ÿWPCu" \yXe£X˜©Õ»ý…• ü ÁVfßSx-ÞÚŽ+¤L¢n¾Wäh¡Búe/”\šÛGVcAEÚ°†ž€3€~ŒÌ+ ãŸl¶—µ–†h„€c\ÿɾ3âøT'{vp¹.b»žÒXF—`Þ1Šôè§|ñÍYæº×j Š[bïÀðlÓÎ~Ë{Ì Yeç¯W"ª³üÈk:/î%1=Õ(0“EµÖgf·4,o’˜­™Ë•Å»ÛiMIOOO]D_}R!ãá,Uh(âB¾’o…—%iÄHJÁ!±(q°X£)ñ§@é¨ÎóGa­‡rT įBEZ¦ç2>nÐL±6k‹×ãéiV“’†pΟbéI­ý«ÿB® -ÛÞ‡`² çS„¯ MÈfReŒ¦£‰ÞÒó;wF’–Õòæ_³J”˜¦ûMvX€ u‡6<¡l˹»–B ÁZËĸL$¯¥i4—õpå91Q$ÔGiH±bôÉïwv\³~§™¨Gq¬ðJ]¤|Øk^é>wŒ­“yL“#¬PÉNƒ"ÄV®Ž*þâÓX¤ûÛˆ¾teZk®F"/¸UA÷%Ñh‹(­‚…¬é[LW>°þ4ÍÃÃÁðW½ÍkàÅþLb %\^ b 0ˆnUNöwD4H\ zkÒå· m¹ #ÁÐ u‘ Æ ÆÌ Æ’ÆX 0DNbûdÃ_E"Ã$¢ç牉 0¤‘‘55555555555555555bjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj 0ërrrr B]] 0¤z D3 D-Q 0K~~ ASÉÆ 0¤â 0D†! A«Ê!»Ét,*â (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular€‡).bk2àœ¦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.wptÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ˜HP LaserJet 4000 Series PCL 5eÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0 kÝ ƒR¾é$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô¨eò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ôà ` àAs€Judge€Tipton€observed,€neither€attorney€filed€an€amended€petition€on€behalf€of€Leslie.€€This€mayÐ ° Ðpartly€be€due,€however,€to€the€difficulty€the€attorneys€had€in€discussing€the€issues€with€the€petitioner.Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó ñÝ ƒR¾é$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô¨eò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ôà ` àThere€are€only€three€statutory€exceptions€to€the€statute€of€limitations:€(1)€€where€a€claim€is€based€uponÐ ° Ða€constitutional€right€that€was€not€recognized€as€existing€at€the€time€of€trial€and€has€been€given€retroactive€application;Ð tÄ Ð(2)€where€a€claim€is€based€upon€new€scientific€evidence€establishing€that€the€petitioner€is€actually€innocent€of€the€offense;Ð 8ˆ Ðand€(3)€€where€a€claim€seeks€relief€from€a€sentence€that€was€enhanced€based€upon€a€conviction€that€is€subsequently€heldÐ üL Ðto€be€invalid.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€40„30„202(b)€(1997).€€ ¹Ý ƒR¾é$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô¨eò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ôà ` àA€ground€for€relief€is€waived€if€the€ð ðpetitioner€personally€or€through€an€attorney€failed€to€present€itÐ ° Ðfor€determination€in€any€proceeding€before€a€court€of€competent€jurisdiction€in€which€the€ground€could€have€beenÐ tÄ Ðpresented€.€.€.€.ðð€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€40„30„206(g)€(1997).€€A€ground€for€relief€is€previously€determined€ð ðif€a€court€ofÐ 8ˆ Ðcompetent€jurisdiction€has€ruled€on€the€merits€after€a€full€and€fair€hearing.ðð€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€40„30„206(h)€(1997).€Ð üL Ѐ€€€ ¹Ý ƒR¾é$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô¨eò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ôà ` àThe€trial€court€is€required€to€consider€the€petition€and€the€relevant€portions€of€the€record.€€It€shallÐ ° Ðdismiss€the€petition€if€it€plainly€appears€that€the€petition€is€barred€by€the€statute€of€limitations,€that€the€petitioner€hasÐ tÄ Ðalready€completed€the€post„conviction€process€with€regard€to€the€judgment€being€challenged,€or€that€the€petitioner€hasÐ 8ˆ Ða€post„conviction€petition€pending€in€another€court€that€challenges€the€same€judgment.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€40„30„206Ð üL Ð(1997).€€€€ ˜Ý ƒR¾é$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô¨eò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ôà ` àThe€Court€of€Criminal€Appeals€indicated€that€the€trial€court€first€appointed€attorney€Mark€Fishburn.€Ð ° ÐThis€appointment€is€also€mentioned€in€the€trial€courtððs€order€of€dismissal.€€Although€it€appears€that€Fishburn€representedÐ tÄ ÐLeslie€on€direct€appeal,€there€is€no€indication€that€Fishburn€served€as€counsel€or€was€relieved€as€counsel€in€the€post„Ð 8ˆ Ðconviction€process.€€In€any€event,€the€lack€of€clarity€in€the€record€in€this€regard€is€not€germane€to€our€decision.€€€ (|3?u$©©Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€©»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý +Ý ƒR¾é$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô¨eò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ôà ` àòòSeeóó€òòState€v.€Shirleyóó,€___€S.W.3d€___€(Tenn.€2000)€(defining€ð ðabuse€of€discretionðð€as€a€legal€standardÐ ° Ðof€appellate€review).- ù-(|G2¾é$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€©»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô¥ò»»Ô d(|3?u$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€©»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3?u$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€©»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Ý»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÑ  ÑÔ€¼Ý»»»ÔÑ8€VAXXdì»»d8Ñà@™ ™ ìàÔ‡îœî»¼ÝÔIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEˆà0 È àÔ#†¼Ý»îîœ #ÔÐÖ&È(#È(# ÐÓ  ÓOctober€4,€2000€SessionÐ üL ÐÔ‡XVAX»¼ÝÔÌò òÔ#†¼Ý»XXVA#ÔBILLY€WAYNE€LESLIE€v.€STATE€OF€TENNESSEE.Ô‡XVAX»¼ÝÔó óÐ úJ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òAppeal€by€Permission€from€the€Court€of€Criminal€Appeals€Ð ú J ÐCriminal€Court€for€Davidson€CountyÐ æ 6 Ðà@@øøìàNo.€88„S„1573€€€€€€Seth€Norman,€JudgeÐ Ò " ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<•` AßÐ –æ  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€M1998„00585„SC„R11„PC€„€Filed€December€21,€2000Ð ‘á  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<h` AßÐ i¹  Ðó óÌÓ  Óò òà  àó óÔ#†¼Ý»XXVAv#ÔÔ€XVAX»¼ÝÔWe€granted€review€in€this€post„conviction€case€to€determine€whether€the€trial€court€erred€byÐ d´ Ðallowing€the€appellantððs€appointed€attorneys€to€withdraw€and€refusing€to€appoint€new€counsel.€€AÐ P  Ðmajority€of€the€Court€of€Criminal€Appeals€held€that€the€trial€court€did€not€err€either€by€allowing€theÐ <Œ Ðappointed€attorneys€to€withdraw€or€by€refusing€to€appoint€new€counsel€because€the€appellant€hadÐ (x Ðabused€the€post„conviction€process.€€We€conclude,€and€the€State€concedes,€that€the€trial€court€erredÐ d Ðby€allowing€counsel€to€withdraw€without€a€hearing€and€failing€to€appoint€new€counsel.€€We€thereforeÐ P Ðreverse€the€Court€of€Criminal€Appealsðð€judgment€and€remand€the€case€to€the€trial€court€for€theÐ ì< Ðappointment€of€counsel€and€proceedings€consistent€with€this€opinion.€€€Ð Ø( ÐÓ³ÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€Appeal€by€Permission;€Judgment€of€the€Court€of€Criminal€AppealsÐ ° ÐReversed,€and€Case€Remanded€to€the€Davidson€County€Criminal€Court.ó óÐ œì ÐÌòòÓ  ÓE.€Riley€Anderson,€C.J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòFrank€F.€Ô_ÔDrowotaÔ_Ô,€III,Ð tÄ ÐÔ_ÔAdolphoÔ_Ô€A.€Birch,€Jr.,€Janice€M.€Holder,óó€and€òòWilliam€M.€Barkeróó,€JJ.,€joined.Ð `° ÐÌJohn€E.€Ô_ÔHerbisonÔ_Ô,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Billy€Wayne€Leslie.Ð 8!ˆ  ÐÌMichael€E.€Moore,€Solicitor€General;€Elizabeth€B.€Ô_ÔMarneyÔ_Ô,€Assistant€Attorney€General;€Victor€S.Ð #`" ÐJohnson€III,€District€Attorney€General;€and€John€C.€Zimmermann,€Assistant€District€AttorneyÐ ü#L# ÐGeneral,€for€the€appellee,€State€of€Tennessee.Ð è$8 $ ÐÌÓˆ ÓÌà@@OO&ìàò òOPINIONó óÐ ¬'ü"' ÐÌòòóóÓ  Óà@%ìàòòò òBACKGROUNDóóˆÐ „)Ô$) ÐÌó óà  àThe€appellant,€Billy€Wayne€Leslie,€was€convicted€of€first„degree€murder€and€sentenced€toÐ \+¬&+ Ðâ âlife€imprisonment€in€September€of€1991.€€The€Court€of€Criminal€Appeals€affirmed€the€convictionÐ H,˜',ý ÐÔ_Ôand€sentence€on€direct€appeal€on€September€24,€1993.€€This€Court€denied€Leslieððs€application€forÐ ° Ðpermission€to€appeal€on€February€22,€1994.Ð œì Ðâ âÌà  àOn€February€8,€1995,€Leslie€filed€a€petition€for€writ€of€error€coram€Ô_ÔnobisÔ_Ô.€€The€trial€courtÐ tÄ Ðappointed€attorney€Martin€Ô_ÔSzeigisÔ_Ô€to€represent€Leslie.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€On€May€10,€1996,€Leslie€filed€aÐ `° Ðòòproóóòòseóópetition€for€post„conviction€relief.€€Ð L œ ÐÌà  àOn€October€16,€1996,€Ô_ÔSzeigisÔ_Ô€filed€a€motion€to€withdraw€as€counsel€asserting€that€LeslieÐ $ t Ðð ðinsisted€that€[he]€pursue€or€present€claims€that€cannot€be€supported€by€good€faith€argument.ðð€€TheÐ  ` Ðtrial€court€allowed€Ô_ÔSzeigisÔ_Ô€to€withdraw€without€conducting€a€hearing€on€the€motion€and€instructedÐ ü L  ÐLeslie€to€choose€from€a€list€of€three€attorneys.€€Leslie€chose€attorney€Thomas€Bloom,€who€was€thenÐ è 8  Ðappointed€as€counsel€in€these€matters.Ð Ô$  ÐÌà  àIn€October€of€1997,€Bloom€filed€a€motion€to€withdraw€asserting€that€Leslie€ð ðrepeatedlyÐ ¬ü  Ðmakes€unreasonable€demands€.€.€.€as€to€how€his€case€should€be€presented.ðð€€The€motion€asserted:€Ð ˜è  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àFor€example,€the€Petitioner€insists€that€appointed€counsel€subpoenaÐ pÀ Ðover€thirty„seven€witnesses,€introduce€about€a€dozen€affidavits,Ð \¬ Ðconduct€a€thorough€background€check€on€the€victim,€including€creditÐ H˜ Ðand€military€history€and€telephone€records,€ask[]€for€funds€to€obtainÐ 4„ Ðexperts€for€blood€and€fiber€tests,€obtain€and€send€to€him€trial€exhibitsÐ  p Ðand€prosecution€files,€obtain€blood€test€results€from€California,€asÐ  \ Ðwell€as€other€investigative€and€legal€inquiries.€ÐøH` x` x ÐÌÌThe€motion€concluded:Ð ¼  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àAppointed€counsel€foresees€that€it€will€be€utterly€impossible€for€himÐ ”ä Ðto€represent€the€Petitioner€as€Petitioner€wants€to€be€represented€andÐ €Ð Ðthat€Petitioner€will€find€and€declare€said€representation€to€be€a€sham.€Ð l¼ ÐAppointed€counsel€also€foresees€subsequent€complaints€against€himÐ X ¨ Ðto€disciplinary€boards€or€the€Court€which,€although€frivolous,€willÐ D!” Ðrequire€time,€energy€and€anxiety€to€address.Ð0"€ ` x` x Ðà  àÌÌà  àOn€November€12,€1997,€without€conducting€a€hearing,€the€trial€court€granted€Bloomððs€motionÐ ô$D # Ðto€withdraw€as€counsel€and€refused€to€appoint€new€counsel€to€represent€Leslie.€€In€so€doing,€the€trialÐ à%0!$ Ðcourt€said:Ð Ì&"% Їà8  àà8` Ð Ð àMr.€Bloom,€Mr.€Leslie,€has€filed€a€motion€that€is€similar€to€theÐ ° Ðmotion€your€last€lawyer€filed.€€Mr.€Bloom€tells€me€that€you€want€himÐ œì Ðto€advance€theories€that€he€canððt€sustain.€€Thatððs€exactly€what€Mr.Ð ˆØ ÐÔ_ÔSzeigisÔ_Ô€told€me.€€Iððm€going€to€relieve€Mr.€Bloom,€and€Iððm€not€goingÐ tÄ Ðto€give€you€a€lawyer,€sir.€€I€am€going€to€allow€you€to€proceed€byÐ `° Ðyourself.€€I€will€set€this€matter€for€a€hearing.€€ÐL œ` x` x ÐÌÌà  àOn€November€25,€1997,€the€trial€court€held€a€hearing€on€Leslieððs€petitions€for€coram€Ô_ÔnobisÔ_ÔÐ  ` Ðand€post„conviction€relief.€€Leslie€told€the€court€that€he€was€unable€to€proceed€without€counsel€andÐ ü L  Ðasked€for€a€continuance.€€The€trial€court€refused:Ð è 8  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àNo,€sir.€€Mr.€Leslie,€we€have€waltzed€around€on€this€thing€andÐ À  Ðwaltzed€around€on€this€thing.€€I€have€appointed€you€two€lawyers.€€TheÐ ¬ü  Ðlast€time€I€even€allowed€you€to€select€from€three€different€lawyers.€Ð ˜è  ÐAll€of€your€lawyers€have€told€me€that€you€will€not€listen€to€them.€€IÐ „Ô  Ðam€not€going€to€continue€this€matter.€€I€am€not€going€to€trifle€withÐ pÀ Ðyou.€€The€matter€is€hear€[sic]€today€for€hearing.€€We€are€going€to€hearÐ \¬ Ðit,€thatððs€all€there€is€to€it,€so€you€must€go€forward,€sir.ÐH˜` x` x ÐÌÌLeslie€asked€that€the€petition€for€writ€of€error€coram€Ô_ÔnobisÔ_Ô€be€heard€separately€and€asserted€that€heÐ  \ Ðwas€unable€to€defend€himself€due€to€a€stroke.€€The€trial€court€said,€€ð ðBoth€petitions€are€dismissed.€Ð øH ÐTake€him€back.€€Failure€to€prosecute.ðð€€Ð ä4 ÐÌà  àA€written€order€dismissing€both€petitions€was€later€entered.€€With€regard€to€the€appointmentÐ ¼  Ðof€counsel,€the€trial€courtððs€order€said:Ð ¨ø ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThe€gist€of€the€withdrawal€motions€filed€by€each€of€the€foregoingÐ €Ð Ðattorneys€centers€upon€the€Petitionerððs€refusal€to€cooperate€withÐ l¼ Ðcounsel,€his€insistence€that€his€court€appointed€attorneys€engage€inÐ X ¨ Ðunethical€conduct€in€order€to€pursue€false€and€Ô_ÔmeritlessÔ_Ô€claims€in€theÐ D!” Ðconsolidated€petitions,€and€his€voluntary€conduct€in€disrupting€theÐ 0"€  Ðorderly€process€and€litigation€of€these€petitions.€.€.€.€The€CourtÐ #l! Ðspecifically€finds€that€the€dismissal€of€Messrs.€Ô_ÔFishburnÔ_Ô,€Ô_ÔSzeigisÔ_Ô€andÐ $X" ÐBloom€as€attorneys€appointed€to€represent€the€Petitioner€wereÐ ô$D # Ðnecessitated€through€no€fault€of€the€attorneys€but€solely€by€the€faultÐ à%0!$ Ðof€the€Petitioner.€.€.€.€Based€on€the€[Petitionerððs]€willful€andÐ Ì&"% Ðintentional€conduct€necessitating€the€dismissal€of€his€three€priorÐ ¸'#& Ðattorneys,€all€of€whom€are€experienced€in€[the]€area€of€criminal€lawÐ ¤(ô#' Ðand€are€seasoned€trial€attorneys,€this€Court€declines€to€appoint€yetÐ )à$( Ðanother€attorney€at€state€expense€to€represent€Mr.€Leslie.Ð|*Ì%)` x` x ÐÐ h+¸&* Їà  àA€majority€of€the€Court€of€Criminal€Appeals€affirmed€the€dismissal€of€the€petitions€afterÐ ° Ðconcluding€that€the€trial€court€was€in€position€to€determine€whether€Leslie€had€abused€the€post„Ð œì Ðconviction€process.€€In€dissent,€Judge€Joseph€M.€Ô_ÔTiptonÔ_Ô€wrote€that€the€trial€court€abused€its€discretionÐ ˆØ Ðby€allowing€Leslieððs€attorneys€to€withdraw€without€a€hearing€or€the€appointment€of€new€counsel.€€Ð tÄ ÐÌà  àWe€granted€this€appeal€to€review€these€issues.Ð L œ ÐÌà@òò&ìàòòò òANALYSISóóˆÐ $ t ÐÌà  àó óWe€begin€by€reviewing€the€relevant€portions€of€the€post„conviction€process€as€found€withinÐ ü L  Ðthe€Post„Conviction€Procedure€Act€of€1995.€€òòSeeóóTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€40„30„201,€òòet€seq.óó€(1997).€€AÐ è 8  Ðpetitioner€may€file€a€petition€for€post„conviction€relief€seeking€to€set€aside€a€conviction€or€sentenceÐ Ô$  Ðor€to€have€an€appeal€granted€on€the€basis€that€the€petitioner€was€denied€a€constitutional€right€underÐ À  Ðthe€Tennessee€or€United€States€Constitutions.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€40„30„203€(1997).à Ð à€Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà  àA€post„conviction€proceeding€is€commenced€by€the€filing€of€a€petition€for€post„convictionÐ „Ô  Ðrelief€with€the€clerk€of€the€court€in€which€the€conviction€occurred.€€The€petition€shall€assert€a€claimÐ pÀ Ðfor€relief€and€allegations€of€fact€supporting€each€claim.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€40„30„204€(1997).€Ð \¬ ÐA€petition€must€be€filed€ð ðwithin€one€(1)€year€of€the€date€of€the€final€action€of€the€highest€stateÐ H˜ Ðappellate€court€to€which€an€appeal€is€taken€or,€if€no€appeal€is€taken,€within€one€(1)€year€of€the€dateÐ 4„ Ðon€which€the€judgment€became€final€.€.€.€.ðð€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€40„30„202(a)€(1997).׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€ActÐ  p Ðð ðcontemplates€the€filing€of€only€one€(1)€petition€for€post„conviction€relief.ðð€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€40„Ð  \ Ð30„202(c)€(1997).Ð øH ÐÌòòóóà  àIf€a€petition€that€has€been€filed€by€an€indigent€petitioner€has€not€been€dismissed€upon€the€trialÐ Ð  Ðcourtððs€preliminary€consideration,׃d×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€the€trial€court€ð ðshall€appoint€counsel€to€represent€the€petitioner.ðð€Ð ¼  ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€40„30„207(b)(1)€(1997).€€òòóóCounsel€shall€file€either€an€amended€petition€for€post„Ð ¨ø Ðconviction€relief€or€written€notice€that€an€amended€petition€will€not€be€filed.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€40„Ð ”ä Ðâ â30„207(b)(2)€(1997).€€The€State€shall€then€file€an€answer€responding€to€the€allegations€in€the€petitionÐ €Ð Ðand€asserting€statutory€Ô_ÔissuesÔ_Ô€such€as€statute€of€limitations,€waiver,€and€previous€determination.€Ð ° ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€40„30„208€(1997).׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð œì Ðâ âÌà  àIn€the€present€case,€the€trial€court€first€appointed€attorney€Ô_ÔSzeigisÔ_Ô€and€later€appointed€attorneyÐ tÄ ÐBloom€to€represent€the€petitioner.€€The€legal€standard€of€review€in€this€case€is€whether€the€trial€courtÐ `° Ðabused€its€discretion€in€allowing€both€Ô_ÔSzeigisÔ_Ô€and€Bloom€to€withdraw€as€counsel€and€also€requiringÐ L œ Ðthe€petitioner€to€proceed€without€counsel.׃d×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€To€answer€this€question,€we€must€discuss€the€obligationsÐ 8 ˆ Ðof€an€attorney€in€a€post„conviction€case.Ð $ t ÐÌà  àIt€is€well„established€that€a€petitioner€does€not€have€a€constitutional€right€to€be€representedÐ ü L  Ðby€counsel€in€a€post„conviction€case.€€òòSeeóó€òòHouse€v.€Stateóó,€911€S.W.2d€705,€712€(Tenn.€1995);Ð è 8  ÐòòPennsylvania€v.€Finleyóó,€481€U.S.€551,€555,€107€S.€Ct.€1990,€1993,€95€L.€Ed.€2d€539€(1987).€€AsÐ Ô$  Ðdiscussed€above,€however,€the€legislature€has€€afforded€a€statutory€right€to€counsel€in€post„convictionÐ À  Ðcases.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€40„30„207(b)(1)€(1997).€€The€appointment€of€counsel€assists€inÐ ¬ü  Ðensuring€that€a€petitioner€asserts€all€available€grounds€for€relief€and€fully€and€fairly€litigates€theseÐ ˜è  Ðgrounds€in€a€single€post„conviction€proceeding.€€Ð „Ô  ÐÌà  àWe€have€summarized€the€obligations€and€responsibilities€of€a€post„conviction€attorney€asÐ \¬ Ðfollows:Ð H˜ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àAppointed€or€retained€counsel€shall€be€required€to€review€the€pro€seÐ  p Ðpetition,€file€an€amended€petition€asserting€other€claims€whichÐ  \ Ðpetitioner€arguably€has€or€a€written€notice€that€no€amended€petitionÐ øH Ðwill€be€filed,€interview€relevant€witnesses,€including€petitioner€andÐ ä4 Ðprior€counsel,€and€diligently€investigate€and€present€all€reasonableÐ Ð  Ðclaims.м ` x` x ÐÌÌTenn.€Sup.€Ct.€R.€28,€ðð€6(C)(2).€€Counsel€is€also€to€file€a€certification€indicating€that€he€or€she€hasÐ €Ð Ðthoroughly€investigated€the€possible€constitutional€violations,€has€discussed€the€possibleÐ l¼ Ðconstitutional€violations€with€the€petitioner,€and€has€raised€all€non„frivolous€constitutional€groundsÐ X ¨ Ðwarranted€by€existing€law€or€a€good€faith€argument€for€the€extension,€modification,€or€reversal€ofÐ D!” Ðexisting€law.€€òòóóTenn.€Sup.€Ct.€R.€28,€ðð€6(C)(3),€app.€C.€Ð 0"€  Ðâ âà  àò òÐ #l! ÐÔ_Ôó óòòà  àóóIn€our€view,€these€standards€illustrate€the€balance€between€counsel€and€a€petitioner€inÐ ° Ðâ âdetermining€the€course€and€conduct€of€a€post„conviction€proceedings.€€òòóóCounsel€is€obligated€to€reviewÐ œì Ðthe€petition;€file€an€amended€petition€if€necessary;€interview€the€petitioner;€interviewÐ ˆØ Ðòòrelevantóówitnesses;€and€investigate€and€present€ð ðòòall€reasonable€claimsóó.ðð€€Tenn.€Sup.€Ct.€R.€28,€ððÐ tÄ Ð6(C)(2)€(emphasis€added).€€The€rules€also€provide€that€counsel€is€to€certify€that€all€ð ðnon„frivolousÐ `° Ðconstitutional€groundsðð€have€been€asserted.€€Tenn.€Sup.€Ct.€R.€28,€ðð€6(C)(3),€app.€C.€€Counsel€mustÐ L œ Ðconsult€with€the€petitioner€where€feasible€but€retains€the€right€to€make€strategic€and€tactical€decisionsÐ 8 ˆ Ðð!ð€including€€the€determination€of€which€issues€are€reasonable€and€should€be€raised€and€pursued€ð!ðÐ $ t Ðbased€on€counselððs€professional€judgment.€€Counsel€is€in€no€way€obligated€to€comply€with€aÐ  ` Ðpetitionerððs€demands€to€investigate€or€pursue€unreasonable€or€frivolous€claims.€€Ð ü L  ÐÌà  àWith€these€standards€in€mind,€we€agree€with€Judge€Tiptonððs€conclusion,€as€does€the€State€onÐ Ô$  Ðappeal,€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€allowing€counsel€to€withdraw€in€this€case.€€The€motion€toÐ À  Ðwithdraw€filed€by€Szeigis€alleged€only€that€Leslie€wanted€him€to€pursue€and€present€claims€thatÐ ¬ü  Ðcould€not€be€supported€by€ð ðgood€faith€argument.ðð€€The€motion€filed€by€Bloom,€although€moreÐ ˜è  Ðdetailed,€alleged€that€Leslie€made€demands€that€were€ð ðunreasonableðð€and€could€not€be€presented€inÐ „Ô  Ðð ðgood€faith.ðð€€Bloomððs€motion€€ò òòòó óóóindicated€that€Leslie€was€dissatisfied€with€his€representation€andÐ pÀ Ðwould€lead€to€the€filing€of€complaints€to€disciplinary€boards€and€courts.€€The€trial€court€did€notÐ \¬ Ðconduct€a€hearing€and€require€proof€on€the€issues€raised€by€the€bare€allegations€made€by€eitherÐ H˜ ÐSzeigis€or€Bloom.€€€Ð 4„ ÐÌà  àAlthough€we€are€aware€of€the€practical€difficulties€appointed€counsel€may€face€in€theÐ  \ Ðrepresentation€of€a€post„conviction€petitioner,€we€conclude€that€the€allegations€made€by€Szeigis€andÐ øH ÐBloom€did€not€alone€justify€withdrawal.€€Even€if€a€hearing€had€been€held€and€the€proof€had€shownÐ ä4 Ðthat€Leslieððs€demands€upon€counsel€were€unreasonable,€there€was€no€claim€that€Szeigis€or€BloomÐ Ð  Ðwere€unable€to€satisfy€their€basic€obligations€of€investigating,€raising,€and€presenting€any€and€allÐ ¼  Ðreasonable€and€non„frivolous€grounds€for€relief.€€As€we€have€said,€counsel€is€not€required€toÐ ¨ø Ðinvestigate€or€raise€unreasonable€or€frivolous€claims€regardless€of€a€petitionerððs€demands.€€In€short,Ð ”ä Ða€petitionerððs€unreasonable€demands€do€not€alone€prevent€an€attorney€from€meeting€his€or€herÐ €Ð Ðprofessional€responsibilities.€€Were€we€to€conclude€otherwise,€a€petitioner€potentially€couldÐ l¼ Ðmanipulate€the€post„conviction€process€and€create€interminable€delay€by€repeatedly€seeking€newÐ X ¨ Ðcounsel.Ð D!” ÐÌà  àWe€also€conclude,€and€the€State€again€concedes,€that€the€trial€court€erred€by€requiring€LeslieÐ #l! Ðto€proceed€unrepresented.€€€Although€we€have€held€that€the€post„conviction€remedy€may€be€deniedÐ $X" Ðto€a€petitioner€who€abuses€the€post„conviction€process,€òòóóthis€is€not€such€a€case.€€òòSeeóó€òòCazes€v.€Stateóó,Ð ô$D # Ð980€S.W.2d€364,€365€(Tenn.€1998)€(After€the€petitioner€filed€and€later€demanded€the€withdrawal€ofÐ à%0!$ Ðthree€successive€petitions,€the€trial€court€dismissed€with€prejudice.).€òòóó€There€was€no€evidence€orÐ Ì&"% Ðallegation€that€Leslie€abused€the€post„conviction€process.€€òòóóAlthough€Szeigis€and€Bloom€sought€toÐ ¸'#& Ðwithdraw€based€upon€their€assertions€of€Leslieððs€unreasonable€demands,€Leslie€did€not€seek€to€haveÐ ¤(ô#' Ðeither€attorney€removed.€€The€trial€court€did€not€conduct€a€hearing€before€allowing€either€Szeigis€orÐ )à$( Ðâ âBloom€to€withdraw.€€Moreover,€the€trial€court€did€not€inquire€into€the€work€that€had€been€Ô_ÔperformedÐ |*Ì%) Ðby€counsel€before€requiring€Leslie€to€proceed€òòproóóòòseóóless€than€two€weeks€after€relieving€Bloom.׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€WeÐ ° Ðâ âtherefore€conclude,€and€the€State€concedes,€that€the€trial€court€erred€by€requiring€Leslie€to€proceedÐ œì Ðòòproóóòòseóó.Ð ˆØ ÐÌà@FF%ìàòòò òCONCLUSIONóóˆÐ `° Ðó óÌà  àòòóóAfter€reviewing€the€record,€we€conclude,€and€the€State€concedes,€that€the€trial€court€erred€byÐ 8 ˆ Ðallowing€counsel€to€withdraw€and€failing€to€appoint€new€counsel€without€conducting€a€hearing.€€WeÐ $ t Ðtherefore€reverse€the€Court€of€Criminal€Appealsðð€judgment€and€remand€the€case€to€the€trial€court€forÐ  ` Ðappointment€of€new€counsel€and€additional€proceedings€on€Leslieððs€petitions.€€Costs€of€this€appealÐ ü L  Ðare€taxed€to€the€State.Ð è 8  ÐÌà  àà0 ` àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àà0À(#À(#à____________________________________ÐÀ (#(# Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àRILEY€ANDERSON,€CHIEF€JUSTICEÐ ¬ü  Ð