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| Beasley Cotton Co. vs. Ralph
W1999-00273-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from a breach of contract between Farmer and Broker. After signing a contract to deliver cotton to Broker, Farmer failed to do so. Broker was then forced to purchase the cotton elsewhere for a substantial loss and brought suit to recover the losses. At the start of the trial, Farmer requested that the trial court dismiss the case and order the parties to proceed to arbitration. Finding that Farmer had waived his rights under the contract to arbitration, the trial court refused. Proceeding with the case, court found that Farmer had breached the contract and awarded damages to Broker. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Dewey C. Whitenton |
Tipton County | Court of Appeals | 07/14/00 | |
| Robinson Property vs. Yoanne Russell
W2000-00331-COA-R3-CV
This case arises out of a $23,800.00 debt incurred by appellee Yo Anne Russell at the Horseshoe Casino and Hotel in Robinsonville, Mississippi. The court below granted summary judgment to Yo Anne Russell because the court held that the debt represented by the drafts is unenforceable in Tennessee due to public policy considerations embodied in section 29-19-101 of the Tennessee Code. Plaintiff appeals from the court below, arguing that the trial court erred in granting summary judgment to Defendant Yo Anne Russell. For the reasons stated hereafter, we reverse the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:D'Army Bailey |
Shelby County | Court of Appeals | 07/14/00 | |
| Joseph Canepari vs. George Summers
W2000-00527-COA-R3-CV
This is a suit for the partition of land. The Appellees brought a Complaint for Partition of Land by Sale in the Chancery Court of Fayette County. The Appellants answered and brought a counterclaim requesting the trial court to order the Appellees' one third-interest in the property to be partitioned by sale to the Appellants. The Chancery Court of Fayette County found for the Appellees, ordering the property to be sold by partition.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Dewey C. Whitenton |
Fayette County | Court of Appeals | 07/14/00 | |
| Dept. of Children's Services v. T.L.C.
M2003-00509-COA-R3-JV
In this appeal the Appellant, R.L.P, Sr., argues that the Trial Court erred in terminating his parental rights to his son, R.L.P., Jr. We vacate the judgment of the Trial Court and remand.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Timothy R. Brock |
Coffee County | Court of Appeals | 07/13/00 | |
| Russo vs. Russo
M1999-02380-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from an action for divorce initiated by Donald Joseph Russo ("Husband") against Debra Ann Russo ("Wife"). The trial court granted Wife an absolute divorce and alimony in futuro; awarded custody of the parties' minor children to Wife; ordered Husband to pay child support in the amount of thirty-two hundred dollars per month with additional child support of two thousand dollars per month to be placed in educational trust for parties' minor children; and awarded the majority of marital assets to Wife. Husband appeals.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Tom E. Gray |
Sumner County | Court of Appeals | 07/13/00 | |
| Hobbs vs. Hobbs
M1999-00715-COA-R3-CV
Two years after a divorce, and eight months after the divorce decree was affirmed on appeal, the former husband filed a pro se motion asking the trial court to review new evidence and to find that he had been defrauded and denied his constitutional rights in the divorce proceeding. The trial court treated the pleading as a motion under Rule 60, Tenn. R. Civ. P., and held that the motion was (1) untimely and (2) not supported by the proof submitted by the movant. We affirm the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Thomas W. Graham |
Sequatchie County | Court of Appeals | 07/13/00 | |
| Borders vs. Crow
M1999-00985-COA-R3-CV
This is a suit by employee for compensation allegedly due after discharge under oral contract of employment. Upon finding that the discharge was for cause, the jury nevertheless returned a verdict for the employee for post-discharge compensation. On the employer's appeal, we vacate that part of the judgment awarding post-discharge compensation.
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Hamilton V. Gayden, Jr. |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 07/13/00 | |
| In the Matter of the Estate of S.W. Brindley
M1999-02224-COA-R3-CV
This is a will contest between two siblings. After the onset of the parties' father's final illness, during which his competence was questioned and eventually a conservator appointed, the father executed a codicil to his will that materially altered the distribution of his estate in favor of his son, the appellant herein. The testator's daughter challenged the validity of the codicil in the underlying action. After the jury found that the codicil was not the testator's "own free act," but was instead the result of undue influence on the son's part, the codicil was declared a nullity. We affirm the jury's verdict.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Stella L. Hargrove |
Giles County | Court of Appeals | 07/13/00 | |
| State, ex rel Boren vs. Town of Orlinda
M1999-02240-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from property owners' quo warranto challenge to an ordinance annexing their property. Property owners allege that the annexation was not reasonably necessary for their health, safety, and welfare and for the annexing municipality. Prior to trial, the trial court denied Defendant's motion in limine which sought to exclude testimony of the property owners, a comparison of the services offered by the annexing municipality and a neighboring municipality interested in annexing the disputed area, evidence regarding the public hearing on annexation, and evidence of the annexing municipality's other annexations. The jury returned a verdict for Plaintiffs, finding the annexation was not reasonable, and the trial court entered judgment thereon. Defendant appeals.
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:James E. Walton |
Robertson County | Court of Appeals | 07/13/00 | |
| Joseph Spottswood Crowell vs. Mayme Modena Roberson
E1999-00348-COA-R3-CV
The appellee has filed a petition for rehearing pursuant to Tenn. R. App. P. 39. In the first ground of his petition, he asserts that we made a mistake in computing the "[a]djustment re: North Carolina property" reflected on page 8 of our opinion. The appellee is in error in this assertion. We purposely utilized an adjusting figure of $141,915 rather than $140,447.50 -- the latter figure being fifty percent of the value of the marital property share of the North Carolina property. The larger figure was a "plug" figure used to achieve equality in the overall division of the parties' marital property. Since it will be necessary to transfer funds to consummate this division, we deemed it equitable in this case to equally divide the parties' marital estate. The trial court found that equality was equitable and the evidence does not preponderate against this finding.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Frank V. Williams, III |
Roane County | Court of Appeals | 07/13/00 | |
| Vonkrosigk vs. Rankin
M1999-02254-COA-R3-CV
Buyer in real estate sale contract contingent on obtaining the financing sued for return of earnest money after she failed to qualify for a loan to finance to purchase. The trial court found that buyer acted in good faith in attempting to secure financing and entered judgment for buyer. Sellers have appealed.
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Don Ash |
Rutherford County | Court of Appeals | 07/13/00 | |
| Murphy vs. Martin
M1999-02273-COA-R3-CV
The trial court dismissed this negligence action for the failure to prosecute. On appeal the plaintiff asserts that she did not have adequate notice that her lawsuit was in jeopardy. We affirm the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Hamilton V. Gayden, Jr. |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 07/13/00 | |
| In the Matter of T.S. and M.S.
M1999-01286-COA-R3-CV
This case involves the termination of parental rights regarding two children who were removed from the parental home by the Department of Children's Services in 1995 and placed in foster care. The mother was ordered to take steps to remedy the deficiencies in the home and made some efforts to comply. After four years, DCS petitioned to terminate the mother's parental rights. The trial court found that the mother had failed to substantially comply with the Plan of Care and terminated the mother's rights on grounds (1) that the conditions that led to the children's removal continued to persist with little likelihood of remedy and (2) that the mother was incompetent to adequately provide for the children. Because DCS has established grounds for termination and has also established that termination is in the best interest of the children, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Ben Hall Mcfarlin |
Rutherford County | Court of Appeals | 07/13/00 | |
| Geldreich vs. Hall
M1999-02258-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from a suit initiated by Geldriech ("Investors") alleging breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, and conversion by Hall in his capacity as corporate officer. When Hall failed to answer and appear for hearing, Investors' motion for default judgment was granted. Thereafter, Hall filed a motion to strike the default judgment that was denied by the court below. Hall appeals the trial court's failure to grant him relief from the default judgment.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Leonard W. Martin |
Dickson County | Court of Appeals | 07/13/00 | |
| City of Murfreesboro vs. Pierce Hardy Real Estate, Inc.
M2000-00562-COA-R9-CV
This case involves a dispute between the City of Murfreesboro and a landowner over the value and the acreage of a tract of land taken by the city to be used for a greenway along the Stones River. The city appeals the trial court's denial of a motion in limine that the city filed to exclude testimony of the landowner's appraiser. The motion stated that the expert's testimony relied on an inadmissible method of valuation and should, therefore, be excluded. Additionally, the landowner appeals the trial court's ruling that the landowner did not own a .61 acre portion of the of the land taken because, as it sits at the bottom of a navigable waterway, it is not subject to private ownership.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Robert E. Corlew, III |
Rutherford County | Court of Appeals | 07/13/00 | |
| Hudgens vs. Rogers
M2000-00239-COA-R3-CV
The mother of four minor children appealed the trial court's decision to change custody from Mother to Father based on a material change in circumstances. Prior to the entry of that order, it had been determined that an agreement, originally announced to the court which awarded custody of the children to Mother, had been set aside due to the court's finding that there had been no meeting of the minds of the parties as several critical issues had been left unresolved. We have determined that the court was correct in that decision. Therefore, the standard which the trial court should have applied was one of comparative fitness and best interest of the children rather than a material change of circumstances. This matter is reversed and remanded to the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Arthur E. Mcclellan |
Sumner County | Court of Appeals | 07/12/00 | |
| Johnna Hayes vs. Jeff Hayes
W1999-00445-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from a dispute between Plaintiff Johnna Lea Hayes (Beuerlein) and Defendant Jeff C. Hayes regarding the amount of Mr. Hayes' child support obligation and the enforcement of a promissory note executed by Ms. Beuerlein in conjunction with the parties' divorce. The trial court found (1) that Mr. Hayes has an annual income of $64,139.00, (2) that Mr. Hayes' child support obligation is $1,221.00 per month but that this amount should be reduced to $621.00 per month until Ms. Beuerlein's debt under the promissory note is satisfied, (3) that Mr. Hayes' child support arrearage is equal to $14,940.00, (4) that Ms. Beuerlein's debt under the promissory note is equal to $39,569.85, (5) that, subtracting Mr. Hayes' child support arrearage from Ms. Beuerlein's debt under the promissory note, the net amount that Ms. Beuerlein owes to Mr. Hayes is $24,665.85 plus ten percent (10%) interest, and (6) that each party shall pay his or her own attorney's fees. For the reasons set forth below, the ruling of the trial court is affirmed in part, reversed in part, and the cause is remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:George R. Ellis |
Haywood County | Court of Appeals | 07/12/00 | |
| Planters Gin Company v. Federal Compress &Amp; Warehouse
W1999-02460-COA-R3-CV-
Originating Judge:Kay S. Robilio |
Shelby County | Court of Appeals | 07/12/00 | |
| Talmage Crump vs. Kimberly Bell
W1999-00673-COA-R3-CV
This is a personal injury case. Plaintiff filed a complaint and issued summons, which was returned "not to be found." Plaintiff issued an alias summons which was also returned "not to be found." Plaintiff issued pluries summons more than one year after the return of the alias summons. The trial court dismissed plaintiff's case for failure to comply Rule 3, Tenn.R.Civ.P. Plaintiff asserts that defendant is equitably estopped from relying upon Tenn.R.Civ.P. 3, because of action of defendant's liability insurance carrier leading him to believe that the defense would not be raised upon which he relied to his detriment. The trial court found no estoppel, and plaintiff has appealed.
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:George H. Brown |
Shelby County | Court of Appeals | 07/12/00 | |
| Jeremy Tompkins vs. Mary Rainey
W1999-01218-COA-R3-CV
In this action to establish parentage, Jeremy Earl Tompkins (Father) appeals the trial court's final judgment awarding Mary Helen Rainey (Mother) custody of the parties' infant son. We affirm the trial court's judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:A. V. Mcdowell |
Shelby County | Court of Appeals | 07/11/00 | |
| Beavers vs. The Lebanon Democrat Newspaper
M1999-02401-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from an action initiated by Plaintiffs, Mae and Jerry Beavers, against the Defendant newspaper, the Lebanon Democrat, for libel and slander. The Beavers' claim arises out of two separate articles published by the newspaper. The trial court granted the newspaper's motion for summary judgment, holding that the first article was substantially true and the second article was a non-actionable opinion. The Beavers appeal.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Tom E. Gray |
Wilson County | Court of Appeals | 07/11/00 | |
| Merritt vs. Yates
M1999-00775-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves a dispute between Plaintiff June Yates Merritt ("Ms. Merritt") and Defendants Aileen Biron Yates ("Mrs. Yates") and Claire Biron ("Mr. Biron") regarding the proper interpretation or construction of mutual wills executed in April of 1985 by Mrs. Yates and her husband Thomas Harry Yates ("Mr. Yates"), who was the father of Ms. Merritt. After the death of Mr. Yates in December of 1985, Mrs. Yates deeded certain real property to Mr. Biron, gifted certain personal property to Mr. Biron, and established a revocable trust using money received as a result of her husband's death. In an action filed by Ms. Merritt challenging these transactions, the trial court determined that there were no genuine issues of material fact and entered a judgment in favor of Ms. Merritt. Additionally, the court denied Ms. Merritt's motion for discretionary costs. Mrs. Yates appeals the court's order granting a judgment in favor of Ms. Merritt and Ms. Merritt appeals the court's ruling regarding her motion for discretionary costs. For the reasons set forth below, we affirm the ruling of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Ellen Hobbs Lyle |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 07/11/00 | |
| Inscoe, et al vs. Kemper, et al
M1999-00741-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from a suit filed by Inscoe seeking the return of earnest money held in escrow for the purchase of Kemper's residence. When Inscoe decided not to purchase the residence, Kemper refused to return the earnest money. The trial court found in favor of Inscoe and ordered the return of the earnest money. In making its finding, the court stated that Inscoe's promise to buy was illusory and there was no meeting of the minds, thus the contract was void and unenforceable. Kemper appeals.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Tom E. Gray |
Sumner County | Court of Appeals | 07/11/00 | |
| John Watson vs. Mike Young
W1999-00683-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from a lawsuit filed by an inmate at the Northwest Correctional Complex. The complaint sought damages for personal injuries sustained as a result of an electrical shock allegedly caused by the Defendant's inactions. The Lake County Circuit Court dismissed the complaint finding that the plaintiff's claim sounded in negligence and the defendants, as state employees, enjoyed absolute immunity from negligence claims.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:R. Lee Moore Jr. |
Lake County | Court of Appeals | 07/10/00 | |
| James Powell vs. M.P. Gurkin
W1999-00827-COA-R3-CV
This is a personal injury action arising out of a slip-and-fall accident which occurred at a laundromat owned by the Gurkin Defendants. The fall was allegedly caused by a hole in the floor of the laundromat which was created by the Defendant Hardin in attempting to locate and repair a water leak in the laundromat. The Plaintiff fell while walking into the laundromat carrying his laundry basket. He brought the present suit claiming that the Defendants were negligent in failing to repair the hole or providing adequate warning of the dangerous condition. The Defendants filed a Motion for Summary Judgment claiming that the Plaintiff failed to use reasonable care in confronting a known risk. After arguments of counsel, the trial court granted both Defendants' Motions for Summary Judgment.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Jon Kerry Blackwood |
Fayette County | Court of Appeals | 07/10/00 |