WPC 5yf(8ώj_>FAMYzא`a$➢;F<D`_!1BdžqIo*if?t|̥Pجn}iE7 ;롸)|[SmPit߻a誌[#$z~`EeMO!jJ:vSkjb}u@`G Psy F:Ω (ΎYD5)Fn@V.*H.`HF"p}fR4 v<;O.rJ%{ʊ[nIK[t@:]8*n@]xQ Cz)<6'wW/ MZt$f0iCj yڢ$^U^#A!1r7C8Jc.ETu1>b*]8f*zX+Sq2&v c&UdU.x %b-~pn- 0(5 U:] w 4 #! 0 0Di U: N  ^ m 1 1 72 1uN 72 f 0 c[ 1 72Efw 72 1 B 72 1 72ll 1f%6U: 72-f5 1 72"fTT 1 72A 1sf 1` 72 72 1K 72 1  72 1 72R 1 72 f=f 1  72ff((((((((((((((((((( D3 0D AQV 0D 0D`<6X9`(CourierX  ##Xd#    t    \RA'Legal\3|x<6X9`(CourierXx6X@`7X@($,  AZ"Arial RegulartpO'HP LaserJet 8000 DN PS0(I(2?$  !  XXXX `   0  (#$  0  ,cAZ"Arial Regular{' U(5hCEKQW]cioAutoList11.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.(CEKQW]cioAutoList2A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.1.##37=CIQYag1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)i) \\RA' Legal\(;3$2#  0  .3  0  (%EGMSY_ekqAutoList151.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. \\RA' Legal\A.(CEKQW]cioAutoList3A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A. d!A.(CEKQW]cioAutoList4A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.$A.(EGMSY_ekqAutoList131.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. \\RA' Legal\ , b#"  _*XXXX*tX*X   Ad FILED*XX*t  December10,1999Cecil_Crowson_,Jr.AppellateCourtClerkdAx ,cAZ"Arial Regular'1.  \\RA' Legal\(uhCEKQW]cioAutoList51.1.1.1.1.1.1.1..1. \\RA' Legal\(ڽCEKQW]cioAutoList6A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.2A.(EGMSY_ekqAutoList141.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. \\RA' Legal\(hCEKQW]cioAutoList71.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.61.41.(CEMU]emu}AutoList8(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)9(1)(hCEKQW]cioAutoList91.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.;1.(GEGOW_gowAutoList10(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)=(1)(:EGMSY_ekqAutoList11A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.?A. \\RA' Legal\ \\RA' Legal\(EGMSY_ekqAutoList121.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.C1. \\RA' Legal\ \\RA' Legal\""""'dxd(3#$  !  ab]cYC<<CLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(3#$  !  ($$   1   !  _`   TR[A'Legal3'A' Legal3'T XXXX_ @ INTHECOURTOFCRIMINALAPPEALSOFTENNESSEE F  ̀@FF'ATNASHVILLE   {`)YE51j~ z `@E zttPVJ {@NN#OCTOBER1999SESSION     BOBBYKENNETHNASH,JR.,    ) ,    `     h     )    `  Appellant, h     )C.C.A.No.M199800406CCAR3PC    `     h     )vs. `     h     ) p DavidsonCounty x  j  `     h     ) STATEOFTENNESSEE,0 h     ) p Hon.SethNorman,Judge 6h(#h(#  0 ` 0 ` (#` (#  0h (# (#     )"h(#h(#  `  Appellee. h     ) p (PostConviction) h  `     h     )0 p Np(#p(#  FORTHEAPPELLANT: h      p FORTHEAPPELLEE:   THOMASA.LONGABERGER0     p PAULG.SUMMERS !r(#(# AttorneyatLaw0   h      p AttorneyGeneral&Reporter"^(#(#  69Arcade #D  Nashville,TN372190 h 0h(#h(#0(#(#0p(#(# MARKE.DAVIDSON $*p(#p(#  `    0 h      p AssistantAttorneyGeneral h(#h(#  `    0 h      p 425FifthAve.North\& h(#h(#   `     h      p 2dFloor,CordellHullBldg. B'!   `     h      p Nashville,TN372430493 (("  `     h      p VICTORS.JOHNSON,III  ) $  `     h      p DistrictAttorneyGeneral *!% 0 ` 0 ` (#` (#0 (# (#0h(#(#0h(#h(#0(#(#0p(#(# KYMBERLYHAAS,L#'p(#p(#  `     h      p Asst.DistrictAttorneyGeneral -8$(  `     h      p WashingtonSquare,Ste.500 `     h      p 222SecondAve.North `     h      p Nashville,TN372011649 OPINIONFILED:________________ AFFIRMEDJAMESCURWOODWITT,JR.,JUDGE  ^9/5  8[XXdd8     TR[A'Legal[A'Legal A' Legal A' LegalT   TR[A' Legal[A'Legal A' Legal A' LegalT8 & XXdXXd8† †(† -†0†5†A†B†E†F†@qq* OPINION  `   `  Thepetitioner,BobbyKennethNash,Jr.,appealsfromtheDavidson ,  CountyCriminalCourtsdismissalofhispetitionforpostconvictionrelief.Nashis   presentlyservingalifesentenceforthefirstdegreemurderofhisaunt.SeeState d v.BobbyKennethNash,Jr.,No.01C019409CR00330(Tenn._Crim_.App., 0 Nashville,Apr.24,1997),perm.app.denied(Tenn.1997).Thetrialcourt \  conductedahearingonthepostconvictionpetition,atwhichthepetitionerwas (  representedbyappointedcounsel.Thetrialcourtfoundtheallegationsofthe   petitionunsubstantiatedbytheproofpresentedanddeniedrelief.Thepetitioner ` nowappeals,raisingthefollowingissuesforourconsideration. ,  (%83"3"  8 ` 3*2%  1  .3  0 ` `   Whetherthetrialcourterredbydismissingthepetitionbefore X crossexaminationofthepetitionerandpresentationofproof > atthehearingwascomplete.3*u݌$  Ќ  8 `  ` `  "3"  8 ` 32%  2  .3  0 ` `   Whetherthetrialcourterredinfailingtoissueawrittenorder  ofdismissalinwhichitstateditsfindingsoffactand v conclusionsoflaw.37݌ \  Ќ  "3"  8 ` 32%  3  .3  0 ` `   Whetherthepetitionerwasdeniedtheeffectiveassistanceof "( counsel.3݌n#  Ќ  Uponreviewoftherecord,thebriefsoftheparties,andtheapplicablelaw,weaffirm :% thejudgmentofthetrialcourt. '!  `  Thiscasepresentsuswiththeopportunitytoconsideranunusual *>!% question!whetheratrialcourtsabilitytoexerciseappropriatecontrolovera j, #' proceedingempowersthecourttocutshortthecrossexaminationtestimonyofa 6.$) partyandruleonthemeritsofthecase.Weholdthatinafactuallyappropriate 0&+ case,suchastheoneatbarinwhichthedefendanthadalreadyfullypresentedhis 1n(- case,thecourthassuchauthority. 3:*/  `  Atthepostconvictionhearing,thepetitionerfirstpresentedthe 27-3 testimonyofhistrialattorney.Trialcounselstatedthatthedefendanthadalways 8/5 maintainedthat,atthetimethedefendantkilledthevictiminthepresenceof :j17 _severalwitnesses,thevictimhadagun.Inviewoftheabundanteyewitness `  informationthatcontradictedtheclaim,trialcounseldidnotrelyuponaselfdefense ,  strategy.Rather,counseltriedtoconvincethejurythatthedefendantwasso   overwhelmedbyhisbeliefthatthevictimwasresponsibleforhisfathersdeaththat d hewasprovokedbypassionand,inanyevent,lackedthecapacitytopremeditate 0 firstdegreemurder.Trialcounselsaidthatevidenceestablishedthatthedefendant \  believedthevictimhadkilledthedefendantsfatherandshowedthatthedefendant (  wasveryupsetaboutthiscircumstance.Trialcounselthoughttheselfdefense   claimwas aburdenmorethanahelpbecauseoftheeyewitnessesandthefact ` thatnogunwasfound.Trialcounseldeniedhavingadvisedthedefendanttotestify , falsely;hetoldthepetitionertotellthetruth.Healsorecalledthattherewasnever X anoticefiledthatthestatewasseekingthedeathpenalty,andhehaddiscussed $ thelackofdeathpenaltyaggravatorswiththedefendant.Tocounselsknowledge,  thepetitionerneverbelievedhewasindangerofreceivingthedeathpenalty.  \  `  Thepetitionerthentookthestandandtestifiedthathetoldhistrial T$ attorneythatthevictimofhiscrimehadaguninherhandwhenheshother.The  &  petitionerrepeatedthisstorytoapsychiatrist.Thisstorywasfalse;however,the '" petitionerclaimedhemadeitupafterhewasadvisedbyotherjailinmatesthathe )X $ wouldreceivethedeathpenaltyunlessheclaimedselfdefense.Threemonths +$"& priortotrial,thepetitionertoldhisattorneytheselfdefenseclaimwasfalse.He P-#( claimedhewantedtorecanthisclaimthatthevictimhadagun,andhisattorney /%* toldhimhewouldtakecareofit.Threeweeksbeforetrial,thepetitionerlearned 0', thathisattorneyhaddonenothinginthisregard.Attrial,justbeforethepetitioner 2T). tookthestand,heaskedhisattorneywhatheshoulddo.Heclaimedcounsel 4 +0 encouragedhimtotestifyfalselybecausechanginghisstorywouldnotlookgood. L6,2 Accordingly,thepetitionertestifiedfalselyattrial. 8.4  906  `  Inanefforttodemonstrateprejudice,thepetitionerclaimedthetrial `  courtexcludedevidenceattrialofpriorconflictbetweenhimselfandthevictimover ,  thepetitionersfathersdeathandestate.Hetestifiedthatthisevidencewouldhave   beenhelpfulindemonstratingthathewasguiltyofnomorethanthelessergrade d offenseofvoluntarymanslaughter.However,heclaimedthatthecourtbasedits 0 decisiontoexcludethisevidenceandnottogiveajuryinstructiononvoluntary \  manslaughterupontheselfdefensetheorypresented. (   `  Duringthestatescrossexaminationofthepetitioneratthehearing, ` thecourtannouncedthatitwouldnothearfurthertestimonyanddismissedthe , petition.Thecourtsummarilyrecited, Theresnoproofwhatsoeverofanythingthis X Courtcouldgrantapetitionforpostconvictionreliefon.Hehasjuststated $ positivelythatalawyertoldhimtotestifythewayhethoughtwasright.   `  Thereafter,thepetitionerfiledthisappeal. "( @- I   &   `  First,weconsiderwhetherthetrialcourterredbydismissingthepost '" convictionpetitionbeforethedefendantstestimonywascompleteandallproofhad )X $ beenreceived. +$"&  `  InTennessee, thepropriety,scope,mannerandcontrolofthe /%* examinationofwitnessesisamatterwithinthediscretionofthetrialjudge,subject 0', toappellatereviewforabuseofdiscretion.Statev.Caughron,855S.W.2d526, 2T). 540(Tenn.1993);cf.Tenn.R.Evid.611(a)(trialcourthasauthorityto exercise 4 +0 appropriatecontroloverthepresentationofevidenceandconductofthetrialwhen L6,2 necessarytoavoidabusebycounsel).Inpostconvictionmatters,proofshallbe 8.4 limitedtotheallegationsoffactinthepetition.Tenn.CodeAnn.4035210(c) 906 (1997). `   `  Inthecaseatbar,thepetitionerwasgreatlyaggrievedofthevictims   allegedinvolvementinhisfathersdeath,acivillawsuitinvolvinghisfathersestate, d anddistributionoftheestate.Theseeventshadoccurredinthemonthsbeforethe 0 petitionerkilledthevictim.Thepetitiondidnotcontainfactualallegationsabout \  theseeventswhichmightdemonstratetheirrelevancetotheallegedconstitutional (  infirmitiesofthepetitionersconviction.Atthepostconvictionhearing,thepetitioner   triedrepeatedlytotestifyaboutthesematters.Duringthepetitionersdirect ` examination,heandhiscounselwereadmonishedbythecourttolimithistestimony , tomattersrelatedtothepostconvictionclaimandtorefrainfromtestifyingabouthis X  lifehistory, thematterinvolvingthedeceased,or anylong[,]rambling $ statements.Attheendofhisdirectexamination,thepetitioneraffirmedthathehad  raisedalloftheissuesthathewishedtobringbeforethecourt.Thereafter,the  \ statebegancrossexaminationofhim,duringwhichthepetitionerbegantestifying "( aboutthevictimsallegedinvolvementinkillinghisfatherandthevictimhaving T$ allegedly extortedmoneyfromhisfather.Itwasatthispointthatthecourt  &  announcedthehearingwasoverandmadeitsruling.Neitherthepetitionernorhis '" counselobjectedorotherwiseindicatedthattherewasmoreevidencetheydesired )X $ topresent. +$"&  `  Onthesefacts,weseenoabuseofdiscretion.Thepetitioner /%* acknowledgedattheendofdirectexaminationthathehadpresentedtheproofhe 0', desiredonallofhispostconvictionallegations.Thecourtcurtailedthestates 2T). crossexaminationofhimwhenhereturnedtosubjectsthecourthadadmonished 4 +0 himwereirrelevant.Weseenoindicationthatthepetitionerwaspreventedfrom L6,2 presentingevidenceinsupportofhispostconvictionpetition.Furthermore,we 8.4 agreewiththetrialcourtthatthepriorconflictsbetweenthepetitionerandhisvictim 906 wereirrelevanttotheissueoftrialcounselseffectivenessandtherefore `  inadmissible.SeeTenn.R.Evid.401,402. ,  @, II  d  `  Next,thepetitionerclaimsthatthetrialcourterredbyfailingtoissue 0 awrittenordercontainingfindingsoffactsandconclusionsoflaw. \   `  ThePostConvictionProcedureActrequires   8 ` Uponthefinaldispositionofeverypetition,thecourtshallenterafinal ` order,andexceptwhereproceedingsforadelayedappealare F allowed,shallsetforthintheorderorawrittenmemorandumofthe , caseallgroundspresented,andshallstatethefindingsoffactand r conclusionsoflawwithregardtoeachsuchground.X` `  Tenn.CodeAnn.4030211(b)(1997)(emphasisadded).Wehaveobservedon $ manyoccasionsthatthisdutyismandatory,anditfacilitatesandisoftenessential  toappellatereview.See,e.g.,ClaudeFrancisGarrettv.State,No.01C019807  \ CR00294,slipop.at12(Tenn.Crim.App.,Nashville,June30,1999);SteveE. "( Toddv.State,No.01C019612CR00503,slipop.at6(Tenn.Crim.App., T$ Nashville,Jan.26,1999);JoeL.Utleyv.State,No.01C019709CR00428,slipop.  &  at3(Tenn.Crim.App.,Nashville,Dec.8,1998).Inmanycases,theabsenceofan '" adequateorderpreventsusfromourtaskofappellatereviewandrequiresusto )X $ remandthecaseforentryofaproperorder.See,e.g.,ClaudeFrancisGarrett,slip +$"& op.at13;SteveE.Todd,slipop.at8;JoeL.Utley,slipop.at4. P-#(  `  Inthecaseatbar,thecourtmadeveryminimalfindingsfromthe 0', benchwhichwereannouncedontherecord.Thetranscriptofthehearingalong 2T). withthecourtminutes,bothcontainedintheappellaterecord,informusthatthe 4 +0 petitionwasdismissedandthatthetrialcourtfoundnoprooftosustainthe L6,2 petitionersallegations.Inthiscase,weareabletoinferthatthetrialcourt 8.4 accreditedthetestimonyofthepetitionerstrialcounselanddiscreditedthatofthe 906 petitioner.Assuch,wefindthecourtserrorharmless.SeeTenn.R.Crim.P. `  52(a).However,failuretoabidebythestatutemaynotalwaysbeharmless.See ,  CurtisAnthonyMillerv.State,No.01C019701CR00026,slipop.at4(Tenn.Crim.   App.,Nashville,Jan.9,1998). d @, III  \   `  Finally,wetakeupthesubstantiveissueofineffectiveassistanceof (  counsel.X&XX X&    `  `  Thepetitionerbearstheburdenofestablishinghisclaimbyclearand , convincingevidenceinallclaimsfiledunderthePostConvictionProcedureActof X 1995.Tenn.CodeAnn.4030210(f)(1997).# X&XXX&N#X&XX X&Inevaluatingclaimsofineffective $ assistance,thefinderoffactmustindulgeastrongpresumptionthatcounsel's  conductfallswithintherangeofreasonableprofessionalassistanceandmust  \ evaluatecounsel'sperformancefromcounsel'sperspectiveatthetimeofthe "( allegederrorandinlightofthetotalityoftheevidence.Stricklandv.Washington, T$ 466U.S.690,695,104S.Ct.2066,2069(1984).Thepetitionermustdemonstrate  &  thatthereisareasonableprobabilitythatbutforcounsel'sdeficientperformance, '" theresultoftheproceedingwouldhavebeendifferent.Strickland,466U.S.at695, )X $ 104S.Ct.at2069.Atrialcourt'sfindingsoffactfollowingapostconvictionhearing +$"& havetheweightofajuryverdict.Brattonv.State,477S.W.2d754,756(Tenn. P-#( Crim.App.1971).# X&XXX&pO#X&XX X&ԀOnappeal,thosefindingsareconclusiveunlesstheevidence /%* preponderatesagainstthejudgment.Butlerv.State,789S.W.2d898,900(Tenn. 0', 1990).# X&XXX&S# 2T).  `  Inthepresentcase,theessentialquestionwasoneofwitness L6,2 credibility.Thepetitionertestifiedthathistrialattorneycounseledhimtotestify 8.4 falsely,despitehiswishestodootherwise,andhisattorneytestifiedthathegave 906 nosuchadvice.Thetrialcourtaccreditedthetestimonyofcounselanddiscredited `  thatofthepetitioner.Thus,thepetitionerfailedtoestablishhisclaimbyclearand ,  convincingevidence.Onappeal,theevidencedoesnotpreponderateagainstthe   trialcourtsdetermination.SeeHenleyv.State,960S.W.2d572,579(Tenn.1997) d (questionsofwitnesscredibilityareforthetrialcourt,nottheappellatecourt). 0  `  Becausenoerrorrequiringreversalispresented,weaffirmthe (  judgmentofthetrialcourt.    `     h  `     h     ________________________________ r  `     h     JAMESCURWOODWITT,JR.,JUDGE X  `    CONCUR:  _____________________________ "( JOEG.RILEY,JUDGE n# _____________________________ '! THOMAST.WOODALL,JUDGE