William T. Johnson v. State of Tennessee - separate opinion

Opinion

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE AT KNOXVILLE

Assigned on Briefs October 21, 2014

WILLIAM T. JOHNSON v. STATE OF TENNESSEE Appeal from the Criminal Court for Hamilton County No. 284499 Don W. Poole, Judge

No. E2014-00828-CCA-R3-PC - Filed December 8, 2014

J AMES C URWOOD W ITT, J R., J., concurring.

I fully concur in the majority opinion in this case. I only write separately to express a view that counsel’s absence from court – even during jury deliberations and verdict announcement – for reasons no more substantial than coaching a basketball game presents a closer question than our opinion may suggest. It may be that a certain casualness has permeated the practice of law, and courts and lawyers should be vigilant in maintaining standards of regularity and professionalism.

JAMES CURWOOD WITT, JR., JUDGE