Barron v. State

In Barron v. State, No. M199800031CCAR3PC, 1999 WL 1261826 (Tenn. Crim. App., Nashville, Dec. 29, 1999), the petitioner alleged that his guilty plea was neither knowingly nor voluntarily entered because he entered the plea while he was not receiving his medication for depression and bipolar disorder. The petitioner testified that he did not recall anything about the guilty plea proceeding and stated that if he had been taking his medication at the time, he "probably" would not have pleaded guilty. Id. The petitioner's trial counsel testified that she was unaware the petitioner was supposed to be taking medication but that she discussed the nature of the charges with the petitioner and his various options. Counsel insisted that the petitioner understood his various rights and alternatives. Id. The trial transcript from the guilty plea hearing indicated that the petitioner acknowledged he was "taking [his] medication" at the time of the plea. Id. The trial court accredited the testimony of trial counsel that the petitioner "clearly understood what he was doing" and denied relief. Id. On appeal, the Court found that the evidence did not preponderate against the trial court's determination.