COURT OF APPEALS OPINIONS

01A01-9604-CV-00145
01A01-9604-CV-00145
Trial Court Judge: Walter C. Kurtz

Davidson Court of Appeals

03A01-9603-CV-00078
03A01-9603-CV-00078
Trial Court Judge: Bill Swann

Knox Court of Appeals

03A01-9604-CV-00119
03A01-9604-CV-00119

Court of Appeals

03A01-9605-CV-00163
03A01-9605-CV-00163

Court of Appeals

Wendy Setters individually and as the parent of minors Melanie Ann Setters and Nicole Krystal Setters, v. Permanent General Assurance Corporation
03A01-9605-CV-00161
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge John B. Hagler, Jr.

This is a declaratory judgment action. In the complaint, Wendy Setters (Mrs. Setters) seeks a declaration that an exclusion in her automobile insurance policy is invalid as against public policy; and, alternatively, that the exclusion, due to an ambiguity in the insurance policy, is unenforceable against her. The subject provision excludes the extension of liability coverage to an insured when that person's negligence causes injury to a family member. Relying on this exclusion, the defendant, Permanent General Assurance Corporation (Permanent General), denied coverage with respect to claims asserted by Mrs. Setters individually and on behalf of her children arising solely out of injuries sustained by the children in an automobile accident. The accident was caused, in part, by the negligent driving of her husband. The trial court granted Permanent General's motion for judgement on the pleadings, finding the exclusion to be valid, enforceable and not violative of the public policy" of Tennessee. Plaintiff appeals, raising two issues that present the following questions:

1. Is a provision in an automobile insurance policy excluding coverage for liability to a "family member" violative of the public policy of Tennessee?

2. Is the liability coverage in the subject policy ambiguous so as to warrant a strict constructino against Permanent General?

McMinn Court of Appeals

02A01-9505-CH-00102
02A01-9505-CH-00102

Fayette Court of Appeals

02A01-9509-CH-00202
02A01-9509-CH-00202
Trial Court Judge: C. Neal Small

Shelby Court of Appeals

02A01-9510-CV-00231
02A01-9510-CV-00231
Trial Court Judge: D'Army Bailey

Shelby Court of Appeals

Grace Thru Faith, v. Tony L. Caldwell, and Tony L. Caldwell and Joann P. Caldwell Trust, v. Edward Irwin and Rebecca Irwin
02A01-9502-CH-00026
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly Kirby Lillard
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor William Michael Maloan

This is a case involving a trustee’s improper accounting procedures and misuse of funds regarding a trust set up to receive Social Security Insurance payments. At issue is whether Tennessee state courts have subject matter jurisdiction to hear a dispute between a beneficiary and his representative payee over alleged misuse of Social Security benefits. The trial court found it had jurisdiction. We affirm.

Weakley Court of Appeals

Melanie Miller, Ashley Miller Luna, & Gregory Luna v. Gary D. Niblack, M.D., Laboratory Investments Inc., et.al. - Concurring
02A01-9505-CV-00101
Authoring Judge: Judge Farmer
Trial Court Judge: Judge William O'Hearn

This is an action for negligence in the conducting of a paternity test. The  trial court entered summary judgment in favor of the appellees, Gary D. Niblack, M.D., Laboratory Investments, Inc. and Ren Laboratories, Inc. d/b/a Ren Histocompatibility Laboratory, a joint venture, and John Doe. The appellants, Melanie Miller, individually and as next friend for Ashley Miller Luna, a minor, and next friend of Gregory Luna, deceased, have appealed presenting the single issue of whether the trial court erred in doing so. For reasons hereinafter set forth, we affirm in part and reverse in part the  judgment of the trial court.

Shelby Court of Appeals

Zella Balentine, v. Simon White, In Re: Paternity of Ashley Arron Balentine, a Minor
02A01-9508-JV-00190
Authoring Judge: Senior Judge Hewitt P. Tomlin
Trial Court Judge: Judge Max Seaton

Zella Balentine (“plaintiff”) filed a petition in the Juvenile Court of Hardin County seeking to have that court declare Simon White (“defendant”) to be the natural father of the parties’ minor child, Ashley Balentine. The Hardin County General Sessions Court, in its role as Juvenile Court, found defendant to be the father of the child and awarded plaintiff retroactive child support dating back to November 1, 1992. The sole issue on appeal is whether the trial court abused its discretion by not awarding retroactive child support back to the date of the child’s birth. For the reasons stated, we find that the trial court did abuse its discretion. Accordingly, we reverse as to this issue and remand this cause to that court for further proceedings.

Hardin Court of Appeals

Howard A. Woods, v. Mutual of Omaha and CNA Insurance Company, and Eastwood Hospital
02A01-9510-CV-00218
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Trial Court Judge: Judge Robert A. Lanier

Woods filed suit against various defendants; however, the judgment before us enters summary judgment in favor of Omaha only and was rendered final by the trial court in accordance with Rule 54.02 T.R.C.P. Thus, Omaha is the only Appellee for purposes of this appeal. This case concerns the validity of a “Compromise Settlement Release” executed by the appellant, Howard A. Woods (Woods), in favor of the appellee, Mutual of Omaha (Omaha). Woods challenges its validity on the ground of mental incapacity. The trial court entered summary judgment in favor of Omaha  Woods has appealed. For reasons hereinafter expressed, we affirm.

Shelby Court of Appeals

Ella Mae Brown v. Marvin Douglas Brown - Concurring
01-A-01-9510-CV-00480
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Trial Court Judge: Judge Muriel Robinson

The wife of a prisoner in the custody of the Tennessee Department of Correction filed for divorce, claiming that her husband was guilty of inappropriate marital conduct. The husband answered and counterclaimed, and moved the court to order the wife to file a Bill of Particulars, setting forth the facts she was relying upon as grounds for the pending divorce. The court did not respond to the husband’s motion, nor did it respond to the husband’s Motion for Writ of Habeas Corpus ad Testificandum, but granted the wife an absolute divorce without affording the husband the opportunity to present any evidence. We reverse, and vacate the trial court’s order.

Davidson Court of Appeals

Jimmy E. Smith v. Connie Sue Argo Smith
01A01-9602-GS-00074
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Henry F. Todd
Trial Court Judge: Judge Richard Mcgregor

The counter-plaintiff, Connie Argo Smith, appeals from the Trial Court’s judgment awarding her a divorce on grounds of cruel and inhuman treatment. The Trial Court also awarded her the marital residence and contents, a 1990 Astro Mini Van, and $100,000.00 cash. The Trial Court required the counter-defendant, Jimmy E. Smith, to pay all marital debts including the mortgage on the home. The court also awarded Mr. Smith a farm, commercial property, the “Smart Station” property, a houseboat, a bass boat, a Chevrolet truck, Mercedes automobile, riding mower, tractor, personal effects and unspecified stocks.

Warren Court of Appeals

Jimmy E. Smith, v. Connie Sue Argo Smith - Concurring/Dissenting
01A01-9602-GS-00074
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.

I concur with the majority’s conclusion that the criteria for determining the
validity of antenuptial agreements announced in Randolph v. Randolph, ___
S.W.2d ___, ___ (Tenn. 1996)1 should be applied to reconciliation agreements.
I also agree with the majority’s determination that the reconciliation agreement
involved in this case is not enforceable because Mr. Smith has not demonstrated
by a preponderance of the evidence that he disclosed the value of his interest in
National Sheet Metal Company to Ms. Smith or that Ms. Smith had independent
knowledge of the nature, extent and value of this interest. Accordingly, I agree
that the trial court erred by enforcing the reconciliation agreement.

Warren Court of Appeals

United National Real Estate, Inc., v. C.F. Thompson and Columbia Auto Parts, Inc.
01A01-9604-CH-00173
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Henry F. Todd
Trial Court Judge: Judge Jim T. Hamilton

This is a suit by a judgment creditor to set aside a fraudulent transfer of assets and to subject said assets to the satisfaction of the judgment.

Maury Court of Appeals

Department of Human Services and William D. Gardner and Joann Gardner, v. Dana D. Defriece, In the Matter of John Defriece, a Minor
03A01-9604-JV-00150
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge C. Van Deacon, Jr.

The trial court terminated the parental rights of Dana D. Defriece (Mother) to her son, John Defriece (John)(DOB: Januar 9, 1988). Mother appeals, raising three issues that present the followig questions:

Bradley Court of Appeals

Ronald D. Mackie and Brenda L. Mackie, v. David K. Hinchy and Pearline HInchy
03A01-9604-CH-00138
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Houston M. Goddard
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor C.S. Rainwater, Jr.

David K. Hinchy and Pearline Henchy, who are residents of Indiana, appeal judgment of the Chancery Court for Cocke County. The Chancellor, first, granted a default judgment against them in favor of Ronald D. Mackie and Brenda L. Mackie, who are residents of Florida. The Court also ordered the sale of certain real estate, the proceeds of which would be applied to the satisfaction of the indebtedness secured by the real estate and, preliminarily, a personal judgment in the amount of $18,200, plus interest at the rate of 8.65 percent per annum from October 1, 1989. Second, after sale of the property and giving credit for payments previously made, he awarded a definciency judgment in the amount of $15,719.97, which included court costs and expenses of the sale.

Cocke Court of Appeals

Richard D. Phillips, v. Interstate Hotels Corporation #L07 and Interstate Hotels Corporation on #L07, D/B/A Chattanooga Marriott and Kicks Lounge
03A01-9512-CH-00441
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Houston M. Goddard
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor Howard N. Peoples

In this case, the Plaintiff, Richard D. Phillips, sues Interstate Hotels Corporation and Instate Hotels Corporation #L07, D/B/A Chattanooga Marriott and Kicks Lounge, seeking damages by reason of the Defendant's violating his civil rights under the provisions of  T.C.A. 4-21-301( 2) .

Hamilton Court of Appeals

Terry Yates v. The Chattanooga Police Dept., Ervin N. Dinsmore, Public Safety Administrator, et al.
03A01-9602-CH-00069
Authoring Judge: Judge Don T. Murray
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor Howard N. Peoples

This is an appeal from the judgment of the chancery court for Hamilton County, whereby the court affirmed the decision of the City Council of the City of Chattanooga finding the appellant, a police officer, guilty of violating Chattanooga Police Manual Orders and imposing disciplinary sanctions. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

 

Court of Appeals

Elmer Richardson, Individully and as Surviving Spouse of Goldie H. Richardson, Deceased, v. City of Knoxville
03A01-9602-CV-00049
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Houston M. Goddard
Trial Court Judge: Judge Harold Wimberly

The City of Knoxville appeals judgments rendered in favor of Elmer Richardson, surviving spouse of Goldie H. Richardson, for personal injuries received by him and the wrongful death of his wife in the amount of $30,000, and $130,000, respectively.

Knox Court of Appeals

Jeannie Farrow v. Charles F. Barnett and Fort Sanders Parkwest Medical Center
03A01-9603-CV-00084
Authoring Judge: Judge Samuel L. Lewis
Trial Court Judge: Judge Harold Wimberly

This is an appeal by plaintiff/appellant, Jeannie Farrow, from two orders of the trial court which granted the motion to dismiss filed by defendant/appellee, Charles F. Barnett, M.D. (“Dr. Barnett”), and the motion for summary judgment filed by defendant/appellee, Fort Sanders Parkwest Medical Center (“the Medical Center”). In its orders, the trial court concluded that plaintiff failed to file her action within the applicable statute of limitations. The facts out of which this controversy arose are as follows.

Court of Appeals

In Re: The Estate of Sally B. Coggins, Deceased
03A01-9604-PB-00131
Authoring Judge: Special Judge Clifford E. Sanders
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor William E. Lantrip

The pivotal issue on this appeal is, if an attorney in fact issues a check to a bank, drawn on the checking account of her principal, for which the bank issues a time certificate of deposit for the amount of the check in the name of the principal "or" the attorney in fact, and there is no specific provision in the power of attorney for such transaction and no signature card or contract 2 relating to the certificate of deposit signed by either the principal or the attorney in fact, upon the death of the principal, which is entitled to the funds, the principal's estate or the attorney in fact? We hold the estate is entitled to the funds, and affirm.

Anderson Court of Appeals

State of Tennessee, v. Allen Ray Ricker
03C01-9510-CC-00310
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Joe B. Jones
Trial Court Judge: Judge James E. Beckner

The appellant, Allen Ray Ricker, was convicted of theft under $10,000, a Class D felony, by a jury of his peers. The trial court found that the appellant was a standard offender and imposed a Range I sentence of confinement for three (3) years in the Department of Correction. The appellant contends that the trial court committed error of prejudicial dimensions by: (a) denying his motion for a judgment of acquittal at the conclusion of the state’s case in chief because the state failed to prove the venue of the offense and failed to prove that the person named in the indictment was the owner of the wrecker in question, and (b) permitting the state to reopen its case in chief to prove the venue of the offense. After a thorough review of the record, the briefs submitted by the parties, and the law that governs the issues presented for review, it is the opinion of this Court that the judgment of the trial court should be affirmed.

Greene Court of Appeals

Joseph Collins, III v. Helene Larose Clegg
02A01-9502-CH-00028
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly Kirby Lilley
Trial Court Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley. Jr.

The mother and father lived together in Michigan for approximately fifteen (15) years but were never married. They had a daughter, Cnanah, now seven (7) years of age.

Lake Court of Appeals