ Ø(  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€W2002„00537„COA„R3„CV€„€Filed€December€16,€Ô_Ô2002Ô_ÔÐ ×'  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<¶` AßÐ ·  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓÔ‡ X +XXX¨kÔThe€plaintiff,€a€prisoner,€sued€the€defendant€who€had€been€appointed€to€represent€the€plaintiff€in€hisÐ ¶ Ðpetition€for€post„conviction€relief.€€The€prisoner,€proceeding€òòò òpro€seóóó ó,€filed€a€motion€asking€the€trialÐ ¢ò Ðcourt€to€hold€this€matter€in€abeyance€until€his€release€from€prison.€€The€motion€was€denied.€€TheÐ ŽÞ Ðdefendant€filed€a€motion€for€summary€judgment€supported€by€an€un„refuted€affidavit€which€wasÐ zÊ Ðgranted.€€The€prisoner€appealed€the€trial€courtððs€denial€of€the€motion€for€abeyance€and€we€affirm.Ð f¶ ÐÔ#†X¨kXX X +±#ÔÔ#†¼«l»XX¨k{#ÔÔ‡X¨kX»¼«lÔÌÓ¥Óò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Circuit€Court€Affirmed;€andÐ B’ ÐRemandedó óÐ 2‚ ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼«l»àX¨ky#ÔÔ‡X¨kX.¼«lÔDavid€R.€Farmer,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòW.€Frank€Crawford,€P.J.,€W.S.,óóÐ b Ðand€òòAlan€E.€Highers,€J.óó,€joined.Ð R ÐÌRobert€Jessie€Burton,€Sr.,€òòò òPro€Seóóó ó.Ð â2 ÐÌJames€F.€Horner,€Memphis,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellee,€Kent€F.€Gearin.Ð Â ÐÓ7ÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼«l»XX¨kf#ÔÔ‡X¨kX»¼«lÔÐ ¢!ò  ÐÔ#†¼«l»XX¨k #ÔÓ  ÓÔ€X¨kX»¼«lÔÔ‡ X +XXX¨kÔÌà  àThe€background€of€this€case€is€set€forth€in€the€opinion€entered€when€this€matter€was€beforeÐ ~#Î" Ðthis€Court€previously€in€òòò òBurton€v.€Gearinóóó ó,€No.€W1999„01022„COA„R3„CV,€2000€WL€1839129,Ð j$º# Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Nov.€29,€2000).€€There€the€Court€said:Ð V%¦ $ ÐÌà8  àà ` àThe€Appellee€[Kent€F.€Gearin]€was€appointed€by€the€Circuit€Court€ofÐ .'~"& ÐWeakley€County€to€represent€the€Appellant€[Robert€J.€Burton]€in€his€petition€for€postÐ (j#' Ðconviction€relief.€€The€circuit€court€denied€the€Appellantððs€petition,€and€theÐ )V$( ÐTennessee€Court€of€Criminal€Appeals€affirmed.€€The€Appellant€filed€a€complaint€forÐ ò)B%) Ðlegal€malpractice€against€the€Appellee.€€The€Appellant€also€filed€a€motion€to€hold€theÐ Þ*.&* Ðmatter€in€abeyance€until€he€was€released€from€prison.€€The€trial€court€failed€to€ruleÐ Ê+'+ Ðon€the€motion€for€abeyance.€€The€trial€court€entered€summary€judgment€in€favor€ofÐ ¶,(, Ðthe€Appellee.Ð#¢-ò(-Ð Ð ý: #Їà8  àà ` àThe€Appellant€appeals€the€trial€courtððs€grant€of€summary€judgment€in€favorÐ ° Ðof€the€Appellee€and€the€trial€courtððs€failure€to€rule€on€the€motion€for€abeyance.€€ForÐ œì Ðthe€reasons€stated€herein,€we€reverse€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court€and€remand€thisÐ ˆØ Ðcase€for€further€proceedings€consistent€with€this€opinion.€Ô#†X¨kXX X +¡ #ÔÐtÄÐ Ð  Ðò òó óòòóóÌÔ‡ X +XXX¨kÔà@ìàò òI.€€Facts€and€Procedural€Historyó óˆÐ P   ÐÌà8  àà ` àThe€Appellant,€Robert€J.€Burton€(ð ðMr.€Burtonðð),€was€convicted€by€the€CircuitÐ ( x ÐCourt€of€Weakley€County€of€one€count€of€rape€and€one€count€of€incest€involving€Mr.Ð  d ÐBurtonððs€thirteen€year€old€daughter.€€€Mr.€Burton€was€represented€by€counsel€of€hisÐ  P  Ðown€choosing€during€the€criminal€trial.€€Trial€counsel€appealed€Mr.€BurtonððsÐ ì <  Ðconviction€to€the€Tennessee€Court€of€Criminal€Appeals€which€affirmed€theÐ Ø(  Ðconviction.€€The€Tennessee€Supreme€Court€denied€review€of€the€decision.€ÐÄ Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àMr.€Burton€filed€a€petition€for€post„conviction€relief€in€the€Circuit€Court€ofÐ œì  ÐWeakley€County,€alleging€ineffective€assistance€of€counsel€resulting€in€his€criminalÐ ˆØ  Ðconviction.€€The€Appellee,€Kent€F.€Gearin€(ð ðMr.€Gearinðð),€was€appointed€by€the€courtÐ tÄ Ðto€represent€Mr.€Burton€in€the€post„conviction€relief€proceeding.€€€The€circuit€courtÐ `° Ðdenied€Mr.€Burtonððs€petition€for€post„conviction€relief.€€Mr.€Gearin€appealed€to€theÐ Lœ ÐTennessee€Court€of€Criminal€Appeals.€€The€court€of€criminal€appeals€affirmed€theÐ 8ˆ Ðtrial€courtððs€decision.€Ð$tÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àOn€April€6,€1999,€Mr.€Burton,€acting€pro€se,€brought€an€action€for€legalÐ üL Ðmalpractice,€claiming€that€Mr.€Gearin€failed€to€render€effective€assistance€of€counselÐ è8 Ðin€the€post„conviction€relief€proceeding.€€Mr.€Burton€also€filed€a€motion€to€hold€theÐ Ô$ Ðmatter€in€abeyance€until€he€was€released€from€prison.€€€On€June€25,€1999,€Mr.€GearinÐ À Ðfiled€a€motion€for€summary€judgment€seeking€dismissal€of€Mr.€Burtonððs€case€on€twoÐ ¬ü Ðgrounds:€(1)€Mr.€Burton€failed€to€present€any€expert€testimony€establishing€that€Mr.Ð ˜è ÐGearin€deviated€from€the€applicable€standard€of€professional€care€in€hisÐ „Ô Ðrepresentation€of€Mr.€Burton;€and€(2)€Mr.€Burton€failed€to€obtain€post„convictionÐ pÀ Ðrelief€prior€to€the€institution€of€his€legal€malpractice€action.€€As€support€for€theÐ \ ¬ Ðmotion,€Mr.€Gearin€submitted€his€own€affidavit€in€which€he€stated€the€factsÐ H!˜ Ðconcerning€his€representation€of€Mr.€Burton€and€his€expert€opinion€that€he€did€notÐ 4"„  Ðdeviate€from€the€applicable€standard€of€care.€€€On€August€9,€1999,€the€trial€courtÐ  #p! Ðgranted€Mr.€Gearinððs€motion€for€summary€judgment,€finding€that€Mr.€Burton€failedÐ  $\" Ðto€meet€his€burden€of€establishing€the€necessary€elements€of€his€claim.€€€The€trialÐ ø$H # Ðcourt€failed€to€rule€on€Mr.€Burtonððs€motion€for€abeyance.€€Ðä%4!$Ð Ð  ÐÌÌÌòòò òIdóóó ó.€at€*1.Ð ”)ä$( Ðâ âÐ €*Ð%) Ðà  àRelying€upon€a€recent€decision€of€the€Tennessee€Supreme€Court,€òòò òLogan€v.€Winsteadóóó ó,€23Ð ° Ðâ âS.W.3d€297€(Tenn.€2000),€this€Court€held€that,€because€the€trial€court€failed€to€rule€on€Mr.€BurtonððsÐ œì Ðmotion€for€abeyance,€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court€granting€summary€judgment€was€reversed€andÐ ˆØ Ðthe€cause€remanded€to€the€trial€court€to€consider,€pursuant€to€the€guidelines€set€forth€in€òòò òLogan€v.Ð tÄ ÐWinsteadóóó ó,€whether€Mr.€Burtonððs€request€for€an€abeyance€should€be€granted.€€This€Court€went€on€toÐ `° Ðsay€that€ð ð[i]f,€in€its€discretion,€the€trial€court€determines€that€an€abeyance€is€not€appropriate,€the€trialÐ L œ Ðcourt€may€deny€Mr.€Burtonððs€request€for€an€abeyance€and€rule€upon€Mr.€Gearinððs€motion€forÐ 8 ˆ Ðsummary€judgment.ðð€€òòò òIdóóó ó.€at€*2.Ð $ t ÐÌà  àThe€sole€issue€as€presented€by€the€appellant€is€whether€the€trial€court€abused€its€discretionÐ ü L  Ðin€denying€the€request€of€the€appellant,€Robert€J.€Burton,€to€hold€this€matter€in€abeyance.Ð è 8  ÐMr.€Burtonððs€motion€to€hold€in€abeyance€states€as€follows:Ð Ô$  ÐÌà8  àà ` àComes€the€Plaintiff,€Robert€Burton,€Sr.,€and€would€move€this€Court€to€holdÐ ¬ü  Ðthe€above€matter€in€abeyance€until€such€time€the€Plaintiff€is€released€from€prison.€Ð ˜è  ÐFor€cause,€Petitioner€would€state€as€follows:Ð„Ô Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  à1.€€He€cannot€obtain€counsel€while€incarcerated.€€This€Court€should€be€aware€that€fewÐ \¬ Ðattorneys€will€prosecute€any€matter€against€another€attorney.ÐH˜Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  à2.€€The€Defendant€will€not€be€harmed€by€holding€this€matter€on€the€docket€for€futureÐ  p Ðhearing.Ð \Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  à3.€€The€Plaintiff€will,€of€course,€abide€by€any€ruling€of€this€Court;€but,€would€ask€thatÐ ä4 Ðthe€matter€be€held€in€abeyance€after€the€service€of€the€Complaint/Summons,€and€afterÐ Ð  Ðthe€pleadings€are€complete.à8hÐ Ð àм hphp ÐÌà  àUpon€remand,€Mr.€Burton€filed€another€motion€for€abeyance.€€The€trial€court€caused€an€orderÐ ”ä Ðto€be€filed€on€February€1,€2002,€denying€the€motion.€€The€trial€courtððs€order€states€as€follows:Ð €Ð ÐÌà8  àà ` àUpon€remand€from€the€Tennessee€Court€of€Appeals€Western€Section€atÐ X ¨ ÐJackson,€Plaintiffððs€Motion€to€hold€this€matter€in€abeyance€pending€his€release€fromÐ D!” Ðincarceration€came€on€for€hearing€before€this€Court€on€January€24,€2002.€€The€Court,Ð 0"€  Ðupon€consideration€of€the€record€before€the€court,€the€factors€outlined€in€òòò òLogan€v.Ð #l! ÐWinsteadóóó ó,€23€S.W.3d€297€(Tenn.€2000)€and€finding:Ð$X"Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` à(1)€That€the€Defendant€Kent€Gearin€was€appointed€by€the€Court€prior€toÐ à%0!$ ÐSeptember,€1997€to€represent€plaintiff€in€his€post„conviction€release€proceeding;ÐÌ&"%Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` à(2)€That€the€Circuit€Court€denied€[P]laintiffððs€Petition€for€Post„ConvictionÐ ¤(ô#' ÐRelief€on€May€18,€1998;Ð)à$(Ð Ð  Ðâ âÐ |*Ì%) Ðà8  àà ` à(3)€That€said€Order€was€appealed€to€the€Tennessee€Court€of€Criminal€AppealsÐ ° Ðâ âwhich€affirmed€the€Trial€Courtððs€decision;МìÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` à(4)€That€[P]laintiffððs€case€for€alleged€legal€malpractice€arising€out€ofÐ tÄ ÐDefendantððs€representation€of€Plaintiff€in€his€post„conviction€release€proceeding€wasÐ `° Ðfiled€on€April€6,€1999;€ÐL œÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` à(5)€That€pursuant€to€the€Affidavit€of€Faye€Claud,€Manager€of€SentenceÐ $ t ÐInformation€Services€for€the€State€of€Tennessee,€filed€in€this€cause€on€December€3,Ð  ` Ð2001,€Mr.€Burtonððs€sentence€is€not€set€to€expire€until€March€4,€2003€as€of€said€date;Ðü L Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` à(6)€That€based€upon€a€release€date€of€on€or€about€March€4,€2003€this€case€isÐ Ô$  Ðnot€likely€to€be€heard€on€the€Courtððs€civil€docket€until€sometime€in€2004€or€2005€and;ÐÀ Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà0` Ð Ð à(7)€That€defendant€has€a€right€to€have€claims€against€him€timely€adjudicated;€Ð˜è ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` à.€€.€.€.€ÐpÀÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àIT€IS,€THEREFORE,€ORDERED,€ADJUDGED€AND€DECREED€that€uponÐ H˜ Ðconsideration€of€the€record€in€this€cause€and€the€factors€outlined€by€the€TennesseeÐ 4„ ÐSupreme€Court€in€òòò òLogan€v.€Winsteadóóó ó,€23€S.W.3d€297€(Tenn.€2000),€PlaintiffððsÐ  p ÐMotion€to€hold€this€matter€in€abeyance€pending€his€release€from€incarceration€isÐ  \ Ðhereby€denied.ÓÓ€€ÐøHÐ Ð  ÐÓÓà  àThe€Tennessee€Supreme€Court€recently€set€forth€thorough€guidelines€to€be€followed€by€trialÐ Ð  Ðcourts€in€deciding€a€prisonerððs€motion€for€abeyance.€€In€òòò òLogan€v.€Winsteadóóó ó,€23€S.W.3d€297€(Tenn.Ð ¼  Ð2000),€the€Court€held€as€follows:Ð ¨ø ÐÌà8  àà ` àInstead,€we€hold€that€the€decision€of€whether€or€not€to€stay€civil€proceedingsÐ €Ð Ðfor€a€prisoner€is€left€to€the€discretion€of€the€trial€court.€€Acting€on€a€case„by„caseÐ l¼ Ðbasis,€the€trial€court€must€weigh€the€competing€interests€of€the€inmateððs€ability€toÐ X ¨ Ðpresent€proof€and€the€burden€on€the€judicial€system€and€the€defendant€in€continuingÐ D!” Ðthe€action.€€In€reviewing€a€trial€courtððs€ruling€on€a€motion€for€abeyance,€appellateÐ 0"€  Ðcourts€should€employ€an€abuse€of€discretion€standard€of€review.€€òòò ò€See€Sanjines€v.Ð #l! ÐOrtweinóóó ó,€984€S.W.2d€at€909.Ð$X"Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àOne€of€the€main€factors€to€be€considered€by€the€trial€court€in€considering€aÐ à%0!$ Ðmotion€for€abeyance€is€whether€the€inmate€will€be€released€from€prison€and€able€toÐ Ì&"% Ðappear€in€court€within€a€reasonable€amount€of€time€from€the€filing€of€the€suit.€€ThisÐ ¸'#& Ðdetermination€will€unmistakably€vary€from€one€case€to€the€next.€€Besides€the€lengthÐ ¤(ô#' Ðof€the€prisonerððs€remaining€sentence,€other€countervailing€interests€should€beÐ )à$( Ðconsidered€by€the€court,€including€the€burden€on€the€court€in€maintaining€a€docket€on€Ð |*Ì%) Ðwhich€such€claims€will€remain€for€an€extended€period,€and€the€inconvenience€andÐ h+¸&* Ðimpracticability€of€litigating€a€suit€several€years€after€its€filing.€€Not€only€willÐ ° Ðprisoners€have€a€more€difficult€time€presenting€proof€if€their€cases€are€held€inÐ œì Ðabeyance,€but€defendants€have€a€right€to€have€claims€against€them€timely€adjudicated.€Ð ˆØ ÐThe€longer€a€suit€is€held€in€abeyance,€the€more€difficult€it€will€be€to€try€on€its€merits.€Ð tÄ ÐWitnesses€may€move€or€pass€away,€memories€will€fade,€and€proof€will€becomeÐ `° Ðharder€to€obtain.€€It€is€in€everyoneððs€best€interest€ð!ð€the€courtððs,€plaintiffððs,€andÐ L œ Ðdefendantððs€ð!ð€to€require€the€incarcerated€litigantððs€suit€to€proceed,€when€reasonableÐ 8 ˆ Ðunder€the€circumstances.€€However€we€hasten€to€add€that€when€a€trial€court€deniesÐ $ t Ða€prisonerððs€request€for€an€abeyance,€it€should,€within€its€discretion,€afford€theÐ  ` Ðprisoner€sufficient€time€for€filing€briefs€and€motions€and€for€conducting€discovery.€Ð ü L  ÐThis€is€especially€true€when€inmates€are€proceeding€òòò òpro€seóóó ó.€€Trial€courts€should€waiveÐ è 8  Ðthe€time€requirements€of€the€Rules€of€Civil€Procedure€and€set€reasonable€timeÐ Ô$  Ðrestrictions€in€such€instances.ÐÀ Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àMany€suits€can€be€adjudicated€on€the€pleadings.€€Motions€to€dismiss,€motionsÐ ˜è  Ðfor€summary€judgment,€and€other€such€pretrial€matters€can€be€litigated€by€an€inmateÐ „Ô  Ðin€custody.€€We€recognize,€as€Mr.€Logan€points€out,€that€a€prisoner€filing€or€rebuttingÐ pÀ Ða€motion€for€summary€judgment€supported€by€an€expert€affidavit€might€have€a€moreÐ \¬ Ðdifficult€task€in€obtaining€an€expert€affidavit€than€would€a€litigant€who€is€notÐ H˜ Ðincarcerated.€€In€such€instances€trial€courts€should€grant€additional€time€to€prisonersÐ 4„ Ðto€prepare€relevant€filings,€as€the€circumstances€of€the€case€direct.€€Nonetheless,€weÐ  p Ðare€of€the€opinion€that€an€incarcerated€litigant,€acting€òòò òpro€seóóó ó€or€having€the€benefit€ofÐ  \ Ðan€attorney,€can€prepare€and€support€pre„trial€motions.€€With€the€discretion€of€the€trialÐ øH Ðcourt€in€granting€necessary€extensions€of€time,€prisoners€should€be€able€to€proceedÐ ä4 Ðin€accordance€with€the€Rules€of€Civil€Procedure.€€ÐÐ Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àMoreover,€requiring€incarcerated€plaintiffs€to€prosecute€civil€claims€will€serveÐ ¨ø Ðto€eliminate€the€many€frivolous€actions€by€inmates€that€burden€the€court€system.€€InÐ ”ä Ðorder€to€spare€defendants,€potential€witnesses€and€the€courts€the€burden€of€havingÐ €Ð Ðprisonersðð€civil€actions€held€in€abeyance€for€years,€trial€courts€should€be€permitted€toÐ l¼ Ðdispose€of€frivolous€suits€via€pre„trial€motions.€€For€example,€if€a€plaintiffððs€legalÐ X ¨ Ðmalpractice€allegations€lack€merit,€he€or€she€would€find€it€difficult€to€obtain€an€expertÐ D!” Ðwitness€willing€to€state€in€an€affidavit€that€the€defendant€violated€the€applicableÐ 0"€  Ðstandard€of€care.€€Holding€such€a€case€in€abeyance€until€the€prisoner€has€beenÐ #l! Ðreleased€from€custody€would€be€an€exercise€in€futility€and€would€unduly€burden€theÐ $X" Ðcourt€and€the€defendant.Ðô$D #Ð Ð  ÐÌòòò òIdóóó ó.€at€302„03€(footnotes€omitted).Ð Ì&"% ÐÌà  àOur€review€of€this€record€and€the€applicable€law,€as€set€forth€in€òòò òLogan€v.€Winstead,óóó óÐ ¤(ô#' Ðconvinces€us€that€the€trial€court€acted€within€its€discretion€in€denying€the€motion€for€abeyance.€€Ð )à$( Ðâ âÐ |*Ì%) Ðà  àAs€previously€noted,€the€sole€issue€presented€by€Mr.€Burton€and€argued€in€his€brief€wasÐ ° Ðâ âwhether€the€trial€court€erred€in€denying€his€motion€for€abeyance.€€Nevertheless,€we€will€discuss€theÐ œì Ðtrial€courtððs€grant€of€summary€judgment€in€favor€of€the€defendant.€€In€support€of€his€motion€forÐ ˆØ Ðsummary€judgment,€Mr.€Gearin€filed€an€affidavit€setting€forth€his€compliance€with€the€standard€ofÐ tÄ Ðcare€for€attorneys€handling€cases€of€this€nature.€€He€notes€in€the€affidavit€that€Mr.€Burton€refused€toÐ `° Ðtake€the€stand€on€his€own€behalf€at€his€post„conviction€relief€hearing.€€This€affidavit€by€Mr.€Gearin,Ð L œ Ða€licensed€attorney€in€the€State€of€Tennessee,€was€not€rebutted.€€The€motion€was€further€supportedÐ 8 ˆ Ðby€the€opinion€of€the€Court€of€Criminal€Appeals€which€affirmed€the€order€of€the€trial€court€inÐ $ t Ðdismissing€Mr.€Burtonððs€petition€for€post„conviction€relief.€€In€that€appeal,€petitioner€argued€that€hisÐ  ` Ðtrial€counsel€was€ineffective.€€òòò òSee€Burton€v.€Stateóóó ó,€No.€02C01„9807„CC„00226,€1999€Tenn.€Crim.Ð ü L  ÐApp.€LEXIS€221€(Tenn.€Ct.€Crim.€App.€Mar.12,€1999)€(òòò òno€perm.€app.€filedóóó ó).€€There€the€court€said:€Ð è 8  ÐÌà8  àà ` àOn€September€8,€1994,€Petition€was€convicted€of€one€count€of€rape€and€oneÐ À  Ðcount€of€incest.€€Petitioner€was€sentenced€as€a€Range€I€Standard€Offender€toÐ ¬ü  Ðconcurrent€sentences€of€twelve€(12)€years€for€the€rape€conviction€and€six€(6)€years€forÐ ˜è  Ðthe€incest€conviction.€.€.€.€€Petitioner€filed€a€pro€se€petition€for€post„conviction€reliefÐ „Ô  Ðand€the€trial€court€subsequently€appointed€counsel€to€represent€him€at€the€hearing.€Ð pÀ ÐOn€May€18,€1998,€the€trial€court€entered€an€order€denying€Petitionerððs€petition€forÐ \¬ Ðpost„conviction€relief,€finding€that€he€did€receive€the€effective€assistance€of€counsel.€Ð H˜ ÐIn€this€appeal,€Petitioner€again€contends€that€he€did€not€receive€the€effectiveÐ 4„ Ðassistance€of€counsel€in€that€his€trial€counsel€failed€to€investigate€and€prepare€hisÐ  p Ðcase.€€Specifically,€he€contends€that€his€counsel€failed€to€interview€the€victim,€theÐ  \ Ðschool€guidance€counselor,€the€victimððs€school€friends,€and€other€possible€alibiÐ øH Ðwitnesses.Ðä4Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` à.€.€.€.м Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àIn€post„conviction€proceedings,€the€petitioner€has€the€burden€of€proving€theÐ ”ä Ðallegations€of€fact€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€40„30„Ð €Ð Ð210(f).€€When€reviewing€the€dismissal€of€a€post„conviction€petition,€this€Court€mustÐ l¼ Ðaffirm€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court€unless€the€evidence€in€the€record€preponderatesÐ X ¨ Ðagainst€the€judgment.€€òòò òBlack€v.€Stateóóó ó,€794€S.W.2d€752,€755€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1990).ÐD!”Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àIn€determining€whether€counsel€provided€effective€assistance€at€trial,€the€courtÐ #l! Ðmust€decide€whether€counselððs€performance€was€within€the€range€of€competenceÐ $X" Ðdemanded€of€attorneys€in€criminal€cases.€€òòò òBaxter€v.€Roseóóó ó,€523€S.W.2d€930,€936Ð ô$D # Ð(Tenn.€1975).€€To€succeed€on€a€claim€that€his€counsel€was€ineffective€at€trial,€aÐ à%0!$ Ðpetitioner€bears€the€burden€of€showing€that€his€counsel€made€errors€so€serious€thatÐ Ì&"% Ðhe€was€not€functioning€as€counsel€as€guaranteed€under€the€Sixth€Amendment€and€thatÐ ¸'#& Ðthe€deficient€representation€prejudiced€the€petitioner€resulting€in€a€failure€to€produceÐ ¤(ô#' Ða€reliable€result.€€òòò òStrickland€v.€Washingtonóóó ó,€466€U.S.€668,€693,€104€S.Ct.€2052,€80Ð )à$( ÐL.€Ed.€2d€674,€Ô_ÔrehððgÔ_Ô€denied,€467€U.S.€1267,€82€L.€Ed.€2d€864,€104€S.Ct.€3562€(1984);Ð |*Ì%) Ðòòò òCooper€v.€Stateóóó ó,€849€S.W.2d€744,€747€(Tenn.€1993);€òòò òButler€v.€Stateóóó ó,€789€S.W.2dÐ h+¸&* Ð898,€899€(Tenn.€1990).€€To€satisfy€the€second€prong€the€petitioner€must€show€aÐ ° Ðreasonable€probability€that,€but€for€counselððs€unreasonable€error,€the€fact€finderÐ œì Ðwould€have€had€reasonable€doubt€regarding€petitionerððs€guilt.€€òòò òStricklandóóó ó,€466€U.S.Ð ˆØ Ðat€695.€€This€reasonable€probability€must€be€ð ðsufficient€to€undermine€confidence€inÐ tÄ Ðthe€outcome.ðð€€òòò òHarris€v.€Stateóóó ó,€875€S.W.2d€662,€665€(Tenn.€1994)€(citation€omitted).Ð`°Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` à.€.€.€.Ð8 ˆÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àWe€have€reviewed€Petitionerððs€various€claims€and€we€find€that€Petitioner€hasÐ  ` Ðfailed€to€present€any€evidence€that€shows€that€his€attorney€represented€him€in€anyÐ ü L  Ðother€manner€than€competently.€.€.€.Ðè 8 Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` à.€.€.€.ÐÀ Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àIn€conclusion,€the€evidence€contained€in€the€record€does€not€preponderateÐ ˜è  Ðagainst€the€trial€courtððs€finding€that€Petitioner€received€the€effective€assistance€ofÐ „Ô  Ðcounsel.ÐpÀÐ Ð  ÐÌòòò òIdóóó ó.€at€*1„5.Ð H˜ ÐÌà  àOur€Supreme€Court€recently€addressed€the€standard€governing€legal€malpractice€actions€byÐ  p Ðcriminal€defendants€against€their€defense€attorneys.€€In€òòò òGibson€v.€Trantóóó ó,€58€S.W.3d€103,€116€(Tenn.Ð  \ Ð2001),€òòò òóóó óthe€Court€said€ð ðbased€on€principles€of€equity,€tort€law,€post„conviction€law,€and€public€policy,Ð øH Ðwe€hold€that€a€criminal€defendant€must€obtain€post„conviction€relief€in€order€to€maintain€a€legalÐ ä4 Ðmalpractice€claim€against€his€defense€lawyer.ðð€€Mr.€Burton€alleged€in€his€complaint€that€hisÐ Ð  Ðrepresentation€by€Mr.€Gearin€at€his€post„conviction€trial€was€inadequate.€€The€Court€of€CriminalÐ ¼  ÐAppeals€held€that€it€was€not€and€denied€his€petition.€€Ð ¨ø ÐÌà  àWe€further€conclude€that€the€trial€court€reached€the€correct€decision€in€granting€theÐ €Ð ÐDefendantððs€motion€for€summary€judgment.€€Therefore,€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court€in€denyingÐ l¼ Ðthe€motion€for€abeyance€and€in€granting€the€Defendantððs€motion€for€summary€judgment€is€affirmed.€Ð X ¨ ÐCosts€of€this€appeal€are€taxed€to€the€appellant,€Robert€J.€Burton.Ô#†X¨kXX X +ï#Ôà È àà  àÐ D!” ÐÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð %P # Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àDAVID€R.€FARMER,€JUDGE