Richard Humphrey v. Jeanetta Gammage
M2002-00507-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arose after the trial court granted summary judgment for Jeanetta Gammage and Deborah Gammage against Richard Humphrey in his petition to establish paternity of Karenda Raines. Because the petitioner could not establish any issues of material facts as grounds to proceed with his petition, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge L. Craig Johnson
Originating Judge:Ellen Hobbs Lyle |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 02/14/03 | |
Vicki B. Carlton v. Sharon L. Davis
M2002-01089-COA-R3-CV
The trial court granted summary judgment to Appellee based upon expiration of the applicable statute of limitations. Appellant asserts that Tennessee Code Annotated section 56-7-1201(g) tolls the statute of limitations, or that, in the alternative, Appellee is equitably estopped from relying upon the statute of limitations. We affirm the action of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Barbara N. Haynes |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 02/14/03 | |
Christopher N. Robinson v. William Fulliton
W2001-01753-COA-R3-CV
This is a wiretapping case. A husband and a wife were experiencing marital difficulties. During that time, the husband tape recorded a telephone conversation between his wife and her brother without the knowledge of either. When the brother found out, he filed a lawsuit against the husband, his brother-in-law, seeking damages under the civil damages provision of the Tennessee wiretapping statutes, Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-603. The trial court, sitting without a jury, held that the husband was liable to his brother-in-law, and awarded nominal compensatory damages, litigation expenses, and attorney’s fees. The husband and the brother-in-law both appeal that decision, arguing that the damage award was erroneous. We reverse the trial court’s award of damages, finding that the statute requires that, when a violation is established, the trial court must award either the actual damages or the statutory minimum penalty of $10,000, whichever is greater.
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly Kirby Lillard
Originating Judge:Judge D. J. Alissandratos |
Shelby County | Court of Appeals | 02/14/03 | |
Anne Strickland vs. Daniel Cartwright
E2002-02176-COA-R3-CV
Anne Strickland ("Plaintiff") approached Daniel Cartwright ("Defendant") about the possible purchase of Defendant's restaurant. Unable to come up with the full purchase price of $1.5 million, Plaintiff made an initial payment of $170,000 and began leasing the restaurant with monthly rental payments of $7,000. No written agreement ever was finalized between the parties. Plaintiff vacated the premises after six months allegedly due to the poor condition of the building and the amount of repairs that were needed. Plaintiff filed suit seeking a return of the $170,000, claiming this money was intended by the parties to be a down payment on the purchase of the restaurant, an event which never occurred. Defendant claimed the parties had agreed to a nonrefundable initial payment of $250,000 to allow Plaintiff the privilege of being able to walk in and take over a fully staffed and operational restaurant. Since Plaintiff paid only $170,000 toward the initial $250,000 payment, Defendant filed a counterclaim for the remaining $80,000. After a trial, the Trial Court awarded Plaintiff a judgment in the amount of $138,000. Both parties appeal. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Telford E. Forgerty, Jr. |
Blount County | Court of Appeals | 02/13/03 | |
Shamery Blair vs. West Town Mall
E2002-02005-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Dale C. Workman |
Knox County | Court of Appeals | 02/13/03 | |
Messer Griesheim dba MG Industries vs. Cryotech
E2002-01728-COA-R3-CV
This appeal from the Knox County Circuit Court questions whether the Trial Court erred in granting a summary judgment in favor of the Appellee/Defendant, Eastman Chemical Company, with respect to various claims connected with the purchase and sale of contaminated carbon dioxide by the Appellant/Plaintiff, Messer Griesheim Industries, Inc., d/b/a MG Industries. We affirm in part, vacate in part and remand.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Wheeler A. Rosenbalm |
Knox County | Court of Appeals | 02/13/03 | |
Shamery Blair vs. West Town Mall
E2002-02005-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Dale C. Workman |
Knox County | Court of Appeals | 02/13/03 | |
Messer Griesheim dba MG Industries vs. Cryotech
E2002-01728-COA-R3-CV
This appeal from the Knox County Circuit Court questions whether the Trial Court erred in granting a summary judgment in favor of the Appellee/Defendant, Eastman Chemical Company, with respect to various claims connected with the purchase and sale of contaminated carbon dioxide by the Appellant/Plaintiff, Messer Griesheim Industries, Inc., d/b/a MG Industries. We affirm in part, vacate in part and remand.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Wheeler A. Rosenbalm |
Knox County | Court of Appeals | 02/13/03 | |
James Glover vs. Tetyana Glover
E2002-01690-COA-R3-CV
The trial court entered a judgment granting the complaint for annulment filed by James Eugene Glover ("Husband"). Within 30 days of the entry of the judgment, Tetyana Glover ("Wife") filed a motion seeking to set aside the judgment. She claims that she did not have prior notice that the complaint was to be considered on June 19, 2002, the date on which the record reflects this case was heard. The trial court, finding that it lacked jurisdiction to consider Wife's motion, denied her request to set aside the judgment. Wife appeals. We vacate the trial court's order refusing to consider Wife's motion and remand this matter to the trial court for consideration of the motion.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Kindall T. Lawson |
Hamblen County | Court of Appeals | 02/13/03 | |
XI Properties v. Racetrac Petroleum
M2001-00977-COA-R3-CV
Plaintiffs, XI Properties Inc. et al., purchased land from the defendant, RaceTrac, adjacent to RaceTrac Petroleum in 1992. Seven years later, XI Properties, while attempting to develop the property, learned RaceTrac had inadvertently conveyed to them portions of RaceTrac parking, curbs and light posts. Plaintiffs proposed to remove the unnatural slope created by the parking lot, but defendants were concerned about their rights and responsibilities. Plaintiffs filed a declaratory judgment. Defendants filed a Motion for Summary Judgment. We reverse the trial court=s grant of summary judgment to XI Properties as to adverse possession by RaceTrac. We remand the issue to the trial court to determine if Racetrac can establish possession of the property. Further we affirm the finding that XI Properties owes no duty to RaceTrac for lateral support, so long as it does not act negligently.
Authoring Judge: Judge Marietta M. Shipley
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Putnam County | Court of Appeals | 02/13/03 | |
Mark Pirtle Chevrolet v. Celebration Nissan
M2002-00554-COA-R3-CV
This case involved claims and counter-claims for breach of contract on the sale of an automobile dealership. After a hearing, the trial court awarded the plaintiffs damages for most of their claims. Since the defendants did not file a timely notice of appeal, we cannot consider arguments about the court's Final Order. However, the plaintiff filed a Rule 60 motion to clarify one paragraph of the Final Order. The trial court granted the motion, and modified the order to specify that the defendant was to pay the plaintiff $49,000 for certain cars that had been the subjects of a dispute. The defendant appealed the trial court's action. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:J. B. Cox |
Bedford County | Court of Appeals | 02/13/03 | |
Shamery Blair vs. West Town Mall
E2002-02005-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Dale C. Workman |
Knox County | Court of Appeals | 02/13/03 | |
Gail Allen v. Saturn Corp.
M2002-01238-COA-R3-CV
Appellants, Gail and Larry Allen, sustained injuries when a tent collapsed during a thunderstorm at a Homecoming at the Saturn Corporation in Spring Hill. They brought suit for their injuries caused by negligence in maintenance and construction of the tent. They dismissed or settled their claims with all Defendants except Saturn Corporation. Saturn filed a Motion for Summary Judgment arguing that Appellants were unable to establish a prima facie case of the Appellee's negligence. The trial court granted Appellee's Motion for Summary Judgment. We affirm the decision of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Jim T. Hamilton |
Maury County | Court of Appeals | 02/13/03 | |
Adrian Scaife vs.Chantelle Roberson
E2002-02666-COA-R3-CV
John D. Knowles, Jr. ("Deceased") died intestate in December of 2000. A Petition for Intestate Administration ("Petition") filed in April of 2001, listed Adrian Scaife ("Plaintiff") as one of Deceased's daughters. This Petition never was granted. Several months later, an Amended Petition for Intestate Administration ("Amended Petition") was filed. The Amended Petition listed Plaintiff as an heir, but did not state Plaintiff's relationship to the Deceased. A. Chantelle Roberson ("Defendant") sought to be appointed administratrix of the Deceased's estate (the "Estate") and signed the Amended Petition. The Amended Petition was granted and Defendant was named administratrix of the Estate in June of 2001. The Notice to Creditors for the Estate was published in June and July of 2001. Notice to Creditor letters were sent to all known creditors and any persons having claims, or believed to have claims, against the Estate. Plaintiff received a copy of the Letters of Administration and a Notice to Creditor letter informing her that in order to inherit from the Deceased, she would need to establish paternity within the four month time period allowed to creditors for filing claims. Plaintiff took no steps to establish paternity within the four month period. In February of 2002, Plaintiff sued seeking to prohibit Defendant from denying Plaintiff is a child of the Deceased. The Trial Court granted Defendant summary judgment. Plaintiff appeals. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Howell N. Peoples |
Hamilton County | Court of Appeals | 02/13/03 | |
Cathy Lovett v. John Kelley
M2002-01078-COA-R3-CV
A woman whose car was struck by another vehicle brought suit against the driver of a van involved in the accident as well as the driver's employer, claiming the collision aggravated her pre-existing back injury. The defendants did not dispute liability, but claimed that the plaintiff's injury was relatively minor. After a hearing, the trial court entered a $100,000 judgment against the defendants. We reverse, because we believe the trial court's award included damages for injuries that were not proximately caused by the defendant's actions.
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Jim T. Hamilton |
Maury County | Court of Appeals | 02/13/03 | |
James Pylant v. Karen Spivey
M2002-00602-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves a dispute over the extent of a father's obligation, under a provision in a property settlement agreement, to pay for his daughter's college education. The daughter chose to attend an expensive private college. The trial court found that father should pay tuition equivalent to the cost of an out-of-state public university. Both parties appealed. We affirm the trial court's decision that the father is obligated to pay reasonable costs, but vacate the judgment because there is insufficient proof of such costs.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Robert L. Holloway |
Giles County | Court of Appeals | 02/13/03 | |
Stephen Morgan v. Paula Morgan
M2002-00793-COA-R3-CV
Husband and Wife were declared divorced on the basis of stipulated grounds. Wife appeals the classification and division of the property. We affirm the decision of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Carol A. Catalano |
Robertson County | Court of Appeals | 02/13/03 | |
State, et Rel. Robyn Russell vs. Jackson West
E2002-01667-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Thomas R. Frierson, II |
Greene County | Court of Appeals | 02/12/03 | |
John Doe vs. Randall Pedigo
E2002-01311-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Harold Wimberly |
Knox County | Court of Appeals | 02/12/03 | |
Brenda Jones vs. David Jones
E2002-01684-COA-R3-CV
In this post-divorce case, David Wayne Jones (Husband) filed a motion requesting the Trial Court to discontinue alimony payments. The sole basis for the motion was that Brenda Gail McNeeley Jones (Wife) was "currently residing with a male individual." Wife denied that a reduction in alimony was appropriate, due to her alleged continuing need and Husband's continuing ability to pay. Wife moved for an increase in alimony payments due to her "increased medical expenses, and vocational disability that [she] suffers by reason of the need for eye surgery." The Trial Court awarded Husband a reduction in the amount of alimony from $1,500 per month to $1,000 per month. On appeal, Husband argues that the Trial Court erred by refusing to eliminate the alimony payments, and Wife argues that the Court erred by reducing them. We affirm the judgment of the Trial Court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:G. Richard Johnson |
Washington County | Court of Appeals | 02/12/03 | |
John Doe vs. Randall Pedigo
E2002-01311-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
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Knox County | Court of Appeals | 02/12/03 | |
Herbert Heinze vs. Patricia Severt
E2002-01184-COA-R3-CV
In this appeal from the Chancery Court for Greene County the Appellant, Herbert Arthur Heinze, contends that the Trial Court erred in finding that a valid accord and satisfaction was entered into between him and the Appellee, Patricia Christine Severt (Heinze), with respect to the distribution of proceeds realized from the sale of the parties' marital residence pursuant to a divorce judgment. We affirm the judgment of the Trial Court and remand for collection of costs and enforcement of the judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Thomas R. Frierson, II |
Greene County | Court of Appeals | 02/12/03 | |
In Re: Petition of James F. Watson, General Sessions Court Judge
E2002-02480-COA-R3-CV
This is a declaratory judgment action. Judge James F. Watson was, at all relevant times, the general sessions court judge for McMinn County. Prior to 2000, McMinn County was classified as a county of the second class and Judge Watson was paid in accordance with the statutory compensation scheme for such counties. As a result of the 2000 census, McMinn County became a county of the first class. Judge Watson filed a petition seeking a determination as to the proper calculation of his salary as a class one general sessions court judge. The trial court determined that Judge Watson was entitled to continue receiving the jurisdictional supplements to his salary that he had been receiving as a class two judge. We reverse.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
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McMinn County | Court of Appeals | 02/12/03 | |
Wanda Shadwick vs. F.H. Shoemaker
E2002-01525-COA-R3-CV
Wanda Shadwick, individually, and as Executrix of the Estate of her common-law husband, Kenneth Lee Phillips, sued F. H. Shoemaker Distributors, Inc., and Floyd H. Shoemaker, II. The theory of the lawsuit is that the Defendants were guilty of abuse of process in connection with the sale of certain real estate and personal property owned by Kenneth Lee Phillips at the time of his death to pay a claim of the Corporation against his Estate. This claim, in the amount of $25,079.54, had been sustained by the Probate Judge. We find that neither the Corporation nor Mr. Shoemaker are liable for the misdeeds of Max Huff, the first attorney employed by them. Having so found, we reverse the judgment both as to compensatory damages in the amount of $156,000 which, incidentally, was higher than Ms. Shadwick's testimony as to the wholesale value of the personal property, and of punitive damages in the amount of $250,000, which was the amount of the ad damnum clause in the complaint. Mr. Shoemaker filed a counter-complaint seeking to recover the amount paid in delinquent taxes as to a house and lot he purchased at the purported sale, as well as delinquent taxes owed thereon. On this issue the jury found in favor of Ms. Shadwick and we affirm this determination.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Billy Joe White |
Scott County | Court of Appeals | 02/12/03 | |
State, et Rel. Robyn Russell vs. Jackson West
E2002-01667-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Thomas R. Frierson, II |
Greene County | Court of Appeals | 02/12/03 |