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| Joe/Lovie Ross vs. Shelby Co. Healthcare
W2000-01553-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from the contraction of the HIV virus by the appellant after he received blood transfusions from the appellees. The appellants brought a complaint with the Circuit Court of Shelby County against the appellees but then filed a voluntary dismissal without prejudice. The appellants refiled the complaint against the appellees. Process for the appellees was issued but returned unserved. The appellants failed to reissue process within one year. The appellants filed a motion for enlargement of time to issue new process pursuant to Rule 6.02 of the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure. The trial court denied the appellants' motion and dismissed the complaint against the appellees. The appellants appeal from the denial of their motion and the dismissal of the complaint against the appellees by the Circuit Court of Shelby County. For the reasons stated herein, we affirm the trial court's decision.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Robert A. Lanier |
Shelby County | Court of Appeals | 03/21/01 | |
| Brian Elkins vs. Rex Berry & William Bolin
W2000-01143-COA-R3-CV
This case involves the right to a trial by jury. The plaintiff sued the defendants for injuries he sustained in an automobile collision that was allegedly caused by the defendants' negligence. In the plaintiff's complaint, he demanded a jury trial. The defendants also demanded a jury trial in their answers. On the eve of trial, unbeknownst to the defendants, the plaintiff withdrew his jury demand. On the morning of trial, the defendants appeared but were unrepresented by counsel. The trial court proceeded with a bench trial, and entered a judgment in favor of the plaintiff. The defendants now appeal, claiming, inter alia, that they were denied their right to a jury trial. We affirm, finding that the defendants' participation in the bench trial, without objection, constituted a waiver of their right to a jury trial under Rules 38.05 and 39.01 of the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure.
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Julian P. Guinn |
Carroll County | Court of Appeals | 03/21/01 | |
| Jerry Thomas Ricks vs. Dept. of Correction
M1999-01916-COA-R3-CV
This case arises from the commutation of the Appellant's prison sentence from eighty-five years imprisonment to forty years. The Appellant's commutation was revoked after he was arrested on misdemeanor charges. The revocation occurred following the expiration of the term of the commuted sentence but within the term of the original sentence. The Appellant filed a petition for declaratory judgment with the Chancery Court of Davidson County, claiming that the Appellee failed to correctly calculate his sentence expiration date. The trial court dismissed the Appellee's petition.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Ellen Hobbs Lyle |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 03/20/01 | |
| Patsy (Stiles) Templeton vs. Jeffrey Stiles
M1999-02388-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from a hearing in the Circuit Court of Warren County wherein the court divided the property of the Appellant and the Appellee following their divorce. In relevant part, the trial court awarded all the guns and retirement accounts to the Appellee and refused to hear the Appellant's testimony concerning improvements made to the real estate. The Appellant appeals from the order of the Circuit Court of Warren County, dividing the property of the Appellant and the Appellee. For the reasons stated herein, we affirm in part and reverse in part the trial court's decision.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Charles D. Haston, Sr. |
Warren County | Court of Appeals | 03/20/01 | |
| Suzanne Gibson vs. James Prokell
W2000-01236-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Walter L. Evans |
Shelby County | Court of Appeals | 03/20/01 | |
| Suzanne Gibson vs. James Prokell
W2000-01236-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Walter L. Evans |
Shelby County | Court of Appeals | 03/20/01 | |
| Jodie Willis vs. Alan Willis
W2000-01613-COA-R3-CV
Father petitioned the court for a reduction in his child support obligation based upon a significant variance between his former salary and his current salary. The trial court determined Father to be voluntarily underemployed. The trial court imputed Father's base salary as potential income but did not impute Father's overtime pay. As a result, the trial court reduced Father's child support obligation by ten dollars per week. We affirm the trial court's determination that Father was voluntarily underemployed; however, we reverse and remand the trial court's determination of Father's potential income.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:J. Steven Stafford |
Dyer County | Court of Appeals | 03/20/01 | |
| Karen Roth vs. Richard Roth
M1998-00911-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves the dissolution of a sixteen-year marriage. The wife filed suit in the Circuit Court for Sumner County seeking a divorce and custody of the parties' three children. The husband did not contest the divorce but requested custody of the parties' two older children. Following a bench trial, the trial court awarded the wife a divorce on the ground of adultery and granted her custody of the children. On this appeal, the husband takes issue with the trial court's valuation of marital property, the allocation of marital debt, and the award of long-term spousal support. We have concluded that the trial court's decisions regarding the valuation of the marital property should be modified but that the remainder of the judgment should be affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Thomas Goodall |
Sumner County | Court of Appeals | 03/20/01 | |
| Cary Whitehead/Homer Bunker vs. Jim Rout
W2000-01239-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves a dispute over the sale of a tract of land to Shelby County for a road project. The trial court granted summary judgment to Shelby County. For the following reasons, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:D. J. Alissandratos |
Shelby County | Court of Appeals | 03/20/01 | |
| George Scott vs. Linda Scott
M1999-00322-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves a post-divorce dispute over child support. Fifteen months after the parties were divorced in the Circuit Court for Davidson County, the custodial spouse petitioned the trial court to increase the noncustodial spouse's child support obligation because he was voluntarily underemployed and to hold the noncustodial spouse in criminal contempt. After being threatened with Tenn. R. Civ. P. 11 sanctions, the custodial spouse abandoned her criminal contempt allegations. Following a hearing, the trial court found that the noncustodial spouse was not voluntarily underemployed but increased his child support prospectively because of an anticipated increase in his income. On this appeal, the custodial parent takes issue with the trial court's refusal to find that the noncustodial parent was voluntarily underemployed, to make the increased child support retroactive to the date of her petition, and to award her only a portion of her legal expenses. We affirm the trial court and further find that the custodial spouse is not entitled to an additional award for the legal expenses she has incurred on this appeal.
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Muriel Robinson |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 03/20/01 | |
| M1999-02801-COA-R12-CV
M1999-02801-COA-R12-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
|
Court of Appeals | 03/20/01 | ||
| Glenna Fink vs. Richard Fink
E2000-02468-COA-R3-CV
Glenna C. Fink ("Wife") filed a Complaint for Divorce against Richard H. Fink ("Husband") on the grounds of inappropriate marital conduct and irreconcilable differences. Husband filed an Answer and Counter-Complaint seeking a divorce on the same grounds. The Trial Court awarded the divorce to Wife and dismissed Husband's Counter-Complaint. The parties agreed to the sale of the marital residence, and the Trial Court awarded Wife $14,000.00 in attorney's fees out of the sale of the proceeds, with the remaining proceeds from the sale to be split 55% to Wife and 45% to Husband. Wife was awarded the full interest in her retirement/disability benefits. The Trial Court also determined that certain sums which Husband claimed were marital property were actually a gift to the parties' minor daughter and the daughter was, therefore, entitled to keep these funds. The Trial Court further awarded Wife $450.00 per month as alimony in futuro. Husband filed a Motion pursuant to Rules 59.02 and 59.04 of the Tenn. R. Civ. P. challenging these determinations. The Trial Court denied Husband's motion, and Husband appeals. We affirm, award Wife attorney's fees incident to this appeal, and remand this matter to the Trial Court for a determination of the amount of reasonable attorney's fees incurred by Wife on appeal.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Telford E. Forgerty, Jr. |
Knox County | Court of Appeals | 03/19/01 | |
| Judy Hall Travis vs. Kenneth D. Travis, Jr.
E2000-01043-COA-R3-CV
This appeal from the Hamblen County Chancery Court questions whether the Trial Court erred in finding that a portion of the value of the marital residence is the separate property of the Appellee, Kenneth D. Travis, Jr.,and whether the Trial Court abused its discretion by allowing Mr. Travis to claim the parties' minor children as dependents for federal income tax purposes, by failing to award the parties joint custody of their minor children, and in setting Mr. Travis's visitation schedule. We reverse in part, affirm in part and remand for further proceedings, if any, consistent with this opinion. We adjudge costs of the appeal against Judy Hall Travis and Kenneth D. Travis, Jr. equally.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Thomas R. Frierson, II |
Hamblen County | Court of Appeals | 03/16/01 | |
| Patricia Baker vs. Tiffany Hooper, et al
E2000-01615-COA-R3-CV
Plaintiff appeals the Court's modification of her non-competition agreement with defendants and the amount of damages awarded, as well as the Court's refusal to recuse. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Russell E. Simmons, Jr. |
McMinn County | Court of Appeals | 03/15/01 | |
| Tax The Costs on Appeal To The Appellant, James v. Doramus, on Behalf of Elizabeth Nicoll
M2000-01928-COA-R3-CV
Originating Judge:Ben H. Cantrell |
Sumner County | Court of Appeals | 03/15/01 | |
| In the Matter of Ray Allen Smith
E2000-00321-COA-R3-CV
This is a suit by an inmate to have his last name changed to that of his mother's maiden name. Upon the incarcerated Petitioner not appearing when the case was called for trial, it was dismissed. We vacate and remand.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Frank V. Williams, III |
Morgan County | Court of Appeals | 03/15/01 | |
| Lavonda Cable vs. Lowe's of Johnson City, Inc.
E2000-01075-COA-R3-CV
Lowe's of Johnson City, Inc., filed a Rule 60 motion seeking to set aside a default judgment rendered against it on the grounds of mistake, inadvertence or excusable neglect. The Trial Court overruled the motion and Lowe's appeals. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:G. Richard Johnson |
Washington County | Court of Appeals | 03/15/01 | |
| Millisa Martinez, Ind., & Ex Rel Aaron Chavez, et al vs. Charles Martinez, et al
E2000-01990-COA-R3-CV
This case presents a question of first impression. We are asked to decide whether, and, if so, under what circumstances, a driver who motions to another driver intending to turn left in front of the signaling driver can be assigned fault in the event of a resulting accident. In the instant case, the trial court granted the signaling driver summary judgment, finding on the facts before it that there could be no liability. We find that summary judgment is not appropriate and accordingly vacate the trial court's judgment and remand for further proceedings.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:W. Dale Young |
Blount County | Court of Appeals | 03/15/01 | |
| Walter Hanselman, Jr. vs. Linda Hanselman
M1998-00919-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves a father's effort to reduce his child support and spousal support obligations. Approximately one year after the parties were divorced, the father filed a petition in the Hickman County Chancery Court seeking a downward modification of his support obligations because his income had declined due to his employer's cutbacks in the availability of overtime work. Following a bench trial, the trial court denied the father's petition because he had failed to establish a significant variance in his child support obligations and because he had failed to demonstrate that a substantial and material change in the parties' circumstances warranting a reduction in spousal support had occurred. We agree with the trial court's findings and affirm the judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Donald P. Harris |
Hickman County | Court of Appeals | 03/15/01 | |
| Eddie Phifer v. Board of Parole
M2000-01509-COA-R3-CV
This is a pro se appeal from a denial of parole. Mr. Phifer alleges several problems surrounding his parole hearing that he claims violate his due process and equal protection rights and violate the ex post facto constitutional prohibition. Because a prisoner has no liberty interest in release on parole before the expiration of his sentence, due process protections do not attach to parole determinations. Because at the time of Mr. Phifer's crime and conviction, the law regarding parole gave total discretion to the Board and authorized denial if the Board found that parole would depreciate the seriousness of the crime committed, changes in Board procedure do not violate ex post facto prohibitions. Because the Board has provided a rational basis for denying in-person interviews for prisoners housed out of state, no equal protection violation was shown. Consequently, we affirm the trial court's dismissal of the petition for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Ellen Hobbs Lyle |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 03/14/01 | |
| Daniel Taylor v. Donal Campbell, et al.
M2000-02843-COA-R3-CV
On July 3, 2000, Appellant filed his civil complaint based upon punishment imposed for a disciplinary infraction while a prisoner at Turney Center in Only, Tennessee. On July 18, 2000, the trial judge, sua sponte, dismissed the complaint, and this appeal followed. We affirm the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Hamilton V. Gayden, Jr. |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 03/14/01 | |
| Curley Howse vs. Donal Campbell, et al
M1999-01580-COA-R3-CV
This is a pro se civil rights action brought by a prisoner challenging the conditions of his confinement and his treatment by employees of the Tennessee Department of Correction and the Northwest Correctional Center in Lake County. After the prisoner's suit was transferred from the Chancery Court for Davidson County to the Circuit Court for Davidson County, the various defendants filed separate motions to dismiss the case for improper venue. The trial court granted the motions and dismissed all the prisoner's claims. On this appeal, the prisoner asserts that his claims should not have been dismissed. We have determined that the prisoner has not properly perfected an appeal with regard to the dismissal of his claims against the Commissioner of Correction and three other employees and that the trial court correctly dismissed his claim against the medical director of the Northwest Correctional Center for improper venue. Accordingly, we affirm the dismissal of the prisoner's complaint.
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Hamilton V. Gayden, Jr. |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 03/14/01 | |
| Betty J. Nash vs. G.L. Waynick
M2000-02096-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves a dispute over the sale of a single family home in DeKalb County. The purchaser filed suit in the Circuit Court for DeKalb County alleging that the seller had violated the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act and the Tennessee Residential Property Disclosures Act. More than two years after the first two summonses were returned unserved, the purchaser caused a third summons to be issued that was served on the seller. The trial court entered a $27,000 default judgment against the seller on June 21, 2000, after concluding that the seller had been properly served and had presented no defenses to the purchaser's claims. On this appeal, the seller, who has been representing himself throughout these proceedings, asserts that he did not violate either the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act or the Tennessee Residential Property Disclosure Act and that the trial court erred by not considering his statute of limitations defense. We have determined that the purchaser's suit is time-barred for failure to comply with Tenn. R. Civ. P. 3. Therefore, we reverse the judgment and remand the case with directions that the purchaser's complaint be dismissed.
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:John J. Maddux |
DeKalb County | Court of Appeals | 03/14/01 | |
| Arthur Armstrong, a/k/a Haki Al-Bey vs. Dept. of Correction, et al
M2000-02328-COA-R3-CV
An inmate who was found guilty of three disciplinary infractions challenged those convictions by filing a Petition for Writ of Certiorari. The trial court dismissed the Petition. We affirm the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Ellen Hobbs Lyle |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 03/14/01 | |
| Joseph Turley vs. Francis P. Marino, et al
M2000-01684-COA-R3-CD
Appellant, Joseph Turley, was charged with two counts of criminal contempt by the trial court in an order issued May 3, 2000. The trial court appointed a special prosecutor to pursue this matter and appointed the public defender to represent the appellant. The trial on June 15, 2000 resulted in a trial court finding of guilty, after which the appellant was sentenced to 48 hours in jail. Turley appeals, and we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Walter C. Kurtz |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 03/14/01 |