Court Opinion

ID: 1081976
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-10-09 20:54:28.162842+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:34:24.394715
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE

                                      AT NASHVILLE                    FILED
STATE OF TENNESSEE,                            )
                                               )                  December 11, 1998
                                                   C.C.A. NO. 01C01-9808-CC-00354
       Appellee,                               )   (No. 9209 Below)
                                               )                   Cecil W. Crowson
VS.                                            )   MAURY COUNTY  Appellate Court Clerk
                                               )   The Hon. Jim T. Hamilton
HOUSTON GRADY CHAPMAN,                         )
                                               )   (Denial of Motion to Correct Sentence)
       Appellant.                              )
                                               )   AFFIRMED PURSUANT TO RULE 20

                                          ORDER

              This matter is before the Court upon the state’s motion requesting that the

judgment in the above-styled cause be affirmed pursuant to Rule 20, Tennessee Court of

Criminal Appeals Rules. Upon reviewing the record, the appellant’s brief, and the state’s

motion, we find that it is an appropriate matter for affirmance under Rule 20.

              From the record, it appears that on August 21, 1996, the appellant entered

a “best interest” plea to two counts of attempted second-degree murder and one count of

aggravated burglary. As part of the agreement, he was sentenced to ten years for each

count of attempted second-degree murder, to be served consecutively, and to three years

for aggravated burglary. Subsequently, on March 30, 1998, the petitioner filed a motion

to correct illegal sentence. Counsel was appointed to represent the appellant, and a

hearing was held on August 14, 1998. On the same date, the trial court entered an order

denying the motion.

              On appeal, the appellant contends that his consecutive sentences are illegal

because the trial court failed to inquire or make findings of fact as to the criteria supporting

consecutive sentences and because the facts do not support the imposition of consecutive

sentences.

              In Hicks v. State, 945 S.W.2d 706 (Tenn. 1997), the Supreme Court held that

“a knowing and voluntary guilty plea waives any irregularity as to offender classification or

release eligibility.” Id. at 709. Previously, in Patrick Williams v. State, No. 01C01-9506-

CR-00190 (Tenn. Crim. App., filed May 9, 1996), this Court had applied the same

reasoning to the imposition of consecutive sentencing pursuant to a plea agreement,
holding that consecutive sentencing is subject to plea negotiation. The same applies to

the case now before the Court.        Accordingly, the Court holds that the appellant’s

consecutive sentences are not illegal.

              IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED that the state’s motion to affirm the

judgment of the trial court under Rule 20, Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals Rules, is

granted, and the judgment of the trial court is affirmed. It appearing that the petitioner is

indigent, costs of these proceedings are taxed to the state.

                                                  _____________________________
                                                  JERRY L. SMITH, JUDGE

CONCUR:

_____________________________
JOHN H. PEAY, JUDGE

_____________________________
DAVID H. WELLES, JUDGE