APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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State vs. Dereke Fitzgerald

W2000-01279-CCA-R3-CD
The appellant, Dereke Emont Fitzgerald, was convicted by a jury of aggravated assault and was sentenced to six years incarceration in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the appellant raises one issue: Whether the trial court erred in refusing to instruct the jury on the issue of self-defense. Finding no error, we affirm the judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Julian P. Guinn
Henry County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. Michael Upshaw

W1999-00777-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:James C. Beasley, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. Gilford Williams

W1999-01556-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:John Franklin Murchison
Madison County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. Johnny Jones

W2000-01241-CCA-R3-PC
This appeal follows dismissal of the Appellant's petition for post-conviction relief. The Appellant, Jones, was convicted by a Fayette County jury of possession of cocaine (over 26 grams) with intent to sell and possession of marijuana. On direct appeal, his convictions and sentences were affirmed. The Appellant filed this post-conviction petition asserting the following errors: (1) the trial court erred in not granting the Appellant's motion to sever; (2) the trial court erred in sentencing the Appellant; and (3) deficient representation by defense counsel including failing to timely file a Rule 11 application to the supreme court from this court's decision. We find that Appellant's defense counsel was ineffective with respect to his failure to timely file a Rule 11 application. Accordingly, the Appellant is granted the right to seek a delayed appeal to the Tennessee Supreme Court. Denial of post-conviction relief is affirmed as to the remaining issues.
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Jon Kerry Blackwood
Fayette County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. Mark Williams

W1999-01456-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Mark Williams, was indicted for attempted first degree murder. After being convicted for attempted second degree murder, he was sentenced, as a Range I offender, to 12 years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. In this appeal of right, the defendant contends that because the indictment did not allege an overt act, the conviction is void. He further asserts that the jury charge on attempted second degree murder was erroneous in that it did not require the jury to find that he intended to kill the victim. The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:Chris B. Craft
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
Eddie Ray Harper v. Lockheed Martin Energy Systems,

E1999-01150-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. The appellant-employee appealed the trial court's award of 12.5% permanent disability to the body as a whole which was based on a finding the employee had made a meaningful return to work resulting in capping the award at two and one-half times the medical impairment under T.C.A. _ 5-6-241(a)(1). On appeal, appellant argues he did not return to work for the "pre-injury employer" and the six times medical impairment under subsection (b) should control the award. Judgment of the trial court is affirmed as the new employer was a successor or substitute employer for the original employer by reason of a change of contractors at the U.S. government facility.
Authoring Judge: Thayer, Sp. J.
Originating Judge:James B. Scott, Jr., Judge
Knox County Workers Compensation Panel 09/12/00
William Collins vs. State

E1999-02759-CCA-R3-PC
Because the trial court properly treated a habeas corpus petition as one for post-conviction relief and because the statute of limitations barred any review of constitutional issues, the petition was properly dismissed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:Lynn W. Brown
Washington County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. Jack North

W1999-01301-CCA-R3-PC
The appellant, Jack Jay North, Jr., was convicted of first degree murder by a Hardin County jury and was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. On appeal, he asserts that the post-conviction court erred in finding trial counsel's performance to be effective during the sentencing phase of trial. Specifically, the appellant contends that trial counsel was ineffective for (1) failing to offer mitigating proof at the sentencing phase; (2) for failing to request funds for a mitigation specialist; and (3) for not objecting to comments made by the State during closing arguments of the sentencing phase. After review, we affirm the judgment of the Circuit Court of Hardin County.
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:C. Creed Mcginley
Hardin County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. Jenniefer Oakley

W1999-00850-CCA-R3-CD
Jennifer E. Oakley entered guilty pleas to three counts of misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. The manner of service, including the request for judicial diversion, was submitted to the trial court. The trial court denied a grant of judicial diversion based upon the circumstances of the offenses and the inherent dangerous effect of drugs to our communities. After review, we conclude that the record supports the trial court's denial of diversion. The judgment, accordingly, is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Bernie Weinman
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
Theodore Davis v. U. S. Coal Inc.

E1999-01297-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. The appellant-employer appealed the trial court's ruling awarding appellee-employee 32% permanent partial disability to the body as a whole. Appellant argues the trial court was in error in accepting certain medical testimony when the doctor failed to follow AMA Guides in conducting examination and evaluation of employee. Judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Thayer, Sp. J.
Originating Judge:Billy Joe White, Chancellor
Knox County Workers Compensation Panel 09/12/00
State vs. Julius Parker

W1999-01327-CCA-R3-PC
Because the petitioner, Julius Parker, who was convicted of aggravated robbery and felony murder, received the effective assistance of counsel at trial, he is not entitled to post-conviction relief.
Authoring Judge: Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:Joseph B. Brown
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. Michael Addison

W1999-00432-CCA-R3-PC
Because the evidence does not preponderate against the trial court's determination that the petitioner received the effective assistance of counsel at trial and on direct appeal, the order denying post-conviction relief is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:Bernie Weinman
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. John Hampton

W1999-00983-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, John Lee Hampton, who was charged with two counts of rape, was convicted of two counts of statutory rape. The trial court imposed two concurrent one-year sentences, with all but sixty days suspended. In this appeal as of right, the defendant asserts that the evidence was insufficient. He also argues that the trial court erred by admitting certain photographs into evidence, by rehabilitating a juror, by denying his motion in limine to exclude evidence of uncharged sexual offenses involving the victim, by permitting the victim to testify in rebuttal regarding an uncharged sexual offense, and by refusing to suspend his entire sentence. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:Jon Kerry Blackwood
Hardeman County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
James Karls vs. Percy Pitzer, et al

W1999-01107-COA-R3-CV
This is an appeal from the trial court's order dismissing a petition for writ of habeas corpus for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. We affirm the ruling of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Jon Kerry Blackwood
Hardeman County Court of Appeals 09/12/00
Jimmy Lee Pierce v. State of Tennessee

W2000-00630-CCA-R3-CD

Originating Judge:Jon Kerry Blackwood
Fayette County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
Clementine Newman vs. Allstate Insurance Co.

W1999-02064-COA-R3-CV
Automobile owner sued body shop and her insurance company for alleged faulty repairs to vehicle after it was involved in a collision. The body shop repaired what the insurance company authorized, but owner initially claimed other damages which the insurance company and body shop determined were not a result of the collision. During attempts to resolve the dispute, body shop was willing to repair anything authorized by the insurance company, but requested the owner to pay the deductible and retrieve her automobile from their facility. Owner refused to take the automobile, and the body shop, after notification to her, started charging storage charges. In the suit that was initially tried in general sessions court, then de novo in the circuit court, owner sought to recover storage charges paid an additional award for other damage to her vehicle and for relief under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act. The trial court awarded owner a judgment against the insurance company for additional damages and denied her claims under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act and for repayment of the storage charges. Owner has appealed.
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Robert L. Childers
Shelby County Court of Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. Myra L. Smith

E1999-02196-CCA-R3-CD
Myra L. Smith appeals the sentencing decision of the Knox County Criminal Court revoking her non-incarcerative sentence and ordering service of the sentence in the TDOC. In September 1998, Smith pled guilty to the class C felony of facilitating aggravated robbery and was placed under the supervision of the Knox County Community Alternative to Prison Program (CAPP). Four months later, a violation warrant issued. On appeal, Smith argues that the trial court acted arbitrarily in revoking her suspended sentence by failing to consider her extreme drug addiction, her history of mental illness, and her lack of intent to violate the conditions of probation. Finding that the trial court did not abuse its discretion, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Mary Beth Leibowitz
Knox County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
E1999-02594-COA-R3-CV

E1999-02594-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:William R. Brewer
Blount County Court of Appeals 09/12/00
Clayton D. Eller v. Loram Maintenance of Way, Inc.,

E1999-00874-SC-R3-CV
This workers' compensation appeal from the Cumberland County Circuit Court 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. The Cumberland County Circuit Court dismissed the plaintiff's claim for Tennessee workers' compensation benefits on the basis that the plaintiff affirmatively elected to seek workers' compensation benefits in the states of Maryland and Pennsylvania. After a review of the entire record, briefs of the parties and applicable law, we affirm the trial court's judgment.
Authoring Judge: L. Terry Lafferty, Senior Judge
Originating Judge:John Maddux, Judge
Knox County Workers Compensation Panel 09/12/00
State vs. Billy Thompson

W1999-01001-CCA-R3-CD
In 1995, Billy Thompson, a Mississippi resident, was convicted in Shelby County of driving under the influence, resulting in suspension of his driving privileges in this state for one year. Fifteen months later, Thompson was again charged and convicted of driving under the influence, sixth offense, reckless driving and driving while revoked, being the instant offenses before this court. On the date of the latter offenses, Thompson possessed a valid Mississippi driver's license, however, he had not complied with the statutory requirements for reinstatement of his driving privileges in this state. Thompson appeals his convictions contending the trial court erred (1) by failing to sever the charge of driving while license revoked from the remaining counts and (2) by failing to grant his motion for judgment of acquittal as to the charge of driving while license revoked. We conclude that all charges were properly joined pursuant to Tenn. R. Crim. P. 8(a). Moreover, we hold that a nonresident motorist, although possessing a valid out-of-state license, may not operate a motor vehicle in this state following this state's revocation of his driving privileges until the motorist complies with Tennessee's reinstatement procedures. Because we find the proof sufficient to support the challenged conviction, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:James C. Beasley, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. Darron Lenon

W1999-01951-CCA-R3-CD
In this case the Defendant, Darron Lenon, was found guilty of unlawful delivery of a Schedule II controlled substance, a Class B felony, following a jury trial. The trial court imposed a maximum Range I sentence of twelve years. In this appeal, the Defendant, in three issues, argues that the trial court erroneously applied an enhancement factor; failed to apply a mitigating factor; and failed to follow the mandates of the Tennessee Criminal Sentencing Reform Act of 1989. The Defendant asks this court to reverse the trial court and impose the minimum sentence of eight years. We decline to do so, and therefore affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Dick Jerman, Jr.
Gibson County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. Emit Keith Cody

E2000-02188-CCA-RM-CD
The Defendant, Emit Keith Cody, was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. He appealed, and we reversed his conviction and remanded the case for a new trial based on our conclusion that the trial court's failure to give a limiting instruction to the jury on the use of the State's main witness's prior inconsistent statement constituted plain error. See State v. Emit Keith Cody, No. E1999-00068-CCA-R3CD, 2000 WL 190227 (Tenn. Crim. App., Knoxville, Feb. 16, 2000). The State applied for permission to appeal to the supreme court, which granted permission for the purpose of remanding the case to this Court for reconsideration in light of the supreme court's recent decision in State v. Smith, 24 S.W.3d 274 (Tenn. 2000). After revisiting this issue, we remain of the opinion that the trial court committed plain error by failing to give a limiting instruction. Accordingly, the Defendant's conviction is reversed, and the case is remanded for a new trial.
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Ben W. Hooper, II
Cocke County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/11/00
State vs. Rosalind Marie Johnson & Donna Yvette McCoy

E1999-02468-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant, Rosalind Marie Johnson, appeals her convictions for facilitation of first degree felony murder and aggravated burglary, for which she received concurrent sentences of 15 years and 3 years, respectively. Defendant, Donna Yvette McCoy, appeals her convictions for first degree felony murder and aggravated burglary, for which she received concurrent sentences of life with the possibility of parole and 3 years, respectively. Both defendants raise the issue of sufficiency of the evidence to support their convictions. Defendant Johnson raises the following additional issues in her appeal: 1) whether the trial court erred in failing to sever the defendants' trials; 2) whether the trial court erred in failing to remove a juror for cause; and 3) whether the trial court erred in failing to suppress statements made by Johnson. We conclude that the issues raised by both defendants in this appeal are without merit. The judgments of the trial court are affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Hamilton County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/11/00
State vs. Sandra Cooper

W2002-01036-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant, Sandra Hoyle Cooper, appeals the trial court's revocation of her community corrections sentence. Defendant received two community corrections sentences of eleven months and twenty-nine days each following two separate convictions for theft and for filing a false police report. While serving her community corrections sentences, Defendant was arrested for aggravated robbery. Following a revocation hearing, the trial court revoked her community corrections sentences and ordered the imposition of her original sentences. Defendant argues that the trial court improperly based its revocation on circumstantial evidence that she committed the offense for which she was arrested. After a careful review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Roy B. Morgan, Jr.
Madison County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/11/00
Peter A. Smith v. Asplundh Tree Expert Co.

E1999-01376-WC-R3-CV
This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated _ 5-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. The defendant appeals from the judgment of the trial court which awarded the plaintiff temporary total benefits from May of 1992 until November 2, 1995, and found the plaintiff had sustained a forty percent permanent partial disability to the body as a whole. The plaintiff suffered a compensable injury, returned to work for the pre-injury employer, then left that position and obtained employment with another employer. We affirm the award of permanent partial disability, reverse the award of temporary total disability and remand the case to the trial court for a determination of the amount owed consistent with our findings.
Authoring Judge: John K.Byers, Sr. J.
Originating Judge:Howell N. Peoples, Chancellor
Smith County Workers Compensation Panel 09/11/00