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| State vs. Benjamin Brown
W1999-00327-CCA-R3-CD
Benjamin Brown appeals from his convictions of one count of felony murder committed in the perpetration of aggravated child abuse and one count of aggravated child abuse. An effective sentence of life imprisonment was imposed. On direct appeal, he contends (1) the evidence is insufficient to support his convictions; (2) the lesser offense of criminally negligent homicide should have been instructed; (3) testimony regarding prior bad acts was erroneously admitted; and (4) his convictions violate the constitutional protections against double jeopardy. Following review, the appellant's conviction for aggravated child abuse is vacated and dismissed as violative of the protections against double jeopardy. We affirm the appellant's conviction for felony murder finding the evidence sufficient to support his conviction. Because the appellant's motion for new trial as to felony murder was untimely filed, the remaining issues related to this conviction are waived.
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Carolyn Wade Blackett |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 10/24/00 | |
| Tennessee Protection and Advocacy, Inc., et al v. Janis
M1999-00884-WC-R3-CV
This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e) (1999) Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Chancery Court Reversed in part and Affirmed in part; Remanded. LOSER, SP. J., in which BIRCH, J. , and KURTZ, SP. J., joined. Carson W. Beck, Nashville, Tennessee, for the appellant, Janis Greene. Richard E. Spicer, Nashville, Tennessee, for the appellees, Tennessee Protection and Advocacy, Inc., et al. MEMORANDUM OPINION By this appeal, the employee or claimant, Janis Greene, insists the evidence preponderates against the trial court's finding that her carpal tunnel syndrome did not arise out of and in the course of her employment. The employer, Tennessee Protection and Advocacy, Inc. contends the claim is barred by the employee's failure to give timely written notice. As discussed below, the panel has concluded the trial court's order dismissing the claim as not having arisen out of and in the course of employment should be reversed; and the panel has further concluded the trial court's findings with respect to notice and the extent of the claimant's permanent partial disability should be affirmed. The employer initiated this action on September 15, 1997, seeking a declaration that the employee's claimed injury did not arise out of and in the course of employment. The employee served her answer and a counterclaim. Construing the counterclaim fairly and consistently with the evidence and arguments, we have concluded the employee was and is seeking disability and medical benefits authorized by the Workers' Compensation Act. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6- 11 et seq. After a trial of all the issues on February 25, 1999, the chancellor made her findings. Paraphrased, those findings were that (1) the claimant suffered "serious" carpal tunnel syndrome, cause unknown because of insufficient medical proof, (2) timely written notice of her claimed injury was given, (3) as a result of her carpal tunnel syndrome, the claimant retained a permanent partial vocational disability of twenty-five percent to the right hand and twelve and one-half percent to the left hand, (4) her claimed medical expenses were reasonable and necessary and (5) the claimant was a credible witness. Review of findings of fact by the trial court is de novo upon the record of the trial court, accompanied by a presumption of correctness of the findings, unless the preponderance of the evidence is otherwise. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e)(2). This standard requires the panel to examine in depth a trial court's factual findings and conclusions. The reviewing court is not bound by a trial court's factual findings but instead conducts an independent examination to determine where the preponderance of the evidence lies.
Authoring Judge: Loser, Sp. J.
Originating Judge:Carol Mccoy, Chancellor |
Greene County | Workers Compensation Panel | 10/24/00 | |
| State of Tennessee v. Rockie Smith
W1999-00814-CCA-R3-CD
Originating Judge:John P. Colton, Jr. |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 10/23/00 | |
| State of Tennessee v. Carlos Eddings
W2003-02255-CCA-R3-CD
Originating Judge:W. Otis Higgs, Jr. |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 10/23/00 | |
| State vs. Brian Sullivan
W1999-00941-CCA-R3-CD
The appellant, Brian Sullivan, entered a plea of nolo contendere in the Shelby County Criminal Court to one count of attempted aggravated sexual battery, a Class C felony. The trial court sentenced the appellant to a term of three (3) years, suspended. On appeal, the appellant argues that the trial court erred in denying his petition for judicial diversion. After a review of the record before this Court, we conclude that because the appellant was convicted of a sexual offense, he is statutorily ineligible for judicial diversion. Therefore, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry Smith
Originating Judge:Chris B. Craft |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 10/23/00 | |
| State vs. Jarvis Loverson
W1999-01750-CCA-R3-CD
A Shelby County jury convicted the appellant, Jarvis Loverson, of one (1) count of theft of property over $1,000, a Class D felony, and one (1) count of attempted theft of property over $10,000, a Class D felony. The trial court sentenced the appellant as a Range II offender to consecutive terms of twelve (12) years for each offense. On appeal, the appellant contends that the evidence is insufficient to sustain his convictions for theft of property and attempted theft of property. After thoroughly reviewing the record before this Court, we conclude that the state failed to present any evidence regarding the value of the subject property. As a result, the appellant's conviction for theft of property over $1,000 is modified to theft of property valued at $500 or less, and his conviction for attempted theft of property over $10,000 is modified to attempted theft of property with a value of $500 or less.
Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry Smith
Originating Judge:Joseph B. Dailey |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 10/23/00 | |
| State vs. Jerry Michael Green
E1999-01815-CCA-R9-RL
The appellant, Jerry Michael Green, proceeded to trial in the Monroe County Criminal Court for possession of more than .5 grams of cocaine with intent to deliver. Due to the State's improper cross-examination of defense witnesses, the trial court granted the appellant a mistrial. The appellant made a motion in limine to preclude the State, on double jeopardy grounds, from retrying the appellant on possession of cocaine with intent to deliver. The trial court denied the appellant's motion, but granted the appellant permission to appeal its decision. This court granted an interlocutory appeal. In this interlocutory appeal, the appellant claims that double jeopardy bars a retrial because the prosecutor goaded the appellant into requesting a mistrial. Upon review of the record and the parties' briefs, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Carroll L. Ross |
Monroe County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 10/23/00 | |
| State vs. Lon Pierce
W1999-01433-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Lon Adelbert Pierce, appeals from his conviction of the first degree premeditated murder of Larry Gene Peppers, Sr. He raises numerous issues on appeal. Significant among his appellate issues are his challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence based upon his claim of diminished capacity, his claim that a psychologist is incompetent to give rebuttal testimony on the issue of diminished capacity, and his claim that double jeopardy barred his retrial on first degree murder after the jury at his first trial determined that he was not guilty of the offense, as evidenced by juror affidavits. Because we find no error requiring reversal, we affirm the defendant's conviction.
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:C. Creed Mcginley |
Benton County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 10/23/00 | |
| State vs. James Carter
W1999-00799-CCA-R3-PC
A Shelby County jury convicted the Defendant of first degree murder, and the trial court sentenced him to life imprisonment. The Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the conviction, and the Tennessee Supreme Court denied permission to appeal. The Defendant filed a petition for post-conviction relief, which the trial court denied after an evidentiary hearing. The Defendant appeals the denial of post-conviction relief and raises the following two issues: (1) whether the jury instruction on circumstantial evidence was proper; and (2) whether he received effective assistance of counsel at his trial. Finding no error, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Bernie Weinman |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 10/23/00 | |
| 2002-00734-COA-R3-CV
2002-00734-COA-R3-CV
Originating Judge:John F. Weaver |
Knox County | Court of Appeals | 10/23/00 | |
| Jackie Reynolds vs. Tammy Battles
W2000-00340-COA-R3-CV
This case involves three alleged criminal conspiracies committed by the Appellees against the Appellants. The Appellants filed a complaint against the Appellees in the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee. The district court dismissed the Appellants' complaint for lack of jurisdiction. The Appellants then filed a complaint against the Appellees in the Circuit Court of Hardin County. The Appellees brought a motion to dismiss. The trial court granted the Appellees' motion to dismiss, finding that the Appellants' complaint was barred by the statute of limitations and failed to state a claim for which relief can be granted. The Appellants appeal the dismissal of the Appellants' complaint. For the reasons stated herein, we reverse the trial court's decision.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:C. Creed Mcginley |
Hardin County | Court of Appeals | 10/23/00 | |
| Rick Roelke vs. William Hickerson
W2000-00455-COA-R3-CV
This is a medical malpractice case. The trial court dismissed the plaintiff's complaint because it was not filed within the applicable statute of limitations. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Karen R. Williams |
Shelby County | Court of Appeals | 10/23/00 | |
| State vs. Michael Spadafina
W1999-00268-CCA-R3-PC
The Benton County Circuit Court dismissed Michael Joseph Spadafina's petition for post-conviction relief in which Spadafina raised a number of issues of trial error and ineffective assistance of trial counsel in his conviction of first degree murder. On appeal, the petitioner limited his issues to the ineffective assistance of counsel in not seeking an individual, sequestered voir dire of the jury and in not challenging the use of damaging character evidence. Because we conclude that the petitioner failed to carry his post-conviction burden to prove his claims by clear and convincing evidence, we affirm the dismissal of the post-conviction petition.
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Julian P. Guinn |
Benton County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 10/23/00 | |
| Jerry Maness vs. Charles Woods
W2000-01049-COA-R3-CV
This is an appeal by Plaintiffs from a grant of summary judgment in favor of Defendants. Plaintiffs sued to recover property which they claim was wrongfully seized by employees of the Defendant. Defendants filed a request for admissions which included an admission that the property seized did not belong to Plaintiffs. Plaintiffs failed to timely respond and thus the admission was conclusively established. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Roger A. Page |
Henderson County | Court of Appeals | 10/23/00 | |
| State vs. Culbreath, et al
W1999-01553-SC-R11-CD
Authoring Judge: Justice E. Riley Anderson
Originating Judge:L. Terry Lafferty |
Shelby County | Supreme Court | 10/20/00 | |
| State vs. Clint T. Melton
E1999-02090-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Ray L. Jenkins |
Knox County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 10/19/00 | |
| State vs. Charles Swaffer
M2000-00058-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant Charles E. Swaffer was convicted by a Macon County jury of one count of Class C theft of property over $10,000 and one count of Class D vandalism over $1,000. The trial court subsequently imposed concurrent sentences of five years and three years, with Defendant to serve one year of incarceration followed by supervised probation. Defendant challenges his convictions, raising the following issues: (1) whether the trial court erred when it failed to grant a motion for a mistrial; (2) whether the evidence was sufficient to support his convictions; and (3) whether the trial court erred in applying improper enhancing factors and rejecting his mitigating factors. The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:J. O. Bond |
Macon County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 10/18/00 | |
| State vs. Ernest E. Pride
M2000-00319-CCA-R3-CD
The appellant, Ernest E. Pride, was convicted by a jury in the Davidson County Criminal Court of one count of tampering with evidence, a class C felony; one count of possession of less than .5 grams of cocaine with the intent to sell, a class C felony; one count of simple possession of marijuana, a class A misdemeanor; one count of criminal trespass, a class C misdemeanor; one count of resisting arrest, a class B misdemeanor; and one count of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, a class A misdemeanor. The trial court sentenced the appellant, as a Range II offender, to the following terms of incarceration in the Tennessee Department of Correction: eight years for the tampering with evidence conviction, eight years for the possession of cocaine with intent to sell conviction, eleven months and twenty-nine days for the possession of marijuana conviction, thirty days for the criminal trespass conviction, and six months for the resisting arrest conviction. Additionally, the trial court ordered the appellant to serve all of the sentences concurrently. The trial court entered a verdict of not guilty for the possession of drug paraphernalia. The appellant raises the following issues for our review: (1) whether the evidence contained in the record is sufficient to support a finding by a rational trier of fact that the appellant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of possession of less than .5 grams of cocaine with intent to sell and tampering with the evidence as charged in the indictment; and (2) whether the trial court imposed excessive sentences for the convictions of tampering with evidence and possession of less than .5 grams of cocaine with intent to sell. Based upon our review of the record and the parties' briefs, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Seth W. Norman |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 10/18/00 | |
| Joseph Whitwell vs. State
M1999-02493-CCA-R3-PC
Petitioner, Joseph Whitwell, filed a Petition for Post-Conviction Relief in the Davidson County Criminal Court, which the post-conviction court subsequently denied. Petitioner challenges the denial of his petition, raising the following issue: whether the trial court erred in dismissing his Petition for Post-Conviction Relief, based upon a ruling that Petitioner's allegations of ineffective assistance of counsel were without merit. After a thorough review of the record, we find that the Petitioner did not receive the ineffective assistance of counsel. We therefore affirm the trial court's denial of the Petitioner's Petition for Post-Conviction Relief.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Cheryl A. Blackburn |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 10/18/00 | |
| Oliver Valentine
W1999-01293-COA-R3-CV
This is a termination of parental rights case. A twenty-one month old boy was removed from his parents' home after the mother beat him with a belt, leaving bruises on his back, chest, head, and face. Three and a half years later, after the parents had failed to satisfy the conditions in the son's plan of care, the Department of Children's Services filed a petition to terminate their parental rights. The Juvenile Court for Shelby County terminated the mother's and father's parental rights. The mother and father appeal, arguing that the Tennessee Constitution prohibits a non-attorney, elected juvenile court judge from appointing a special judge, who is an attorney but not elected, to hear a termination of parental rights case. They also argue that there is not clear and convincing evidence to support the termination of their parental rights. We affirm, finding that the Tennessee Constitution does not prevent an elected, non-attorney juvenile court judge from appointing a juvenile court referee, who is an attorney but not elected, to hear cases involving the termination of parental rights, and that there is clear and convincing evidence to support the termination of parental rights in this case.
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:George E. Blancett |
Shelby County | Court of Appeals | 10/18/00 | |
| Judy Pennington vs. Frank Pennington
W2000-00568-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from a divorce proceeding. The Chancery Court of Madison County granted the Appellee a divorce on the grounds of inappropriate marital conduct and adultery. The trial court calculated child support based on the Appellant's average income prior to his first incarceration. In lieu of child support payments, the trial court awarded the Appellee an office building titled solely in her name. The trial court also awarded the Appellee $5,000.00 as alimony in solido to help defray her attorney's fees and expenses but declined to award periodic or rehabilitative alimony due to the trial court's division of marital property.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Joe C. Morris |
Madison County | Court of Appeals | 10/18/00 | |
| State vs. Richard M. Far, Jr.
M1999-01998-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant, Richard M. Far, Jr., was convicted by a Rutherford County jury of Class D forgery of a document valued at more than $1,000. Subsequently, the trial court sentenced Defendant as a Range III persistent offender to ten (10) years to be served consecutively to Defendant's sentence in an arson case (F-45893). Defendant raises two issues on appeal: 1) whether the trial court erred in excluding Defendant from his trial and sentencing hearing and 2) whether the trial court properly considered the sentencing guidelines in sentencing Defendant. After a review of the record, we reverse the judgment of the trial court and remand this matter for a new trial.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:James K. Clayton, Jr. |
Rutherford County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 10/18/00 | |
| Peltz vs. Peltz
M1999-02299-COA-R3-CV
The issue on appeal is whether a notary was negligent when she attached her certificate to a forged signature on a deed. The Chancery Court of Williamson County held that she was not. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Russell Heldman |
Williamson County | Court of Appeals | 10/18/00 | |
| State vs. Andre L. Mayfield
M1999-02415-CCA-R3-CD
In 1999, the Defendant was tried by a Davidson County jury and found guilty of aggravated robbery, aggravated rape, rape, and two counts of aggravated kidnapping for crimes perpetrated on two victims. Following a sentencing hearing, the trial court sentenced the Defendant to an effective sentence of fifty years. In this appeal as of right, the Defendant argues that (1) the trial court erred by failing to sever the offenses against one victim from those against the second victim; (2) the trial court erred by failing to admonish the jury not to view, listen to, or read any news coverage of the case during trial; (3) the trial court erred by failing to grant his two motions for a mistrial; (4) the evidence presented at trial was insufficient to support his convictions; (5) the trial court erred by allowing the State to introduce evidence of the age of one victim; (6) the trial court erred by allowing into evidence altered documents and by instructing the jury that the documents were altered to remove inadmissible evidence; (7) the trial court erred by allowing into evidence inadmissible hearsay statements; (8) the trial court erred by refusing to instruct the jury on lesser-included offenses requested by the defense; and (9) the trial court sentenced him improperly. Having thoroughly reviewed the record in this case, we affirm the judgment of the trial court, as modified to indicate that the Defendant was sentenced as a Range II Multiple Rapist for the rape conviction.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Seth W. Norman |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 10/18/00 | |
| James Dubose vs. State
M2000-00478-CCA-R3-CD
The petitioner, James DuBose, was convicted by a jury in the Williamson County Circuit Court of one count of first degree felony murder with the underlying felony being aggravated child abuse. The trial court sentenced the petitioner to life imprisonment in the Tennessee Department of Correction. This court and the Tennessee Supreme Court affirmed the petitioner's conviction. The petitioner subsequently filed a petition for post-conviction relief. After a hearing, the post-conviction court denied the petitioner's request for relief. On appeal, the petitioner raises the following issues for our review: (1) whether the State engaged in prosecutorial misconduct during the course of the petitioner's trial; (2) whether petitioner's trial counsel provided ineffective assistance of counsel; (3) whether the trial court erred in failing to give curative jury instructions; and (4) whether the petitioner was charged pursuant to a faulty indictment. Upon review of the record and the parties' briefs, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Donald P. Harris |
Williamson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 10/18/00 |