IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE

AT KNOXVILLE

Assigned on Briefs June 28, 2005 

JOSEPH B. THOMPSON v. STATE OF TENNESSEE

Direct Appeal from the Criminal Court for Sullivan County

No. C48,041 R. Jerry Beck, Judge

No. E2004-00920-CCA-R3-PC - Filed October 12, 2005

The Petitioner, Joseph B. Thompson, was convicted of aggravated robbery and aggravated

kidnapping, and the trial court sentenced him to an effective sentence of forty years. On direct

appeal, this Court affirmed the Petitioner’s convictions and sentences. The Petitioner filed a petition

for post-conviction relief, which the post-conviction court dismissed after a hearing. On appeal, the

Petitioner contends that the post-conviction court erred when it dismissed his petition because: (1)

he received ineffective assistance of counsel; (2) the State caused exculpatoryevidence to be lost and

unavailable to the Petitioner; (3) the trial court denied his right to allocution; (4) the trial court

improperly limited trial counsel’s time for closing argument; (5) the trial court erred when it ruled

that the Petitioner could not instruct his trial counsel about trial strategy; and (6) the trial court erred

by instructing the jury concerning the amount of fines to be imposed. After thoroughly reviewing

the record and the applicable law, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Tenn. R. App. P. 3 Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Criminal Court Affirmed

ROBERT W. WEDEMEYER,J., delivered the opinion of the court, in which JAMES CURWOOD WITT,

JR., and ALAN E. GLENN, JJ., joined.

Mark H. Toohey, Kingsport, Tennessee, for the appellant, Joseph B. Thompson.

Paul G. Summers, Attorney General and Reporter;Jennifer L. Bledsoe, Assistant Attorney General;

Greeley Wells, District Attorney General; and B. Todd Martin, Assistant District Attorney General,

for the appellee, State of Tennessee.

OPINION

I. Facts

A Sullivan County Jury convicted the Petitioner of aggravated robbery and of aggravated

kidnapping. The trial court sentenced the Petitioner to twenty years for each offense, to be served

consecutively, for an effective sentence of forty years. On direct appeal, this Court affirmed the
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Petitioner’s convictions and sentence. State v. Joseph B. Thompson, No. E2002-00061-CCA-R3-

CD, 2003 WL 1202979, at *1 (Tenn. Crim. App., at Knoxville, Mar. 17, 2003), perm. app. denied

(Tenn. 2003). In our opinion, we summarized the facts as follows:

During the early morning hours of June 20, 1999, the sixty-two-year-old

victim, Shirley Huffman, a desk clerk at the Microtel motel in Kingsport, was

attacked and beaten by a man wearing a ski mask. The victim, who suffered injuries

to her head and face, felt the sensation of being dragged before she lost

consciousness. When she briefly regained consciousness, she realized that she was

in the restroom adjacent to the manager’s office.

Robin Lynette Blix, also a desk clerk at the motel, testified that the

[Petitioner], whom she recognized as an acquaintance of her ex-boyfriend, entered

the lobby of the motel through the front door just before midnight. According to Ms.

Blix, the [Petitioner] left the lobby before the victim, who began her shift at

midnight, arrived for work. She recalled that the victim had locked all of the motel’s

exterior doors shortly after her arrival. Ms. Blix remembered that the [Petitioner] had

been a guest at the Microtel several days earlier, but was not registered on the night

of the robbery.

Alicia Hendrickson, general manager of the Microtel, explained that key cards

issued to guests were programmed to open both the individual guest rooms and the

exterior doors. She explained that each key card could be used until a new key was

created with the same room number. Ms. Hendrickson, who attended the same high

school as the [Petitioner], recalled that he was a guest at the motel from June 5

through June 12, and still owed more than $200 for his lodging. She testified that

when the [Petitioner] checked into the motel on June 5, he paid for one day and made

arrangements to pay for the balance of his stay when he received his paycheck. Ms.

Hendrickson explained that she had made a similar arrangement with the [Petitioner]

on an earlier occasion and that he had paid the full balance. After being notified of

the robbery, Ms. Hendrickson went to the motel and gave the [Petitioner’s] name to

police based upon the description of the perpetrator provided by other witnesses. Ms.

Hendrickson testified that more than $400 was missing after the robbery.

Robert Wayne Hughes, who was training as a reserve deputy for the Sullivan

County Sheriff’s Department at the time of the offenses, testified that he and his

girlfriend, Suzanne Faye Lawson, arrived in separate cars at the Microtel between

1:00 and 1:30 a.m. As Hughes drove closer to the entrance of the motel, he saw a

masked black male, who was wearing dark brown clothing, lurking in a hallway near

the lobby. According to Hughes, the individual retreated into the hallway after seeing

him outside. Hughes then directed Ms. Lawson to follow him to an adjacent parking

lot so that they could not be seen from the lobby. Afterward, Hughes drove back

toward the lobby and walked to the call box to summon an attendant. After the victim
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allowed him into the lobby, Hughes checked the hallway near the lobby to see if

anyone was there. He stated that when he informed the victim that he had seen a man

lurking near the lobby, she did not seem concerned, apparently believing that the

individual was a registered guest.

Suzanne Faye Lawson, Hughes’ girlfriend, testified that she observed an

individual, whom she later identified as the [Petitioner], drive a car from the rear

parking lot of the motel, park, and then walk toward her vehicle. Ms. Lawson stated

that she saw the [Petitioner’s] face as he walked within ten feet of her car. She

described the [Petitioner] as wearing dark gray clothing and having black hair, a

medium complexion, and a slim build. Later, she saw the [Petitioner] enter a back

door of the motel. Ms. Lawson remembered that when she informed Hughes that she

had seen the [Petitioner] enter through the back door, Hughes checked the floors and

then called the front desk to tell the clerk of the [Petitioner’s] presence. After the

robbery, Ms. Lawson identified the [Petitioner] from a photographic lineup as the

individual she had seen enter the motel.

James Alexander Bardinelli and Joel Dingus, employees of a Kroger located

adjacent to the Microtel, were standing outside their place of business sometime

between 2:00 and 2:15 a.m. They were approached by the [Petitioner], who offered

to sell them some sporting tickets. Bardinelli, who identified the [Petitioner] from a

photographic lineup, recalled that he and his brother had seen the [Petitioner] the day

before. Dingus saw the [Petitioner] drive into the parking lot of the Microtel and

enter through a back door.

At 2:39 a.m., Sergeant Dan Brookshire and Officer Mark Osterman of the

Kingsport Police Department responded to the silent alarm at the Microtel. Upon

their arrival, the front door was locked and there was no clerk located in the desk

area. After someone inside opened the door, Officer Osterman examined the front

desk area while Sergeant Brookshire stayed in the lobby. Sergeant Brookshire

observed a screwdriver stuck in the doorjamb of the restroom located adjacent to the

front desk. Officer Osterman, who had seen a large amount of blood on the floor

behind the front desk and on the restroom door, was unable to open the restroom door

because the screwdriver had been lodged between the door and the frame. When the

screwdriver was removed, the officers discovered that the door was locked. After

gaining entry by the use of a knife, officers discovered the victim, who was badly

injured and lying in a pool of blood.

Detective Penny Kindle of the Kingsport Police Department testified that she

interviewed the victim at Wellmont Hospital on the day following the crimes. She

took several photographs which depicted the various injuries the victim had suffered

during the attack. After the [Petitioner’s] arrest, Detective Kindle noticed that

[Petitioner’s] right hand was swollen.
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Mary Kay Arnold, who was dating the [Petitioner] at the time of the offenses,

testified that the [Petitioner] was at her residence until 10:00 p.m. on the day before

the robbery. She recalled that he was wearing blue jeans and a red tee shirt when he

left. According to Ms. Arnold, the [Petitioner] returned shortly after 3:00 a.m. the

following morning. Awakened by the sound of running water in her kitchen sink, she

walked downstairs and heard the [Petitioner] say, “Do not come into the kitchen.”

According to Ms. Arnold, the [Petitioner] was wearing the same clothing he had on

earlier in the evening. She noticed that his right hand was swollen. She testified that

the [Petitioner] then left the residence and, when he returned shortly after sunrise, he

was wearing a yellow shirt, yellow hat, and blue jeans and was carrying a Proffitt’s

bag. The [Petitioner] handed her a pair of brown suede boots and asked her to discard

them. According to Ms. Arnold, the boots had dark red or brown stains on the toe

area. She recalled that the [Petitioner] asked her to drive to the Laundromat, where

he dumped clothing from a black plastic bag into a washing machine. Ms. Arnold

testified that she did not see the clothing that had been in the bag and conceded that

she had originally lied to the police regarding the [Petitioner’s] whereabouts on the

night of the offenses. She explained that she “was scared because [she] had thrown

away some boots and my friend told me that he might have been the one.”

Officer David Quillen testified that the [Petitioner] asked to speak with him

on the day after the robbery. According to Officer Quillen, the [Petitioner] initially

denied any involvement, claiming that he had been living in his car and was asleep

at the time. Eventually, the [Petitioner] acknowledged that he had been at the

Microtel prior to the robbery. When Officer Quillen noticed that the [Petitioner’s]

right hand was badly swollen, the [Petitioner] explained that he had hit someone but

refused to identify the individual. The officer stated that the [Petitioner] at first

denied committing the robbery but later qualified his claim, pointing out that “no

person saw [him] commit any crime.”

Dr. Joann D’Aprile Lukes, who treated the victim, testified that there was a

three-centimeter laceration on the victim’s left eyebrow, a five-centimeter laceration

on her left ear, a one-centimeter scalp laceration, and a one-centimeter laceration on

her left middle finger. She described the victim as having extensive swelling on the

right side of her face. Her right eye was swollen shut, her lips were swollen, and her

entire facial area was black and blue.

Dr. Timothy A. Urbin, a neuropsychologist, observed severe injuries to both

sides of the front part of the victim’s brain and lesser injuries to the right side of the

back part of her brain. He diagnosed the victim with a concussion and

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. It was his opinion that the victim would experience

difficulties with her thought processes for the remainder of her life.

The victim, sixty-five-year-old Shirley Huffman, recalled that just prior to the
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attack, a guest warned her that he had seen a man lurking in the lobby. As a result,

she removed $200 from the cash drawer behind the front desk and placed it in the

safe. Later, just after the same guest telephoned the front desk to tell her that he had

seen someone on the second floor of the motel, a light-skinned black male appeared

in the lobby, jumped over the counter, and began to beat her with his right fist,

eventually threatening to shoot her. The victim testified that she struggled to reach

the alarm button but was not sure if it was activated because she eventually lost

consciousness. She recalled that when she regained consciousness, she realized that

she was on the floor of the restroom and was able to lock the door from the inside.

The victim was unable to identify the defendant’s face because he wore a ski mask

during the attack, but otherwise described him as only slightly taller than her.

Karen N. Lanning, an agent with the FBI, testified for the defense. Ms.

Lanning, an expert in the field of fiber and hair analysis, stated that she had examined

a number of hairs collected from inside the [Petitioner’s] vehicle and determined that

none of them belonged to the victim. She also examined hairs found on the victim

and concluded that they were not those of the [Petitioner]. Ms. Lanning stated that

if the perpetrator were wearing a mask, gloves, a long-sleeve shirt, pants, and boots,

she would not expect to find his hair at the crime scene.

Three forensic scientists with the TBI testified for the defense. Hoyt Phillips

testified that he compared two latent fingerprints and one palm print found at the

scene with the known prints of the [Petitioner] and determined that the prints found

at the scene were not those of the [Petitioner]. Joe Minor testified that he examined

the accelerator pedal and brake pedal from the [Petitioner’s] car and concluded that

there was no blood on either. He also found no blood on the floor mats from the

[Petitioner’s] car. Minor stated that no blood was found on the six pairs of the

[Petitioner’s] shoes that were tested. Linda Littlejohn compared the [Petitioner’s]

shoes with impressions left at the scene and determined that none of the shoes tested

matched the impression.

Id. at *1-4.

As previously stated, the Petitioner contends, among other things, that he received ineffective

assistance of counsel. He asserts that his trial counsel was ineffective in nineteen ways, and he

offered testimony in support of each of these claims at the post-conviction hearing. Because of our

standard of review, we must examine all the proof presented that is relevant to the Petitioner’s claims

in this appeal. To that end, the following relevant evidence was presented at the post-conviction

hearing:

James Moffitt, a detective with the Kingsport Police Department, testified that, on June 21,

1999, he arrested the Petitioner at an apartment located in a government housing apartment complex

in Johnson City, Tennessee. A Johnson City police officer transported the Petitioner to the Johnson
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City limits, near Kingsport, and, in Kingsport, a Kingsport police officer took custody of the

Petitioner. The detective said that the Petitioner’s 1978 Chevrolet Caprice was legally parked in the

parking lot of the apartment complex, and the car was confiscated and towed to the Kingsport Police

Department. Detective Moffitt did not have a search warrant for the vehicle, and he assumed that,

after the vehicle was taken to Kingsport, a search warrant was issued before the vehicle was

searched. On cross-examination, Detective Moffitt testified that the apartment belonged to someone

other than the Petitioner, namely a woman named Kathy Pierce. He discovered the apartment’s

address by looking through phone records at the Microtel Inn, which showed that phone calls had

been made to the apartment from a room registered to the Petitioner. Detective Moffitt testified that

he had a description of the Petitioner’s vehicle, which is how he identified the vehicle in the

apartment parking lot. 

Frank Light, a detective with the Kingsport Police Department, identified a Sullivan County

search warrant for the Petitioner’s vehicle. Detective Light testified that Detective David Joe Cole

told him that he had a valid arrest warrant for the Petitioner, and Detective Light went to Kathy

Pierce’s apartment to arrest the Petitioner. He said that he went to the apartment complex with other

detectives and talked with Pierce, who informed him that the Petitioner was not at the apartment.

Detective Light testified that, when he was returning to the police department, he received a page

from Pierce informing him that the Petitioner was at her apartment. The detective said that the other

detectives returned to the residence looking for the Petitioner’s vehicle. When the detective returned

to the residence, he knocked on the door, and Pierce answered, and she allowed the police inside the

apartment. Detective Light then arrested the Petitioner. On cross-examination, Detective Light

testified that Detective Cole informed him that there was an arrest warrant for the Petitioner.

Detective Cole also advised him that the Petitioner might be driving a 1978 Caprice, and, before

seeing the vehicle at the apartment, Detective Light did not request a search warrant for the vehicle.

Detective Light testified that the Petitioner was arrested in Johnson City, and Johnson City police

transported the Petitioner to the Sullivan County line. The Petitioner was then taken to the Kingsport

City Jail. He stated that the Petitioner’s vehicle was towed to Sullivan County, and it was taken as

evidence to the Kingsport Police Department.

Detective Cole testified that, as part of this investigation, he recovered a Montgomery Ward

receipt when he searched the Petitioner’s vehicle. He said that when he first saw the receipt it did

not mean anything to him, and he put it in a box labeled “various papers.” Detective Cole stated

that, subsequently, the victim told him about a second MontgomeryWard receipt found at the crime

scene. The detective identified the screwdriver that was found in the door of the bathroom at the

Microtel. He said that he accompanied post-conviction counsel and Charles Coomer to the hotel to

view the bathroom door and to run a test on the door. When he examined the door, it appeared to

be unchanged from the night of the robbery. Detective Cole testified that he found a mark on the

door just above the hinge where the screwdriver had been placed during this crime. Detective Cole

said that, after determining where the mark was located, he assisted post-conviction counsel by

lodging the screwdriver in that same area of the door. Coomer then opened the door without

difficulty, and the screwdriver fell on the floor. On cross-examination, Detective Cole testified that

he did not know if the screwdriver found at the scene belonged to the hotel, and there were no tools
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stored near the area where the screwdriver was found. Based on his investigation, the screwdriver

appeared to be placed in the door to keep the door closed, but he thought that the victim locked the

door from the inside.

Both sides stipulated that Charles Coomer, a resident of Kingsport, went to the Microtel with

post-conviction counsel and Detective Cole, and he witnessed Detective Cole place the screwdriver

in the doorjamb. After the screwdriver was placed in the door in two different positions, Coomer

opened the door without difficulty.

Dan Brookshire, an officer with the Kingsport Police Department, testified that he responded

to the robbery at the Microtel, and, when he gained entrance to the hotel, he found the clerk in the

bathroom and a screwdriver lodged into the top of the left side of the door near the hinge. He stated

that the door was locked from the inside, and he was unable to open the door by turning the handle.

The officer did not know whether the screwdriver prevented the door from opening, and he thought

that Detective Moffitt gained access to the door by using either a screwdriver or a knife to open the

latch of the door.

Mark Edward Osterman, an officer with the Kingsport Police Department, testified that he

responded to an alarm at the Microtel, and, when he arrived, he noticed a screwdriver stuck in the

doorjamb near the hinge at the top left side of the bathroom door. He said that the door was locked

when he arrived. The officer did not know who removed the screwdriver, he did not recall seeing

the door open, he did not remember exactly when the screwdriver came out of the door, and he did

not know if the screwdriver in the door prevented the door from being opened.

The Petitioner testified that he initially filed a pro se petition for post-conviction relief in

which he alleged that his trial counsel, (“Counsel”), was ineffective for several reasons. The

Petitioner asserted that Counsel was ineffective for failing to file several pre-trial motions, and for

failing to request a change of venue based upon pretrial publicity. The Petitioner informed Counsel

of pretrial publicity that the Petitioner believed was false and prejudicial to his trial. Additionally,

the Petitioner stated that Counsel was ineffective for failing to file a motion for individual voir dire

of the jury before trial to determine if they had seen or read any of the prejudicial pretrial publicity.

Also, based upon this publicity, the Petitioner stated that Counsel should have filed a motion to

dismiss the indictment and should have asked the trial court to inquire if the grand jury was

influenced by the newspaper article. He stated that he discussed this issue with Counsel on

numerous occasions, both in person and by letters. 

The Petitioner testified that Counsel was ineffective for failing to file a motion to suppress

evidence based on his illegal arrest. He clarified that Counsel ineffectively failed to investigate the

fact that his arrest was illegal. The Petitioner alleged that his arrest was illegal because it occurred

at an apartment owned by someone other than the Petitioner, and, when the owner asked the police

officers if they had a warrant, the officers were obligated to get a search warrant. He said that,

instead, the officers entered the home, arrested him, and took his car keys, shoes, and other items

from him. The Petitioner testified that the officers wrongfully took him to the Kingsport City Jail
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instead of the Washington County Jail. The Petitioner identified an arrest warrant for him that

alleged that he committed aggravated robbery. He noted that the warrant stated that it was applied

for by Detective Cole and signed by Dwayne Snodgrass. The warrant stated that it was to be

executed at 941 Maple Street, but the Petitioner asserted that Counsel should have challenged the

affidavit that supported the warrant because it lacked probable cause. He believed that, had Counsel

addressed this issue, his arrest would have been found unlawful and the evidence against him would

have been suppressed. 

Similarly, the Petitioner testified that Counsel failed to file a motion to suppress a

Montgomery Ward receipt that was illegally seized from his car. The Petitioner testified that a

search warrant for his vehicle was issued on June 22, 1999, and it gave police “authority to look for

blood, clothing, ski masks, Microtel keycard, money, AAU basketball tickets, and any evidence

pertaining to aggravated robbery at the Microtel on [June 20, 1999].” The warrant stated that the

Petitioner’s vehicle was located in the basement of the Justice Center in Kingsport, Tennessee, but

the Petitioner had not given anyone permission to move his vehicle from Pierce’s apartment. The

Petitioner stated that the MontgomeryWard receipt was not listed on the search warrant, and the trial

court should have ruled that it was inadmissible. The Petitioner said that there was a second

Montgomery Ward receipt found at the Microtel four or five weeks after the robbery, and it was also

introduced at trial. The Petitioner testified that he discussed the receipts with Counsel because the

Petitioner thought that the receipts were the only physical evidence that linked him to this crime.

When the Petitioner discussed the receipts with Counsel, Counsel stated that he did not want to

suppress the receipt because that would also result in the suppression of other evidence that was

favorable to the Petitioner, such as the forensic evidence that came from the vehicle with test results

showing “no match” for the Petitioner. The Petitioner, however, wanted Counsel to argue the illegal

seizure of the vehicle and of the receipt. The Petitioner conceded that, at trial, Counsel objected to

the introduction of the second receipt, arguing that it was irrelevant and prejudicial. Also, with

regard to the receipts, the Petitioner asserted that Counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the

chain of custody.

The Petitioner also asserted that Counsel ineffectively failed to file a motion for a speedy

trial. The Petitioner testified that he contacted Counsel, prior to any delays in the trial, and

specifically stated that he wanted Counsel to file a motion for a speedy trial. He stated that, had this

been done, the investigations would have been completed sooner, and he could have possibly located

other witnesses for his trial. 

The Petitioner testified that Counsel ineffectively failed to investigate the Petitioner’s case

in several ways. The Petitioner testified that Counsel should have investigated whether the grand

jury foreman was properly authorized. He said that the same grand jury foreman indicted him for

other offenses, and the foreman was, therefore, not properly authorized. The Petitioner also asserted

that Counsel failed to adequately investigate the case by not hiring a private investigator. He said

that an investigator was necessary because his case was complicated, and the police investigation

was faulty. The Petitioner testified that Counsel failed to adequately investigate the screwdriver in

the door. He asserted that Counsel should have conducted tests on the screwdriver found at the hotel
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to determine if the screwdriver prevented the victim from exiting the restroom. He stated that, based

on these tests, he believed that the State would not have proven the forced confinement element

required for aggravated kidnapping.

The Petitioner also asserted that Counsel was ineffective during his trial because he failed

to object to the trial court’s determination that closing arguments be limited to forty minutes, which

was unfair because of the complexity of his case. He agreed that Counsel asked the Court for

additional time for his closing argument, and, further, that Counsel raised this issue on direct appeal.

During the trial, the Petitioner testified that Counsel was ineffective when he failed to object to the

trial court’s instruction that trial decisions were to be made by Counsel, not the Petitioner. He also

testified that Counsel was ineffective for not attempting to admit a witness’ statement to Officer

Osterman that implicated someone else in this crime. He asserted that Counsel failed to get that

witness’ name and address so that the witness would be present at trial. Similarly, he stated that

there was exculpatory information from three witnesses who stated that they had observed another

black male outside the hotel prior to the robbery. The Petitioner admitted that there were jury-out

hearings during the trial on this issue, and the trial court ruled that Officer Osterman could not testify

about the statement because it was hearsay. The Petitioner testified, though, that he wanted Counsel

to tell the jury about this hearsay statement during his opening statement, which was prior to the trial

court’s ruling on this issue, in order to establish to the jury that the police were negligent in their

investigation. The Petitioner said that he instructed Counsel to tell the jury that the police officers

failed in their investigation. The Petitioner also testified that Counsel failed to object to the trial

court’s instruction to the jury, before their verdict, about the amount of the Petitioner’s fine. 

The Petitioner asserted that Counsel was ineffective during the sentencing phase of the trial

because he failed to object to the trial court’s finding not to allow the Petitioner the right of

allocution. He explained that Counsel should have objected because the trial court sentenced him

without asking the Petitioner if he wished to make a statement in court, and he said that he did not

know that he had the right to allocution until after his sentencing hearing. He stated that, if he had

been able to speak, he might have been able to persuade the judge not to give him the maximum

sentence. He explained that he would have stated that the case was weak and full of errors and that

he would have explicitly stated that the screwdriver could not have prevented the victim from

leaving the restroom at the Microtel. The Petitioner testified that he asked Counsel to raise this issue

in the motion for new trial, but Counsel did not do so, and Counsel did not raise this issue on direct

appeal. 

The Petitioner asserted that Counsel was ineffective during his direct appeal. First, he

testified that Counsel represented him on appeal against the Petitioner’s will. He stated that, on

December 6, 2002, he filed a civil lawsuit against Counsel. He said that this lawsuit was filed prior

to Counsel’s submission of his appellate brief and prior to the oral argument in this case.

Additionally, the Petitioner stated that he sent letters to Counsel asking Counsel to withdraw, and

he filed motions with the appellate court asking that Counsel be removed from his case. The

Petitioner testified that Counsel did not file a motion to withdraw until the time period for filing the

petition to rehear had expired. He testified that Counsel’s failure to file a timely motion to withdraw
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prevented the Petitioner from representing himself or getting new counsel appointed. He explained

that Counsel should have filed a motion to withdraw when Counsel was notified of the Petitioner’s

lawsuit against him, but Counsel did not file a motion to withdraw until four months after Counsel

was served with the civil lawsuit. 

The Petitioner testified that, in his direct appeal, Counsel was ineffective for not raising the

issue that the Petitioner’s vehicle was illegally searched, and that the Montgomery Ward receipt was

inadmissible as fruit of the illegal search. He asserted that this prejudiced him because Counsel

would have been successful with this issue on direct appeal. The Petitioner noted that the Court of

Criminal Appeals ruled in his direct appeal that the MontgomeryWard receipt found at the Microtel

was inadmissible, but that the error was harmless. He asserted that the Court would have found the

error harmful if the Montgomery Ward receipt found in his car was also improperly admitted.

Therefore, he asserted that he was prejudiced by Counsel’s failure to appeal this issue. 

The Petitioner asserted that Counsel was ineffective because Counsel breached a written

contract with the Petitioner. The Petitioner testified that, according to the contract, Counsel was

supposed to file a supplemental brief that the Petitioner had drafted with Counsel’s appellate brief.

The Petitioner testified that his mother delivered the Petitioner’s supplemental brief to Counsel’s

office, but Counsel never filed the supplemental brief. He stated that he attempted to file his pro se

brief with the Court, but his request was denied because the Petitioner was represented by Counsel.

The Petitioner testified that his supplemental brief contained issues not raised by Counsel’s appellate

brief, and he believed that, if Counsel had raised those issues, he may have had a different result on

appeal. The Petitioner testified that Counsel failed to provide him with a copy of Counsel’s appellate

brief prior to filing the brief. 

On cross-examination, the Petitioner testified that he did not tell Counsel that he had an

“alibi,” but he told Counsel that he was at Club Harvey’s on the night of this crime, and he asked

Counsel to talk to Marshall Dover, a doorman at Club Harvey’s to verify this. The Petitioner

testified that he met with Counsel on this case “no more than five times,” not sixteen times. The

Petitioner testified that Counsel did not tell him that the State had turned its file over to Counsel, and

he did not receive copies of everything in the file. 

With regard to the pretrial motions, the Petitioner testified that he told Counsel that, unless

something was planted in his vehicle, there was nothing from his vehicle that would connect him to

this crime. The Petitioner testified that he filed a number of newspaper articles containing pretrial

publicity. He said that the trial court asked the jurors if they had read any of the newspaper articles,

but none had. The Petitioner testified that he wanted the MontgomeryWard receiptfrom his vehicle

excluded, but he also wanted other evidence from the search that was beneficial to him to be

admitted. The Petitioner testified that he compared the receipt found at the hotel with the receipt

found in his vehicle, and he told Counsel that the receipt from the vehicle was his, and the other

receipt could belong to him. He testified that Counsel failed to file a motion to suppress his arrest,

which he asserted was illegal because he was taken to Kingsport and not to the Washington County

Jail. He explained that he should have been taken to the nearest magistrate. The Petitioner admitted
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that Kingsport had a warrant for his arrest, but he stated that there was no probable cause to issue

the warrant. The Petitioner testified that Counsel should have hired a private investigator to

investigate the officers, crime scene, and the evidence, and he stated that Counsel did not investigate

or go to the scene himself.

The Petitioner testified that Counsel did not move for a speedy trial, even though he told

Counsel that he wanted to “move on with this case fast as possible” in late 1999 or early 2000. The

Petitioner testified that he did not recall asking for a continuance on January 18, 2000, to obtain

reports and evidence from the TBI and the FBI. He said that he and Counsel agreed with the State’s

request for a continuance to obtain test results from the TBI or FBI, which he stated did not place

him at the scene. The Petitioner did not recall if the State asked for a continuance on July 17, 2000,

or if the defense requested a continuance on September 18, 2000. The Petitioner testified that

Officer Osterman’s testimony created the need for a continuance on February 21, 2001. He

concluded that, of four continuances, he only remembered that the defense asked for one. He agreed

that, if any of the agents could not appear in court, the defense would have been forced to request

a continuance to get their testimony on the record. He stated that, after the defense determined that

the evidence was beneficial to the Petitioner, the defense would have wanted those witnesses to

testify.

The Petitioner recalled telling Counsel during trial that Counsel had done a good job on some

of the issues. The Petitioner said that, after the trial, and at sentencing, he wanted to speak to the

trial court about his sentence. He identified a sentencing report that stated that “the [Petitioner] did

not wish to make a statement.” The Petitioner testified that he and Counsel were present during his

sentencing, and he recalled that there was no presentence hearing report for this case, so the

presentence report for a different case was utilized. 

The Petitioner testified that he asked Counsel to withdraw from this case on numerous

occasions, both prior to and during the appeal, but Counsel refused to withdraw. He identified a

document showing that the Court of Criminal Appeals denied Counsel’s motion to substitute counsel

because the Petitioner did not show good cause for the removal of his attorney. He stated that

Counsel has represented him on several other cases, some of which are still pending. The Petitioner

testified that he filed a malpractice lawsuit against Counsel, which was dismissed because the

Petitioner was unable to a pay an independent attorney to file an affidavit stating that Counsel’s

conduct was negligent. The Petitioner received a letter from Counsel on March 26, 2003, stating that

Counsel could not represent the Petitioner because the Petitioner filed a lawsuit against Counsel.

He said that Counsel actually withdrew on April 2, 2003, one day prior to the time limit for filing

a motion for rehearing. The Petitioner conceded that Counsel gave him a copy of his appellate brief

after it was filed. 

Counsel testified about his investigation and preparation for trial. He said that, for this case,

he met with the Petitioner sixteen times to prepare for trial and to discuss issues related to the

Petitioner’s case, and each meeting lasted between thirty minutes and two hours. Counsel testified

that he also met with the Petitioner several other times, and he received about thirty or more phone
-12-

calls from the Petitioner. Counsel testified that he had open-file discovery from the State, meaning

that he had access to everything in the State’s file other than work product. He said that he had

access to all witnesses’ statements before trial, but he remembered that some witnesses did not give

a statement. Counsel testified that he went through the file, page-by-page, copied whatever he

needed and took notes, and he provided the Petitioner with a copy of everything he had, including

the witnesses’ statements. Counsel stated that the Petitioner called and asked specifically about the

witnesses’ statements, and he said he was sure that the Petitioner had every witness statement that

Counsel had. He said that, in comparison to his other criminal defense cases, the State in this case

provided him the most access to the prosecution’s file, and anything he asked to see he was given.

Counsel testified that he never thought about hiring an investigator, and he did not recall if he

discussed this issue with the Petitioner. He testified that he spent approximately 149 hours out-ofcourt on the Petitioner’s case, he interviewed all of the officers and witnesses, and he went to the

hotel and surrounding area a couple of times. 

Counsel recalled that, during his investigation, the Petitioner mentioned a potential alibi, but

at different times the Petitioner gave him different alibis. Counsel testified that the Petitioner

admitted he was at the crime scene, and several witnesses placed the Petitioner at the Microtel.

Counsel agreed that the Petitioner stated that he was in the area selling stolen AAU tickets when he

returned to the Microtel, and, another time, the Petitioner told Counsel that he was selling cocaine

in the area and at Harvey’s Club. He did not recall the Petitioner wanting to use these illegal

activities as an alibi. Counsel testified that the Petitioner mentioned Mary Kay Arnold as a potential

alibi witness, but the Petitioner was adamant that he did not want Arnold involved. 

Counsel testified that he and the Petitioner discussed the reasons for, and against, filing a

motion for a speedy trial. Counsel stated that the first trial date was January 18, 2000, and he and

the Petitioner agreed to ask for a continuance in order to get evidence from both the TBI and FBI.

He explained that this evidence was beneficial to the Petitioner, and he and the Petitioner decided

that they did not want to proceed to trial without it. Counsel explained that the Petitioner was

adamant that none of the evidence would link him to the crime, and the Petitioner stated there would

be no blood, fibers, or shoe prints connecting the Petitioner to the hotel. On the next trial date, July

17, 2000, the State filed a motion for a continuance because Detective Cole was going to be out of

town. Counsel testified that he opposed this motion, but the trial court granted the State’s motion.

The trial was set for September 18, 2000, but, on that date, Counsel said that he filed a second

motion for a continuance because some of the expert witnesses from the TBI and FBI could not be

present for trial. Counsel said that the State proposed that they stipulate to the testimony of the

experts, but the Petitioner wanted the experts to testify in court. Counsel testified that the trial date

was moved to February 21, 2001, and, close to that date, Counsel requested another continuance to

investigate evidence of a statement that Officer Osterman heard about the crime. Counsel testified

that this evidence was previously unknown to the defense. Counsel testified that the Petitioner

agreed to the continuance, and the trial court granted the continuance and set the trial date for July

23, 2001, and the trial proceeded on that date.

Counsel testified that he and the Petitioner discussed the issue of suppressing the evidence
-13-

from the Petitioner’s vehicle. He stated that “it was a very fine line” because most of the evidence

from the vehicle helped the defense. He said that because the crime was so violent the lack of

forensic evidence in the Petitioner’s car was very important to the defense. Counsel testified that

he and the Petitioner discussed this issue several times, and they decided that they wanted the

evidence to be admitted. With regard to the motion for change of venue, Counsel testified that he

had no indication that the grand jury had been tainted by newspaper articles, and he did not recall

discussing this with the Petitioner. Finally, concerning the motion to suppress the Petitioner’s arrest,

Counsel testified that, while he was aware that the Petitioner was arrested in Johnson City, which

is located in Washington County, not Sullivan County, he was unaware that there was anything

illegal about the Petitioner’s arrest. He opined that any motion regarding the Petitioner’s arrest

would have been frivolous.

Counsel testified that, during trial, the Petitioner’s comments about Counsel’s performance

were very positive, and the Petitioner indicated that he was pleased with Counsel’s handling of the

case. He remembered that the Petitioner wanted Counsel to present in opening arguments the

statement that Officer Osterman had heard, but the judge had ruled that the statement was

inadmissible hearsay. Counsel testified that he had the opportunity to cross-examine Officer

Osterman, and he referenced and challenged the way the officer handled the crime scene. Counsel

testified that, during this cross-examination, he went through the information that the Petitioner

wanted him to cover. Counsel also recalled that, after closing arguments and during jury

deliberation, the Petitioner was confident that the jury would acquit him. Counsel testified that he

and the Petitioner resolved their issues about the case either in person or on the phone, and he said

that there were no unresolved issues. Counsel testified that he was certain that the Petitioner would

have told him if the Petitioner had any unresolved issues. 

Counsel testified that he and the Petitioner had discussions about the Petitioner’s sentencing.

He stated that they reviewed the presentence report, the victim impact statements, and the

Petitioner’s prior convictions to ensure that all of these were accurate. The Petitioner did not

indicate that the report was inaccurate or that it omitted information. 

Counsel testified that the Petitioner filed a civil rights complaint against him on December

6, 2002, twelve days after oral arguments before the Court of Criminal Appeals. He testified that

he received an order from the Court of Criminal Appeals on December 16, 2002, denying the

Petitioner’s request to remove Counsel. Counsel testified that one of the Petitioner’s complaints

involved Counsel’s refusal to file a supplemental brief that the Petitioner drafted. He said that he

had received this document from the Petitioner, but he had not agreed to submit the brief. Counsel

stated that he read the Court of Criminal Appeals decision when it was released, and, at that time,

he sent a letter to the Petitioner informing him that Counsel would make a request to withdraw. He

testified that the letter also informed the Petitioner that he could appeal his case, and the letter set

forth the deadlines in the Petitioner’s case. Counsel stated that he also sent this information to the

Court of Criminal Appeals. 

On cross-examination, Counsel again testified about the Petitioner’s complaint that he was
-14-

ineffective for failing to file pretrial motions. He said that he knew that he could have filed a motion

to exclude the Montgomery Ward receipt obtained from the Petitioner’s car without requesting that

other evidence from the car be suppressed. He testified that he did not recall whether he filed a

motion in this case, but he knew that he had raised the issue on the morning of the Petitioner’s trial.

Counsel conceded that he knew about the two Montgomery Ward receipts well in advance of trial,

but he and the Petitioner were not concerned about the receipt from the vehicle because it was

irrelevant. Counsel testified that he and the Petitioner were concerned about the receipt found in the

victim’s belongings because that was the only piece of evidence that placed the Petitioner on the side

of the counter with the clerk. About the speedy trial motion, Counsel testified that he and the

Petitioner discussed the speedy trial issues but had resolved those issues. He explained to the

Petitioner that, by agreeing to or seeking continuances, the Petitioner was giving up his right for a

speedy trial. About the motion to suppress the Petitioner’s arrest, Counsel testified that he reviewed

the arrest warrant to determine if probable cause existed, and he discussed this with the Petitioner.

About the motion for a change of venue, Counsel testified that he first became aware of newspaper

articles about the crime when he first met with the Petitioner, and he did not file a motion for a

change of venue or for individual voir dire of the jurors. He explained that he felt that, by filing a

motion, the issue would be brought to the jurors’ attention. Counsel testified that he did not recall

any jurors having knowledge of the case, which surprised him. 

With regard to his investigation of this case, Counsel testified that, when he was appointed

to the case, he met with Detective Cole first to determine the names of the officers that were present

at the crime scene. He stated that he then interviewed every officer that was present at the crime

scene. He testified that he interviewed Officer Osterman, and the officer did not tell him that the

officer had heard a third party statement. Counsel recalled that he thoroughly discussed the crime

scene with Officer Osterman, and he testified that Officer Osterman never mentioned the statement

until just before the February 2001 trial date. Counsel testified that this statement was helpful to the

defense, and he said that Officer Osterman offered no explanation on why it took him so long to

recall this statement. Counsel testified that he went to the Microtel on at least two occasions, but

he did not attempt to determine whether the screwdriver prevented the door from opening. He

explained that he inspected the door and the bathroom, and he spoke with the officers about this

issue. Counsel testified that the Petitioner complained that no tests had been done on the door early

on, but Counsel decided that it was best to not test the door and to argue that the State failed to prove

that the screwdriver prevented the door from opening. Counsel said that he also raised this issue on

appeal. 

Counsel testified that, just before closing arguments, the Petitioner demanded that he raise

the issue of an illegal arrest. Counsel thought that he did not have enough facts to support this issue,

so he approached the trial court, and the trial court ruled that he could not address this issue. He

testified that he did not raise the issue of illegal arrest on appeal. He explained that his

understanding of the Petitioner’s argument related to the illegal arrest is that Sullivan County officers

arrested the Petitioner in Washington County, and he stated that he did not think that the Petitioner’s

arrest was illegal. Counsel testified that he explained to the Petitioner that the Petitioner had a right

to speak at his sentencing, but the Petitioner chose not to speak. He said that the Petitioner felt that
-15-

this was an issue to raise on appeal. Counsel did not recall if he had ever tried an aggravated robbery

or aggravated kidnapping case before the Petitioner’s case, but he stated that he had tried felonies

of every class.

 Counsel testified that, at various stages throughout his representation, the Petitioner would

communicate that he was satisfied or unsatisfied with Counsel’s performance. Counsel testified that

the Court of Criminal Appeals ruled, on more than one occasion, that there was not just cause for

Counsel’s removal. He stated that, after oral argument, he did not feel that he needed to withdraw

because he was waiting for the opinion to be released. Counsel testified that he reviewed the

Petitioner’s supplemental appellate brief for any legitimate issues, but he did not see any issues in

the supplemental brief that he thought should have been raised on appeal. Counsel thought that he

had addressed every issue he could legitimately raise with the Court of Criminal Appeals. He stated

that it was not his understanding that he agreed with the Petitioner to file the supplemental brief. 

Counsel testified that he did not raise some of the issues that the Petitioner complained about

during the post-conviction hearing in the Petitioner’s direct appeal. Counsel testified that he met

with the Petitioner prior to filing a motion for new trial, and he stated that they went through each

of the issues that the Petitioner had written down. Counsel recalled that they reached a resolution

on each of the issues, and he said that the Petitioner was satisfied. He stated that, except for the

illegal arrest issue which he thought lacked merit, he raised those issues on appeal. Counsel said that

he raised thirteen issues on appeal, including the issue about the statement that Officer Osterman

heard, which was an important one to the Petitioner. Counsel said that he did not raise issues that

he deemed frivolous because they were unsupported by law. Counsel recalled that the Petitioner was

satisfied with the thirteen issues raised on appeal. He said that he raised the issue, on appeal, of how

many photographs were introduced about the victim’s injuries, and he testified that the Court of

Criminal Appeals determined that the issue was harmless error. 

On redirect examination, Counsel testified that he made a motion to exclude items at trial,

and he called the trial court’s attention to the issue of the Petitioner’s illegal arrest, and the court

ruled on that issue. Counsel stated that, with regard to the failure to subpoena witnesses, the

Petitioner had certain people transported from the Department of Correction, including the

Petitioner’s brother, but once the witnesses arrived, the Petitioner decided that he did not want to call

them as witnesses. He testified that the Petitioner did not give him the names of any witnesses to

subpoena to support the Petitioner’s alibi or any other defense at trial. 

Based upon this evidence, the post-conviction court issued an extensive order of dismissal

addressing numerous issues and concluded: 

The [P]etitioner is not entitled to Post Conviction Relief upon any issue, or any of his

testimony, or any combination of issues, or upon his conclusions that he is entitled

to Post Conviction Relief, whether or not specifically addressed [in this order].

WHEREFORE the Post Conviction Petition is dismissed and the prayer for relief
-16-

is denied upon this Court’s finding that the [P]etitioner has failed to prove by clear

and convincing proof that he is entitled to Post Conviction Relief or that he has failed

to establish actual prejudice.

It is from this order of the trial court that the Petitioner now appeals.

II. Analysis

On appeal, the Petitioner contends that: (1) he received ineffective assistance of counsel; (2)

the State caused exculpatory evidence to be lost and unavailable to the Petitioner; (3) the trial court

denied his right to allocution; (4) the trial court improperly limited trial counsel’s time for closing

argument; (5) the trial court erred when it ruled that the Petitioner could not instruct his trial counsel

about trial strategy; and (6) the trial court erred by instructing the jury concerning the amount of fines

to be imposed. 

In order to obtain post-conviction relief, a petitioner must show that his or her conviction or

sentence is void or voidable because of the abridgment of a constitutional right. Tenn. Code Ann.

§ 40-30-103 (2003). The petitioner bears the burden of proving factual allegations in the petition

for post-conviction relief by clear and convincing evidence. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-30-110(f) (2003).

Upon review, this court will not re-weigh or re-evaluate the evidence below; all questions concerning

the credibility of witnesses, the weight and value to be given their testimony, and the factual issues

raised by the evidence are to be resolved by the trial judge, not the appellate courts. Momon v. State,

18 S.W.3d 152, 156 (Tenn. 1999); Henley v. State, 960 S.W.2d 572, 578-79 (Tenn. 1997). A postconviction court’s factual findings are subject to a de novo review by this Court; however, we must

accord these factual findings a presumption of correctness, which is overcome only when a

preponderance of the evidence is contrary to the post-conviction court’s factual findings. Fields v.

State, 40 S.W.3d 450, 456 (Tenn. 2001). A post-conviction court’s conclusions of law are subject

to a purely de novo review by this Court, with no presumption of correctness. Id. at 457.

A. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

The Petitioner claims that the post-conviction court erred when it dismissed his petition

because Counsel was ineffective in four ways: (1) for failing to file several pretrial motions; (2) for

failing to adequately investigate the case; (3) for failing to adequately represent him at trial and

during sentencing; and (4) for failing to adequately represent him on appeal. The right of a

criminally accused to representation is guaranteed by both the Sixth Amendment to the United States

Constitution and Article I, section 9, of the Tennessee Constitution. Id.; Baxter v. Rose, 523 S.W.2d

930, 936 (Tenn. 1975). This right to representation includes the right to “reasonably effective”

assistance. State v. Burns, 6 S.W.3d 453, 461 (Tenn. 1999). The Tennessee SupremeCourt has held

that the issue of ineffective assistance of counsel is a mixed question of law and fact and, as such,

is subject to a de novo review. Id. 

In reviewing a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, this Court must determine whether
-17-

the advice given or services rendered by the attorney are within the range of competence demanded

of attorneys in criminal cases. Baxter, 523 S.W.2d at 936. To prevail on a claim of ineffective

assistance of counsel, a petitioner must show that “counsel’s representation fell below an objective

standard of reasonableness,” Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 688 (1984), and that this

performance prejudiced the defense, resulting in a failure to produce a reliable result. Id. at 687;

Cooper v. State, 849 S.W.2d 744, 747 (Tenn. 1993). To satisfy the requirement of prejudice, a

petitioner must show a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s unreasonable error, the fact

finder would have had reasonable doubt regarding the petitioner’s guilt. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 695.

This reasonable probability must be “sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome.” Id. at 694;

see also Harris v. State, 875 S.W.2d 662, 665 (Tenn. 1994).

When evaluating an ineffective assistance of counsel claim, the reviewing court should judge

the attorney’s performance within the context of the case as a whole, taking into account all relevant

circumstances. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 690; State v. Mitchell, 753 S.W.2d 148, 149 (Tenn. Crim.

App. 1988). The reviewing court must evaluate the questionable conduct from the attorney’s

perspective at the time. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 690; Cooper, 849 S.W.2d at 746; Hellard v. State,

629 S.W.2d 4, 9 (Tenn. 1982). In doing so, the reviewing court must be highly deferential and

“should indulge a strong presumption that counsel’s conduct falls within the wide range of

reasonable professional assistance.” Burns, 6 S.W.3d at 462. Counsel should not be deemed to have

been ineffective merely because a different procedure or strategy might have produced a different

result. Williams v. State, 599 S.W.2d 276, 279-80 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1980). The fact that a

particular strategy or tactic failed or hurt the defense does not, standing alone, establish unreasonable

representation. House v. State, 44 S.W.3d 508, 515 (Tenn. 2001) (citation omitted); Thomas

Brandon Booker v. State, No. W2003-00961-CCA-R3-PC, 2004 WL 587644, at *4 (Tenn. Crim.

App., at Jackson, Mar. 24, 2004), perm. app. denied (Tenn. 2004). However, deference to matters

of strategy and tactical choices applies only if the choices are informed ones based upon adequate

preparation. House, 44 S.W.3d at 515.

1. Pretrial Motions 

The Petitioner asserts that Counsel was ineffective for failing to file five different pretrial

motions: (a) a motion to suppress the seizure of his vehicle and, relatedly, a motion to suppress the

Montgomery Ward receipt found in the vehicle; (b) a motion to suppress fruits of his arrest; (c) a

motion for change of venue; (d) a speedy trial motion; and (e) a motion to hire a private investigator.

a. Motion to Suppress Vehicle Search 

The Petitioner contends that Counsel was ineffective for failing to file a motion to suppress

all the evidence obtained from search of the Petitioner’s vehicle because it was illegally sized. The

State responds that Counsel was not ineffective for failing to file a motion to suppress because much

of the evidence from the Petitioner’s vehicle was helpful to the Petitioner. Additionally, the

Petitioner contends that Counsel was ineffective for failing to file a motion to suppress the

Montgomery Ward receipt found in the Petitioner’s vehicle. The State counters that Counsel was
-18-

not ineffective because neither Counsel nor the Petitioner was concerned with the receipt, and neither

saw the value of attempting to suppress the receipt. Further, the State asserts that the Petitioner did

not prove prejudice. 

With regard to whether Counsel was ineffective for failing to file a motion to suppress the

Petitioner’s vehicle’s seizure, the post-conviction court found:

The [P]etitioner was arrested in or at a home of a third party in Johnson City,

Tennessee (Washington County), and not out of his automobile. As a result, the

seizure of the vehicle was not a true and full Carroll doctrine seizure, but the officers

had exigent circumstances.

The officers knew the [P]etitioner’s car and Frank Light, Kingsport Police

Department officer, had a belief that the car had been used in criminal activity . . . .

In any case, the car was parked at a housing project parking lot and was evidently

mobile and capable of being operated.

The police did not search the car at the scene, but opted to tow the car to

Kingsport (Sullivan County) and then attempt to obtain a search warrant from a

Sullivan County General Sessions Judge.

. . . .

Here, the police officers testifying at the Post Conviction hearing were about

five (5) years removed from the seizure and their memory at the time. The

automobile to be seized was in a public parking lot and mobile and the officer was

able to remember they had reason to believe the car was used in a crime. Also see:

search warrant.

In such circumstances, the Court cannot find the seizure or search was

unreasonable notwithstanding that some lack of detail supplied by the officers at the

Post Conviction hearing, to wit: generally car matches description of car at . . . scene

of crime. The [P]etition[er] seems to only say his car was seized; therefore, original

trial [counsel] was ineffective.

Further, original defense counsel testified that the police were searching for

blood that may have been carried into some portion of the car due to the great bloody

injury to the victim. The police checked the car out from stem to stern [driver’s

compartment to trunk where the papers/receipt were found]. The [original counsel]

indicated that he and the [Petitioner] were anxious to show that the lab report came

up zero in regards to the victim’s blood. Clearly, a trial tactic was involved.
-19-

The post-conviction court concluded:

The towing of the car issue is without merit and the [P]etitioner has failed to prove

by clear and convincing evidence that the [P]etitioner’s original counsel was

ineffective to raise the towing [seizure] or search of the car issue at trial or on appeal.

Further, the [P]etitioner has failed to establish that he was prejudiced.

We conclude that the evidence does not preponderate against the post-conviction court’s

findings. The evidence shows that Counsel discussed with the Petitioner several times the issue of

suppressing the evidence from the Petitioner’s vehicle based on its allegedly illegal seizure. The two

concluded that Counsel should not file such a motion to suppress all the evidence found as a result

of the car’s search and seizure because much of the evidence, or rather the lack of blood evidence,

found in the car was favorable to the Petitioner. Indeed, the lack of forensic evidence from the car

was an important part of the Petitioner’s defense. Clearly, this was a tactical decision, and we will

not find Counsel ineffective merely because a different procedure might have produced a different

result. See Williams, 599 S.W.2d at 279-80. Under these circumstances, the Petitioner has not

proven that Counsel was ineffective, and he has not shown how he was prejudiced.

The Petitioner next contends that Counsel was ineffective for not filing a motion to suppress

the Montgomery Ward receipt that was found in the Petitioner’s car. The Petitioner asserts that the

search warrant for the Petitioner’s vehicle did not list items such as a receipt, and, therefore, a

motion to suppress the receipt would have been successful had it been filed by Counsel.

Furthermore, the Petitioner contends that, had this receipt been successfully suppressed, he would

not have been convicted. The State countersthat Counsel was not ineffective in this regard because

neither he nor the Petitioner were concerned with the receipt because it was irrelevant. The postconviction court found:

The importance of the Montgomery Ward receipt taken from the car was that it

contained similarities with a Montgomery Ward receipt found at the scene of the

crime. In the State’s theory at trial, the Montgomery Ward receipt from the car

would connect the [P]etitioner to the Montgomery Ward receipt found at the scene.

. . . The Montgomery Ward receipt from the vehicle had no significance in itself,

unless considered in relation to the Montgomery Ward receipt found at the scene

bearing the name Thompson. . . . 

The Montgomery Ward receipt found at the scene of the crime [not the one

found in the vehicle] was directly addressed on appeal. . . . Basically on direct appeal,

the Appellate panel determined that the Montgomery Ward receipt should not have

been admitted into evidence . . . and indirectly found that the Montgomery Ward

receipt found in the vehicle did not tend to authenticate the Montgomery Ward

receipt found at the scene. . . . Notwithstanding, the error of the trial court, the

Appellate panel found the admission of the Montgomery Ward receipt found at the

scene to be harmless error beyond a reasonable doubt. . . . .
-20-

The post-conviction court concluded that Counsel was not ineffective for failing to move to suppress

the Montgomery Ward receipt found in the Petitioner’s car, and, further, the Petitioner had not

proved prejudice. 

We conclude that the evidence does not preponderate against the post-conviction court’s

conclusion. The evidence showed that Counsel and the Petitioner were not concerned about the

receipt found in the Petitioner’s vehicle because it was “irrelevant.” The two were concerned with

other items found in the car, and Counsel filed a motion to suppress those items. Counsel’s theory

involved showing that there were innocuous items in the car, including a Montgomery Ward receipt.

This receipt then became important only when the State used it to tie the Petitioner to the crime by

showing that a similar receipt was found at the crime scene. We cannot judge Counsel’s

performance in hindsight, but we must judge it from Counsel’s perspective at the time. Cooper, 849

S.W.2d at 746. Under these circumstances, we cannot conclude that Counsel was ineffective for

failing to file a motion to suppress the receipt found in the Petitioner’s car. 

b. Motion to Suppress Fruits of Arrest

The Petitioner contends that Counsel was ineffective when he failed to file a motion to

challenge the Petitioner’s arrest and to suppress evidence obtained as a result of the arrest, because

the arrest warrant, by which the Petitioner was arrested, was issued without probable cause. The

State asserts that the Petitioner has failed to demonstrate that his arrest was illegal, and, therefore,

Counsel was not ineffective for failing to file a motion to suppress the Petitioner’s arrest warrant.

The post-conviction court stated the following:

The [P]etitioner says that after the robbery and kidnap[p]ing in Kingsport,

Sullivan County, Tennessee, he was arrested in another’s home in Johnson City,

Washington County, Tennessee. . . . [The Petitioner] says they just came in and got

him. The [P]etitioner says things were taken from his person, but does not describe

anything inculpatory or anything taken from his person. Further, the [P]etitioner did

not establish his standing to object.

In any case, the State offered testimony at the Post Conviction hearing of the

officers that made the arrest. . . . The State’s witness at the Post Conviction hearing

[Moffitt and Light] indicated that they were aware that an arrest warrant was issued.

They believed the [Petitioner] was at a particular home in Johnson City [Washington

County, Tennessee]. They went to the home and the owner stated that [the

Petitioner] was not there. The police asked the homeowner to call if [the Petitioner]

showed up later. . . . Later, the homeowner called the police to tell them that the

[Petitioner] had showed up at her house. . . . The Kingsport Police accompanied by

Johnson City Police Officers returned to the home of the third party and knocked on

the door. The [Petitioner] was seen at the house and was arrested and taken into

custody.
-21-

The Court credits the testimony of the officers testifying at the Post

Conviction hearing. . . . The allegation that original defense counsel was ineffective

for not attacking the arrest is without merit.

We conclude that the evidence does not preponderate against the post-conviction court’s findings.

Prior to closing arguments, the Petitioner asked Counsel to raise the issue of an illegal arrest.

Counsel specifically stated that he did not think that there was anything illegal about the Petitioner’s

arrest. The Petitioner bears the burden of proving that Counsel was ineffective. Our review of the

record supports the post-conviction court’s finding that Counsel’s performance in this regard was

within the range of competence demanded of attorneys in criminal cases. See Baxter, 523 S.W.2d

at 936. Further, to show prejudice, the Petitioner must prove that the outcome of the trial would be

different. Accordingly, he must show that this motion would have been granted. From the evidence

before us, we cannot conclude that a motion to suppress the arrest warrant would have been

successful, and, therefore, the Petitioner cannot meet the prejudice prong of our analysis. The

Petitioner is not entitled to relief based upon this issue.

c. Motion for Change of Venue

The Petitioner alleges that Counsel was ineffective for failing to move for a change of venue.

He asserts that a change of venue was necessary due to pretrial publicity. The State responds that

the Petitioner has failed to show that Counsel was ineffectiveness or that the Petitioner was

prejudiced by Counsel’s performance. Regarding this issue, the post-conviction court found as

follows:

The [P]etitioner alleges his original trial counsel was ineffective for not

seeking a change of venue. . . . The [P]etitioner offered newspaper clippings of news

stories from the Kingsport Times News, a newspaper of general circulation in

Sullivan County, Tennessee. . . . The voir dire conducted at the original trial indicated

that the prospective jurors were questioned in some detail about any prior knowledge

of the allegations . . . . Upon a review of the trial transcript . . . evidence it appears

that the [Petitioner] had a fair jury and that steps were taken to insure that the jury

was not tainted by outside influences such as news stories. . . . This issue is without

merit.

“[V]enue may be changed . . . if it appears to the court that, due to undue excitement against the

defendant in the county where the offense was committed or any other cause, a fair trial probably

could not be had.” Tenn. R. Crim. P. 21(a). The ultimate test is whether the jurors who actually sat

and rendered verdicts were prejudiced by the pretrial publicity. State v. Garland, 617 S.W.2d 176,

187 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1981). Prejudice will not be presumed by a mere showing that there was

considerable pretrial publicity. Dobbert v. Florida, 432 U.S. 282, 303 (1977); State v. Kyger, 787

S.W.2d 13, 19 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1989). Relevant factors to consider in determining whether to

grant a motion for a change of venue include:
-22-

1. Nature, extent, and timing of pre-trial publicity.

2. Nature of publicity as fair or inflammatory.

3. The particular content of the publicity.

4. The degree to which the publicity complained of has permeated the area

from which the venire is drawn.

5. The degree to which the publicity circulated outside the area from which

the venire is drawn.

6. The time elapsed from the release of the publicity until the trial.

7. The degree of care exercised in the selection of the jury.

8. The ease or difficulty in selecting the jury.

9. The veniremen’s familiarity with the publicity and its effect, if any, upon

them as shown through their answers on voir dire.

10. The defendant’s utilization of his peremptory challenges.

11. The defendant’s utilization of his challenges for cause.

12. The participation by police or by prosecution in the release of publicity.

13. The severity of the offense charged.

14. The absence or presence of threats, demonstrations or other hostility

against the defendant.

15. Size of the area from which the venire is drawn.

16. Affidavits, hearsay, or opinion testimony of witnesses.

17. Nature of the verdict returned by the trial jury.

State v. Hoover, 594 S.W.2d 743, 746 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1979).

In our view, the Petitioner has failed to present specific evidence of any prejudice to the

verdict. Counsel stated that he was aware of the newspaper articles about the crime but he did not

recall any of the jurors having knowledge of the case. He realized that, if he filed a motion for

change of venue, the jury pool may be tainted, and, it was to the Petitioner’s advantage to not file

such a motion because there were two years for people “to forget the incident.” Counsel thought that

the issue would be brought up again if he filed a motion to change venue. Further, Counsel had no

indication that the grand jury had been tainted by newspaper articles.

We conclude that Counsel’s decision not to request a change of venue “falls within the wide

range of reasonable professional assistance.” Burns, 6 S.W.3d at 462. Counsel made a strategic

decision to not file a motion to change venue in order to minimize the possibility of jurors recalling

any publicity about the case. Further, the Petitioner presented no evidence that Counsel failed to

consider those factors listed in Hoover. Moreover, even if we were to find that Counsel erred, the

Petitioner has presented no evidence of prejudice or that the outcome of the trial would be different.

Accordingly, we conclude that the Petitioner is not entitled to post-conviction relief on this issue.

d. Speedy Trial Motion

The Petitioner next contends that Counsel was ineffective for failing to file a motion for a
-23-

speedy trial. The State asserts that by agreeing to continuances that benefitted his case, the Petitioner

gave up his right to a speedy trial. The post-conviction court did not specifically address this issue,

but it concluded that the Petitioner “is not entitled to Post Conviction Relief upon any issue, or any

of his testimony, or any combination of issues, or upon his conclusions that he is entitled to Post

Conviction Relief . . . .” Further, we note that the post-conviction court stated the following about

the credibility of witnesses:

In reaching this opinion, the Court observed the [P]etitioner’s demeanor while

testifying, his own statements that he put things in the Post Conviction pleading

under oath without any basis for the allegation, etc. The Court finds that the

[P]etitioner has no credibility before this Court. The Court finds that original trial

counsel is fully entitled to belief and is credible in his testimony before this Court.

The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that “in all criminal

prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial.” U.S. Const. amend. VI;

see State v. Simmons, 54 S.W.3d 755, 758 (Tenn. 2001). Similarly, the Tennessee Constitution

provides that “in all criminal prosecutions, the accused hath the right to . . . a speedy public trial.”

Tenn. Const. Art. I, § 9; see Simmons, 54 S.W.3d at 758; see also Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-14-101

(2003) (stating “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused is entitled to a speedy trial . . . .”). The

speedy trial guarantee is designed to protect the accused from oppressive pre-trial incarceration, the

anxiety and concern due to unresolved criminal charges, and the risk that the accused’s defense will

be impaired by dimming memories or lost evidence. Simmons, 54 S.W.3d at 758; see Doggett v.

United States, 505 U.S. 647, 654 (1992); State v. Utley, 956 S.W.2d 489, 492 (Tenn. 1997). The

United States Supreme Court enunciated a four-factor balancing test for courts to apply when

evaluating a claim that the accused was denied a speedy trial: “(1) the length of the delay; (2) the

reason for the delay; (3) the defendant’s assertion of the right; and (4) the prejudice suffered by the

defendant from the delay.” Simmons, 54 S.W.3d at 759 (citing Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 530

(1972)).

At the post-conviction hearing, testimony was presented that, during the Petitioner’s case,

there were several continuances, and the defense asked for some of these continuances. The

Petitioner’s trial was initially set for January 18, 2000, but he and the Petitioner agreed to ask for a

continuance in orderto get evidence from the TBI and FBIthat would help the Petitioner’s case. The

trial was moved to July 17, 2000, and the State was granted a continuance, although Counsel

objected, because one of the officers would be unavailable to testify at trial. The trial was then set

for September 18, 2000, when, again, Counsel filed a second motion for a continuance because some

expert witnesses could not be present for trial. The State proposed a stipulation as to the testimony

of the experts, in order to proceed to trial, but the Petitioner wanted the experts to testify in court.

The trial was then moved to February 21, 2001,and, prior to that date, Counsel learned of Officer

Osterman’s statement. Counsel and the Petitioner discussed this and decided that it would be

advantageous to request another continuance in order to fully investigate this new information. The

trial was set for July 23, 2001, and it proceeded on that date. We conclude that the evidence does

not preponderate against the post-conviction court’s conclusion that the Petitioner was not denied
-24-

effective assistance of his counsel in this instance. We cannot conclude that the Petitioner has met

his burden of showing that Counsel’s performance was deficient. Further, he has not proven

prejudice.

e. Motion to Hire a Private Investigator 

The Petitioner asserts that Counsel was ineffective because he failed to make a motion for

a private investigator to investigate the Petitioner’s case, especially because the case was so complex.

The State contends that Counsel was not ineffective for failing to hire a private investigator, and,

further, the Petitioner has not established how a private investigator would have helped his case. The

post-conviction court found, summarily, that the Petitioner was not entitled to relief on this issue.

Counsel testified that he never thought of hiring a private investigator, but he spent

approximately 149 hours on the case, he went to the crime scene and surrounding area, and he

interviewed all of the officers and witnesses. Further, Counsel sought and was given a six-month

continuance in order to investigate a statement heard by Officer Osterman. We conclude that the

evidence does not preponderate against the post-conviction court’s finding that Counsel was not

ineffective. Further, the Petitioner has not demonstrated how he was prejudiced by Counsel’s

alleged failure to seek the services of a private investigator. Therefore, the Petitioner is not entitled

to relief on this issue.

2. Investigation

The Petitioner next contends that Counsel was ineffective because he failed to adequately

investigate this case by: (1) not conducting tests on the screwdriver; (2) not investigating lost and

exculpatory evidence; and (3) not investigating whether the grand jury foreman was properly

authorized. 

a. Screwdriver Test

The Petitioner contends that Counsel was ineffective because he failed to perform tests on

the screwdriver used to prevent the victim from leaving the bathroom to determine if the screwdriver

actually prevented the opening of the bathroom door. The State asserts that Counsel made a strategic

decision to not perform such tests on the screwdriver, and, further, the Petitioner has not established

prejudice. The post-conviction court stated the following:

[T]he [P]etitioner says that . . . [C]ounsel should have performed a test or had a test

performed to determine if a screwdriver placed in a bathroom door at the scene of the

crime would have actually prevented the victim from leaving the bathroom where the

[Petitioner] placed her (victim) after beating her senseless, dragging her bleeding

body to the bathroom, putting her inside and putting a screw driver in between the

door and the door jam. 
-25-

The police that arrived at the scene of the crime observed a screwdriver

jammed into the crack between the door and the jam. The theory at trial was that the

screwdriver was placed in the door jam to prevent the victim from escaping her

confinement.

At trial, it was established that the victim locked the door from the inside and

this was commented on in the opinion on direct appeal.

The [P]etitioner in anticipation of the Post Conviction hearing attempted to

establish by test that the door could be opened notwithstanding the screwdriver being

placed in the door jam and offered witnesses to say the door could be opened

notwithstanding the screwdriver in the door jam. The [P]etitioner offered no

exacting proof from a recreation standpoint as to the condition of the screwdriver on

the night of the robbery except as to location.

. . . .

In the case, there is no question . . . that the victim was placed in the

bathroom so detection of the crime could be avoided and to prevent the . . . victim

from summonsing help and that the robber placed the screwdriver in the door jam

from the outside in an attempt to keep her in the bathroom and that the placement of

the injured victim placed [the victim] in greater danger. Further, the robbery took

place at the check-in counter, not the bathroom. The victim was only placed in the

bathroom after she was seriously injured bleeding and beaten senseless. . . .

The allegation that [C]ounsel was ineffective because he failed to perform a

test on the door is not proven to be clear and convincing evidence. Further, this is

a previously decided issue.

Also, the persons who performed the test in anticipation of the Post

Conviction hearing appeared to be healthy men, not a person of elderly years that had

been beaten senseless. Irregardless of whether or not the screw driver would have

prevented the victim’s escape from the bathroom, there is absolutely no question that

the victim was placed in a much greater danger. In her condition to even open a

closed door would have been an ordeal or impossible. When the police arrived at the

scene, she was in such bad condition that they thought she was dead.

We conclude that the evidence does not preponderate against the post-conviction court’s

findings. In Counsel’s investigation, he inspected the door at the crime scene, and he spoke with the

police officers that were present at the scene. Counsel’s strategy was to attack the State’s proof, and

to argue in both opening and closing argument that the State had not proven that the screwdriver

prevented the door from opening. Furthermore, the State’s evidence at trial showed that the door

was locked from the inside of the bathroom. Counsel’s performance, which did not include
-26-

conducting independent tests on the door, did not fall below an object standard of reasonableness.

Furthermore, even were we to conclude otherwise, the Petitioner has not proven prejudice. We, as

did the post-conviction court, note that the tests performed on the door for the post-conviction

hearing were not conducted under the same conditions that existed at the time of the crime.

Specifically, the persons who conducted the test were not in the same physical or mental state as the

victim. Further, as we said previously, the proof at trial was that the bathroom door was locked form

the inside and not that the screwdriver alone locked the door. Under these circumstances, we

conclude that the Petitioner has not proven prejudice and is not entitled to relief on this issue. 

b. Exculpatory Evidence

The Petitioner next contends that Counsel was ineffective for failing to properly investigate

the issue of whether the State fulfilled its duty to provide exculpatory evidence. The State asserts

that Counsel was not ineffective, and, further, because the evidence was disclosed, the Petitioner has

not shown prejudice. The post-conviction court found that this issue was previously decided on

direct appeal. Further, the post-conviction court stated the general conclusion that it “finds that no

prejudice in a Post Conviction sense fell upon the [Petitioner] in regards to his counsel’s conduct

upon direct appeal.” In addressing this issue on direct appeal, this Court concluded the following:

In this instance, the information does not fall within the rule of Brady because the

information, although delayed was disclosed. Brady only applies to a complete

failure to disclose exculpatory information and does not apply to delayed disclosure

unless the delay itself causes prejudice. Because disclosure was delayed and not

denied, the [Petitioner] must demonstrate prejudice in order to qualify for relief. The

trial court granted a lengthy continuance so that the [Petitioner] could attempt to

locate the individual who made the comment. Although the [Petitioner] was unable

to find the potential witness, the record does not establish that the inability to locate

the witness was the result of the delayed disclosure. Officer Osterman was unable

to provide a description, other than the fact that he was white, making it unlikely that

an earlier disclosure would have assisted the [Petitioner] in identifying the individual.

In our view, the [Petitioner] has failed to demonstrate that he was prejudiced by the

delayed disclosure of this statement.

Thompson, 2003 WL 1202979, at *13 (citations omitted).

We conclude that the Petitioner has not shown that Counsel’s failure to investigate the State’s

compliance with its duty to provide exculpatory evidence fell outside the range of competence

demanded of attorneys in criminal cases. This Court determined that the evidence, although delayed,

was disclosed to Counsel, and the Petitioner was not able to show, on direct appeal, that this delay

caused him prejudice. Id. Further, Counsel interviewed the officers at the scene, including Officer

Osterman, and he was not told of a third-party statement at that time. When Counsel learned of the

statement, he proceeded to investigate and he further questioned Officer Osterman. We cannot

conclude that the Petitioner has met his burden of showing how Counsel’s performance prejudiced
-27-

him. He is, therefore, not entitled to relief on this issue.

c. Grand Jury Foreman

The Petitioner contends that Counsel was ineffective because he failed to investigate and

determine whether the grand jury foreman was authorized to serve by law. Specifically, the

Petitioner raises the issue because the grand jury foreman was the same person who voted to indict

the Petitioner in a prior matter or matters. The post-conviction court stated:

[The] Petitioner says that his original attorney was ineffective for not attacking the

long tenure of the Grand Jury Foreman, Art Salyers. . . . The [P]etitioner, in his

testimony, seems to have concluded that Art Salyers had served too long. . . . Based

upon the evidence presented at hearing, this issue is totally without merit.

The Petitioner admits in his brief that this Court has previously decided that a grand jury foreperson

may serve longer than the statutory term of two years. See Nelson v. State, 499 S.W.2d 956, 956

(Tenn. Crim. App. 1972) (holding “[w]e find no authority holding and can think of no valid reason

why a grand jury foreman appointed for two years under [the statute] is disqualified to serve longer

either by reappointment or holding over.”). Accordingly, we see no valid argument that the grand

jury foreman was improperly authorized or that Counsel was ineffective. Thisissue is without merit.

3. Trial and Sentencing

The Petitioner next contends that Counsel was ineffective when Counsel represented him

during trial and at sentencing. Specifically, he asserts that Counsel ineffectively: (1) addressed an

eyewitness statement; (2) failed to object to a jury instruction concerning his fine; and (3) allowed

the trial court to deny the Petitioner’s right to allocution at the sentencing hearing. 

a. Witness Statement

The Petitioner contends that Counsel was ineffective by failing to mention, during opening

arguments, a witness’ statement heard by Officer Osterman or to introduce evidence of this statement

during trial. A witness told Officer Osterman that another black male, not the Petitioner, was at the

crime scene prior to the commission of the crime, and the Petitioner contends that Counsel was

ineffective because the jury never heard this statement. The State counters that Counsel was not

ineffective for failing to introduce the statement, and, further, the Petitioner has not demonstrated

that he was prejudiced because, during trial, the trial court ruled that this statement was inadmissible

hearsay and this Court affirmed that ruling on appeal. The post-conviction court concluded that there

was no merit to the Petitioner’s claim.

The evidence presented at the post-conviction hearing showed that Counsel learned about

this statement late in his investigation of this case, and he sought a continuance to investigate the

statement further and attempt to locate the witness. Counsel could not locate this witness, and he
-28-

did not mention the statement in opening argument because he anticipated that the trial court might

rule that it was inadmissible hearsay. Counsel explained to the Petitioner that he felt that it was

improper to mention the statement in opening argument before the trial court had the opportunity to

decide whether this statement was hearsay. The trial court did, in fact, rule that this statement was

inadmissible, and Counsel raised this issue on appeal. This Court affirmed the trial court’s ruling

about the statement. Thompson, 2003 WL 1202979, at *14. We fail to see how Counsel’s

representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness. Further, the Petitioner has in no

way shown prejudice in this regard. The Petitioner is not entitled to relief on this issue.

b. Jury Instruction Regarding Fine

The Petitioner next asserts that Counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the trial

court’s instruction, prior to deliberations, regarding the amount of fine to be imposed. The State

contends that the instruction was proper, and, therefore, Counsel was not ineffective. The postconviction court held the following:

Each of the crimes the [P]etitioner was convicted of carried fines of in excess

of fifty dollars ($50). The Tennessee Constitution requires that any fine in excess of

fifty dollars ($50) be set by a jury unless the defendant voluntarily agrees otherwise.

Tennessee Constitution, Article 6, sec 14. State of Tennessee v. John Thomas

Scopes, 154 Tenn. 105, 289 SW 363, 367 (Tenn. 1926). . . . This issue is totally

without merit.

The trial court’s instruction to the jury regarding the fines to be imposed was proper. The

Petitioner failed to prove that Counsel was ineffective for not objecting to the trial court’s

instruction. Moreover, even if we were to find that Counsel erred, the Petitioner has failed to show

a reasonable probability of reasonable doubt “sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome.”

Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694. Accordingly, we conclude that the Petitioner is not entitled to postconviction relief on this issue.

c. Allocution

The Petitioner next asserts that Counsel was ineffective for failing to request that the trial

court allow the Petitioner the right of allocution at the sentencing hearing. The State contends that

the Petitioner chose not to speak at the sentencing hearing, and, therefore, Counsel was not

ineffective. Further, the State asserts that the Petitioner has not shown prejudice. The postconviction court reasoned the following:

At the sentencing hearing, the [Petitioner] and his attorney did not ask the

Court that the [Petitioner] be allowed to make an uncross-examined statement prior

to sentencing. . . . In death penalty cases tried by a jury, case law has indicated that

there is not [a] constitutional right . . . of Allocution, but in some recent cases, it has

been held that there is a right of Allocution where the judge is conducting a
-29-

sentencing hearing. . . . The [P]etitioner although stating that he did not ask to make

a statement at sentencing, the trial judge had a duty to inform him of his right of

Allocution. . . . The [P]etitioner says he was prejudiced by not being able to point out

his opinion that the case was a close one (sufficiency of the evidence), various legal

errors, and that the jury or the Court was misled by the testimony of Officer

Brookshire (seemingly concerning the screwdriver theory). . . . Assuming it is

required that the trial court point out the right of Allocution, the thing the [Petitioner]

wanted to say would go to a Motion for New Trial, to wit: the sufficiency of the

evidence, Anthony issue, etc. that were raised on appeal.

Further, if an objection is not made at trial, the issue is waived. . . . Also, the

[P]etitioner has not established prejudice. This issue is without merit and no

prejudice is shown.

Allocution has been defined “as the formality of the court’s inquiry of a convicted defendant

as to whether he has any legal cause to show why judgment should not be pronounced against him

on the verdict of conviction.” State v. Stephenson, 878 S.W.2d 530, 551 (Tenn. 1994) (citing

BLACK’S LAW DICTIONARY 76 (6th ed. 1990)) (footnote omitted). It is “an unsworn statement from

a convicted defendant to the sentencing judge or jury in which the defendant can ask for mercy,

explain his or her conduct, apologize for the crime, or say anything else in an effort to lessen the

impending sentence. This statement is not subject to cross-examination.” BLACK’S LAW

DICTIONARY 75 (7th ed. 1999); see also United States v. Gilbert, 244 F.3d 888, 924 (11th Cir. 2001).

Tennessee Code Annotated Section 40-35-210(b)(7)(2003) mandates that, in a non-capital case, a

defendant be allowed allocution before a sentencing judge or jury. This section provides, “To

determine the specific sentence and the appropriate combination of sentencing alternatives that shall

be imposed on the defendant, the court shall consider . . . [a]ny statement the defendant wishes to

make in the defendant’s own behalf about sentencing.” Tenn. Code Ann. § 40- 35-210(b)(7). “The

trial judge, in determining the appropriate sentence . . . shall consider, among several factors, any

statement the defendant wishes to make in his own behalf about sentencing . . . .” Stephenson, 878

S.W.2d at 551.

Clearly, any defendant’s right to allocution is dependant on that defendant’s desire to make

a statement. In the case under submission, the evidence showed that Counsel asked the Petitioner

prior to sentencing whether the Petitioner wanted to testify on his own behalf or make a statement.

After sentencing, the Petitioner mentioned to Counsel that the trial judge did not ask the Petitioner

if he wanted to speak, and the Petitioner told Counsel that the trial judge’s failure gave the Petitioner

a ground for appeal. Counsel explained to the Petitioner at that time that the Petitioner had every

right to speak but had chosen not to do so. The Petitioner chose not to execute his right to allocution.

The Petitioner has failed to prove that Counsel was ineffective, and he has failed to prove how he

was prejudiced. Accordingly, we conclude that the Petitioner is not entitled to relief on this issue.
-30-

3. On Appeal

The Petitioner asserts that Counsel was ineffective when he represented him on appeal. We

employ the same two-prong standard that is used in considering claims of ineffective assistance of

trial counsel to evaluate allegations of ineffective assistance of appellate counsel. See, e.g.

Porterfield v. State, 897 S.W.2d 672, 677-78 (Tenn. 1995). Typically, a decision regarding which

issues should be raised on appeal is one that is left to the professional judgment and sound discretion

of appellate counsel. Cooper v. State, 849 S.W.2d 744, 747 (Tenn. 1993); Porterfield, 897 S.W.2d

at 678.

a. Response Brief Regarding Factual Misstatements

The Petitioner asserts that Counsel was ineffective for failing to address factual

misstatements in the State’s brief. Specifically, he states that he prepared a brief addressing these

issues, delivered the brief to Counsel, but Counsel failed to file the brief. The State contends that

Counsel and the Petitioner discussed the issues to be raised on direct appeal, and those issues were

addressed in Counsel’s brief. Therefore, The State asserts that the Petitioner has not shown how

Counsel was ineffective, and, further, he has not shown prejudice. The post-conviction court opined:

As a general statement of law, appellate counsel may exercise reasonable

discretion as to how [to] present a case on direct appeal and what issues to present.

Issues raised or to be raised must be viewed in light of the “strategic value” of

limiting the number of arguments presented on direct appeal.

Here the Court finds that no prejudice in a Post Conviction sense fell upon

the [Petitioner] in regards to his [C]ounsel’s conduct upon direct appeal.

The evidence at the post-conviction hearing proved that Counsel reviewed the Petitioner’s

supplemental brief for any issues that had merit. Finding none, Counsel submitted a brief based

upon the issues that Counsel thought were properly appealed. Counsel used his professional

judgement and sound discretion to determine the issues that had merit. We conclude that Counsel’s

performance in this regard was within the range of competence demanded of attorneys in criminal

cases. See Baxter, 523 S.W.2d at 936. Further, the Petitioner has failed to prove prejudice.

Accordingly, the Petitioner is not entitled to post-conviction relief on this issue. 

b. In-Court Identification

Next, the Petitioner contends that Counsel was ineffective for failing to address the issue of

an allegedly illegal in-court identification on direct appeal. The Petitioner asserts that the victim,

Huffman, stated on direct examination that she found a receipt from Montgomery Ward that was

signed by “Jo Jo Thompson.” During cross-examination, Huffman admitted that the receipt was

signed by “J. Thompson.” The Petitioner asserts that the nickname “Jo Jo” was given to him by the

police department, and it is not a nickname that he uses. He asserts that Counsel’s failure on appeal
-31-

to challenge the victim’s use of this nickname deprived him of a fair trial and calls into question the

reliability of the outcome of this case. The State asserts that Counsel was not ineffective because

he determined that this was not an issue that could properly be raised on appeal. The post-conviction

court found that this issue was without merit. 

The evidence at the post-conviction hearing proved that, when Huffman testified, she said

that she did not know the Defendant, had neverseen him, and could not identify him as her attacker

because her attacker wore a ski mask. She also testified at trial that she could not identify the

Defendant’s signature. Counsel said that the Petitioner did not like the nickname “Jo Jo” and that

the victim should only refer to him by his given name, Joseph, or his nickname Joe. Counsel

testified that he discussed this issue with the Petitioner, explaining to the Petitioner that while the

victim referred to him using the nickname, it did not affect the Petitioner’s case. Further, Counsel

said that when he cross-examined the victim, she testified that the receipt was signed by “J.

Thompson.” Counsel determined that this issue would fail if pursued in the direct appeal. We

conclude that the evidence does not preponderate against the post-conviction court’s finding that

Counsel’s performance in thisregard was within the range of competence demanded of attorneys in

criminal cases. See Baxter, 523 S.W.2d at 936. Furthermore, the Petitioner has not shown that he

was prejudiced. Therefore, the Petitioner is not entitled to relief on this issue.

c. Prejudicial Photographs

The Petitioner asserts that Counsel was ineffective because he failed to demonstrate in the

direct appeal, by citing more clearly to the record, that the introduction of prejudicial photographs

warranted a new trial. Specifically, the Petitioner contends that Counsel did not place particular

emphasis on enough citations to the record to convince the Court of Criminal Appeals that the incourt identification was so unreliable that it would require a new trial. The post-conviction court

addressed this issue in the context of Counsel’s general appellate performance and stated:

As explained above, the Appellate Court cannot and are not required to enter

a detailed finding on every detail that might be contained in an Appellate record.

This does not mean they did not fairly review the record. . . . [A]ppellate counsel may

exercise reasonable discretion as to how [to] present a case upon direct appeal and

what issues to present. Issues raised or to be raised must be viewed in light of the

“strategic value” of limiting the number of arguments presented on direct appeal.

Here the Court finds that no prejudice in a Post Conviction sense fell upon the

[Petitioner] in regards to his counsel’s conduct upon direct appeal. 

We conclude that the evidence does not preponderate against the post-conviction court’s

findings. The Petitioner fails in his brief to state which pictures were prejudicial, and why they were

prejudicial. Further, this Court reviewed this issue on appeal, finding that there were adequate

citations so as not to waive this issue. We cannot conclude that the Petitioner has met his burden

of showing that Counsel’s performance was deficient. Further, because we addressed this issue on

its merits on direct appeal, we fail to see how the Petitioner was, in any way, prejudiced.
-32-

Accordingly, we conclude that the Petitioner is not entitled to post-conviction relief on this issue.

d. Petition to Rehear

Next, the Petitioner contends that Counsel was ineffective for failing to file a petition to

rehear in order for this Court to reconsider its opinion because of erroneous facts. See Tenn. R. App.

P. 39(a)(1). The State asserts that Counsel was not ineffective because he did not believe sufficient

grounds existed to file a Rule 39 petition to rehear, and, further, the Petitioner has not shown

prejudice. The post-conviction court stated:

[T]he issue concerning failure to file a Rule 39 motion is without merit. It is not a

routine duty that Appellate Counsel file a Rule 39 motion. Obviously, the opinion

on direct appeal was detailed and balanced. A reasonable appellate attorney would

not be expected to file a Rule 39 motion in such circumstances.

The proof does not preponderate against this finding. We conclude that the Petitioner has

failed to meet his burden of showing that Counsel’s performance was deficient. Further, he has not

proven prejudice.

e. Withdrawal and Contract

Finally, the Petitioner contends that Counsel was ineffective because he failed to timely

withdraw as Counsel, and, as a related issue, he asserts that Counsel failed to adhere to the terms of

a contract with the Petitioner. The post-conviction court concluded the following:

The [P]etitioner says his trial and appellate counsel did not withdraw timely

after the [P]etitioner had sued him in a pro se civil action. . . . [The] Petitioner says

he sued his [Counsel], but [Counsel] did not seek withdrawal before the Tennessee

Court of Criminal Appeals until the time had run for filing a Rule 39 Motion to

Rehear. Therefore, he says [Counsel] was ineffective [on appeal].

Evidently, the [P]etitioner wanted the Court of Criminal Appeals to rehear the

Brady/Ferguson issue and the exception to the hearsay rule discussed by Judge Wade

upon direct appeal. . . . The Post Conviction Court cannot instruct the Tennessee

Court of Criminal Appeals to conduct any hearing or require them to file additional

minute findings of law or fact. . . . On direct appeal, the Brady/Ferguson issue was

heard and became a portion of the Criminal Court of Appeals opinion on direct

appeal. Further, a Rule 11 T.R.A.P. motion was filed with the Supreme Court.

It would be rank speculation for this Court to hold that a pro se Rule 39 T. R.

App. P. motion would have availed the [Petitioner] anything.
-33-

The issue that appellate counsel was ineffective is totally without merit.

The evidence at the post-conviction hearing proved that the Petitioner filed multiple motions

with this Court attempting to have Counsel removed, and we determined that there was not just

cause for Counsel’s removal. The Petitioner sought to have Counsel removed because Counsel

refused to include, in the brief prepared byCounsel, all of the issues contained in the Petitioner’s pro

se supplemental brief. The Petitioner believed that, had Counsel withdrawn, the Petitioner would

have been able to successfully file his pro se supplemental brief. Counsel said that he reviewed the

Petitioner’s pro se brief for issues that had merit, and there were none. Counsel determined that his

brief addressed all the issues appropriate for appeal. Counsel learned that the Petitioner had filed

a civil law suit against Counsel twelve days after oral argument, and, once he learned of this lawsuit,

he filed a motion to withdraw from the case. We conclude that the Petitioner has failed to prove that

Counsel’s performance fell below the standard of reasonably effective assistance. Further, the

Petitioner has failed to prove prejudice because he failed to prove that any issues raised in the

Petitioner’s supplemental brief would have successful on appeal. Accordingly, the Petitioner is not

entitled to relief on this issue. 

B. Other Issues

1. Issues Previously Raised On Direct Appeal

The next two issues presented by the Petitioner are previously determined because they were

previously raised on direct appeal. The Petitioner contends that the State intentionally or negligently

caused exculpatory evidence to become lost and unavailable to the Petitioner. The Petitioner alleges

that the trial court erred in allowing Counsel only forty minutes for closing arguments. The postconviction court stated the following:

The [P]etitioner in great part basically raised exactly the same issues that were

raised upon direct appeal. Although issues raised upon direct appeal cannot again be

raised in a post conviction hearing . . . the [P]etitioner took the position that maybe

if original trial counsel had asked a few more questions here or there or asked them

in a different light, the Appellate Court may have ruled differently on the issues.

This Post Conviction Court gave counsel some leeway in developing the

theory, but the end result of the testimony was that the [P]etitioner was only stating

conclusions or theories upon issues already decided upon direct appeal.

The Post Conviction Court concluded at the end of the hearing that the basic

issues were attacking the things addressed upon direct appeal, and such attacks are

prohibited by the 1995 Post Conviction Act. The Court nonetheless will make

various findings below and review issues not raised on direct appeal.

The 1995 Post Conviction Act provides that: 
-34-

A ground for relief is previously determined if a court of competent jurisdiction has

ruled on the merits after a full and fair hearing. A full and fair hearing has occurred

where the petitioner is afforded the opportunity to call witnesses and otherwise

present evidence, regardless of whether the petitioner actually introduced any

evidence. 

Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-30-106(h). Regarding the exculpatory evidence, we conclude that this issue

was previously determined on direct appeal, as this Court found that the information, although

delayed, was disclosed. Thompson, 2003 WL 1202979, at *12-13. As to the issue of the length of

closing arguments, we conclude that this issue was previously determined on direct appeal. This

Court found that the Petitioner originally agreed to a thirty-minute time limit but later requested

forty-five minutes for closing argument. Id. at *15. The trial court then determined that forty

minutes for each side was sufficient, and this Court determined that the Petitioner failed to establish

that the trial court abused its discretion. Id. Accordingly, we conclude that these two issues were

previously determined on direct appeal, and, therefore, the Petitioner is not entitled to postconviction relief.

2. Issues Not Raised On Direct Appeal

The next three issues raised by the Petitioner are waived. The Petitioner contends that the

trial court erred in not allowing the Petitioner his right to allocution. Next, the Petitioner alleges that

the trial court erred in ruling that the Petitioner could not instruct his Counsel about trial strategy.

Finally, the Petitioner contends that the trial court erred in instructing the jury about the amount of

fines to be imposed prior to deliberations. A post-conviction court shall dismiss claims which have

been waived. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-30-106(g) (2003). “A ground for relief is waived if the

petitioner personally or through an attorney failed to present it for determination in any proceeding

before a court of competent jurisdiction in which the ground could have been presented,” with

certain exceptions not applicable in the present case. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-30-106(g). Because

these issues could have been raised on direct appeal, we conclude that these issues are waived in this

post-conviction proceeding pursuant to code section 40-30-106(g). Accordingly, we conclude that

the Petitioner is not entitled to relief on these issues.

Further, we note that the Petitioner is not entitled to plain error review of these issues because

“the plain error doctrine has no application in post-conviction relief proceedings.” Corwyn E.

Winfield v. State, 2003 WL 22922272, at *5 (Tenn. Crim. App., at Jackson, Dec. 10, 2003), perm.

app. denied (Tenn. May 10, 2004); see also State v. West, 19 S.W.3d 753, 756-47 (Tenn. 2000). We

conclude, therefore, that these issues are waived.

III. Conclusion
-35-

In accordance with the foregoing authorities and reasoning, we affirm the judgment of the

post-conviction court.

___________________________________ 

ROBERT W. WEDEMEYER, JUDGE