Jonathan M. Cooper v. State of Tennessee

Syllabus

The Petitioner, Jonathan M. Cooper, appeals the denial of his petition for post-convictionrelief challenging his multiple convictions for aggravated sexual battery, incest, and rapeof a child. On appeal, the Petitioner argues the post-conviction court erred in denying hismotion to continue the evidentiary hearing requesting more time to develop recentlydiscovered evidence—the report of the victim's medical examination. The Petitioner alsocontends the post-conviction court erred in denying relief because (1) the State violated hisdue process rights by failing to disclose Brady evidence at trial, i.e., the report of thevictim's medical examination (2) he received the ineffective assistance of counsel due totrial counsel's failure to familiarize himself with Rule 412 of the Tennessee Rules ofEvidence, and this failure resulted in the exclusion of evidence of the victim's sexualbehavior with her stepbrother (3) he received the ineffective assistance of counsel due totrial counsel's failure to object to the State's improper closing argument (4) he receivedthe ineffective assistance of counsel due to trial counsel's failure to properly address theissue of venue and (5) the cumulative effect of trial counsel's deficiencies, along with theState's withholding of Brady evidence, violated his right to a fair trial. After review, weaffirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.