Representative Cases

State of Tennessee v. Jonathan Austin: Client was a school teacher indicted for having sexual relations with underage student. Case was of public interest and received media scrutiny. State refused to negotiate. Client was found not guilty of all charges following a 4 day trial.

State of Tennessee v. Alvin Upchurch: Client was indicted for second degree murder and faced imprisonment for 25 years. Sentence would have been without parole. Prosecutors staunchly believed the client should have been indicted for first degree murder. Following 5 day trial by jury, client convicted of voluntary manslaughter and agreed to time-served sentence.

State of Tennessee v. Jerome Jamison: Client indicted for first degree murder for shooting death of man in apartment complex. State prosecutors initially refused to negotiate with defense counsel. Case scheduled for trial. All charges dismissed 1 week before trial date.

State of Tennessee v. Jimmy Williams: Client indicted for aggravated rape and was a career offender. State prosecutors offered 20 years and refused to negotiate. Case scheduled for trial. Following 4 day trial by jury, client found not guilty of all charges.

State of Tennessee v. Joe Jackson: Client indicted for attempted second degree murder and employment of firearm during felony. Client had 2 prior felony convictions and faced 30 years imprisonment if convicted as charged. After a 5 day trial, jury convicted client of misdemeanor reckless endangerment. Employment of firearm then dismissed by operation of law.

State of Tennessee v. Christopher Morrison: Client indicted for rape and aggravated kidnapping. At least 2 other lawyers stated that they could not represent him further. Prosecutors agreed to dismiss rape and kidnapping charges on trial date. Client released on probation on remaining offense.

State of Tennessee v. Curtis Taylor: Client indicted for first degree murder and was a reputed gang member. Shooting was on video. After a 4 day trial, jury convicted client of voluntary manslaughter.

State of Tennessee v. Augusta Gray: Client indicted for first degree murder and gave a 5 page statement to Memphis Police Department in which he admitted to the killing. After a 5 day trial, client was acquitted of first degree murder. Mr. Gray was released from jail that night.

State of Tennessee v. Jon Moore: Client indicted for aggravated assault and had no criminal history. Case set for trial. Prosecutor agreed to dismiss all charges following jury selection.

State of Tennessee v. Kenneth Smith: Client indicted for especially aggravated kidnapping and aggravated robbery. Client had 6 prior felonies and faced 90 years imprisonment if convicted as charged. After a 4 day trial, jury convicted client of misdemeanor false imprisonment.

State of Tennessee v. Cleo Henderson: Client indicted for first degree murder and faced the death penalty. Client had 5 prior felonies. After a 5 day trial, jury convicted client of a significantly lesser included offense.

State of Tennessee v. Terrance Lewis: Client indicted for first degree murder and 7 counts of attempted first degree murder. State sought life imprisonment without possibility of parole. Client had 3 prior violent felonies in criminal history. After a 6 day trial, client convicted of significantly lesser included offenses in each count.

State of Tennessee v. Carletha Jefferson: Client arrested for first degree murder in stabbing death of woman. State refused to settle. After a 4 day trial, client convicted of voluntary manslaughter and was eligible for release immediately.

State of Tennessee v. Victor Rubio: Client was member of Latino street gang and indicted for first degree murder. Client faced life imprisonment. After a 5 day trial, client was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and was eligible for release immediately.

State of Tennessee v. Antonio Wicks: Client was member of street gang and indicted for first degree murder. Client faced life imprisonment for killing young neighborhood acquaintance. After a 5 day trial, client was convicted of significantly lesser offense.

United States of America v. Sheddrick Harris: Client charged with felon in possession of firearm. Due to client’s lengthy criminal history, he faced life imprisonment if convicted. After a 6 day trial, jury acquitted client.

State of Tennessee v. Leo Mays: Client charged with aggravated rape and aggravated burglary. Client had 3 prior felonies as part of criminal history. After a 5 day trial, jury acquitted client of aggravated rape. Client convicted of misdemeanor criminal trespass in burglary portion of indictment.

State of Tennessee v. David Davis: Client charged with first degree murder and especially aggravated robbery in shooting death. State refused to settle case. After a 5 day trial, client convicted of voluntary manslaughter and acquitted of especially aggravated robbery. Client received probation and later released from custody.

State of Tennessee v. Travis Lester: Client charged with second degree murder. Client faced 40 years imprisonment due to lengthy criminal history. State refused to negotiate. After a 5 day trial, client convicted of reckless homicide.

State of Tennessee v. Alfred Turner: Client charged with first degree murder and faced the death penalty in connection with stabbing death of woman. Client convicted of significantly lesser offense following 11 day jury trial. Mr. Turner recently became parole eligible.

State of Tennessee v. Stanley Blue: Client charged with first degree murder and faced the death penalty. Client had 4 prior felonies as part of criminal history. Client convicted of significantly lesser offense after 5 day jury trial.

State of Tennessee v. Kendrick Naylor: Client charged with 4 counts of aggravated assault for attempting to strike 4 police officers with car. Due to criminal history, client faced 40 years in custody if convicted as charged. After a 4 day trial, client acquitted of 2 counts altogether. As to remaining counts, client convicted of 2 counts of misdemeanor assault.

United States of America v. Precious Thompson: Client charged with mail fraud in federal court. Assistant United States Attorney refused to cap sentence. Client acquitted in 4 of 5 counts. Client received suspended sentence in remaining count.

State of Tennessee v. Shepard Pitchford: Client indicted for 2 counts of aggravated robbery. Victims were 2 children at school who identified client as being gunman in robbery. After 4 day trial, jury acquitted client.

State of Tennessee v. Mario Rice: Client indicted for first degree murder. Co-defendant convicted as charged and received death penalty. State represented by 2 experienced prosecutors. Counsel obtained settlement on trial date that allowed client to be released before age 29.

State of Tennessee v. Bennie Montague: Client charged with possession of contraband in penal facility. Client faced 15 years imprisonment due to lengthy criminal history. After a 4 day trial, jury acquitted client in less than 9 minutes.