APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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Linda Sue Hathaway vs. Glenn Hathaway

E2002-00659-COA-R3-CV
The Trial Court ordered father to pay daughter's tuition to a college of her choice, based upon a provision in the Marriage Dissolution Agreement. On appeal, we modify.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Bill Swann
Knox County Court of Appeals 11/26/02
W2001-03088-COA-R3-CV

W2001-03088-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:James F. Russell
Shelby County Court of Appeals 11/26/02
Debra Persada vs. Tim Persada

E2002-00397-COA-R3-CV
In divorce action the parties reached an agreed property settlement by mediation. Before Judgment, the husband repudiated the agreement, but the Trial Court heard evidence on the validity of the agreement and enforced the agreement by entering Judgment thereon. We affirm on appeal.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:G. Richard Johnson
Johnson County Court of Appeals 11/22/02
Charles Montague vs. Michael Kellum

E2002-01733-COA-R3-CV
This legal malpractice claim arises from the filing by attorney Michael D. Kellum ("Defendant") of an unverified post-conviction petition on behalf of Charles Montague ("Plaintiff"). The post-conviction petition was dismissed by the Criminal Court on the merits and because it was not verified. We vacated a previous grant of summary judgment to Defendant to allow Plaintiff time to conduct discovery. While on remand and during discovery, the Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the dismissal of Plaintiff's post-conviction proceeding for the sole reason that the petition was unverified. Thereafter, the Trial Court again dismissed this lawsuit after concluding, inter alia, Plaintiff had suffered no damages. We vacate and remand.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Jean A. Stanley
Washington County Court of Appeals 11/22/02
Kay Dulin vs. Michael Dulin

W2001-02969-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from a custody dispute involving parental relocation with a minor child. The lower court dismissed Father's petition to oppose Mother's relocation and granted Mother's motion to dismiss. Father raises multiple issues on appeal. For the following reasons, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:George H. Brown
Shelby County Court of Appeals 11/20/02
John Ruff vs. Raleigh Assembly

W2001-02578-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from a complaint filed by the plaintiff, John Ruff ("Mr. Ruff"), in the Circuit Court at Shelby County against the defendant, Raleigh Assembly of God Church, Inc. ("the church"), for assault, battery, false imprisonment and intentional infliction of emotional distress. At the conclusion of the trial, the trial court entered judgment in favor of the church. The parties raise multiple issues on appeal. For the following reasons, we affirm in part and remand
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Robert A. Lanier
Shelby County Court of Appeals 11/20/02
Andrew Downs vs. Crystal Bailey/Joni Downs

W2002-01362-COA-R3-JV
This is a child custody case. The two children involved were born to the mother and father during their marriage. In 1998, the mother and father were unable to care properly for the children, so the mother's sister (the children's aunt) obtained temporary custody. The mother and father divorced in 1999. In 2000, the father filed a petition for custody, claiming that he and his common-law wife could provide a stable home for the children. The aunt sought to retain custody. The mother intervened, arguing that, if permanent custody were not granted to the aunt, then custody should be awarded to her. After a hearing, the trial court granted custody to the father. The mother and the aunt appeal, both claiming that they are entitled to custody. We affirm, finding that the father's rights are superior to those of the aunt, and that the trial court did not err awarding custody to the father rather than the mother.
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:William A. Peeler
Tipton County Court of Appeals 11/20/02
Alton Dixon v. Nike, Inc.

CH-00-2232-2

Originating Judge:Floyd Peete, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Appeals 11/20/02
Deborah Smith vs. Riley Smith

W2002-00477-COA-R3-CV
This is an appeal of a final decree of divorce and the order of the trial court on the moton to alter or amend, involving issues of division of marital property, alimony in futuro, contempt of court, and injunctive relief for Wife's alleged harassment of Husband. Husband appeals. We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand.
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:George R. Ellis
Gibson County Court of Appeals 11/20/02
Hal Gerber v. Virginia Starr Segal

CH-00-0893-2

Originating Judge:Floyd Peete, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Appeals 11/19/02
Ronald Crafton v. John Van Den Bosch, Jr.

W2002-00679-COA-R9-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Donald H. Allen
Madison County Court of Appeals 11/19/02
John Iovinelli vs. Steadman Estes

W2001-02968-COA-R3-CV
This is an appeal of the grant of summary judgment. The Appellants contend that the trial judge granted the Appellees summary judgment, sua sponte, and that they did not have notice or an opportunity to respond to the issues decided by the judge. We disagree and, for the following reasons, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:D'Army Bailey
Shelby County Court of Appeals 11/19/02
Wesley A. Clayton, Andrew v. Sellers, Jackson, For Defendants-Appellees, Joseph Scott Wadley

W2002-01994-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Donald H. Allen
Henderson County Court of Appeals 11/19/02
Janice Evans vs. Thomas Evans

W2001-03037-COA-R3-CV
This is an appeal of a final decree of divorce involving issues of division of marital property, rehabilitative alimony, child support, and admission of evidence. Wife appeals. We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand.
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Joe C. Morris
Henderson County Court of Appeals 11/19/02
Stella Keltner vs. Open Lake Sporting Club

W2002-00449-COA-R3-CV
This is a dispute over ownership of the Right Hand Arm portion of Open Lake. The trial court awarded summary judgment to Open Lake Sporting Club. Having determined that there are genuine issues of material facts, we reverse and remand for further proceedings.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Jon Kerry Blackwood
Lauderdale County Court of Appeals 11/19/02
Dept. of Transportation vs. Sammy/Yvonne Hanna

W2002-00152-COA-R3-CV
This is a condemnation case. The Tennessee Department of Transportation alleges that the trial judge committed error by allowing the landowners to discover the opinions of an appraiser not designated to testify at trial and that these errors require overturning the jury's verdict because of the prejudice they caused. We find that errors were committed in the court below, but that these errors were harmless. Therefore, we affirm the verdict of the jury.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:C. Creed Mcginley
Hardin County Court of Appeals 11/19/02
Hal Gerber v. Virginia Starr Segal

CH-00-0893-2

Originating Judge:Floyd Peete, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Appeals 11/19/02
Hillsboro Plaza v. H.T. Pope Enterprises

M2001-02943-COA-R3-CV
This cause of action involves damages resulting from the breach of a commercial lease agreement. The trial court awarded judgment to the landlord, including forfeiture damages, prejudgment interest and attorney's fees. We affirm in part and reverse in part.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Carol L. Mccoy
Davidson County Court of Appeals 11/15/02
Denver Waddell vs. Lawrence Ogledzinkski

E2001-03131-COA-R3-CV
Knox County -In this appeal from the Knox County Circuit Court the Appellant, Denver J. Waddell, contends that the Trial Court erred in dismissing his case by grant of summary judgment upon grounds that the cause of action against the Appellee, Lawrence M. Ogledzinkski, is precluded by T.C.A. 50-6-108(a). We affirm the judgment of the Trial Court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Dale C. Workman
Knox County Court of Appeals 11/15/02
Krishina Leach v. Nashville and Davidson County

M2000-01487-COA-R3-CV
This is a Tennessee Governmental Tort Liability Act case. A tow truck owned and operated by an employee of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County was traveling northwardly on Second Avenue South when it struck and killed Jacob Leach, age three, and seriously injured his mother, Krishina Leach. Jacob and his mother were walking southwardly on the sidewalk when Jacob broke free of his mother's restraint and darted into the path of the truck. The trial judge concluded that the driver of the tow truck was negligent because he "should have seen what was there to be seen." The judgment is reversed upon a finding that a motorist is under no duty to assume that an escorted child, in the restraint of an adult, will suddenly break free and run into traffic.
Authoring Judge: Per Curiam
Originating Judge:Thomas W. Brothers
Davidson County Court of Appeals 11/15/02
Harper Enterprises vs. City of Bean Station

E2002-01734-COA-R3-CV
The City of Bean Station ("the City") denied the application of the plaintiff ("the applicant") for a permit to sell beer for off-premises consumption. The applicant filed a petition for certiorari, naming the City and seeking a writ of mandamus to compel it to issue the requested permit. On cross motions for summary judgment, the trial court granted the City summary judgment. The applicant appeals. It contends that the City, "by actions and/or inaction," has caused its beer ordinance, which limits beer permits within the municipality to two, to be invalid. In the alternative, it contends that the City "has engaged in discriminatory, arbitrary and capricious application of the ordinance." We vacate the trial court's judgment and remand for further proceedings.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Richard R. Vance
Grainger County Court of Appeals 11/15/02
James Killingsworth vs. Ted Russell Ford

E2002-01562-COA-R3-CV
This is an action under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act that arises out of the sale of an SUV. James Killingsworth, and his wife, Kathy Killingsworth ("the purchasers"), sued Ted Russell Ford, Inc. ("the seller"), alleging that the seller failed to advise them about damage to the previously-unowned vehicle sold to the purchasers. At the conclusion of the trial below, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the purchasers, awarding them $2,500. The purchasers then moved for attorney's fees and discretionary costs, which the court granted, but only in the amount of $500. The purchasers appeal, arguing that the fees and expenses awarded by the trial court are unreasonably low. By way of separate issues, the seller argues that the purchasers' second reply brief should be stricken and that the trial court erred in granting any fees and costs to the purchasers. We vacate and remand.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Dale C. Workman
Knox County Court of Appeals 11/15/02
Gweneth J. Freels vs. Evelyn Jones

E2002-00895-COA-R3-CV
Defendant demanded a jury in Answer but the trial judge ruled defendant waived right to a jury trial. On appeal, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Frank V. Williams, III
Morgan County Court of Appeals 11/14/02
Alica Rakestraw vs. Gregory Rakestraw

E2002-01151-COA-R3-CV
The sole issue in this divorce case is whether the Trial Court reached the correct decision regarding custody of the parties' child. The Court granted primary custodial care of the parties' daughter, Kendra Paige Rakestraw, then 10 years old, to Gregory Keith Rakestraw ("Father"). Alica Delane Rakestraw ("Mother") argues on appeal that the evidence preponderates against the Court's exercise of discretion in rendering its custody decision, and that the Court erred in denying her motion to alter or amend the judgment and her motion for a new trial. We affirm the judgment of the Trial Court in all respects.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Jerri S. Bryant
Bradley County Court of Appeals 11/14/02
Sammy Vest vs. Francis Goswitz

E2001-01613-COA-R3-CV
This is a medical malpractice case filed on January 3, 2000, and amended on January 11 of the same year. The suit was by Sammy W. Vest and his adult children, Anglia M. Somner, Cheryl D. Travis, and Danny W. Vest, against Dr. Francis Goswitz and Dr. Helen Vodopick. The suit seeks damages for the Defendants' failure to refer Mr. Vest to a specialist, resulting in an injury to him as well as to his children. The Trial Judge sustained a motion by the Defendants to dismiss the children as parties Plaintiff, and later a motion for summary judgment as to Mr. Vest's suit. He further granted sanctions pursuant to Rule 11.03 against counsel for the Plaintiff. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:James B. Scott, Jr.
Anderson County Court of Appeals 11/14/02