Joyce Mullins v. Crotty Corp.,
M2002-00159-WC-R3-CV
This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. In this appeal, the employer questions the trial court's findings as to causation, permanency, extent of vocational disability and mileage reimbursement. As discussed below, the panel has concluded the evidence fails to preponderate against the findings of the trial court. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e) (22 Supp.) Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Circuit Court Affirmed JOE C. LOSER, JR., SP. J., in which FRANK F. DROWOTA, III, C. J., and JOHN K. BYERS, SP. J., joined. Kirk L. Clements, Nashville, Tennessee, for the appellants, Crotty Corp. and Employee Benefit Insurance Company Edwin Sadler and James D. Madewell, Cookeville, Tennessee, for the appellee, Joyce Mullins MEMORANDUM OPINION The employee or claimant, Ms. Mullins, initiated this civil action to recover workers' compensation for an alleged work related injury by accident. After a hearing on all issues raised by the pleadings, the trial court awarded permanent partial disability benefits based on 75 percent to the left arm and reimbursement of $2,313.3 for mileage incurred to receive authorized medical treatment. The employer, Crotty Corp., and its insurer have appealed. Appellate review is de novo upon the record of the trial court, accompanied by a presumption of correctness of the findings of fact, unless the preponderance of the evidence is otherwise. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e)(2) (22 Supp.). The reviewing court is required to conduct an independent examination of the record to determine where the preponderance of the evidence lies.
Authoring Judge: Joe C. Loser, Jr., Sp. J.
Originating Judge:John D. Wooten, Jr., Judge |
Jackson County | Workers Compensation Panel | 01/31/03 | |
Marcus Lewis v. Dept of Correction
M2002-00608-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Ellen Hobbs Lyle |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 01/31/03 | |
Newell Smith v. Brenda Smith
M2001-02231-COA-R3-CV
Wife filed petition for civil contempt against former Husband for failure to pay alimony as set forth in the Martial Dissolution Agreement and final decree. Husband responded, arguing that he did not have the ability to pay the alimony as agreed. The trial court found Husband in willful contempt of the previous order of the court due to his failure to pay the first two alimony installments and ordered Husband incarcerated if he did not appeal or make those payments within thirty days. Because the trial court found that Husband did not have the ability to pay at the time of the contempt hearing, we vacate the order incarcerating Husband if he does not pay.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Charles K. Smith |
Wilson County | Court of Appeals | 01/31/03 | |
Joe Mitchell v. CCA
M2002-00371-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Robert L. Jones |
Wayne County | Court of Appeals | 01/31/03 | |
Marcus Lewis v. Dept of Correction
M2002-00608-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Ellen Hobbs Lyle |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 01/31/03 | |
Naomi Hausler v. Discounts R. Us
M2002-01465-COA-R3-CV
Plaintiff, pro se, appeals the action of the trial court in denying her Petition in the Nature of a Petition to Vacate a Void Judgment and Collateral Attack. We affirm the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:John D. Wootten, Jr. |
Smith County | Court of Appeals | 01/31/03 | |
Sylvester Young v. Nashville & Davidson County
M2000-02455-COA-R3-CV
A prisoner allegedly slipped and fell on a wet floor in the Davidson County Jail, injuring his back. He brought suit against the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County for deprivation of civil rights and negligence. The Chancery Court dismissed his civil rights claim on a Rule 12.02(6) motion, and transferred the negligence claim to Circuit Court. After a bench trial, the Circuit Court dismissed the negligence claim. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Carol L. Soloman |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 01/31/03 | |
Dwight James v. State
M2002-01557-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves Dwight James' unsuccessful attempt to qualify as a candidate for Hickman County Road Superintendent and be placed on the August, 2002, election ballot. The trial court granted the Tennessee Highway Officials Certification Board's summary judgment motion, finding that the Board had not acted arbitrarily, capriciously or illegally in not certifying Mr. James as qualified to run for the office of County Road Superintendent. We have determined that the appeal is moot.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Ellen Hobbs Lyle |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 01/31/03 | |
John Hessmer v. Fernando Miranda
M2001-02056-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves a state prisoner's efforts to pursue medical malpractice and wrongful death claims arising from the death of his mother. The prisoner filed a pro se complaint in the Circuit Court for Davidson County against his mother's treating physician and a nurse. The defendants filed a joint motion for summary judgment supported by their own affidavits. The trial court granted the prisoner additional time to obtain opposing affidavits and then dismissed the prisoner's complaint after he was unable to do so. The prisoner complains on appeal that his incarceration prevented him from obtaining the opposing affidavits and asserts that the trial court erred by declining to appoint a "special master" to aid him in the discovery process. We have determined that the prisoner was not entitled to the assistance of a special master and that the trial court properly dismissed the prisoner's complaint because he failed to demonstrate the existence of a material factual dispute that would warrant a trial.
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Walter C. Kurtz |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 01/31/03 | |
William Waters v. Dept. of Correction
M2002-00917-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Ellen Hobbs Lyle |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 01/31/03 | |
Kenny Searcy v. Unipres U.S.A., Inc.,
M2002-00245-WC-R3-CV
This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. In this appeal, the employer insists (1) the trial court erred in concluding the plaintiff's impairment was the result of his work related injury and (2) the award of permanent partial disability benefits based on 35 percent to the body as a whole is excessive. As discussed below, the panel has concluded the judgment should be affirmed. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e) (22 Supp.) Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Circuit Court Affirmed JOE C. LOSER, JR., SP .J., in which FRANK F. DROWOTA, III, C. J., and JOHN K. BYERS, SR. J., joined. M. Clark Spoden and Irene L. Wolfe, Nashville, Tennessee, for the appellant Unipres U.S.A., Inc. Clinton L. Kelly, Hendersonville, Tennessee, for the appellee, Kenny Searcy MEMORANDUM OPINION The employee or claimant, Mr. Searcy, initiated this civil action against the employer, Unipres, to recover workers' compensation benefits for injuries suffered in an alleged work related accident occurring on July 2, 1999. By its late filed answer, the employer admitted liability but questioned the extent of its liability for permanent disability benefits. Following a trial on December 27, 21, the trial court awarded, among other things, permanent partial disability benefits based on 35 percent to the body as a whole. The employer has appealed. For injuries occurring on or after July 1, 1985, appellate review is de novo upon the record of the trial court, accompanied by a presumption of correctness of the findings of fact, unless the preponderance of the evidence is otherwise. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e)(2) (22 Supp.). The reviewing court is required to conduct an independent examination of the record to determine where the preponderance of the evidence lies.
Authoring Judge: Joe C. Loser, Jr., Sp .J.
Originating Judge:C. L. Rogers, Judge |
Sumner County | Workers Compensation Panel | 01/31/03 | |
10-99-034-C
10-99-034-C
Originating Judge:A. Andrew Jackson |
Dickson County | Court of Appeals | 01/31/03 | |
Richard Manson v. Anthony Gross
M2000-03206-COA-R3-CV
This appeal concerns Western Surety Company's liability on a bond it executed with Anthony Goss. The trial court entered judgment against Western Surety Company on the bond. This Court affirms the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Frank G. Clement, Jr. |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 01/31/03 | |
Vincent D. Carson (Cason) v. Richard M. Gilleland
M2002-01082-COA-R3-CV
This personal injury action by an undercover law enforcement officer resulted in judgment against appellant and two co-defendants. Appellant is an inmate with the Department of Corrections and after filing a pro se answer to the complaint took no further action in defense and more than two years after his answer was filed the case was heard in his absence and resulted in a judgment for $5,000,000.00. Plaintiff appeals and we affirm the action of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:John D. Wootten, Jr. |
Wilson County | Court of Appeals | 01/31/03 | |
Buford Barrett v. State of Tennessee
W2001-02862-CCA-R3-PC
The petitioner, Buford Barrett, appeals the McNairy County Circuit Court's denial of his petition for post-conviction relief from his conviction for rape of a child and resulting twenty-year sentence. He claims that he received the ineffective assistance of counsel because his trial attorney (1) refused to let him testify at trial; (2) failed to subpoena his cousin, who could have testified that the petitioner was not present when the alleged crime occurred; (3) failed to request a DNA test for the victim; and (4) failed to investigate the facts surrounding a statement that his wife gave to the police in which she admitted that she had sexually abused the victim. In addition, the petitioner contends that the cumulative effect of his attorney's deficiencies prevented him from receiving a fair trial. We affirm the trial court's denial of the petition.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood |
McNairy County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 01/30/03 | |
Dept of Children's Srvcs vs. A.N.G. & S.L.G
E2002-01114-COA-R3-JV
The State of Tennessee, Department of Children's Services ("State" or "DCS") obtained temporary custody of the three minor children of A.N.G. ("Mother") and S.L.G. ("Father")(collectively referred to as "Parents") after Parents' two year old son was found in a roadway near their home. DCS later sought to terminate Parents' parental rights. After a trial, the Juvenile Court determined there were sufficient grounds to terminate Parents' parental rights and doing so was in the best interests of the children. Parents appeal, claiming DCS failed to prove by clear and convincing evidence that there were sufficient grounds to terminate their parental rights. Parents also claim DCS failed to prove by clear and convincing evidence that termination of their parental rights would be in the best interests of the children. We affirm the judgment of the Juvenile Court.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Thomas J. Wright |
Greene County | Court of Appeals | 01/30/03 | |
State of Tennessee v. Anthony Tony Sandy
M2001-02376-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant, Anthony "Tony" Sandy, was indicted by the Lawrence County Grand Jury for first degree murder. Defendant was convicted by a jury of the lesser-included offense of voluntary manslaughter. The trial court sentenced Defendant, as a Range I standard offender, to serve four years and six months in the Tennessee Department of Correction and imposed a fine of $10,000, which was assessed by the jury. In this appeal as of right, Defendant argues that the evidence at trial was insufficient to support a finding of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and that the trial court erred in sentencing Defendant. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Robert L. Jones |
Lawrence County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 01/30/03 | |
State of Tennessee v. Sammy D. Childers
W2002-00006-CCA-R3-CD
The Appellant, Sammy D. Childers, appeals his jury convictions for two counts of aggravated assault. Following these convictions, the Circuit Court of Hardin County sentenced Childers to concurrent sentences of five years, with ninety days to be served in confinement, followed by four years and nine months of supervised probation. On appeal, Childers raises one issue for our review; whether he is entitled to a new trial because of alleged juror misconduct. After reviewing the record before us, we find this issue to be without merit and affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Judge C. Creed Mcginley |
Hardin County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 01/30/03 | |
State of Tennessee v. Charles E. Delapp, Jr., a.k.a. Charles E. Jackson, Jr.
W2001-02370-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Charles E. Delapp, Jr., a.k.a. Charles E. Jackson, Jr., appeals as of right his conviction by a Lauderdale County Circuit Court jury for reckless aggravated assault, a Class D felony, and the resulting five-year, six-month sentence. He contends (1) that the evidence is insufficient to support his conviction and (2) that his sentence is excessive. We affirm the trial court's judgment of conviction.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge Joseph H. Walker, III |
Lauderdale County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 01/30/03 | |
Jerry Lytle v. Fru-Con, Inc.,
W2002-01337-WC-R3-CV
This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. In this appeal, the employer insists (1) the trial court erred in accrediting the testimony of the plaintiff, (2) the trial court erred in accepting the expert opinion of an examining physician over that of a treating physician, and (3) the award of permanent partial disability benefits based on 2 percent to the body as a whole is excessive. As discussed below, the panel has concluded the trial court committed no reversible error and the evidence fails to preponderate against the trial court's findings.. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e) (22 Supp.) Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Chancery Court Affirmed JOE C. LOSER, JR., SP. J., in which JANICE M. HOLDER, J., and JOHN K. BYERS, SR. J., joined. W. Stephen Gardner and Robert Joseph Leibovich, Memphis, Tennessee, for the appellant, Fru-Con Pala Industrial, Joint Venture David Hardee, Jackson, Tennessee, for the appellee, Jerry Lytle MEMORANDUM OPINION This civil action was initiated by the employee or claimant, Mr. Lytle, to recover workers' compensation benefits for a work related injury by accident. At the conclusion of the trial on February 26, 21, the trial court awarded, among other things, permanent partial disability benefits based on 2 percent to the body as a whole. The employer-appellant has appealed. Appellate review is de novo upon the record of the trial court, accompanied by a presumption of correctness of the findings of fact, unless the preponderance of the evidence is otherwise. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e)(2) (22 Supp.). The reviewing court is required to conduct an independent examination of the record to determine where the preponderance of the evidence lies.
Authoring Judge: Joe C. Loser, Jr., Sp. J.
Originating Judge:Joe C. Morris, Chancellor |
Madison County | Workers Compensation Panel | 01/30/03 | |
State of Tennessee v. Scott L. Haycraft
E2001-02922-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant pled guilty to violating a habitual traffic offender order and to a second offense of driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Pursuant to his plea agreement the defendant received a sentence of three years as a multiple offender for violating the habitual traffic offender order and eleven months and twenty-nine days for the second offense of driving under the influence. The trial court ordered these sentences to run concurrently. At the conclusion of a subsequent sentencing hearing, the trial court denied the defendant's request for probation or any other form of alternative sentencing. Through the instant appeal the defendant challenges this denial. After reviewing the facts and relevant caselaw, we find the denial appropriate concerning the violation of the habitual traffic offender judgment and, therefore, affirm the trial court's determination in this regard. We also affirm the denial of alternative sentencing with respect to the defendant's second offense of driving under the influence. However, because of a conflict between the transcript of the sentencing hearing and the judgment, we remand this case for correction of the judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry L. Smith
Originating Judge:Judge Phyllis H. Miller |
Sullivan County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 01/30/03 | |
State of Tennessee v. Reginol L. Waters
M2001-02682-CCA-R3-CD
A Davidson County jury convicted the defendant, Reginol L. Waters, of two counts of aggravated rape, one count of aggravated robbery, and one count of aggravated burglary. The trial court sentenced him as a Range I offender to twenty-three years for the first count of aggravated rape, twenty-five years for the second count of aggravated rape, ten years for aggravated robbery, and as a Range II offender to ten years for aggravated burglary. The trial court further ordered the two sentences for aggravated rape and the sentence for aggravated burglary be served consecutively and the sentence for aggravated robbery be served concurrently, for an effective sentence of fifty-eight years. In this appeal of right, the defendant raises the following issues: (1) whether the trial court erred in denying the motion to suppress testimony regarding the "showup" identification of the defendant; (2) whether the trial court erred in denying the motion to suppress the defendant's statements to the police; (3) whether the trial court erred in admitting the tape recording of the victim's telephone call to the police; (4) whether the state failed to establish a proper chain of custody for evidence found during a search of the defendant's vehicle; (5) whether the two convictions for aggravated rape should be merged; (6) whether the conviction for aggravated burglary violates due process because it was incidental to the offenses of aggravated rape and aggravated robbery; and (7) whether the sentences are excessive. Upon review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Originating Judge:Judge Steve R. Dozier |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 01/30/03 | |
State of Tennessee v. Kenneth King
W2002-00938-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant, Kenneth King, was convicted of burglary of a building and was sentenced to twelve years in the Tennessee Department of Correction as a career offender. Defendant now appeals his conviction alleging that the trial court erred in refusing to grant a mental evaluation prior to trial to determine Defendant's competency to stand trial. After a review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Chris B. Craft |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 01/29/03 | |
K.D.F., et al vs. J.F.
E2002-01117-COA-R3-CV
This is a suit by K. D. F. and her present husband, R. J. F., Jr., seeking to terminate the parental rights of J. F. as to Z.T.J.F (d.o.b. June 8, 1998), preparatory to Mr. F. adopting the child in a future proceeding. Mr. F. appeals a determination by the Trial Court that his parental rights should be terminated, contending that the statutory grounds for such a determination were not met. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Thomas R. Frierson, II |
Greene County | Court of Appeals | 01/29/03 | |
John Oliver Harper v. Cathy Lynn Harper
2002-01259-COA-R3-CV
Originating Judge:W. Dale Young |
Blount County | Court of Appeals | 01/29/03 |