APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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Mohammad Al-Haddad v. Walter Ritter and Wife, Helma Ritter

01A01-9608-CV-00369

Pursuant to Rule 11, Tenn. R. Civ. P., the trial court sanctioned the appellants and their attorneys. The appellants argue on appeal that they cannot be sanctioned under Rule 11 because they did not sign the offending pleading and that the facts do not establish a violation of the rule. We hold that a party may be sanctioned under Rule 11 without actually signing the pleadings, but we find that the facts of this case do not justify a Rule 11 sanction and that the proof fails to show any expenses incurred as a result of the alleged violation. Therefore we reverse the judgment against the appellants for sanctions.

Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Judge Donald P. Harris
Williamson County Court of Appeals 02/05/97
Aetna Insurance Company and Church of God of Prophecy, v. Little Giant Mfg. Co., Inc. and Edwin L. Wiegand Division of Emerson Electric Company

03A01-9601-CV-00024

This complaint was filed by the Church of God of Prophecy against the Little Giant Mfg. Co. and Kick-Shaw, Inc., alleging that its property was destroyed by fire caused by a defective water heater manufactured by Little Giant and sold to the plaintiff by Kick-Shaw, Inc. Various defenses were interposed by the defendants, none of which is relevant to the issue before us. Thereafter, the complaint was repeatedly amended; new parties came and went; and, in its present posture, the plaintiffs are Aetna Insurance Company and Church of God of Prophecy and the defendants are Little Giant Mfg. Co., Inc. and Emerson Electric Company.


Originating Judge:Senior Judge William H. Inman
Court of Appeals 02/05/97
Richard E. Perry, and wife, Tamelia Perry, v. Terry Flatford and wife, Teresa Flatford, Brenda Dye, Gordon White, Remax Preferred Properties, Inc., David Snelson, Beverly V. McMahan, Crossroads Realty, et al.

03A01-9609-CH-00305

This is an action for damages allegedly sustained by the plaintiffs as a result  of misrepresentations made to them in their purchase of a residence.

Authoring Judge: Senior Judge William H. Inman
Union County Court of Appeals 02/05/97
State of Tennessee, Department of Human Services v. Charlene Avery Fountain

03A01-9601-JV-00021

This appeal came on to be heard upon the record from the Juvenile Court of Knox County and briefs filed on behalf of the respective parties. Upon consideration thereof, this court is of the opinion that there is no reversible error in the trial court’s judgment.

Authoring Judge: Per Curiam
Knox County Court of Appeals 02/05/97
Erma Hardesty and Jim Hardesty v. Service Merchandise Company, Inc.

02A01-9510-CV-00235

This appeal is taken from the trial court’s order of June 7, 1995, granting summary judgment in favor of Defendant Service Merchandise Company, Inc. (hereinafter, “Service Merchandise”). Specifically, the trial court found that there was no proof of a dangerous condition created by Service Merchandise and no proof that Service Merchandise had either actual or constructive notice that a dangerous condition existed. Upon consideration of the record before us, the trial court’s order is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Judge Robert A. Lanier
Shelby County Court of Appeals 02/05/97
Erma Hardesty and Jim Hardesty, v. Service Merchandise Company, Inc.

02A01-9510-CV-00235

The majority holds that the plaintiff cannot establish constructive notice. I am constrained to agree. However, I invite our Supreme Court to revisit this area of law.

Authoring Judge: Judge Paul G. Summers
Court of Appeals 02/05/97
Barbara Gatlin, v. State of Tennessee, Department of Human Services, In the Matter of Felicia Gatlin, a child under the age of 18

01A01-9607-JV-00311

The Juvenile Court of Davidson County terminated Barbara Gatlin’s parental rights respecting her ten year old daughter, Felicia. Because we find that the record does not contain clear and convincing evidence of abandonment, we reverse.

Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Judge Andrew J. Shookhoff
Davidson County Court of Appeals 02/05/97
Bradley Mark Butler, v. Prince E. Spradlin and wife, Sylvia S. Spradlin

02A01-9608-CH-00188

The purpose of this litigation was to establish the boundary line between property owned by the Plaintiff, Bradley Mark Butler, and the defendants, Prince E. Spradlin and Sylvia S. Spradlin. Each party presented several witnesses and exhibits including the testimony of their respective surveyors. Upon completion of the evidence, the chancellor made findings of fact including a finding that the plaintiff had established his title by a clear preponderance of the evidence. The court accepted the survey of Eddie Coleman, the surveyor who testified in behalf of the plaintiff, and established the property line according to the Coleman survey.

Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Chester County Court of Appeals 02/04/97
Dorothy H. Long, v. David G. Long and Release Coatings of Tennessee, Inc.

02A01-9506-CH-00135

In this divorce case Dorothy H. Long (“Wife”) filed suit for divorce in the Chancery Court of Shelby County from David G. Long (“Husband”) alleging inappropriate marital conduct. Husband filed an answer and a cross-complaint. The parties stipulated that Husband was guilty of inappropriate marital conduct. The chancellor entered an order awarding Wife a divorce on these grounds.
The chancellor at the same time appointed a Special Master and assigned him the responsibility of ascertaining if either party had dissipated or secreted marital assets during the marriage, determining the value of certain marital property and the current ownership of same and recommending to the court an appropriate division of marital assets, along with alimony, if any, as well as the assessment of costs and fees. After several hearings, the Special Master filed his final report to the chancellor covering the scope of his assignment. The chancellor affirmed the findings of the Special Master and included the Master’s findings in his final decree.

Authoring Judge: Senior Judge Hewitt P. Tomlin
Originating Judge:Chancellor D. J. Alissandratos
Shelby County Court of Appeals 02/04/97
Harry Gray Smith, v. City of Knoxville, Code Enforcement

03A01-9609-CH-0287

This is an action for damages for personal injury and the negligent, mailicious, and wrongful destruction of real and personal property of the plaintiff, Harry Gray Smith. Plaintiff filed suit in the Chancery Court for Knox County alleging that the defendant destroyed three pieces of his property, located at 1417 Magnolia Avenue, 1421 Magnoli Avenue, and 400 Winona Street North, without preper notice. Plaintiff claimed that, not withstanding a "No Trepassing" sign he had erected on the premises, employees of the City destroyed the structure without service of any final condemnation or demlition notice. He further asserts that the defendant refused to allow him to remove medical equipment from one of the structures in which he was living. He further alleged that as a result of the demolition and verbal threats of bodily harm which he claims were made by agents of the defendant, laintiff suffered a heart attack necessitating hospitilization.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Chancellor Sharon Bell
Court of Appeals 02/03/97
Georgeanne M. Hofer, v. James Patrick Hofer

02A01-9510-CH-00210

Georgeanne M. Hofer (“Wife”) filed suit for divorce in the Chancery Court of Shelby County against James P. Hofer (“Husband”) seeking a divorce, division of marital property and alimony. Following a bench trial the chancellor awarded Wife a divorce on the ground of inappropriate marital conduct. In addition, he awarded Wife rehabilitative alimony for three years, ordered Husband to pay a portion of Wife’s fees and expenses as alimony in solido and divided the m arital property between the parties.

Authoring Judge: Senior Judge Hewitt P. Tomlin
Originating Judge:Judge Neal Small
Shelby County Court of Appeals 02/03/97
John T. Meador and wife, Pelea E. Meador, v. Charles E. Johnson and James O. Campbell v. Millard P. Oakley

03A01-9510-CH-00362

This case originated i the trial court as a boundary line dispute. Before we examine the merits of the issues raised on appeal, however, it is necessary for us to address a preliminary issue, i.e., was a notice of appeal timely filed. If a notice of appeal was not timely filed, we have no jurisdiction to entertain this appeal. See Rule 4, Tennessee Rule s of Appellate Procedur e .

Authoring Judge: Per Curiam
Originating Judge:Chancellor Frank V. Williams III
Court of Appeals 02/03/97
John P. Squibb, Martha Jo Squibb and James H. Widener v. Ted C. Smith and Rose E. Smith - Concurring

03A01-9609-CH-00291

This action was instituted by the plaintiffs to recover a prorata share of monies they were required to pay on a guaranty agreement where in the defendants were co-guarantors. The trial court found that  there were three co-guarantors, Mr. Squibb, James H. Widener and Ted C. Smith (defendant).  He apportioned liabilit y equally among the three.  The court found that the purported signature of Ms. Smith on the guaranty agreement was not her signature.  The case was dismissed as to the defendant, Rose E. Smith.  No appeal was taken from the action of the court dismissing the case as to Ms. Smith.  Judgment was entered in favor of the plaintiffs, John P. Squibb and wife Martha Jo Squibb, in the amount of $45, 402.04 plus prejudgment interest at the rate of 10% per annum from April 10, 1991 to April 9, 1996, in the amount of $22, 701.02 for a total judgment of $68, 103.06.  A like judgment was entered in favor of the plaintiff, Widener.  From these judgments, the defendant appeals.  We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Don T. McMurray
Originating Judge:Chancellor Thomas J. Seeley
Washington County Court of Appeals 02/03/97
Reginald Fentress v. Memphis Housing Authority

02A01-9601-CV-00010

Appellant, Reginald Fentress (Fentress), appeals from the summaryjudgment entered
by the trial court in favor of the appellee, Memphis Housing Authority (MHA). The issue before us is whether the trial court was correct in doing so upon finding, as a matter of law, that Fentress was not entitled to a grievance hearing prior to his termination of employment with MHA. For the reasons expressed hereafter, we affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Judge Robert A. Lanier
Shelby County Court of Appeals 02/03/97
01C01-9602-CC-00067

01C01-9602-CC-00067
Bedford County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/31/97
03A01-9607-CV-00218

03A01-9607-CV-00218

Originating Judge:Inman
Court of Appeals 01/31/97
Howard A. Woods, v. M.T.C. Management and Solomon Management

02A01-9607-CH-00155

The issue before this Court is whether the trial court erred in dismissing Plaintiff’s suit for lack of jurisdiction. Plaintiff sued the defendants alleging he was wrongfully evicted from property located at 3211 Ashwood, Memphis, Tennessee. He further alleged that the defendants were in further violation of the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act set forth at T.C.A. § 66-28-101 et seq. as follows: § 66-28-501 (noncompliance with rental agreement by landlord); § 66- 28-502 (failure to supply essential services) and § 66-28-504 (unlawful ouster, exclusion, or diminution of service).

Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Chancellor Neal Small
Shelby County Court of Appeals 01/31/97
X2010-0000-XX-X00-XX

X2010-0000-XX-X00-XX
Court of Appeals 01/31/97
01C01-9603-CC-00104

01C01-9603-CC-00104
Rutherford County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/31/97
02A01-9601-CV-00009

02A01-9601-CV-00009
Court of Appeals 01/31/97
03A01-9607-CV-00241

03A01-9607-CV-00241

Originating Judge:Charles S. Sexton
Sevier County Court of Appeals 01/31/97
02A01-9601-CV-00009

02A01-9601-CV-00009
Court of Appeals 01/31/97
01A01-9606-CH-00275

01A01-9606-CH-00275

Originating Judge:Robert S. Brandt
Davidson County Court of Appeals 01/31/97
01C01-9601-CC-00040

01C01-9601-CC-00040
Warren County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/31/97
01C01-9602-CC-00078

01C01-9602-CC-00078
Marshall County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/31/97