State of Tennessee v. Ronald Lyons, James Michael Usinger, Lee Harold Cromwell, Austin Gary Cooper, and Christopher Alan Hauser (Forgery)

Style: State of Tennessee v. Ronald Lyons, James Michael Usinger, Lee Harold Cromwell, Austin Gary Cooper, and Christopher Alan Hauser

TSC Docket Number: M2019-01946-SC-R11-CD

Court of Criminal Appeals Decision: https://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/lyonsusingercromwellcooperandhauser.opn_.pdf

Court of Criminal Appeals Summary:

Ronald Lyons, James Michael Usinger, Lee Harold Cromwell, Austin Gary Cooper, and Christopher Alan Hauser, Defendants, were named in a 302-count indictment by the Davidson County Grand Jury for multiple counts of forgery and fraudulently filing a lien for their role in filing a total of 102 liens against 42 different individuals with the office of the Tennessee Secretary of State. Defendant Cooper was also named in a second indictment for five additional counts of forgery and five additional counts of fraudulently filing a lien. Prior to trial, Defendant Hauser filed a motion to dismiss for improper venue. Defendants Cromwell and Cooper joined in the motion. The trial court denied the motion after a hearing. After a jury trial, each defendant was convicted as charged in the indictment. The trial court sentenced Defendant Cromwell to an effective sentence of twenty-five years; Defendant Cooper to an effective sentence of fifty years; Defendant Lyons to an effective sentence of twenty-two years; Defendant Usinger to an effective sentence of twenty-one years; and Defendant Hauser to an effective sentence of twenty years. After motions for new trial and several amended motions for new trial were filed, the trial court held a hearing. The trial court denied the motions in a lengthy and thorough written order. Each defendant appealed, raising various issues challenging their convictions and sentences. After deep review, we affirm the all judgments and all sentences.

Pre-argument Briefing:

Appellants  September 2, 2021; October 5, 2021; November 8, 2021

Appellee:  December 8, 2021

Appellant’s Reply:  December 15, 2021; December 17, 2021

Oral Argument Date:  April 6, 2022

Link to Oral Argument Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOpaCtGlMi4

Date of TSC Opinion:

Decision of the Tennessee Supreme Court:  None to date.

Summary of decision of the Tennessee Supreme Court: None to date.