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· 10/3/2018

State of Tennessee v. John Palladin Gibson - concurring in part and dissenting in part

Syllabus

I agree with the majority's conclusion to affirm Defendant's conviction for driving on a cancelled, suspended, or revoked license. Additionally, I agree with the majority's conclusion on the ineffective assistance of counsel claim. However, I respectfully disagree with the majority's conclusion to reverse both DUI convictions. I am of the opinion that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by admitting the blood-sample evidence because there was sufficient authentication to establish a chain of custody. Therefore, I would affirm the decision of the trial court regarding both DUI convictions. Further, even if the trial court erred in admitting the blood-sample evidence, it was harmless error with regard to the DUI by impairment conviction. A rational jury could have grounded its verdict on both Deputy Sulewski's testimony and the dashboard video showing Defendant's speech and performance on three field-sobriety tests. Therefore, I would affirm the conviction for DUI by impairment on that basis as well.

Judges: Judge Timothy L. Easter

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This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.