State vs. Michael Honeycutt
M1998-00245-SC-R11-CD
Authoring Judge: Justice Adolpho A. Birch, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Cheryl A. Blackburn
Michael Shane Honeycutt was convicted of aggravated child abuse; the Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the conviction. Honeycutt contends that he was denied effective assistance of counsel due to trial counsel's failure to employ a theory of defense seeking to establish the child's mother as the perpetrator. We hold that trial counsel's performance was deficient in this regard and that this deficiency prejudiced the outcome of the case. The judgment of the Court of Criminal Appeals is therefore reversed, and this case is remanded to the trial court for a new trial.

State of Tennessee v. Gerald L. Powers
W1999-02348-CCA-R3-DD
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Trial Court Judge: Judge Joseph B. Dailey

The Defendant, Gerald L. Powers, was convicted by a jury of first degree felony murder in the perpetration of a robbery and of aggravated robbery. The jury sentenced the Defendant to death for the murder on the basis of three aggravating circumstances: that the Defendant was previously convicted of one or more violent felonies; that the Defendant committed the murder to avoid his arrest and/or prosecution; and that the Defendant committed the murder while committing a kidnapping. The trial court subsequently sentenced the Defendant as a Range III persistent offender to thirty years incarceration for the aggravated robbery, to be served consecutive to the death sentence. In this appeal as of right, the Defendant challenges his convictions, raising the following issues: (1) whether the evidence identifying him as the perpetrator is sufficient; (2) whether a variance between the indictment and the proof at trial is material and prejudicial; (3) whether the trial court had jurisdiction over the crimes; (4) whether the Defendant's wife's testimony should have been suppressed pursuant to the marital communications privilege; (5) whether the trial court erred in refusing to admit evidence in support of a third-party defense; (6) whether the trial court erred in admitting a lay witness's testimony identifying photographs as being of the Defendant; and (7) whether the trial court erred in admitting a deposition taken in Mississippi by a Tennessee notary public. The Defendant challenges the imposition of the death sentence on the following grounds: (1) whether the trial court erred in admitting the facts underlying the Defendant's prior felonies; (2) whether the Defendant's prior felonies were violent within the meaning of the statutory aggravating circumstance; (3) whether the evidence is sufficient to support the jury's finding that the Defendant committed the murder to avoid his arrest and/or prosecution; (4) whether the trial court erred in refusing to admit evidence of the victim's bad character; and (5) whether Tennessee's death penalty scheme is constitutional. Finally, the Defendant contends that the trial court should have sentenced him as a Range II offender for the aggravated robbery. Upon our review of the record and relevant legal authority, we find no reversible error in the Defendant's convictions or in the imposition of the death sentence. We reduce the Defendant's sentence for the aggravated robbery to twenty years. In all other respects, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

State of Tennessee v. Anthony H. Dean
W2000-01156-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Trial Court Judge: Judge James C. Beasley, Jr.

The defendant was convicted of aggravated rape and sentenced to forty years as a violent offender. He timely appealed, alleging, inter alia, that the trial court erred in not suppressing a confession obtained, following his warrantless arrest, after he had been jailed for five days without a determination of probable cause; in allowing DNA results into evidence; and in permitting a forensic nurse examiner to testify as a keeper of the sexual assault resource center records. Based upon our review, we conclude that testimony regarding the records of the Memphis Sexual Assault Resource Center was properly admitted as business records testimony and that the DNA evidence was properly admitted, as well. We conclude that the defendant's confinement violated his Fourth Amendment rights and that his confession should have been suppressed. However, this error was harmless in light of the other evidence. Accordingly, we affirm the conviction.

State of Tennessee v. Robert L. Easterly
E2000-02625-CCA-R9-CO
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge Mary Beth Leibowitz

In this interlocutory appeal, Robert L. Easterly challenges the Knox County Criminal Court's order denying his motion to dismiss a presentment against him. Easterly claims that the state is barred from prosecuting him for the offense charged in the presentment because (1) the case was not joined with a prior prosecution of him in Sevier County, (2) the criminal conduct charged in the presentment is the same offense for double jeopardy purposes as the case in which he was convicted in Sevier County, and (3) the delay in commencement of the Knox County prosecution violates his speedy trial and due process rights. Because we agree with the defendant that both the mandatory joinder rule and double jeopardy principles bar dual prosecutions, we reverse the trial court's order and dismiss the presentment.

Janice Newman v. Snap-On Incorporated
E2000-02531-WC-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: William H. Inman, Sr. J.
Trial Court Judge: Thomas J. Seeley, Jr, Judge
The plaintiff alleges that she injured her low back during the course of her employment on June 24, 1998 which resulted in a surgical correction followed by permanent impairment. The defendant raised the issue of causation, alleging that the plaintiff's condition was the result of degenerative disc disease, not work-related. The trial court found that the plaintiff suffered a compensable injury as alleged, as a result of which she sustained a 9 percent impairment, entitling her to an award of 22 _ percent. Affirmed

Ida Perry v. Copeland Electric Corporation,
W2000-02022-SC-WCM-CV
Authoring Judge: Joe C. Loser, Jr., Sp. J.
Trial Court Judge: George R. Ellis, Chancellor
In this appeal, the appellant insists (1) the trial court erred in granting the plaintiff's motion to amend her complaint, (2) the trial court erred in finding that the plaintiff sustained an injury arising out of and in the course and scope of her employment, (3) the trial court erred in finding that the plaintiff suffered any permanent partial disability related to any alleged injury and (4) the trial court erred in finding that the claim is not time barred. As discussed below, the panel has concluded the judgment should be affirmed.

Earl Van Winkle, et al vs. City of LaVergne
M2000-01784-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Trial Court Judge: Robert E. Corlew, III
This appeal involves the disputed ownership of water lines. The City of LaVergne appeals the trial court's ruling that the city was the owner of the water lines and responsible for their continued maintenance and repair. LaVergne also appeals the trial court's award of $3037.31 to the Van Winkles. For the reasons set forth below, we affirm the ruling of the trial court.

Eddie Cooley v. Joe May
M2001-01162-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Buddy D. Perry
This appeal involves a state prisoner's efforts to obtain an accounting for the sentence credits he earned while incarcerated in the Sequatchie County Jail. After the prisoner discovered that the Tennessee Department of Correction had received no information from the Sheriff of Sequatchie County regarding his sentence credits, he filed a petition for writ of mandamus in the Circuit Court for Sequatchie County seeking to compel the sheriff to calculate his sentence credits and forward the information to the Department. The sheriff filed a pro se response asserting that the prisoner forfeited any sentence credits he may have earned by violating his parole. Thereafter, the District Attorney General for the Twelfth Judicial District moved to dismiss the prisoner's petition for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. The trial court granted the motion and dismissed the petition. The prisoner has now appealed. We have determined that the trial court erred by concluding that it lacked subject matter jurisdiction to consider the prisoner's petition. Accordingly, we reverse and remand the case for further proceedings.

Kenneth Hughes, et ux. v. Estate of Elizabeth Haynes
M2002-01896-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Trial Court Judge: Floyd Don Davis
This appeal involves a claim filed against an estate for recovery for personal services rendered by claimants, husband and wife, to the decedent. The probate court granted the claim. Estate appeals. We reverse.

State of Tennessee v. Jody Sweat
E2000-02472-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R Wade
Trial Court Judge: Judge Rex Henry Ogle

The defendant, Jody Sweat, indicted for attempted first degree murder and aggravated assault, was convicted of attempted second degree murder and aggravated assault. The trial court imposed concurrent sentences of 11 and four years, respectively. In this appeal of right, the defendant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence for attempted second degree murder; argues that the trial court improperly instructed the jury on attempted second degree murder as a lesser included offense; contends that the state was guilty of prosecutorial misconduct during closing argument; and submits that the jury was allowed to consider exhibits never offered into evidence. The judgments are affirmed.

Johnny Jenkins v. Kemper Insurance Co.
E2001-00154-WC-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Sr. Judge John K. Byers
Trial Court Judge: James B. Scott, Jr.

State of Tennessee v. Troy Wayne Davis
E2000-03050-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R Wade
Trial Court Judge: Judge Mary Beth Leibowitz

The defendant, Troy Wayne Davis, was convicted of aggravated assault. The trial court imposed a sentence of three years, to be served consecutively to a robbery sentence for which the defendant was on probation at the time of the aggravated assault. The single issue presented for review is whether the evidence is sufficient. The judgment is affirmed.

State of Tennessee v. Grady Paul Gatlin - Concurring and Dissenting
M2000-02356-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge James Curwood Witt, Jr.

I must respectfully depart from the lead opinion in this case. I cannot conclude that the misdemeanor offense of casually exchanging a controlled substance is a lesser-included offense of felony possession with the intent to sell or deliver. Compare Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-417(a)(4) (1997) with Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-418(a) (1997).

State of Tennessee v. Grady Paul Gatlin
M2000-02356-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Trial Court Judge: Judge W. Charles Lee

The Defendant, Grady Paul Gatlin, was convicted by a jury of possession with intent to sell a schedule IV controlled substance, possession with intent to sell a schedule II controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and conspiracy to possess with intent to sell a schedule II
controlled substance. In this appeal as of right, the Defendant argues (1) that the evidence introduced at trial was insufficient to prove that the Defendant intended to sell controlled substances and (2) that it was plain error for the trial court to fail to instruct the jury on the lesser included offense of casual exchange. We reverse the Defendant’s convictions for possession with intent to sell a controlled substance and also his conviction for conspiracy to possess with intent to sell a controlled substance.  The Defendant’s conviction for possession of drug paraphernalia remains unaffected.

State of Tennessee v. Grady Paul Gatlin - Dissenting
M2000-02356-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Trial Court Judge: Judge W. Charles Lee

I, like Judge Witt, respectfully disagree with Judge Welles’ conclusion that the trial court committed reversible error by failing to charge “casual exchange” as a lesser-included offense of possession with intent to sell. However, I also respectfully disagree with Judge Witt’s conclusion that the failure to give the casual exchange inference instruction was plain error. I would affirm.

Dept.of Children's Svcs. vs. D.R., et al
E2000-01381-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Trial Court Judge: William Terry Denton
These parents of three minor children ("Children") were arrested in April 1998, while the Children were with them, for possession of a firearm, drug possession, and public intoxication. The State of Tennessee, Department of Children's Services ("DCS"), filed a Petition for Temporary Custody of the Children which was granted. Thereafter, DCS entered Plans of Care with the Juvenile Court with which the parents, D.R. ("Mother") and L.M.R. ("Father"), had agreed. The Children remained in foster care for eighteen months during which time the parents were to work toward completing the goals set forth in the Plans of Care so they could be reunited with the Children. In August 1999, DCS filed a Petition to Terminate Parental Rights. The Juvenile Court Referee heard this petition in October 1999, and granted it. The Juvenile Court Referee's Termination of Parental Rights and Final Decree of Guardianship was entered in April 2000 and confirmed by the Juvenile Court Judge in June 2001. Both Mother and Father appeal. We affirm.

Mary Ellen Barnes v. Yasuda Fire and Marine Insurance
W2000-02559-SC-WCM-CV
Authoring Judge: Joe C. Loser, Jr., Sp. J.
Trial Court Judge: Kay S. Robilio, Judge
In this appeal, the employee insists the evidence preponderates against the denial of workers' compensation benefits and asks this tribunal to determine the extent of her vocational impairment. As discussed below, the panel has concluded the judgment of dismissal should be reversed, the conditional award of permanent partial disability benefits based on 3 percent to the body as a whole affirmed, and the cause remanded with instructions.

State of Tennessee v. Thomas L. Jones
W2000-01028-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Trial Court Judge: Judge John P. Colton, Jr.

The appellant was convicted by a jury in the Shelby County Criminal Court of second degree murder and was sentenced as a violent offender to twenty-one years incarceration in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the appellant raises the following issues for our review: (1) whether the evidence was sufficient to convict the appellant of second degree murder; and (2) whether the trial court erred by refusing to grant a mistrial because of improper jury instructions characterizing the appellant's statement as a confession. Upon review of the record and the parties' briefs, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

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Dawn A. Dugan v. Elliott R. Myers (Deceased),
E2001-00281-COA-R3-JV
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Trial Court Judge: John L. Kiener

Dawn A. Dugan v. Elliott R. Myers (Deceased), Et Al.
E2001-00281-COA-R3-JV
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Trial Court Judge: John L. Kiener

State of Tennessee v. Thomas E. Cowan, Jr.
E2000-02705-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R Wade
Trial Court Judge: Judge Lynn W. Brown

The defendant, Thomas E. Cowan, Jr., was found guilty of contempt. The trial court imposed a jail sentence of 10 days, six of which were suspended. In this appeal of right, the defendant argues that the evidence was insufficient; that the trial judge should not have acted as a witness; and that the sentence was excessive. Because the evidence was insufficient, the judgment is reversed and the cause dismissed.

State of Tennessee v. Neil Friedman
E2000-02877-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R Wade
Trial Court Judge: Judge Lynn W. Brown

The defendant, Neil Friedman, was convicted of driving under the influence, third offense, and driving on a revoked license. The trial court imposed a sentence of 11 months and 29 days, six months of which was to be served in the county jail, for driving under the influence. A consecutive sentence of six months, 30 days of which was to be served, was imposed for driving on a revoked license. This court affirmed the judgment on direct appeal. State v. Neil M. Friedman, No. 03C01-9704-CR-00140 (Tenn. Crim. App., at Knoxville, Apr. 14, 1998). The application for permission to appeal to the supreme court was denied December 21, 1998. In a hearing conducted on the following day, the trial court reduced the DUI sentence to 120 days, which the defendant has since served, followed by seven months and 29 days of probation. Over one year later, the trial court revoked the probation and ordered service of the remainder of the sentence. In this appeal, the defendant contends that the trial court no longer had authority to revoke the probation. Because the sentence had been fully served and the probationary term had ended when the probation revocation warrant was issued, the judgment must be reversed and the cause dismissed.

State of Tennessee v. Matthew Patrick Frontera, a/k/a Matthew Anthony Frontera, a/k/a Patrick Matthew Foster, a/k/a Derrick Joshua Foster
M2000-02747-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Trial Court Judge: Judge Donald P. Harris

The Defendant, Matthew Patrick Frontera, pleaded guilty to criminal impersonation, a Class B misdemeanor. Sentencing was left to the discretion of the trial court. As part of his plea agreement, the Defendant attempted to reserve the right to appeal a certified question of law relating to the legality of his stop, detention and questioning by police officers. In this appeal, the Defendant asserts that the trial court erred by refusing to suppress the evidence obtained against him due to an unlawful stop and detention. He also argues that the trial court erred by sentencing him to serve six months in the county jail with release eligibility at seventy-five percent. Because the Defendant failed to properly reserve his issue concerning his stop and detention, we are unable to reach the merits of that issue. We affirm the sentence imposed by the trial court.

Ben Doubleday vs. Larry Hargrove
M2000-02648-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Sr. Judge William H. Inman
Trial Court Judge: Tamra L. Smith
This is an action to recover the balance due on a contract for the sale of timber. The purchaser's defense was impossibility of performance, because the seller had allegedly destroyed access. The seller testified that the purchaser cut and removed 95 percent of the timber, while the purchaser said he removed only about 40 percent owing to lack of access. The trial judge awarded the seller a judgment for the balance owing less some off-sets not relevant here. We affirm.