STATE OF TENNESSEE v. BERNARD ADRIAN SMITH, a/k/a ADRIAN SMITH, a/k/a ADRIANNE SMITH - Articles

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STATE OF TENNESSEE v. BERNARD ADRIAN SMITH, a/k/a ADRIAN SMITH, a/k/a ADRIANNE SMITH

Posted by: Azya Thornton on May 29, 2026

Court: TN Court of Criminal Appeals

Attorneys 1: David W. MacNeill (on appeal and standby counsel at sentencing and on motion for new trial), and Michael L. Acuff (standby counsel at trial), Chattanooga, Tennessee, for the appellant; and Bernard Adrian Smith, a/k/a Adrian Smith, a/k/a Adrianne Smith, Mountain City, Tennessee, Pro Se (at trial).

Attorneys 2: Jonathan Skrmetti, Attorney General and Reporter; Lacy E. Wilber, Senior Assistant Attorney General; Coty G. Wamp, District Attorney General; and AnCharlene D. Davis and Carl Huskins, Assistant District Attorneys General, for the appellee, State of Tennessee.

Judge(s): HIXSON

The Defendant, Bernard Adrian Smith, a/k/a Adrian Smith, a/k/a Adrianne Smith, was convicted of attempted first degree murder and aggravated domestic assault following a bench trial. The Defendant represented himself at these proceedings, although he was appointed an attorney as “counsel to assist,” also known as “standby counsel.” On appeal, the Defendant contends, inter alia, that he did not ask to represent himself, even with the aid of standby counsel, and that the trial court improperly required him to do so against his expressed wishes. After a thorough review of the record, we agree with the Defendant that he was denied his right to counsel. Therefore, we reverse the judgments of the trial court and remand the case for a new trial.

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