ÿWPCÍ ¥¤Ú›éª¹«x‚”D*s­{MVE1…¥êwMáý¸“ö ô<í&Áî¥}LGDVǸqò=ti¢ó²ª4¤¤Á]œùòºú1!_Ai3$y“¼G!£”+Ï™¡G[zù/øCôø~üžOšS OçCÉìèº)ó2ÕÌíþ`h™eKõ}ìÆþbŒ¾ü ÁáÃn phpÏ|Iote‚¢Ú7Ú/22g˜"ãi"G™éeðÚ¼ìâ[=·Ô?'… ÉÔ]ì“_b±ëæûҫ¤íSY/¼×>2 ÂùÌ8‹90v`€ý¯‘#ë%e§Ü@°c,Rß±ñªËÈýö©ŸýÁVÊzÞEV }R6è^MÒéÕmµk¤Ò"²+ìÛßÜúêlòÕÚö¡˜¸^G‡/{Mz^,qø2;³dÜÙ)ómÆå…tÍOg‘Ջ(…íqë :ÇÍmGÂßÖúß雳 S7©,Ž2bÓ) ó½^¿ÂÛ¿»,OÀø|KIdÉÁK©½¬€˜™>f9WŒXmöñ Âi‰AD aA+lⶈ—ØK‡Ðv›!Z¸€s¸ì;SH~FÄ£3|x ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ˜HP LaserJet 4050ÈÈÈÈÈÈÈÈ0Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular(нCEKQW]cioAutoList1A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóA.3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)i)(;3£$´´Ô2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  à(š½CEKQW]cioAutoList2A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A. !A.0ÿÿ.Normal- ù-6ÿÿ4HyperlinkóóòòÔ ÿ ÔóóÔ  Ô(ÍO$——ÔÿÔòòóóÔÿÔ(|G2µn$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€»»d d 8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô’5ò»»Ô d(|3ÅÝ$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€»»d d 8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3ÅÝ$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€»»d d 8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€»»d dÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼»»»ÔÑ8€È’XXdæ»»d 8ÑÑ  ÑÔ  Ôà@hhìàÔ‡îŽ=ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€CRIMINAL€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@RR$ìàAT€KNOXVILLEÔ#†¼»îîŽ=#ÔˆÐ Ï ÐÓ  ÓOctober€29,€2002€SessionÐ î> ÐÔ‡XÈ’X»¼ÔÌò òÔ#†¼»XXÈ’ #ÔòòóóBARRY€C.€Ô_ÔMELTONÔ_ÔÔ‡XÈ’X»¼Ôó ó€ò òÔ#†¼»XXÈ’„#Ô€v.€STATE€OF€TENNESSEE€ó óÔ‡XÈ’X»¼ÔÐ à0 ÐÌò òDirect€ó óà@@½½ìàò òAppeal€from€the€Circuit€Court€for€Ô_ÔSevierÔ_Ô€CountyÐ Ò " Ðà@@øøìàNo.€2000„264„III€€€€€€Rex€Henry€Ogle,€JudgeÐ ¸  ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<i` AßÐ jº  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€E2001„02689„CCA„MR3„PCÐ _¯  ÐDecember€4,€Ô_Ô2002Ô_ÔÐ E•  ÐßA€V) °°` dE<*` AßÐ +{  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓThe€petitioner€appeals€the€denial€of€post„conviction€relief,€arguing:€(1)€his€ð ðbest€interestðð€plea€wasÐ  p  Ðnot€entered€voluntarily€and€intelligently;€and€(2)€trial€counsel€was€ineffective€in€representing€himÐ V Ðat€sentencing.€€We€affirm€the€judgment€of€the€post„conviction€court.Ð ì< ÐÓ?ÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Circuit€Court€Affirmedó óÐ ¸ ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼»àXÈ’ç#ÔÔ‡XÈ’X.¼ÔJoe€G.€Riley,óó€J.,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòGary€R.€Wade,€Ô_ÔP.J.Ô_Ô,óó€and€òòRobert€W.Ð „Ô ÐÔ_ÔWedemeyerÔ_Ô,€J.óó,€joined.Ð jº ÐÌCharles€R.€Ray€(at€hearing€and€on€appeal)€and€Jeffery€S.€Ô_ÔFrensleyÔ_Ô€(on€appeal),€Nashville,€Tennessee,Ð 6† Ðfor€the€appellant,€Barry€C.€Ô_ÔMeltonÔ_Ô.€Ð l ÐÌPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€and€Reporter;€Ô_ÔAngeleÔ_Ô€M.€Gregory,€Assistant€Attorney€General;Ð è8 ÐAl€C.€Ô_ÔSchmutzerÔ_Ô,€Jr.,€District€Attorney€General;€and€Steven€R.€Hawkins,€Assistant€District€AttorneyÐ Î ÐGeneral,€for€the€appellee,€State€of€Tennessee.Ð ´ ÐÌÌÓÓò òOPINIONÐ f!¶! ÐÌó óÔ#†¼»XXÈ’J#ÔÓ  Óà0  àÔ€XÈ’X»¼ÔOn€April€10,€1997,€the€petitioner€entered€a€ð ðbest€interestðð€plea€to€four€counts€of€aggravatedÐ2#‚#(#(# Ðsexual€battery,€a€Class€B€felony,€as€a€Range€II€multiple€offender,€and€six€counts€of€sexual€battery,Ð $h$ Ða€Class€E€felony,€as€a€career€offender.€€The€facts€presented€at€the€plea€hearing€established€that€duringÐ þ$N % Ðthe€month€of€July€1995,€the€petitioner€took€two€brothers,€ages€thirteen€and€twelve,€ice€skating€atÐ ä%4!& ÐÔ_ÔOberÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔGatlinburgÔ_Ô.€€During€the€trip,€the€petitioner€touched€the€boysðð€penises€through€their€clothing€andÐ Ê&"' Ðplaced€the€twelve„year„oldððs€hands€over€the€petitionerððs€private€area.€€According€to€the€prosecutor,Ð °'#( Ðduring€that€same€month,€in€a€separate€incident,€the€petitioner€invited€a€ten„year„old€boy€to€hisÐ –(æ#) Ðapartment€where€he€touched€the€boyððs€penis€and€had€the€boy€touch€his€penis.€€Ð |)Ì$* ÐÌà  àThe€six€counts€of€sexual€battery€involved€the€thirteen„year„old€victim.€€Two€counts€ofÐ H+˜&, Ðaggravated€sexual€battery€involved€the€twelve„year„old€victim€and€the€remaining€two€counts€ofÐ .,~'- Ðaggravated€sexual€battery€involved€the€ten„year„old€victim.€€The€petitioner€had€several€priorÐ -d(. Ðconvictions€for€sexual€offenses.€€The€plea€agreement€provided€for€the€trial€court€to€determine€theÐ ú-J)/ý ÐÔ_Ôlengths€of€the€aggravated€sexual€battery€sentences€within€twelve€to€twenty€years,€the€range€ofÐ ° Ðpunishment€for€a€Range€II€offender.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€40„35„112(b)(2).€€As€a€career€offender,Ð –æ Ðthe€petitioner€would€receive€six„year€sentences€for€the€sexual€battery€convictions.€€òòSee€óóTenn.€CodeÐ |Ì ÐAnn.€ðððð€40„35„108(c),€„112(c)(5).€€The€agreement€provided€that€the€sentences€for€convictionsÐ b² Ðinvolving€the€same€victim€would€be€served€concurrently,€but€the€trial€court€would€determine€whetherÐ H˜ Ðthe€sentences€for€the€offenses€involving€different€victims€would€be€served€concurrently€orÐ . ~ Ðconsecutively.€€Therefore,€the€range€of€punishment€for€the€total€effective€sentence€for€all€offensesÐ  d Ðunder€the€plea€agreement€was€between€twelve€and€forty„six€years.€€Following€a€sentencing€hearing,Ð ú J Ðthe€trial€court€imposed€an€effective€thirty„six„year€sentence.€€Ð à 0 ÐÌà  àThe€petitioner€contends€his€ð ðbest€interestðð€plea€was€not€entered€voluntarily€and€intelligently.€Ð ¬ ü  ÐMore€specifically,€the€petitioner€maintains€his€trial€counsel€did€not€adequately€prepare€for€trial,€butÐ ’â  Ðinstead€enlisted€the€petitionerððs€parents€to€convince€him€to€enter€the€plea.€€The€petitioner€claims€thatÐ xÈ  Ðhis€will€was€overborne,€and€he€entered€the€plea€against€his€wishes.€Ð ^®  ÐÌà  àFurther,€the€petitioner€argues€trial€counsel€was€ineffective€in€presenting€the€testimony€ofÐ *z  Ðclinical€psychologist€Dr.€Diana€McCoy€at€his€sentencing€hearing.€€We€note€that€even€if€theÐ ` Ðpetitionerððs€contentions€regarding€trial€counselððs€representation€during€sentencing€were€valid,€heÐ öF Ðwould€not€be€entitled€to€have€his€ð ðbest€interestðð€plea€set€aside€provided€his€plea€was€otherwiseÐ Ü, Ðvoluntary.€€Instead,€if€his€argument€were€meritorious,€he€would€be€entitled€to€re„sentencing€underÐ Â Ðthe€terms€of€the€plea€agreement.Ð ¨ø ÐÌà  àThe€post„conviction€court€denied€the€petition€for€post„conviction€relief,€finding€the€petitionerÐ tÄ Ðentered€his€plea€knowingly€and€voluntarily,€and€that€trial€counsel€provided€the€petitioner€withÐ Zª Ðeffective€assistance.Ð @ ÐÌÌà  àà@  ìàò òPROOF€AT€POST„CONVICTION€HEARING€ˆÐ òB ÐÌà  àó óAt€the€post„conviction€hearing,€the€petitioner€testified€that€every€time€he€and€trial€counselÐ ¾ Ðdiscussed€whether€he€should€plead€guilty€or€go€to€trial,€trial€counsel€told€him€he€would€lose€if€heÐ ¤ô Ðwent€to€trial€and€advised€the€petitioner€he€was€facing€up€to€120€years€in€prison.€€The€petitioner€statedÐ Š Ú Ðhe€told€trial€counsel€he€wanted€to€go€to€trial€because€he€was€not€guilty.€€He€said€he€never€told€hisÐ p!À  Ðattorney€he€was€guilty,€although€he€told€his€attorney€he€may€have€made€the€victims€feelÐ V"¦! Ðuncomfortable.€€Ð <#Œ" ÐÌà  àThe€petitioner€indicated€he€knew€the€detective€to€whom€he€a€gave€a€statement€would€haveÐ %X $ Ðoffered€damaging€testimony€at€trial.€€The€petitioner€testified€his€trial€counsel€advised€him€that€if€heÐ î%>!% Ðtestified€at€trial,€the€prosecution€would€use€his€prior€convictions€to€impeach€him.€€The€proof€at€theÐ Ô&$"& Ðpost„conviction€hearing€showed€the€petitioner€had€prior€felony€convictions€for€sexual€offensesÐ º' #' Ðinvolving€young€boys€in€Madison€County,€Tennessee,€and€Arkansas.€€The€petitioner,€who€is€aÐ  (ð#( Ðcollege€graduate,€stated€trial€counsel€advised€him€of€his€constitutional€rights€and€kept€him€informedÐ †)Ö$) Ðregarding€the€motions€filed€in€his€case.Ð l*¼%* Ðâ âÐ R+¢&+ Ðà  àThe€petitioner€testified€his€trial€counsel€explained€to€him€he€had€three€choices:€(1)€pleadÐ ° Ðâ âguilty€in€exchange€for€an€offered€sentence€of€either€twenty„four€or€thirty„two€years;€(2)€go€to€trialÐ –æ Ðand€risk€a€sentence€of€up€to€120€years€in€prison;€or€(3)€enter€the€ð ðbest€interestðð€plea€pursuant€to€theÐ |Ì Ðplea€agreement€which€was€ultimately€presented€to€the€trial€court.€€The€petitioner€indicated€trialÐ b² Ðcounsel€said€he€knew€the€trial€judge,€and€the€petitioner€could€hope€for€a€sentence€of€approximatelyÐ H˜ Ðeighteen€or€twenty€years€if€he€entered€the€ð ðbest€interestðð€plea.€€The€petitioner€stated€he€knew€theÐ . ~ Ðrange€of€punishment€under€the€agreement€was€between€twelve€and€forty„six€years,€and€that€the€trialÐ  d Ðjudge€would€decide€the€exact€sentence.Ð ú J ÐÌà  àThe€petitioner€stated€no€one€threatened€him,€although€his€attorney€spoke€harshly€to€him.€€TheÐ Æ   Ðpetitioner€described€an€incident€in€which€trial€counsel€became€upset€when€the€petitioner€telephonedÐ ¬ ü  Ðcounsel€at€home€early€one€morning€because€the€petitioner€was€being€taken€to€court€unexpectedly.€Ð ’â  ÐThe€petitioner€also€said€that€during€a€meeting€with€him€and€his€parents,€his€trial€attorney€swore,€hitÐ xÈ  Ðthe€table,€and€told€the€petitioner€he€needed€to€make€a€decision€as€to€whether€he€was€going€to€trial.€Ð ^®  ÐThe€petitioner€testified€that€in€the€days€that€followed,€his€trial€attorney€did€not€contact€him€regardingÐ D”  Ðtrial€preparations.€€The€petitioner€stated€that€when€he€telephoned€his€parents€a€few€days€later,€theyÐ *z  Ðtold€the€petitioner€he€would€lose€if€he€went€to€trial.€€According€to€the€petitioner,€trial€counsel€cameÐ ` Ðto€the€jail€before€he€entered€his€plea€and€gave€the€petitioner€a€quick€summary€of€what€they€wereÐ öF Ðgoing€to€do€that€day.€€The€petitioner€conceded€that,€during€the€plea€hearing,€he€told€the€trial€courtÐ Ü, Ðhe€had€no€complaints€regarding€his€trial€counsel.€€Ð  Ѐ€Ð ¨ø Ðà  àThe€petitioner€said€he€understood€that€a€jury€would€determine€whether€he€was€guilty€if€heÐ ŽÞ Ðwent€to€trial,€and€he€conceded€he€understood€his€constitutional€rights.€€He€said€he€felt€he€had€noÐ tÄ Ðchoice€but€to€enter€the€ð ðbest€interestðð€plea€because€his€attorney€and€his€parents€did€not€believe€in€hisÐ Zª Ðinnocence.Ð @ ÐÌà  àPetitionerððs€trial€counsel€testified€at€the€post„conviction€hearing€that€he€received€discoveryÐ  \ Ðfrom€the€prosecutor,€interviewed€the€detective€who€investigated€the€charges€against€the€petitioner,Ð òB Ðreviewed€the€detectiveððs€notes€regarding€the€petitionerððs€statement,€reviewed€the€victimsðð€statements,Ð Ø( Ðand€spoke€with€two€of€the€victims€and€the€parents€of€all€the€victims.€€Trial€counsel€stated€he€alsoÐ ¾ Ðsearched€records,€including€records€relating€to€the€petitionerððs€prior€convictions;€met€with€theÐ ¤ô Ðpetitionerððs€father;€and€filed€motions€in€preparation€for€trial.€€The€attorney€stated€he€met€with€theÐ Š Ú Ðpetitioner€on€several€occasions.€€He€said€he€reviewed€the€stateððs€evidence€with€the€petitioner,€theyÐ p!À  Ðdiscussed€theories€of€defense,€and€they€extensively€discussed€the€petitionerððs€version€of€the€eventsÐ V"¦! Ðin€question.€€The€attorney€testified€he€felt€prepared€to€go€to€trial.€€€Ð <#Œ" ÐÌà  àThe€attorney€testified€the€petitioner€vacillated€on€whether€he€wanted€to€go€to€trial.€€AccordingÐ %X $ Ðto€trial€counsel,€the€petitioner€did€not€deny€the€charges;€instead,€the€petitioner€said€his€actions€wereÐ î%>!% Ðaccidental€and€he€did€not€intend€to€hurt€the€victims.Ð Ô&$"& ÐÌà  àTrial€counsel€stated€he€advised€the€petitioner€the€only€way€to€try€the€case€successfully€wasÐ  (ð#( Ðfor€the€petitioner€to€testify,€and€that€the€petitioner€was€subject€to€being€impeached€by€his€priorÐ †)Ö$) Ðconvictions€if€he€were€to€testify.€€The€attorney€opined€it€would€have€been€extremely€difficult€to€tryÐ l*¼%* Ðthe€petitionerððs€case€successfully.€€Trial€counsel€stated€the€petitioner€was€facing€potentialÐ R+¢&+ Ðpunishment€of€over€100€years€if€he€were€convicted€as€charged,€and€that€he€advised€the€petitioner€ofÐ 8,ˆ', Ðthis€possibility.€€Counsel€feared€the€trial€court€would€have€imposed€a€greater€sentence€had€petitionerÐ ° Ðgone€to€trial.€€Ô‡XÈ’XXXÈ’ÔTrial€counsel€testified€he€told€the€petitioner€a€guilty€plea€was€the€only€option€that€madeÐ –æ Ðsense.€€€€€€€Ô#†XÈ’XXXÈ’Ÿ3#ÔÔ‡XÈ’XXXÈ’Ô€€Ð |Ì ÐÌà  àTrial€counsel€stated€that€approximately€one€week€before€the€petitioner€entered€his€plea,€heÐ H˜ Ðmet€with€the€petitioner€and€his€parents€at€the€jail.€€During€that€meeting,€the€petitioner€told€hisÐ . ~ Ðattorney€he€wanted€to€go€to€trial.€€The€attorney€said€he€later€contacted€the€petitionerððs€parents€andÐ  d Ðtold€them€he€felt€it€was€in€the€petitionerððs€best€interest€to€enter€a€guilty€plea,€and€that€it€was€theÐ ú J Ðpetitionerððs€only€chance€of€being€released€from€incarceration€ð ðin€the€next€century.ðð€€€€Ð à 0 ÐÌà  àThe€attorney€testified€the€state€offered€the€petitioner€a€sentence€of€twenty„four€years,€but€thatÐ ¬ ü  Ðthe€petitioner€instructed€him€to€seek€a€better€offer;€as€a€result,€the€parties€structured€the€pleaÐ ’â  Ðagreement€which€was€accepted€by€the€trial€court.€€ò òó óThe€attorney€testified€he€told€the€petitioner€onÐ xÈ  Ðseveral€occasions€that€a€ð ðbest€interestðð€plea€had€the€same€effect€as€a€guilty€plea.€€€€Ð ^®  ÐÌà  àTrial€counsel€testified€the€petitioner€made€the€decision€to€enter€the€plea€and€ð ðabsolutely€knewÐ *z  Ðwhat€he€was€doing.ðð€€The€attorney€stated€the€petitioner€knew€he€had€the€choice€to€go€to€trial€andÐ ` ÐÔ#†XÈ’XXXÈ’]4#Ôunderstood€his€rights€before€he€entered€the€plea.€€Ð öF Ðà  àÌà  àWillard€Melton€and€Shirley€Humphrey,€the€petitionerððs€parents,€testified€at€the€post„Ð Â Ðconviction€hearing€that€a€few€weeks€prior€to€the€petitionerððs€plea,€they€met€with€trial€counsel€andÐ ¨ø Ðthe€petitioner€at€the€jail;€during€that€meeting,€their€son€stated€he€wanted€to€go€to€trial.€€Melton€statedÐ ŽÞ Ðtrial€counsel€did€not€want€to€go€to€trial.€€He€said€trial€counsel€indicated€the€petitioner€could€receiveÐ tÄ Ða€greater€sentence€if€he€went€to€trial,€and€that€the€petitioner€was€facing€a€potential€sentence€of€120Ð Zª Ðyears.€€Humphrey€testified€trial€counsel€did€not€think€the€petitioner€should€go€to€trial€because€he€didÐ @ Ðnot€think€the€petitioner€would€win,€but€he€indicated€the€choice€belonged€to€the€petitioner.€€She€statedÐ &v Ðthe€attorney€told€the€petitioner€he€needed€to€make€up€his€mind.€€Both€witnesses€indicated€that€at€theÐ  \ Ðconclusion€of€that€meeting,€they€believed€the€case€was€going€to€be€tried.€€€€€€€€€€Ð òB ÐÌà  àThe€petitionerððs€parents€testified€that€over€a€week€later,€they€had€a€telephone€conversationÐ ¾ Ðwith€trial€counsel€in€which€trial€counsel€discussed€the€ð ðbest€interestðð€plea€with€them.€€MeltonÐ ¤ô Ðtestified€trial€counsel€stated€he€had€taken€the€bar€exam€with€the€trial€judge,€which€would€be€helpfulÐ Š Ú Ðto€the€petitioner.€€Trial€counsel€denied€this€allegation€and€the€trial€judge,€who€presided€at€the€post„Ð p!À  Ðconviction€hearing,€stated€for€the€record€that€he€did€not€take€the€bar€exam€with€trial€counsel.€€TrialÐ V"¦! ÐÔ  Ôcounsel€indicated€he€may€have€said€he€and€the€judge€got€along,€and€that€the€judge€would€listen€toÐ <#Œ" Ðhis€arguments.€€€€Ð "$r# ÐÌà  àWillard€Melton€stated€trial€counsel€thought€the€petitioner€could€receive€a€sentence€as€low€asÐ î%>!% Ðeighteen€years€if€sentenced€by€the€trial€court.€€Melton€recalled€the€stateððs€initial€offer€to€the€petitionerÐ Ô&$"& Ðwas€a€sentence€of€thirty„two€years,€and€trial€counsel€told€them€that€if€the€trial€court€sentenced€€theÐ º' #' Ðpetitioner€under€the€ð ðbest€interestðð€agreement,€he€would€definitely€receive€a€sentence€of€less€thanÐ  (ð#( Ðthirty„two€years.€€Shirley€Humphrey€said€trial€counsel€indicated€the€petitioner€would€receive€aÐ †)Ö$) Ðsentence€of€between€ten€and€eighteen€years.€€Trial€counsel€denied€predicting€the€sentence€the€trialÐ l*¼%* Ðcourt€would€impose€under€the€plea€agreement€and€indicated€he€advised€the€petitioner€that€anÐ R+¢&+ Ðeighteen„year€sentence€was€a€more€realistic€possibility€than€the€twelve„year€sentence€the€petitionerÐ 8,ˆ', Ðrequested.€€€According€to€Melton,€trial€counsel€asked€them€to€speak€with€their€son€and€convince€himÐ ° Ðto€accept€the€plea€agreement.€€Melton€said€he€and€Humphrey€advised€their€son€to€enter€the€plea.€€Ð –æ ÐÌà  àMelton€further€testified€the€petitioner€made€the€final€decision€to€enter€the€plea€andÐ b² Ðunderstood€he€had€the€right€to€go€to€trial.€€Humphrey€testified€her€son€wanted€to€go€to€trial€and€didÐ H˜ Ðnot€want€to€enter€the€ð ðbest€interestðð€plea;€she€opined€he€did€what€she€and€his€father€thought€best.€Ð . ~ ÐShe€further€stated€she€and€Melton€told€their€son€it€was€his€decision,€and€that€he€always€understoodÐ  d Ðit€was€his€decision.€€Ð ú J Ѐ€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð à 0 Ðà  àPsychologist€Dr.€Kenneth€Anchor€testified€at€the€post„conviction€hearing€that€the€petitionerÐ Æ   Ðhad€a€ð ðpathologically€high€need€for€social€approval,ðð€which€caused€the€petitioner€to€capitulate€to€theÐ ¬ ü  Ðwill€of€authority€figures€such€as€his€parents€and€his€attorney.€€He€described€the€petitioner€as€a€personÐ ’â  Ðof€average€intelligence€suffering€from€clinical€depression.€€Dr.€Anchor€said€that€at€the€time€theÐ xÈ  Ðpetitioner€entered€his€plea,€he€was€very€conflicted€about€wanting€a€trial,€but€felt€ð ðworn€downðð€by€hisÐ ^®  Ðparents€and€his€attorney.€€The€psychologist€testified€the€petitioner€knew€he€was€facing€a€potentialÐ D”  Ðsentence€of€greater€than€100€years.€€In€Dr.€Anchorððs€opinion,€the€petitionerððs€plea€was€not€knowing,Ð *z  Ðindependent,€natural,€or€voluntary€because€the€petitioner€did€not€ð ðhave€it€within€him€to€maintain€hisÐ ` Ðviewðð€when€faced€by€pressure€from€his€parents€and,€therefore,€capitulated€due€to€his€need€for€socialÐ öF Ðapproval.€€Ð Ü, ÐÌà  àThe€proof€as€contained€in€the€record€established€trial€counsel€presented€the€testimony€of€Dr.Ð ¨ø ÐDiana€McCoy,€a€clinical€psychologist,€at€the€petitionerððs€sentencing€hearing.€€Dr.€McCoy€testifiedÐ ŽÞ Ðthe€petitioner€was€eligible€for€sex€offender€treatment,€had€the€potential€to€be€rehabilitated,€and€wasÐ tÄ Ða€good€candidate€for€treatment.€€However,€she€opined€the€petitioner€was€likely€to€reoffend€withoutÐ Zª Ðtreatment,€although€he€was€not€prone€to€violence.€€She€stated€the€Department€of€Correction€had€aÐ @ Ðgood€treatment€program€for€sex€offenders,€that€the€petitioner€was€motivated€to€receive€treatment,Ð &v Ðand€that€while€pedophilia€was€not€a€curable€condition,€it€was€something€that€could€be€controlled.Ð  \ ÐÌà  àAt€the€post„conviction€hearing,€trial€counsel€testified€he€reviewed€Dr.€McCoyððs€report€inÐ Ø( Ðpreparation€for€the€sentencing€hearing.€€The€report€indicated€the€petitioner€was€at€€risk€for€recidivismÐ ¾ Ðwithout€treatment.€€Trial€counsel€stated€the€report€also€indicated€some€positive€factors,€including€Dr.Ð ¤ô ÐMcCoyððs€opinion€the€petitioner€was€non„violent€and€could€be€helped€by€treatment.€€According€toÐ Š Ú Ðtrial€counsel,€Dr.€McCoy€also€testified€the€petitioner€had€not€previously€received€the€treatment€sheÐ p!À  Ðwas€recommending.€€The€attorney€indicated€he€offered€Dr.€McCoyððs€testimony€in€order€to€give€theÐ V"¦! Ðtrial€judge€information€to€rely€upon€in€the€event€the€judge€wanted€to€show€leniency€to€the€petitioner.Ð <#Œ" ÐÌÌà@  ìàò òINEFFECTIVE€ASSISTANCE€OF€COUNSELˆÐ î%>!% ÐÌÓ€ (н83ÓÝ"‚ 3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚ 3£šTÝÔ2нÔÚ  ÚAÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝStandard€of€Review݃ 3£šTÇT݌к' #'(#(# ÐŒÝ  Ýó óÌà  àWhen€a€claim€of€ineffective€assistance€of€counsel€is€made€under€the€Sixth€Amendment,€theÐ †)Ö$) Ðpetitioner€bears€the€burden€of€proving€(1)€that€counsel's€performance€was€deficient,€and€(2)€theÐ l*¼%* Ðdeficiency€was€prejudicial€in€terms€of€rendering€a€reasonable€probability€that€the€result€of€the€trialÐ R+¢&+ Ðwas€unreliable€or€the€proceedings€were€fundamentally€unfair.€€òòóóòòStrickland€v.€Washingtonóó,€466€U.S.Ð 8,ˆ', Ð668,€687,€104€S.€Ct.€2052,€2064,€80€L.€Ed.€2d€674€(1984)òòóóòòóó.€€This€standard€has€also€been€applied€toÐ ° Ðthe€right€to€counsel€under€Article€I,€Section€9€of€the€Tennessee€Constitution.€€òòóóòòState€v.€Melsonóó,€772Ð –æ ÐS€.W.2d€417,€419€n.2€(Tenn.€1989).€€Ð |Ì ÐÌà  àIn€òòBaxter€v.€Roseóó,€523€S.W.2d€930,€936€(Tenn.€1975),€our€supreme€court€required€that€theÐ H˜ Ðservices€be€rendered€within€the€range€of€competence€demanded€of€attorneys€in€criminal€cases.€€InÐ . ~ Ðreviewing€counsel's€conduct,€a€ð ðfair€assessment€of€attorney€performance€requires€that€every€effortÐ  d Ðbe€made€to€eliminate€the€distorting€effects€of€hindsight,€to€reconstruct€the€circumstances€of€counsel'sÐ ú J Ðchallenged€conduct,€and€to€evaluate€the€conduct€from€counsel's€perspective€at€the€time.ðð€€òòStricklandóó,Ð à 0 Ð466€U.S.€at€689,€104€S.€Ct.€at€2065;€òòsee€óóòòHellard€v.€Stateóó,€629€S.W.2d€4,€9€(Tenn.€1982).Ð Æ   ÐÌà  àThe€petitioner€is€not€entitled€to€the€benefit€of€hindsight;€the€petitioner€may€not€second-guessÐ ’â  Ða€reasonably€based€trial€strategy;€and€the€petitioner€may€not€criticize€a€sound,€but€unsuccessful,Ð xÈ  Ðtactical€decision€made€after€adequate€preparation€for€the€case.€€òòòòóóAdkins€v.€Stateóó,€911€S.W.2d€334,€347Ð ^®  Ð(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1994);€òòCooper€v.€Stateóó,€847€S.W.2d€521,€528€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1992).€Ð D”  ÐÌà  àIn€òòHill€v.€Lockhartóó,€474€U.S.€52,€106€S.€Ct.€366,€88€L.€Ed.€2d€203€(1985),€the€Supreme€CourtÐ ` Ðapplied€the€two„part€òòStricklandóó€standard€to€ineffective€assistance€of€counsel€claims€arising€out€ofÐ öF Ða€guilty€plea.€€The€Court€in€òòHillóó€modified€the€prejudice€requirement€by€requiring€a€petitioner€to€showÐ Ü, Ðthat€there€is€a€reasonable€probability€that,€but€for€counsel's€errors,€he€would€not€have€pleaded€guiltyÐ Â Ðand€would€have€insisted€on€going€to€trial.€€474€U.S.€at€59,€106€S.€Ct.€at€370;€òòHicks€v.€Stateóó,€983Ð ¨ø ÐS.W.2d€240,€246€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1998).Ð ŽÞ ÐÌà  àThe€petitioner€bears€the€burden€of€proving€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€the€factualÐ Zª Ðallegations€that€would€entitle€petitioner€to€relief.€€òòóóTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€40-30-210(f).€€The€trial€judge'sÐ @ Ðfindings€of€fact€on€post„conviction€hearings€are€conclusive€on€appeal€unless€the€evidenceÐ &v Ðpreponderates€otherwise.€€òòState€v.€Burnsóó,€6€S.W.3d€453,€461€(Tenn.€1999).€€The€trial€courtððs€findingsÐ  \ Ðof€fact€are€afforded€the€weight€of€a€jury€verdict,€and€this€court€is€bound€by€the€trial€courtððs€findingsÐ òB Ðunless€the€evidence€in€the€record€preponderates€against€those€findings.€€òòHenley€v.€Stateóó,€960€S.W.2dÐ Ø( Ð572,€578€(Tenn.€1997);€òòAlley€v.€Stateóó,€958€S.W.2d€138,€147€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1997).€€This€courtÐ ¾ Ðmay€not€reweigh€or€reevaluate€the€evidence,€nor€substitute€its€inferences€for€those€drawn€by€the€trialÐ ¤ô Ðjudge.€€òòState€v.€Honeycuttóó,€54€S.W.3d€762,€766€(Tenn.€2001)òòóó.€€Questions€concerning€the€credibilityÐ Š Ú Ðof€witnesses€and€the€weight€and€value€to€be€given€to€their€testimony€are€resolved€by€the€trial€court,Ð p!À  Ðnot€this€court.€€òòBurnsóó,€6€S.W.3d€at€461.€€The€burden€of€establishing€that€the€evidence€preponderatesÐ V"¦! Ðotherwise€is€on€petitioner.€€òòHenleyóó,€960€S.W.2d€at€579òòóó.€€However,€the€trial€courtððs€conclusions€ofÐ <#Œ" Ðlaw€are€reviewed€under€a€purely€òòde€novoóó€standard€with€no€presumption€of€correctness.€€òòFields€v.Ð "$r# ÐStateóó,€40€S.W.3d€450,€458€(Tenn.€2001).€€Ð %X $ ÐÌÝ"‚ 3£"ÝÝ  Ýò òÝ‚ 3£ØfÝÔ2нÔÚ  ÚBÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝAnalysisó ó݃ 3£ØfgÝŒÐÔ&$"&(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà  àThe€post„conviction€court€implicitly€accredited€the€testimony€of€trial€counsel.€€It€found€trialÐ  (ð#( Ðcounsel€fully€investigated€the€charges€against€the€petitioner€and€advised€the€petitioner€regarding€hisÐ †)Ö$) Ðoption€to€enter€into€the€plea€agreement€or€proceed€to€trial.€€Further,€the€post„conviction€courtÐ l*¼%* Ðdetermined€trial€counselððs€frank€and€dire€predictions€regarding€the€potential€outcome€of€a€trial€didÐ R+¢&+ Ðnot€constitute€deficient€performance.€€The€post„conviction€court€found€the€petitioner€was€facing€aÐ 8,ˆ', Ðsituation€where€there€were€no€available€defense€witnesses€or€other€exculpatory€evidence,€and€thatÐ ° Ðtrial€counselððs€advice€to€the€petitioner€was€accurate.Ð –æ Ðà  àÌà  àThe€judge€presiding€at€the€post„conviction€hearing€was€the€same€trial€judge€who€imposed€theÐ b² Ðpetitionerððs€sentence.€€At€the€close€of€the€post„conviction€hearing,€he€stated€he€considered€Dr.Ð H˜ ÐMcCoyððs€testimony€that€the€petitioner€had€not€received€much€treatment€for€his€pedophilia€when€heÐ . ~ Ðimposed€less€than€the€maximum€sentence€allowed€under€the€partiesðð€plea€agreement.€€The€post„Ð  d Ðconviction€court€found€trial€counselððs€performance€was€not€deficient,€and€the€psychologistððsÐ ú J Ðtestimony€was€not€prejudicial.€€Ð à 0 ÐÌà  àThe€post„conviction€courtððs€findings€of€fact€are€supported€by€the€record.€€Further,€itsÐ ¬ ü  Ðconclusions€of€law€are€without€error.€€While€the€petitioner€complained€his€trial€counsel€did€notÐ ’â  Ðð ðbelieve€in€him,ðð€there€is€no€showing€that€the€petitionerððs€trial€counsel€provided€anything€other€thanÐ xÈ  Ðcompetent,€zealous,€and€effective€representation.€€A€subjective€belief€in€the€innocence€of€the€accusedÐ ^®  Ðon€the€part€of€a€defense€attorney€is€not€a€prerequisite€to€effective€assistance€of€counsel,€nor€doesÐ D”  Ðdefense€counselððs€candid,€negative€assessment€of€the€potential€outcome€of€a€trial€constitute€deficientÐ *z  Ðperformance.€€The€post„conviction€court€did€not€err€in€concluding€the€petitioner€received€effectiveÐ ` Ðassistance€of€counsel€in€entering€his€ð ðbest€interestðð€plea.Ð öF ÐÌà  àFurther,€we€conclude,€based€on€our€thorough€review€of€the€record,€the€post„conviction€courtÐ Â Ðdid€not€err€in€making€its€determinations€regarding€trial€counsel's€performance€during€sentencing.€Ð ¨ø ÐIt€is€clear€trial€counsel€made€a€reasonable€tactical€decision€to€present€the€psychologist's€testimony.€Ð ŽÞ ÐFurther,€as€the€post„conviction€court€found,€the€evidence€did€not€prejudice€the€petitioner.€€ThisÐ tÄ Ðargument€is€without€merit.Ð Zª ÐÌÌà  àà@ÊÊ ìàò òVOLUNTARINESS€OF€PLEAó óˆÐ  \ ÐÌà  àThe€petitionerððs€primary€complaint€as€to€the€voluntariness€of€his€plea€appears€to€be€that€heÐ Ø( Ðentered€the€ð ðbest€interestðð€plea€under€psychological€pressure€from€his€parents€and€his€attorney.€€WeÐ ¾ Ðfind€the€post„conviction€court€did€not€err€in€concluding€the€petitionerððs€plea€was€entered€voluntarily.Ð ¤ô ÐÌÌÌØ! !ØÓ€ !(š½88ÓÝ"‚ 3£"ÝÝ  Ýò òÝ‚ 3£¯uÝÔ2š½ÔÚ  ÚAÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝStandard€of€Review݃ 3£¯ußuÝŒÐ<#Œ"(#(# ÐŒÝ  Ýó óÌà  àOur€supreme€court€has€stated€the€following:Ð %X $ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThe€cases€of€òòBoykin€v.€Alabamaóó€and€òòState€v.€Mackeyóó€are€theÐ Ô&$"& Ðlandmark€constitutional€cases€for€analyses€of€guilty€pleas.€òòBoykin€v.Ð º' #' ÐAlabamaóó,€395€U.S.€238,€89€S.€Ct.€1709,€23€L.€Ed.€2d€274€(1969)Ð  (ð#( Ð(federal€standard);€òòState€v.€Mackeyóó,€553€S.W.2d€337€(Tenn.€1977)Ð †)Ö$) Ð(state€standard).€In€òòBoykinóó,€the€United€States€Supreme€Court€heldÐ l*¼%* Ðthat€before€a€trial€judge€can€accept€a€guilty€plea,€there€must€be€anÐ R+¢&+ Ðaffirmative€showing€that€it€was€given€intelligently€and€voluntarily.€òòId.óóÐ 8,ˆ', Ðat€242,€89€S.€Ct.€at€1711,€23€L.€Ed.€2d€at€279.€In€order€to€find€that€theÐ ° Ðplea€was€entered€"intelligently"€or€"voluntarily,"€the€court€mustÐ –æ Ð"canvass[€]€the€matter€with€the€accused€to€make€sure€he€has€a€fullÐ |Ì Ðunderstanding€of€òòwhat€the€plea€connotesóó€and€òòof€itsóó€òòconsequences.óó"€òòId.óóÐ b² Ðat€244,€89€S.€Ct.€at€1712,€23€L.€Ed.€2d€at€280€(emphasis€added).ÐH˜` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àLikewise,€in€òòMackeyóó,€this€Court€held€that€"the€record€ofÐ  d Ðacceptance€of€a€defendant's€plea€of€guilty€must€affirmativelyÐ ú J Ðdemonstrate€that€his€decision€was€both€voluntary€and€knowledgeable,Ð à 0 Ði.e.,€that€he€has€been€made€aware€of€the€significant€consequences€ofÐ Æ   Ðsuch€a€pleaò ò€.€.€.€.ðð€€ó ó553€S.W.2d€at€340.Ь ü ` x` x ÐÌòòState€v.€Pettusóó,€986€S.W.2d€540,€542€(Tenn.€1999).€€Ð xÈ  ÐÌÝ"‚ 3£"ÝÝ  Ýò òÝ‚ 3£‹}ÝÔ2š½ÔÚ  ÚBÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝAnalysis݃ 3£‹}»}ÝŒÐD” (#(# ÐŒÝ  Ýó óÌà  àIn€the€case€at€bar,€the€post„conviction€court€found€the€college„educated€petitioner€understoodÐ ` Ðhe€had€the€option€to€proceed€to€trial€or€to€enter€into€the€plea€agreement.€€The€lower€court€furtherÐ öF Ðfound€the€proof€established€the€petitioner€possessed€average€intelligence.€€It€stated€the€evidenceÐ Ü, Ðpresented€at€the€hearing€established€nothing€except€that€the€petitioner€was€fully€informed.€€The€post„Ð Â Ðconviction€court€noted€the€petitioner€discussed€his€case€with€his€attorney€and€his€parents€andÐ ¨ø Ðunderstood€ð ðeverything€that€was€going€on.ðð€€The€evidence€presented€at€the€post„conviction€hearingÐ ŽÞ Ðsupports€the€trial€courtððs€findings.Ð tÄ ÐÌà  àThe€transcript€of€the€plea€hearing€indicates€the€trial€court€fully€apprised€the€petitioner€of€hisÐ @ Ðconstitutional€rights€and€the€terms€of€the€plea€agreement€before€he€entered€his€plea.€€During€thatÐ &v Ðhearing,€the€petitioner€advised€the€trial€court€he€had€discussed€the€case€with€his€attorney,€heÐ  \ Ðunderstood€the€plea€agreement,€and€he€understood€his€constitutional€rights.€€The€petitioner€told€theÐ òB Ðtrial€court€no€one€had€threatened€him€or€made€him€any€promises€not€announced€as€part€of€the€pleaÐ Ø( Ðagreement.€€At€the€sentencing€hearing€conducted€five€days€later,€the€petitioner€told€the€trial€court,Ð ¾ Ðð ðIððve€made€this€best€interest€plea€because€I€thought€it€was€the€most€that€I€could€do€at€this€time€in€theÐ ¤ô Ðbest€interest€of€these€children,€as€well€as€myself.ððÐ Š Ú ÐÌà  àAt€the€post„conviction€hearing,€the€petitioner€testified€his€trial€counsel€advised€him€of€hisÐ V"¦! Ðconstitutional€rights,€the€strength€of€the€stateððs€evidence€against€him,€and€the€potential€punishmentÐ <#Œ" Ðhe€was€facing.€€The€petitioner€indicated€his€trial€attorney€kept€him€informed€regarding€the€status€ofÐ "$r# Ðhis€case€and€met€with€him€several€times€while€he€was€incarcerated.€€The€petitioner€further€stated€trialÐ %X $ Ðcounsel€apprised€him€of€his€choices€to€proceed€to€trial€or€to€accept€one€of€the€plea€agreementsÐ î%>!% Ðoffered€by€the€state.€€According€to€the€petitionerððs€testimony,€trial€counsel€accurately€explained€theÐ Ô&$"& Ðterms€of€the€plea€agreement€which€he€accepted.€€According€to€trial€counsel,€the€petitioner€understoodÐ º' #' Ðhis€rights€and€his€choices€when€he€elected€to€enter€the€plea.€€The€testimony€of€the€petitionerððs€parentsÐ  (ð#( Ðalso€indicated€the€petitioner€made€his€own€decision€to€enter€the€plea.€€The€evidence€does€notÐ †)Ö$) Ðpreponderate€against€the€findings€of€the€post„conviction€court.€€The€petitionerððs€argument€is€withoutÐ l*¼%* Ðmerit.Ð R+¢&+ ÐÐ 8,ˆ', Їà@GG%ìàò òó óà@@FF%ìàò òCONCLUSIONó óˆÐ ° ÐÌà  àWe€hold€the€post„conviction€court€did€not€err€in€determining€trial€counsel€provided€theÐ |Ì Ðpetitioner€with€effective€representation€nor€in€determining€the€petitioner€entered€his€ð ðbest€interestððÐ b² Ðplea€knowingly€and€intelligently.€€Therefore,€we€affirm€the€judgment€of€the€post„conviction€court.Ð H˜ ÐÌÌòòóóÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à____________________________________Ð à 0 Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àJOE€G.€RILEY,€JUDGE