Norman Matthews v. State of Tennessee
W2001-02895-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge Bernie Weinman

The appellant, Norman Matthews, appeals the denial of his petition for post-conviction relief. In March 2000, Matthews pled guilty to burglary of a building and received an eight-year sentence. On appeal, Matthews argues that: (1) it was error for the post-conviction court to allow trial counsel to remain in the courtroom during the evidentiary hearing, despite invocation of "the rule" providing for sequestration of witnesses, and (2) he received ineffective assistance of counsel. After review, we affirm the judgment of the Shelby County Criminal Court.

State of Tennessee v. Wesley Pickett
W2001-02458-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge Joseph B. Dailey

The appellant, Wesley Pickett, appeals the verdict of a Shelby County jury finding him guilty of theft of a motor vehicle valued between one thousand and ten thousand dollars and two counts of vandalism causing damage over five hundred dollars. On appeal, Pickett raises the single issue of whether the evidence is sufficient to support his convictions. After review, we find the evidence sufficient. Accordingly, the judgment is affirmed.

State of Tennessee v. James Dale Walker
E2002-00263-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Trial Court Judge: Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.

The Defendant, James Dale Walker, pled guilty to aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, a Class C felony, and sexual exploitation of a minor, a Class E felony. Pursuant to the plea agreement, the Defendant received concurrent sentences of six years and two years, respectively, with the manner of service to be determined by the trial court. Following a sentencing hearing, the trial court denied alternative sentencing and ordered the Defendant to serve his effective sentence of six years in the Department of Correction. It is from this order that the Defendant now appeals as of right. We reverse the trial court's order that the Defendant serve his sentences in total confinement and remand to the trial court for consideration of some form of alternative sentence.

John Carbino v. Portland Utility Const. Co., Llc,
M2001-01840-WC-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Joe C. Loser, Jr., Sp. J.
Trial Court Judge: Carol Mccoy, Chancellor
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. In this appeal, the employer and its insurer question (1) the trial court's finding that the employee's aortic dissection was an injury by accident arising out of his employment and (2) the award of permanent partial disability benefits based on 85 percent to the body as a whole for the combined effects of that injury and a subsequent compensable back injury. As discussed below, the panel has concluded the judgment should be affirmed. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e) (21 Supp.) Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Chancery Court Affirmed JOE C. LOSER, JR., SP. J., in which JANICE M. HOLDER, J., and JAMES L. WEATHERFORD, SR. J., joined. Bridgett A. Wohlpart, Brentwood, Tennessee, for the appellants, Portland Utility Construction Company, LLC, and Travelers Property Casualty Corporation Lucius P. Hawes, Jr., Hopkinsville, Kentucky, for the appellee, John Carbino MEMORANDUM OPINION The employee or claimant, John Carbino, initiated this civil action on September 17, 1999 to recover workers' compensation benefits for two separate allegedly work related injuries. The first injury is alleged to have occurred on January 26, 1998, the second on June 23, 1999. On July 3, 21, after an earlier trial on the merits, the trial court awarded, among other things, permanent partial disability benefits on the basis of 85 percent to the body as a whole. The employer, Portland Utility Construction Company, and its insurance carrier, Travelers, have appealed. For injuries occurring on or after July 1, 1985, appellate review is de novo upon the record of the trial court, accompanied by a presumption of correctness of the findings of fact, unless the preponderance of the evidence is otherwise. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e)(2) (21 Supp.). The reviewing court is required to conduct an independent examination of the record to determine where the preponderance of the evidence lies.

Arlie Bingham vs. John Doles
W2002-00104-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Trial Court Judge: Ron E. Harmon
This appeal arises from a boundary line dispute. The plaintiff filed suit against the defendant, an adjacent land owner, alleging that a proposed addition to the defendant's home would encroach onto the plaintiff's property. The trial court ruled that defendant had gained title to the disputed property under the doctrines of adverse possession and title by acquiescence. The plaintiff appealed challenging the court's ruling on adverse possession. For the following reasons, we affirm the decision of the trial court.

State v. Michael Pate
M2001-00076-COA-R7-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Trial Court Judge: Allen W. Wallace
This case originated in the Juvenile Court of Dickson County, Tennessee and was appealed to the circuit court pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated section 37-1-159(a). Michael Pate appeals the action of the circuit court adopting the juvenile court action with slight modifications. We affirm the action of the trial court.

Judy Rodriguez v. Metro Gov't. of Nashville
M2001-02500-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Trial Court Judge: Ellen Hobbs Lyle
Municipal employee filed a petition for review of civil service commission order terminating her employment. The chancery court affirmed the order of the commission, finding that the record contained substantial and material evidence to support the termination. The employee has appealed. We affirm.

Henry Kerr v. Earl Lemoine
M2001-00986-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Trial Court Judge: Carol L. Mccoy
Appellant judgment creditor appeals from the action of the trial court in post-judgment proceedings allowing installment payments of the underlying judgment. The record before the Court is inadequate for appellate review, and acting within our discretion, we remand the case to the trial court for further proceedings.

Michael A. Maddox v. State of Tennessee
M2002-00282-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Trial Court Judge: Judge W. Charles Lee

The Petitioner was found guilty by a jury of five counts of sexual battery by an authority figure, a Class C felony, and two counts of aggravated sexual battery, a Class B felony. The trial court sentenced the Petitioner to an effective sixteen-year term. This Court affirmed the Petitioner's conviction and sentence on direct appeal. The Petitioner then filed a petition for post-conviction relief, which the post-conviction court denied. The Petitioner now appeals the denial of post-conviction relief, arguing that his counsel at trial was ineffective. Finding no error, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Anna Lamb v. State
M1998-00910-COA-R12-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
This appeal stems from a mother's allegations that her mentally impaired daughter was sexually abused while in the custody of the Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute. The mother filed a claim on her daughter's behalf with the Division of Claims seeking $300,000 in damages. The claim was transferred to the Tennessee Claims Commission where, following a hearing, a Commissioner dismissed the claim because the mother had failed to establish that her daughter had been sexually abused while she was in the State's custody. The mother asserts on this appeal that the evidence preponderates against the Commissioner's findings. We affirm the Commissioner's dismissal of the claim.

Ginnie Leach vs. Tim Taylor
W2002-01091-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Trial Court Judge: Clayburn L. Peeples

Ginnie Leach vs. Tim Taylor
W2002-01091-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Trial Court Judge: Clayburn L. Peeples

Jackie Reynolds vs. Tammy Battles
W2002-00031-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Trial Court Judge: C. Creed Mcginley
This is an appeal from on order denying a Tenn. R. Civ. P. 60.02 motion to set aside a default judgment entered in favor of the plaintiffs for $1,200,000. We vacate the order of the trial court and remand for further proceedings.

Helen Hall vs. James Hall
W2002-00786-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Trial Court Judge: Martha B. Brasfield
Plaintiff-wife sued defendant husband for a divorce on the grounds of inappropriate marital conduct and irreconcilable differences. After a nonjury trial, a divorce was awarded to wife and she was awarded alimony in futuro and part of her attorney fees. Husband has appealed the award of in futuro alimony. We affirm.

Bruce Martin vs. Beverly Martin
W2002-00819-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Trial Court Judge: Ron E. Harmon
This is a divorce case. Prior to their marriage, the husband and the wife executed a prenuptial agreement. The agreement stated that upon divorce, if jointly-held property were sold, each party would be credited his or her share of separate property contributed to the purchase of the jointly-held property, with the remaining funds divided according to each party's ownership share. After the parties married, they purchased land with the intention of converting it into a catfish farm. The husband and the wife both contributed financially towards the purchase of the land. Both parties worked full time. The husband used his machinery that he owned separately and expended labor to convert the land to a catfish farm. The wife maintained their home. The parties divorced. At the divorce hearing, the husband argued that, under the terms of the prenuptial agreement, he should be credited for his labor and the use of his heavy machinery to improve the farm land. The trial court declined to do so, and credited the husband and the wife with their respective financial contributions. The parties' personal property was divided equally. The husband appeals, arguing that he should have been credited for his labor and the use of his heavy machinery, and also disputing the division of the personal property. The wife asserts that she should have received a larger percentage of the proceeds from the sale of the property. We affirm.

2000-00161-COA-R3-CV
2000-00161-COA-R3-CV
Trial Court Judge: Ellen Hobbs Lyle

CH-02-0287-3
CH-02-0287-3
Trial Court Judge: D. J. Alissandratos

Jesse E. Rogers v. State of Tennessee
E2001-02869-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Trial Court Judge: Judge James Edward Beckner

The petitioner, Jesse E. Rogers, entered "best interest" guilty pleas to five counts of rape of a child. He was sentenced to twenty-five years incarceration in the Tennessee Department of Correction for each offense, with the sentences to be served concurrently. The petitioner subsequently filed for post-conviction relief. Following an evidentiary hearing, the post-conviction court denied relief and the petitioner timely appealed. We affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

State of Tennessee v. Timothy Wayne Grimes
M2001-01460-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Trial Court Judge: Judge Robert Burch

A Dickson County Circuit Court jury convicted the defendant, Timothy Wayne Grimes, of possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance with intent to deliver, a Class D felony, and the trial court sentenced him as a Range III, persistent offender to eight years in a community corrections program. The defendant appeals, claiming that the trial court erred by failing to instruct the jury as to the lesser included offenses of simple possession and casual exchange. We conclude that the trial court erred by failing to instruct the jury regarding simple possession of the controlled substance. Although we hold that casual exchange is not a lesser included offense of possession with intent to deliver, we also conclude that the trial court should have instructed the jury regarding the casual exchange inference provided in Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-419. We reverse the judgment of conviction and remand the case for a new trial.

Willie Joseph Lagano v. State of Tennessee
M2001-01576-CCA-R3-CO
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Trial Court Judge: Judge Seth W. Norman

Petitioner, Willie Joseph Lagano, filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus in the trial court. The trial court summarily dismissed the petition without an evidentiary hearing. Petitioner appealed. After a thorough review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

State of Tennessee v. Nelson Edward Meeks
M2001-03108-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge Thomas W. Graham

Nelson Edward Meeks appeals the sentence imposed for three convictions for third offense driving under the influence, reckless driving, and driving on a revoked license. He claims that the lower court erred in (1) failing to consider the statutory sentencing principles and considerations, and (2) imposing a sentence not authorized by law. Because we disagree in both respects, we affirm.

Antonio M. Miller v. State of Tennessee
M2001-01265-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge J. Steve Daniel

Antonio M. Miller appeals from the Rutherford County Circuit Court's denial of his petition for post-conviction relief. Miller is presently serving an effective nineteen-year sentence for convictions of second-degree murder, six counts of aggravated burglary, and one count of felony drug possession. He claims that two of his trial counsel provided ineffective assistance. The lower court ruled against the petitioner, and upon review of the record, we affirm that ruling.

State of Tennessee v. Ricky Brandon and Jimmy W. Brandon
M2002-00073-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge L. Craig Johnson

The Appellants, Ricky Brandon and Jimmy W. Brandon, were convicted by a Coffee County jury of misdemeanor assault. In this direct appeal of their convictions, the Appellants argue that they received ineffective assistance of counsel at trial and, as such, their convictions should be vacated. After review, we find no error and affirm the judgment.

State of Tennessee v. Gregory Key
M2002-00154-CCA-R9-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Trial Court Judge: Judge James K. Clayton, Jr.

Defendant, Gregory Key, was indicted by the Rutherford County Grand Jury on two counts of aggravated sexual battery. During a hearing on several pretrial motions, defense counsel, Darrell Scarlett, advised the trial court of a joint business venture between himself and Detective Lawson, an investigating officer in the case. The court entered an Order disqualifying Defendant's attorney from further representation, finding that the relationship constituted an appearance of impropriety. Pursuant to Rule 9 of the Tennessee Rules of Appellate Procedure, Defendant appeals the trial court's disqualification of his attorney and argues that he waived any conflict or appearance of impropriety after full disclosure.

Robert Stephenson vs. Mary Stephenson
W2002-01064-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Trial Court Judge: Christy R. Little
This appeal involves a will contest. The trial court found the testator to be competent at the time the will was executed and held that the will was the "complete, whole, true and valid Last Will and Testament" of the testator. For the following reasons, we affirm.