Michael Douglas Hughes v. State of Tennessee

OPINION

in which JERRY L. SMITH and NORMA McGEE OGLE, JJ„ joined.

The Defendant, Michael Douglas Hughes, entered a plea of no contest to one count of aggravated rape, and a plea of guilty to ten counts of aggravated rape, on November 30, 1992. On March 4, 1993, a sentencing hearing was held and the Defendant was sentenced for these crimes to an aggregate term of eighty years. The Defendant’s trial counsel failed to timely perfect the Defendant’s appeal, and on June 30, 1995, the Defendant filed a petition for post-conviction relief, seeking a delayed appeal. The delayed appeal was granted and…