Court of Criminal Appeals hears challenge to post‑conviction denial over alleged ineffective trial counsel

At an oral argument before the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, Eastern Section, appellate counsel Chelsea Moore asked the court to reverse the trial court's denial of post‑conviction relief for appellant Blair Brown Jr., arguing trial counsel provided ineffective assistance and deprived Brown of his right to testify.

Moore told the three‑judge panel that Brown was arrested March 28, 2016, after picking up a friend who, unbeknownst to Brown, had a gun and drugs in the vehicle. Moore told the court the body‑worn camera shows Brown telling officers, "the gun is not mine," and that Brown "was unaware of" the drugs because they were hidden under the passenger seat. Moore argued trial counsel repeatedly contradicted the record, failed to pursue motions timely, went on vacation instead of securing hearings, misstated facts to the jury in opening and closing statements, and ultimately did not call Brown despite earlier indicating she would.

"He was unaware of them," Moore said of the drugs during argument, pointing the court…