APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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Margaret Tobitt vs. Bridgestone/Fireston, Inc.

M2000-00279-SC-WCM-CV
Authoring Judge: Justice Frank F. Drowota, III
Originating Judge:Charles D. Haston, Sr.
Warren County Supreme Court 08/29/01
State of Tennessee v. Wygenzo Coburn

W2000-01550-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant was convicted of voluntary manslaughter, a Class C felony, and sentenced as a Range I, standard offender to four years, six months in the county workhouse. In this appeal as of right, he raises the following issues: (1) whether the evidence was sufficient to support his conviction; (2) whether the trial court erred in failing to include "moral certainty" language in its reasonable doubt instruction to the jury; and (3) whether the trial court erred in its application of enhancement factor (10). Based upon a careful review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge W. Fred Axley
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/29/01
Denise Frazier vs. Robert Frazier

E2000-02929-COA-R3-CV
Appellant ask the Court to void portions of the marital settlement agreement incorporated in the parties' Divorce Decree in the State of Illinois. The Trial Court refused and granted appellee summary judgment. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Sharon J. Bell
Knox County Court of Appeals 08/29/01
George Tipton vs. Axis Fabrication & Machine Co.

E2001-00258-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:W. Dale Young
Blount County Court of Appeals 08/29/01
Margaret Tobitt vs. Bridgestone/Fireston, Inc.

M2000-00279-SC-WCM-CV
Authoring Judge: Justice Frank F. Drowota, III
Originating Judge:Charles D. Haston, Sr.
Warren County Supreme Court 08/29/01
Lonnie Wilder vs. Leslie Wilder

E2000-03184-COA-R3-CV
In this divorce case, the Trial Court awarded husband attorney's fees against wife. On appeal, we reverse.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:John D. Mcafee
Claiborne County Court of Appeals 08/29/01
Myron Hubbard vs. Sandi Hubbard

E2001-00110-COA-R3-CV
The Trial Court granted appellee Judgement before the 30 days to answer process provided in the Rules of Civil Procedure had expired. On appeal, we vacate and remand.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:W. Dale Young
Blount County Court of Appeals 08/29/01
New Covenant Baptist Church vs. Panther Sark

E2000-02930-COA-R3-CV
In this suit New Covenant Baptist Church seeks a declaration that certain restrictions applicable to Technology Park West subdivision do not preclude New Covenant from using one of the lots for driveway purposes to other unrestricted property owned by New Covenant outside the subdivision. Panther Sark, a partnership, and certain other owners of lots in the subdivision were named as Defendants and they filed a counter-complaint seeking a declaration to the contrary. The Trial Court found in favor of New Covenant. We reverse and hold in favor of the partnership and other owners of lots in the subdivision.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Thomas R. Frierson, II
Knox County Court of Appeals 08/29/01
Rouse Construction Co. vs. Interstate Steel Corp.

E2001-00242-COA-R3-CV
This is a case wherein the Plaintiff/Appellant, Rouse Construction Company, seeks damages for breach of contract from the Defendant/Appellee, Interstate Steel Corporation. The Chancellor found that there was no meeting of minds between the parties as to essential contract terms and, therefore, ordered that Rouse's claim be denied. The Chancellor further determined that Interstate should be allowed a judgment in the amount of $19,090.00 for materials and plans delivered to Rouse. We concur in the determination of the Chancellor and affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Sharon J. Bell
Knox County Court of Appeals 08/29/01
Jeffrey Miller v. State of Tennessee

E2000-01192-CCA-R3-CD

Jeffrey Miller appeals the Meigs County Criminal Court's dismissal of his petitions for writ of error coram nobis and writ of habeas corpus. Both petitions seek redress for Miller's grievance that he has been required to serve felony sentences in the Department of Correction, although his plea agreements designated the location of confinement to be the Meigs County Jail. Because neither coram nobis nor habeas corpus relief is available to address a concern of this nature and because the petitioner's claims are factually unfounded, we affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge E. Eugene Eblen
Meigs County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/29/01
State of Tennessee v. Ralph D. Cooper

W2000-02612-CCA-R3-CD

This is an appeal from an order denying a petition for reinstatement of a motor vehicle operator's license pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated Section 55-10-615(b). The court ruled that a subsequent conviction for driving without a license precluded the court from restoring the petitioner's driving privileges for a period of three years after the new conviction. After a careful review, we hold that the court incorrectly concluded it did not have discretion to grant driving privileges and remand to the court for reconsideration of the petition.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge W. Fred Axley
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/29/01
Carl O. Koella, Jr. vs. Fred McHargue, et ux

E2001-00544-COA-R3-CV
Defendants have right of first refusal on tract of real property. The Trial Court held that the giving of a quitclaim deed did not trigger the right of first refusal. Defendants appealed, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:C. K. Smith
Blount County Court of Appeals 08/29/01
CH-00-1207-2

CH-00-1207-2

Originating Judge:Floyd Peete, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Appeals 08/29/01
Scarlett/Patrick Spencer vs. James Aydlotte

W2001-00995-COA-R3-CV
This is a suit for the termination of parental rights. The Appellants filed a petition in the Chancery Court of Gibson County to terminate the Appellee's parental rights to his child. Following a hearing, the trial court entered an order denying the Appellants' petition. The Appellants appeal the trial court's order denying the Appellants' petition to terminate the Appellee's parental rights. For the reasons stated herein, we affirm the trial court's decision.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:George R. Ellis
Gibson County Court of Appeals 08/29/01
Paul Seaton, et al vs. Richard Rowe, et al

E2000-02304-COA-R3-CV
Monroe County -This is an action for specific performance of an option agreement for the sale of some farmland acreage, from which a 60-acre tract was excepted. The trial court dismissed the action, holding that the option agreement did not satisfy the statute of frauds because the description of the excepted property was inadequate and that the deficiency could not be remedied by parol evidence. Thereafter, the plaintiffs filed a motion to "reopen the proof" to introduce evidence to support reformation of the description of the excepted property. The motion was denied. The plaintiffs appeal, arguing that the trial court erred in (1) finding that the option agreement did not satisfy the statute of frauds; (2) refusing to consider parol evidence of the location of the excepted property; and (3) refusing to "reopen the proof" on the issue of reformation. The defendants argue that the appeal is frivolous. We find that the option agreement is sufficiently definite to satisfy the statute of frauds and that parol evidence should have been admitted to locate the excepted property. We therefore vacate the judgment of the trial court and remand for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:John B. Hagler, Jr.
Monroe County Court of Appeals 08/29/01
State of Tennessee v. Mark A. Doolen, Jr.

M2000-01953-CCA-R3-CD

In this appeal, Mark A. Doolen, Jr. challenges the order of the Dickson County Circuit Court requiring the appellant's payment of restitution in the amount of $6,611.76 for his vandalism of two antique automobiles. Following a review of the record and the parties' briefs, we conclude that the appellant should have filed his appeal with the Tennessee Court of Appeals.

Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Allen W. Wallace
Dickson County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/29/01
State of Tennessee v. Edward Drummer

W2000-00414-CCA-R3-PC

The Appellant, Edward Drummer, appeals from the dismissal of his petition for post-conviction relief by the Shelby County Criminal Court. In September, 1997, Drummer pled guilty to one count of aggravated rape and was sentenced to fifteen years confinement in the Department of Correction. In 1998, Drummer filed a petition for post-conviction relief challenging the validity of his guilty plea upon grounds of (1) voluntariness and (2) ineffective assistance of counsel. The post-conviction court, finding the claims unsupported, dismissed the petition. On appeal, Drummer contends that he was denied the effective assistance of counsel. After review, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Judge Arthur T. Bennett
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/29/01
Linda Greene vs. Dr. Woody Stinson

E2001-00628-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:William M. Dender
Jefferson County Court of Appeals 08/29/01
State v. Mark Doolen

M2000-01953-COA-R3-CD
A thirteen-year-old boy was convicted of vandalism in juvenile court, and was ordered to pay restitution of over $6,600. He claimed that the amount of restitution was excessive, and appealed to the circuit court, which affirmed the juvenile court's determination. We affirm the order of restitution, but modify the amount, for the reasons set out below.
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Allen W. Wallace
Dickson County Court of Appeals 08/29/01
State of Tennessee v. Glenn Russell Parvin

E2000-01756-CCA-R3-CD

The Sullivan County grand jury issued presentments against the defendant on one count of operating a motor vehicle without a face shield; two counts of speeding; three counts of driving under the influence; three counts of driving on a revoked license; two counts of driving on revoked license after second or subsequent conviction for driving while intoxicated; one count of driving on revoked license after second or subsequent conviction for driving under the influence; one count of driving while intoxicated, fourth offense; and one count of driving under the influence, fourth offense. The charges resulted from three separate cases. The defendant pled to all of the crimes in two different plea hearings and the defendant was sentenced as a career offender to a total of eighteen years, with a minimum jail time of 585 days, and with his last six years to be served on probation. The trial court sentenced the defendant as a career offender and did not apprise the defendant of the possibility that he could be sentenced as a persistent offender, as opposed to a career offender. He moved to withdraw his guilty pleas on this ground. The trial court denied his motion, and he appeals the denial. Furthermore, the defendant waived his right to request probation or alternative sentencing in one case, and the state agreed to allow the defendant to serve probation in one case. In the third case, the defendant requested probation or alternative sentencing. The trial court denied his request, citing his extensive criminal history in support of its denial. The defendant also appeals this denial. After reviewing the record and applicable case law, we find these issues to be without merit and therefore affirm the lower court's denial of defendant's motion to withdraw his guilty pleas and its denial of probation or alternative sentencing.

Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry L. Smith
Originating Judge:Judge R. Jerry Beck
Sullivan County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/29/01
State vs. Edward Coffee

M1998-00472-SC-R11-CD
Edward D. Coffee was indicted for possession of certain controlled substances with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia. Because the judicial commissioner failed to make and retain an exact copy of the original search warrant as required by Tennessee Rule of Criminal Procedure 41(c), the trial court suppressed the evidence recovered in the search and dismissed the indictment. The Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the trial court's judgment, and we now also affirm.
Authoring Judge: Justice Adolpho A. Birch, Jr.
Originating Judge:J. O. Bond
Wilson County Supreme Court 08/29/01
Linda Greene vs. Dr. Woody Stinson

E2001-00628-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:William M. Dender
Jefferson County Court of Appeals 08/29/01
James Ray vs. Billy Williams

W2000-03000-COA-R3-CV
This case involves the doctrine of promissory fraud. The plaintiff service station owner claimed that the defendant rental trailer company fraudulently induced him into entering into a contract to operate a rental trailer dealership by orally assuring him that his dealership rights would be exclusive in Ripley, Tennessee. At the bench trial below, the trial court admitted parol evidence of the oral assurances to show fraud in the inducement of the dealership contract. Based on that evidence, the trial court held that the rental trailer company had committed promissory fraud and awarded damages to the plaintiff service station owner. The rental trailer company now appeals. We affirm the finding of promissory fraud, but reverse in part the damage award.
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Jon Kerry Blackwood
Lauderdale County Court of Appeals 08/29/01
James Laney vs. Evelyn Oldham

E2000-02710-COA-R3-CV
Evelyn B. Oldham ("Defendant") sold to James C. R. Laney ("Plaintiff") a house and lot located next to a Chalet owned by Defendant. Defendant granted Plaintiff an easement for use of a driveway. Plaintiff later converted his residence into a business. In 1993, the Trial Court entered an Order interpreting the easement to allow Plaintiff's use of the driveway for a "normal amount of delivery." No appeal was taken from this Order. In 2000, the Trial Court, but a different trial judge, entered another Order interpreting the 1993 Order to allow for a normal amount of business deliveries using the driveway. We conclude that the 1993 Order permits only a normal amount of deliveries consistent with a residential use. We reverse the decision of the Trial Court, and remand for further proceedings.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:W. Frank Brown, III
Hamilton County Court of Appeals 08/28/01
Phillip Ledford vs. Bradley Memorial Hospital

E2001-00291-COA-R3-CV
The plaintiffs, Phillip A. Ledford ("Ledford") and his wife, Elizabeth Ledford, filed suit against the defendants, Daniel V. Johnson, M.D., Bradley Memorial Hospital ("the Hospital"), and Southeast Tennessee Orthopedics, Inc. ("Southeast"), alleging medical malpractice arising out of surgery performed by Dr. Johnson on Ledford's broken arm. The trial court granted the defendants summary judgment. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Lawrence H. Puckett
Bradley County Court of Appeals 08/28/01