COURT OF APPEALS OPINIONS

Linda Mires vs. David Clay
02A01-9707-CV-00172


Trial Court Judge: Bill Acree

In the Matter of Asbert Joseph
M1999-02795-COA-R3-CV

Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Robert L. Jones
This appeal involves a state prisoner's efforts to change his name in accordance with the tenets of the Nation of Islam. The prisoner filed his petition in the Chancery Court for Wayne County. The trial court summarily dismissed the petition even though it was uncontested, and the prisoner has appealed to this court. We affirm the dismissal of the petition solely because the prisoner neither alleged nor proved that he was a resident of Wayne County when he filed the petition.

Hickory Woods Estates Homeowners Assn. vs. Parman
01A01-9901-CH-00034


Trial Court Judge: Irvin H. Kilcrease, Jr.

Stockman vs. Stockman
01A01-9801-CH-00026


Trial Court Judge: Patricia J. Cottrell

Crabtree vs. Dodd
01A01-9807-CH-00370


Trial Court Judge: John W. Rollins

Miceli vs. Thompson
01A01-9807-CH-00400


Trial Court Judge: Tom E. Gray

Rocky Michael Bruce and Cheryl Bruce v. Angela Jacobs
X2010-0000-XX-X00-XX

Authoring Judge: Judge Patricia Cottrell
Trial Court Judge: Judge Barry Medley

This dispute over the custody of a minor child arose after the paternal grandparents filed an intervening petition for child custody. They were granted temporary custody of the child pending a hearing on the matter. After two hearings, the trial court ordered that custody remain with the paternal grandparents pending the results of home studies of each party seeking custody, i.e., the mother and the paternal grandparents. The trial court held additional hearings after receiving the results of the home studies and awarded custody to the paternal grandparents. We affirm the trial court.

Memphis Pub. vs. Cable Conn.
02A01-9803-CV-00082


Trial Court Judge: Kay S. Robilio

Judy Seals vs. Tri-State
02A01-9806-CH-00172


Trial Court Judge: C. Neal Small

Ronnie Bradfield, v. Steve Dotson, et al.
02A01-9902-CV-00060

Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Trial Court Judge: Judge R. Lee Moore, Jr.

This is the third occasion which this Court has had to address the merits of this case. By prior opinions and judgments entered on September 6, 1996, and February 17, 1998, respectively, the Court addressed previous issues on appeal. In the interests of judicial efficiency, the Court adopts and incorporates herein the following recitation of facts contained in our opinion entered in this cause on February 17, 1998: In this case, an inmate at a state correctional institution filed
a defamation [lawsuit] in circuit court against two state employees. The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of the defendants, holding that the Tennessee Claims Commission had exclusive jurisdiction over the matter. The trial court also denied the plaintiff's requests for default judgment. . . .

McGee vs. Maynard
01A01-9810-CV-00539


Trial Court Judge: Thomas W. Brothers

Jennings vs. Case
01A01-9804-CV-00192


Trial Court Judge: Tom E. Gray

Denson vs. Benjamin
01A01-9810-CV-00571


Trial Court Judge: Walter C. Kurtz

Hauskins vs. Tri-County Electric Membership
01A01-9806-CV-00284


Trial Court Judge: Thomas Goodall

Jennings vs. Case
01A01-9804-CV-00192

Starks vs. Durham
01A01-9808-CV-00453

Preston vs. Preston
01A01-9806-CH-00289


Trial Court Judge: Tom E. Gray

Gayle Penley vs. Honda Motor
02A01-9805-CV-00131


Trial Court Judge: Whit A. Lafon

White's Electric vs. Lewis Constr.
02A01-9803-CH-00064


Trial Court Judge: Joe C. Morris

Sylvia Miller vs. City of Lafollette
03A01-9809-CV-00290

Mid-South Builders vs. Delores Williams
02A01-9805-CH-00126


Trial Court Judge: C. Neal Small

Melvin Glover vs. Todd Kaplan
02A01-9808-CV-00228


Trial Court Judge: Karen R. Williams

David Aaron Goodman v. Halle Lynn Hirsh Goodman
02A01-9809-CV-00255

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Highers
Trial Court Judge: Judge Kay S. Robilio

David Aaron Goodman (“Husband” or “Appellant”) appeals the judgment of the trial court which awarded a divorce to Halle Lynn Goodman (“Wife” or “Appellee”), found Wife to be incapable of being rehabilitated and ordered Husband to pay the sum of $2,200.00 per month to Wife as alimony in futuro, and the sum of $16,961.25 as alimony in solido for Wife’s attorney fees, and further ordered Husband to pay credit card debt in the amount of $22,000.00 incurred by Wife after separation.

Barry Shawn Ralston, v. Gina Ione HollowwayRalston
01A01-9804-CV-00222

Authoring Judge: Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Trial Court Judge: Judge Muriel Robinson

This appeal arose after the trial court rejected Appellant Barry Shawn Ralston's ("the father") petition to reduce child support on the basis of his reduced actual income. In his sole issue on appeal, the father argues that the trial court misapplied Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-5-101 (a) (1), which he claims mandated the modification of child support on a showing of a significant variance between the amount of child support required by application of the Child Support Guidelines to his current actual income and the previously-ordered support obligation. Appellee Gina Ione Holloway Ralston ("the mother") responds that the father remains intentionally underemployed and that the trial court properly considered the father’s potential income in denying the requested reduction. For the reasons set out herein, we vacate and remand for further proceedings.

Barbara Cornett, v. Deere & Company, General Equipment and Vernon Keith
01A01-9808-CV-00405

Authoring Judge: Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Trial Court Judge: Judge John Turnbull

This personal injury case arose when Plaintiff Barbara Cornett sustained injuries while operating a lawn mower manufactured by Defendant Deere & Company and sold by General Equipment and its owner Vernon Keith. Ms. Cornett sued, alleging negligence, breach of warranty, and strict liability. She also sought punitive damages. The first trial concluded with a directed verdict for the defendants at the conclusion of the evidence. The trial court, however, granted Ms. Cornett a new trial.1 In the second trial, the court granted directed verdicts to Vernon Keith on all issues, to both General Equipment and Deere & Company on the issues of negligence and punitive damages and to General Equipment on the strict liability claim. The jury returned a defense verdict on the remaining breach of warranty and strict liability claims. Ms. Cornett appeals, alleging ten errors. We affirm.