Knoxville attorney Albert Joseph Harb died Aug. 14 at age 73. Harb earned his law degree from the University of Tennessee and began practicing law independently before joining the firm of Hodges, Doughty & Carson in 1984, where he practiced until 2024. Over the years, Harb developed a large construction law practice, represented clients in personal injury cases and maintained a diverse list of corporate and commercial litigation clients. A reception for friends will be held Aug. 20 from 4 to 7 p.m. EDT at Apostles Anglican Church, 1540 Robinson Rd. NW, Knoxville 37923. The funeral is scheduled for Aug. 21 at 11 a.m. EDT at Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church, 9132 Kingston Pike, Knoxville 37923. A graveside service will take place at Berry Highland Memorial Cemetery, 5315 Kingston Pike, Knoxville 37919. Donations may be made in Harb’s honor to Apostles Anglican Church, the Dr. Wahid Hanna Educational Endowment at the University of Tennessee or FISH Hospitality Pantries.

Join moderator and TBA YLD President Judge Alex McVeagh and four Tennessee judges on Nov. 20 for a one-hour conversation about their paths from first-generation lawyers to serving on the bench. Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sarah Campbell, Davidson County General Sessions Judge Ana Escobar, Court of Appeals Judge John W. McClarty and 21st Judicial District Circuit Court Judge David Veile will share how they built their careers without direct ties to the legal profession, the challenges they faced and the lessons they learned along the way. Whether you are a first-generation attorney or simply interested in the journeys of those who serve in the judiciary, this program will offer practical insights, encouragement and a candid look at what it takes to succeed at the highest levels of the legal field. For more information and to register visit the TBA's website.

In 2012, a Sullivan County jury convicted the Petitioner, Dwight Randall Walton, of four counts of rape of a child, two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, and one count of aggravated sexual battery. For these convictions, he received an effective sentence of fifty years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. State v. Walton, No. E2014-02319- CCA-R3-CD, 2015 WL 5554573, at *1 (Tenn. Crim. App. Sept. 21, 2015), no perm. app. filed. On direct appeal, this court concluded that the evidence was sufficient to support each conviction, except the aggravated sexual battery conviction. Id. Concluding that the evidence was insufficient to support the aggravated sexual battery conviction, we reversed and dismissed that conviction. Thereafter, the Petitioner filed a petition for post-conviction relief, claiming that he received the ineffective assistance of counsel. The post-conviction court denied his petition after a hearing. After review, we affirm the post-conviction court's judgment.

Petitioner, Victor Trezevant, was convicted by a Shelby County jury of first degree felony murder committed during the perpetration of an attempted aggravated robbery, for which he received a life sentence. He subsequently filed a petition for post-conviction relief, which the post-conviction court denied after a hearing. On appeal, Petitioner contends that the post-conviction court erred when it denied relief on his claims of ineffective assistance of trial and appellate counsel. Following a thorough review, we affirm.

Petitioner, Jerrico Lamont Hawthorne, appeals from the denial of his petition for post- conviction relief and argues that the post-conviction court erred in denying his claim that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to call a witness who would have testified that Defendant was not present for the shooting. Following our review of the entire record, the briefs of the parties and the applicable law, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Defendant, William Dejesus Fernandez, was convicted by a Warren County jury of attempted first degree murder where the victim suffered serious bodily injury, employment of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, and two counts of aggravated assault. He received an effective sentence of twenty-seven years’ incarceration. Defendant appeals, arguing that the evidence was insufficient to support his convictions. Upon review of the entire record, the briefs of the parties, and the applicable law, we affirm the judgments of the trial court but remand for entry of a corrected judgment for count two consistent with this opinion.

The Defendant, Constance Monieka Every, was convicted by a Knox County Criminal Court jury of assault by extremely offensive or provocative contact, a Class B misdemeanor, and disorderly conduct by making unreasonable noise, a Class C misdemeanor. See T.C.A. §§ 39-13-101(a)(3) (Supp. 2024) (assault); 39-17-305(b) (2018) (disorderly conduct). On appeal, the Defendant contends that: (1) the indictment was insufficient to provide notice of the charged offenses, (2) the evidence is insufficient to support her convictions, and (3) the trial court erred in not instructing the jury on self- defense. We affirm the judgments of the trial court.

In 2020, a Hardeman County jury convicted the Petitioner, Lavonte Douglas, of first degree felony murder and attempted aggravated robbery, and the trial court sentenced him to an effective sentence of life. The Petitioner appealed, and this court affirmed his conviction and sentence. State v. Douglas, No. W2020-01012-CCA-R3-CD, 2021 WL 4480904, at *1 (Tenn. Crim. App. Sept. 30, 2020), perm. app. denied (Tenn. Feb. 28, 2023). The Petitioner filed a timely petition for post-conviction relief, amended by counsel, alleging that he received the ineffective assistance of counsel because his trial counsel failed to: object to hearsay statements; request in writing a curative jury instruction; and give a closing argument. He further contended that the cumulative effect of these errors entitled him to post-conviction relief. The post-conviction court denied his petition after a hearing. After review, we affirm the post-conviction court’s judgment.

The Petitioner, Gregory Bonds, entered a guilty plea to seven offenses, for which he received a concurrent twelve-year term of imprisonment. The Petitioner subsequently filed a pro-se petition seeking post-conviction relief from his convictions, alleging that trial counsel was ineffective for allowing him to enter an agreement with the State for an illegal sentence. The Petitioner alleged that his sentence was illegal because the employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony offense was ordered to be served concurrently with other offenses in direct contravention of the law. The post- conviction court summarily dismissed the petition for failure to state a colorable claim for relief. On appeal, the Petitioner argues: (1) the post-conviction court erred in failing to hold an evidentiary hearing for his claim of ineffective assistance of counsel; and (2) that he did not knowingly, voluntarily, or intelligently enter the plea agreement. Upon review, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

A mother appeals the termination of her parental rights to her child. The juvenile court found clear and convincing evidence of two statutory grounds for termination: abandonment by failure to support and failure to manifest an ability and willingness to assume custody. It also determined by clear and convincing evidence that termination was in the child’s best interest. After a thorough review, we agree and affirm.