APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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Mike G. Pauley, v. Madison County, Madison County Penal Farm, David Woolfork, Madison County Sheriff, Penal Farm Superintendent, Captain Jackson, et al.

02A01-9607-CH-00161

Plaintiff, Mike G. Pauley, an inmate at the Madison County Penal Farm (Penal Farm), appeals from an order of the trial court dismissing his pro se complaint against the defendants, 1 Plaintiff filed suit against Madison County, Madison County Penal Farm, David Woolfork, the Madison County Sheriff and Penal Farm Superintendent, Captain Jackson, the Penal Farm’s Head Controller and Acting Warden, Sergeant Jered, the first shift sergeant, Sergeant Evans, the third shift sergeant, Officer Steven Horner, and Officer Cleo King in their official and individual capacities. 2 4which include Madison County, the Penal Farm, and several of the Penal Farm’s personnel.1

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Chancellor Joe C. Morris
Madison County Court of Appeals 12/04/01
Patricia Broadwell, v. Thomas Michael Broadwell

03A01-9607-CV-00242

This is a domestic relations case. The issues are whether the evidence preponderates against (1) an award of alimony in futuro to the appellee, (2) the finding that an alleged loan to the parties was intended as a gift, (3) an award of attorney’s fees.

Authoring Judge: Senior Judge William H. Inman
Hamilton County Court of Appeals 12/04/01
State of Tennessee, v. Robert Willis Chance, Jr.

02C01-9605-CC-00178

The appellant, Robert Willis Chance, pled guilty to one count of second degree murder and one count of attempted first degree murder. Pursuant to the plea agreement, the sentences were to be served concurrently. The Hardin County Circuit Court imposed a sentence of twenty-three years for each conviction. In his sole issue, the appellant contends that the trial court erred in imposing twenty-three year sentences because of the misapplication of Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-210 (1995 Supp.), regarding the presumptive sentence of a class A felony.

Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Judge C. Creed McGinley
Hardin County Court of Appeals 12/04/01
State of Tennessee, v. Michael Anthony Pike

02C01-9509-CC-00261

The Appellant, Michael Anthony Pike, appeals as of right his sentences for simple possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He argues on appeal that the trial judge erred by not placing him in community corrections or, in the alternative, by not giving him the minimum statutory sentences. After a careful review of the record on appeal, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.

Authoring Judge: Judge William M. Barker
Originating Judge:Judge Julian P. Guinn
Henry County Court of Appeals 12/04/01
Lynn Bernice Carraher, v. Michael Thomas Carreher

03A01-9608-CV-00259

The plaintiff’s employer had a generous profit-sharing plan to which the plaintiff was not required to contribute. The trial judge declined to treat this fund as marital property because the “plaintiff didn’t earn it, and the defendant didn’t contribute to it.”


Originating Judge:Senior Judge William H. Inman
Court of Appeals 12/04/01
State of Tennessee, Elton Donald Bowers, A/K/A Rashid Qawwi

02C01-9509-CC-00282

The defendant, Elton Donald Bowers, also known as Rashid Qawwi, was convicted of aggravated robbery and possession of a weapon with the intent to employ in the commission of the robbery. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-402 and Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-307. The trial court ordered the weapons conviction merged with the aggravated robbery, classified the defendant as a career offender, and imposed a thirty-year sentence.

Authoring Judge: Judge Gary R. Wade
Originating Judge:Judge Franklin Murchison
Madison County Court of Appeals 12/04/01
Jami Allyson Ross Carter, v. Guy Marshall Carter

E2000-01283-COA-R3-CV

This appeal from the Washington County Chancery Court concerns whether the Trial Court erred in refusing to allow the testimony of an expert witness in accordance with a local rule. The Appellant, Jami Allyson Ross Carter, appeals the decision of the Chancery Court. We vacate the decision of the Trial Court.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Chancellor G. Richard Johnson
Washington County Court of Appeals 12/04/01
In re: Ernest L. White, Conservatorship, v. Loretta DeLoach, Substitute Conservator

01A01-9704-PB-00154

This appeal involves the adequacy of a conservator’s accounting of a disabled person’s estate. After the conservator filed her final accounting in the Probate Court of Davidson County, the personal representative of the disabled person’s estate objected to the accuracy and completeness of the accounting. The probate court conducted a bench trial and approved the conservator’s amended final accounting. On this appeal, the personal representative asserts that the final accounting was irregular and that the conservator has failed to account for all of the disabled person’s funds. We have determined that the conservator’s final accounting cannot be reconciled and, therefore, that the order approving the final accounting must be vacated.

Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Frank G. Clement, Jr.
Davidson County Court of Appeals 12/03/01
Paul Kevin Nelson, v. The Application Group, Inc.

01A01-9703-CV-00137

I concur with the court’s conclusion that The Application Group, Inc. is entitled to Tenn. R. Civ. P. 60.02(1) relief under the facts of this case. However, I have prepared this separate opinion to state that I do not concur with the court’s sweeping conclusion that “Rule 60.02(1) relief should be granted when the lawyer realizes his [or her] oversight and takes steps to correct it.” I know of no precedent for the notion that efforts to correct an error, by themselves, are always enough to entitle a lawyer to post-judgment relief. They are only one of the many factors to consider when engaging in the fact-intensive analysis required by Tenn. R. Civ. P. 60.02(1).

Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Davidson County Court of Appeals 12/03/01
Metropolitan Nashville Fire Fighters Association Local 763 and B.R. Hall, Jr., v. Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, et al.

01A01-9701-CH-00019

This case is before the Court on appeal from the Chancery Court of Davidson
County, Tennessee wherein a Motion for Summary Judgement made by the Defendants
was sustained by the Chancellor.

Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Chancellor Irvin H. Gilcrease, Jr.
Davidson County Court of Appeals 12/03/01
Jack Jordan, v. Frances J. Marchetti

01A01-9607-CH-00340

This case involves an action for rescission of a deed to land allegedly procured through promissory fraud and duress. The trial court dismissed the case on the grounds that it had been brought after the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations. We reverse.

Authoring Judge: Judge Holly Kirby Lillard
Originating Judge:Chancellor Cornelia A. Clark
Williamson County Court of Appeals 12/03/01
Patricia Ann Wolfe, Bette L. Roberts, Patricia Pelton, Odie L. Mann, Boyd Stubblefield, and Richard G. Ray vs. The University of Tennessee and the University of Tennessee Space Institute - Concurring

01A01-9611-CH-00514

I concur with the results of the Court’s opinion. Based on my independent review of the evidence both in support of and in opposition to the motion for summary judgment, I have determined that the six plaintiffs have not produced evidence from which a jury could reasonably conclude that the reasons given by the University of Tennessee Space Institute for the adverse employment actions taken against each of the plaintiffs were pretextual or that the employment actions were taken for prohibited reasons.

Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Court of Appeals 12/03/01
Southern Rehabilitation Specialists, Inc., v. Ashland Healthcare Center, Inc., et. al.

01A01-9607-CH-00345

Defendant Ashland Healthcare Center, Inc. (Ashland), appeals the judgment entered against it in this breach of contract action. The contract at issue was between Plaintiff/Appellee Southern Rehabilitation Specialists, Inc. (Southern Rehab), andOakmont Healthcare Center (Oakmont). In imposing liability against Ashland, the trial court ruled that Pete Prins, the administrator of Oakmont and an employee of third-party defendant Monarch Nursing Homes, Inc. (Monarch), had the authority to bind Ashland to the contract between Southern Rehab and Oakmont. For the reasons hereinafter stated, we reverse the judgment against Ashland and remand for further proceedings.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Chancellor Leonard W. Martin
Cheatham County Court of Appeals 12/03/01
Ronald D. McKinna, v. Lasco, Inc.

02A01-9604-CH-00083

We have for consideration a thoughtful petition to re-hear in which the employer insists that our enquiry was abortive since we failed (1) to examine the proffered reason for the employee’s termination, (2) to examine the plaintiff’s evidence of pretext, and (3) to find that age discrimination was a motivating factor in the determination.

Authoring Judge: Senior Judge William H. Inman
Shelby County Court of Appeals 12/03/01
Montee H. Carrutheres Johnson, v. Nathan Johnson

02A01-9603-CH-00061

This is a divorce case involving an Illinois decree. An Illinois court granted a divorce to the husband and awarded the marital residence in Tennessee to the husband. The Tennessee trial court enforced the Illinois court’s award of property, and the wife appeals. Because the Illinois court did not have personal jurisdiction over the wife, we reverse and remand.

Authoring Judge: Judge Holly Kirby Lillard
Originating Judge:Chancellor D. J. Alissandratos
Shelby County Court of Appeals 12/03/01
United American Bank of Memphis, v. Mylan Financial Services, Inc. and Stanley R. Waxman, Stanley R. Waxman, v. United American Bank of Memphis

02A01-9605-CV-00094

This case involves an action to recover on a loan guarantee. The trial court entered a
judgment in favor of the plaintiff bank against the individual guarantor. We affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge Holly Kirby Lillard
Originating Judge:Judge Janice M. Holder
Shelby County Court of Appeals 12/03/01
Prism Partners, L.P., v. Michael D. Figlio, v. Prism Partners, L.P. Larry Cherry

01A01-9703-CV-00103

In this unlawful detainer action, Defendant Michael D. Figlio appeals the trial court’s final judgment which held that Plaintiff/Appellee Prism Partners, L.P., had free and clear 2 title to the subject property, ordered Figlio to vacate the subject property, and dismissed Figlio’s counterclaim for conspiracy. The trial court’s judgment also dismissed Figlio’s thirdparty complaint for fraud and conspiracy against Third-Party Defendant/Appellee Larry Cherry. For the reasons hereinafter stated, we affirm in part and reverse in part the trial court’s judgment, and we remand for further proceedings.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Judge Barbara N. Haynes
Davidson County Court of Appeals 12/03/01
Knox County Education Association v. Knox County Board of Education, et al.

E2000-01019-COA-R3-CV

This is an action brought by the Knox County Education Association seeking a declaratory judgment and injunctive relief against the Knox County Board of Education and its then-superintendent, Allen Morgan. The trial court found that provisions of a private act granting tenure to principals employed in the Knox County School System were repealed and superseded by the enactment in 1992 of a public act, the Education Improvement Act, and that the private act, to the extent that it conflicts with the general law, violates Article XI, Section 8 of the Tennessee Constitution. The trial court further found that Knox County principals are not members of the bargaining unit represented by the Knox County Education Association as to the subjects of performance, accountability, and contract renewal. The Knox County Education Association appeals, arguing (1) the trial court erred in finding that provisions of the private act were repealed by the Education Improvement Act and (2) the trial court erred in concluding that school principals are not members of the bargaining unit as to the subjects of performance, accountability, and contract renewal. We affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Chancellor John F. Weaver
Knox County Court of Appeals 12/02/01
Raymond Mueller v. Denise Mueller

M2001-00098-COA-R3-CV
In this appeal of a divorce decree, the husband argues that the rehabilitative alimony awarded to the wife is excessive, and that his visitation schedule unnecessarily limits the time he can spend with his son. We affirm the award of rehabilitative alimony, but reduce its duration to three years. We also remand this case to the trial court for reconsideration of the visitation schedule.
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Jeffrey S. Bivins
Williamson County Court of Appeals 11/30/01
Karmen Lane v. Richard Lane

M2000-01135-COA-R3-CV
This appeal challenges an award of child support which did not include private school tuition of the minor daughter, a division of property that did not take into account alleged dissipation of assets by the husband, a child support award that did not deviate upwards from the Guidelines because of lack of visitation, and a finding of criminal contempt. Also at issue is whether the trial court erred in awarding alimony in futuro rather than rehabilitative alimony. We affirm the judgment of the trial court with respect to all issues except to hold that pursuant to the Tennessee Child Support Guidelines, private school tuition is an "extraordinary educational expense" which husband obligor must pay.
Authoring Judge: Judge John A. Turnbull
Originating Judge:Muriel Robinson
Davidson County Court of Appeals 11/30/01
State v. Stephen Bart Wood

M2001-00872-COA-R3-CD
The General Sessions Court of Davidson County found the defendant guilty of thirty-six violations of an order of protection and ordered him to serve ten days for each violation. Each sentence was to be served consecutively and day-for-day. The defendant appealed to the Criminal Court and that court affirmed. We find that the Criminal Court lacked subject matter jurisdiction to hear the appeal, that the sentence should be vacated, and the cause remanded to the General Sessions Court for a review of the sentence for excessiveness in accordance with the guidelines we adopt in this opinion.
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Steve R. Dozier
Davidson County Court of Appeals 11/29/01
In Re: Kiersten Cierra Burchette

E2010-02132-COA-R3-JV
This lawsuit involves whether custody of Kiersten Cierra Burchette (the "Child") should be changed from Carey A. Bible ("Mother") to Chadwick J. Burchette ("Father"). Father filed an emergency petition seeking custody. Father claimed, among other things, that the Child was being sexually abused by Mother's boyfriend. Although the emergency petition eventually was dismissed, the Juvenile Court did designate Father as the Child's primary residential parent. The Juvenile Court, however, specifically reserved ruling on who should pay certain medical expenses as well as a bill for the deposition of Father's private investigator. The Juvenile Court also reserved ruling on all child support issues. Mother appeals. We dismiss this appeal for lack of a final judgment.
Authoring Judge: D. Michael Swiney, J.
Originating Judge:A. Benjamin Strand, Jr., Judge
Cocke County Court of Appeals 11/29/01
Stacy Harris v. Thomas Hall

M2000-00784-COA-R3-CV
This case was transferred to a judge in another county for "binding mediation," and the mediating judge entered an order dismissing the lawsuit and enjoining plaintiff from certain actions, including further litigation. The original trial court later denied the plaintiff's Tenn. R. Civ. P. 60.02 motion for relief from orders, and the plaintiff appealed. We find the trial court had no authority to order the case to any alternative dispute resolution procedure other than one established in Tenn. R. Sup. Ct. 31, that the mediating judge had no authority to dispose of the case and, consequently, all orders entered by that judge are void. We reverse the trial court's denial of Rule 60.02 relief, vacate orders entered in the court of the mediating judge, and remand for further proceedings.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Jeffrey S. Bivins
Williamson County Court of Appeals 11/28/01
CH-00-1455-1

CH-00-1455-1

Originating Judge:Walter L. Evans
Shelby County Court of Appeals 11/28/01
Tim Walton v. Sharon (Walton) Camp

W2001-01409-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:George H. Brown
Shelby County Court of Appeals 11/28/01