APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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State of Tennessee v. Tracy Barr

M2000-01502-CCA-R3-CD

The Defendant pled guilty without a plea agreement to theft of property valued at more than $500.00 and to identity theft. Following a sentencing hearing, the trial court sentenced her to concurrent sentences of one year incarceration for the theft of property conviction and three years incarceration for the identity theft conviction. In this appeal as of right, the Defendant argues that the trial court should have granted her some form of alternative sentencing. Because we conclude that the sentence imposed is adequately supported by the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Timothy L. Easter
Williamson County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/10/01
State of Tennessee v. Jeffrey Scott Petty

M2000-01739-CCA-R3-CD

The Appellant, Jeffrey Scott Petty, was indicted by a Bedford County Grand Jury for one count of driving under the influence. On May 30, 2000, a jury convicted the Appellant of DUI, first offense, a class A misdemeanor. On that same day, the trial court sentenced the Appellant to eleven months, twenty-nine days, all suspended except for thirty days incarceration. The trial court further ordered that the thirty days be served periodically on weekends. On appeal, the Appellant raises one issue for our review: Whether the trial court properly ordered the Appellant to serve thirty days of his eleven month, twenty-nine day sentence in periodic incarceration. Upon review, we find no error. Thus, the judgment of the Bedford County Circuit Court is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Judge Lee Russell
Bedford County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/10/01
Shelton vs. Tidwell

E2000-02913-COA-R3-CV
Defendants sold plaintiff equipment which had been stolen. The Trial Court entered a Judgment for plaintiff for the purchase money. On appeal, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Wheeler A. Rosenbalm
Knox County Court of Appeals 07/10/01
State of Tennessee v. Russell Allen

M2000-01656-CCA-R3-CD

The appellant, Russell Allen, was convicted in the Maury County Circuit Court of one count of aggravated sexual battery and was sentenced as a Range I offender to eight years incarceration in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the appellant raises the following issue for our review: whether the trial court erred in failing to grant the appellant a new trial based upon newly discovered evidence. Upon review of the record and the parties' briefs, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Robert L. Jones
Maury County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/10/01
Daniel M. Banks v. State of Tennessee

E2000-02620-CCA-R3-CD

The petitioner, Daniel M. Banks, appeals the trial court's denial of his petition for post-conviction relief. Because the petitioner was provided the effective assistance of counsel and knowingly and voluntarily entered his pleas of guilt to possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of over 0.5 grams of cocaine with intent to sell, and possession of drug paraphernalia, the judgment is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:Judge Phyllis H. Miller
Sullivan County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/10/01
James Jones vs. Pierce Garrett, a/k/a Perry Garrett

E2000-00196-COA-R3-CV
This is a suit wherein James Lee Jones, III, and his wife seek a determination that Pierce Brandon Garrett, a/k/a Perry Garrett, has abandoned his son so that they may adopt him. The Trial Judge found by clear and convincing evidence that abandonment had occurred, but did not make any finding as to the best interest of the child. We affirm the finding as to abandonment and remand the case for a determination as to best interest.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Kindall T. Lawson
Hamblen County Court of Appeals 07/10/01
E2001-00069-COA-R3-CV

E2001-00069-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Sharon J. Bell
Knox County Court of Appeals 07/10/01
Gerald Williams vs. Cora Williams

E2000-02782-COA-R3-CV
In this divorce action, Gerald B. Williams ("Plaintiff") appeals the Trial Court's award of alimony in futuro in the amount of $800 per month to Cora Rita Williams ("Defendant"). The parties were married thirty-eight years. While Plaintiff earns approximately $32,000 per year, Defendant's income is substantially less at approximately $11,220. The Trial Court specifically found that Defendant could not be rehabilitated. Plaintiff contends on appeal that the Trial Court erred in awarding any alimony to Defendant because the proof at trial did not establish Defendant's need for financial support and Plaintiff's ability to pay alimony. Plaintiff also argues that if the award of alimony is appropriate, the amount is excessive. We modify the alimony from $800 to $600 per month, and affirm the judgment as modified.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Steven C. Douglas
Cumberland County Court of Appeals 07/10/01
Ruth Wilson v. Landon Snapp, Jr.

E2001-00172-COA-R3-CV
In this suit the Trial Court held a purported deed from Ruth N. Wilson to Landon Haynes Snapp, Jr., and Gene L. Snapp was champertous and void. The Snapps appeal, contending this holding was in error. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Richard E. Ladd
Sullivan County Court of Appeals 07/10/01
Alvin Bates vs. Dr. Joseph Metcalf

E2001-00358-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:James B. Scott, Jr.
Anderson County Court of Appeals 07/10/01
John Cappello vs. Hazel Albert

M2000-02104-COA-R3-CV
A corrections officer with the Tennessee Department of Correction, after being discharged for allegedly purchasing a television from an inmate at the institution where he serves, was denied unemployment benefits. The officer's petition for certiorari to the chancery court was dismissed, and the officer has appealed. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Irvin H. Kilcrease, Jr.
Davidson County Court of Appeals 07/10/01
State of Tennessee v. James L. Hunsaker

E2000-02419-CCA-R9-CO

The defendant, James L. Hunsaker, was charged with ten counts of rape of a mentally defective victim, Class B felonies, in violation of Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-503. The defendant filed a motion to dismiss the first nine counts of the indictment, involving offenses alleged to have occurred between the autumn of 1992 and the spring of 1994, as barred by the statute of limitations. The trial court ruled that concealment was inherent in the victim’s mental defect and that the statute of limitations was tolled. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-2-101. The defendant filed a motion for interlocutory appeal to this court. Because the first nine counts of the indictment are barred by the statute of limitations, the judgment of the trial court is reversed. Each of the nine counts is dismissed.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:Judge James B. Scott, Jr.
Anderson County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/10/01
Alvin Bates vs. Dr. Joseph Metcalf

E2001-00358-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:James B. Scott, Jr.
Anderson County Court of Appeals 07/10/01
Dana Allanmore Smith vs. Angela Childress Smith

M2000-02186-COA-R3-CV
In this post-divorce proceeding, wife filed petition to modify the prior decree as to child support, custody, and visitation. The trial court modified a previous consent order and set husband's child support with an upward deviation from the guidelines. Husband appeals, and both parties present issues for review. We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand.
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Carol A. Catalano
Montgomery County Court of Appeals 07/10/01
Dennis Armoneit vs. Elliott Crane Service, Inc., et al

M1998-00988-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from an accident involving a crane rented by the plaintiff's employer to aid in a construction project. The plaintiff was helping to attach trusses being lifted by the crane to the roof of a house when the crane's allegedly negligent operation caused him to fall from the roof. The plaintiff filed suit against the owner of the crane in the Circuit Court for Davidson County, alleging that the owner was vicariously liable for the crane operator's actions. The owner of the crane, relying on its standard rental agreement form, sought indemnity from the plaintiff's employer. On the plaintiff's employer's motion for partial summary judgment, the trial court held that the owner of the crane was vicariously liable for the crane operator's alleged negligence and that the indemnity agreement was void as contrary to public policy. The owner of the crane has appealed. We hold that the trial court erred by granting partial summary judgment on the employer's respondeat superior claim but that the trial court properly determined that the indemnity provision in the crane owner's rental agreement is void.
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Hamilton V. Gayden, Jr.
Davidson County Court of Appeals 07/10/01
Wanda Carey Scott v. Ashland Healthcare Center, Inc., et al.

M1999-00346-SC-R11-CV

We granted review of this case to determine whether the holder of a certificate of need may be held liable for the healthcare facility operator's tortious acts. We hold that the Tennessee statutes and rules governing certificates of need impliedly impose a non-delegable duty upon the certificate of need holder to initiate operation of the healthcare facility. We therefore reverse the judgment of the Court of Appeals, reverse the trial court's judgment, and remand this case to the trial court for further proceedings.

Authoring Judge: Justice Janice M. Holder
Originating Judge:Judge Robert E. Burch
Cheatham County Supreme Court 07/09/01
State of Tennessee v. Peter Allen Ross

W1999-00972-SC-R11-CD

The appellant was convicted of possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia with intent to sell after officers discovered 53.5 grams of cocaine in his motel room. Prior to trial, he challenged the search of his motel room under the federal and state Constitutions, but the trial court denied his motion to suppress, finding that he possessed no reasonable expectation of privacy in the room after he disclaimed ownership of the room key. Following his conviction, the appellant urged the trial court to consider as a mitigating factor that his conduct did not cause or threaten serious bodily injury, but the trial court disagreed and sentenced the appellant to serve the maximum term in the range. The Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the convictions and the sentences, and we granted permission to appeal. Based on our review of the record and applicable legal authorities, we agree that the appellant relinquished his otherwise legitimate expectation of privacy in his motel room by disclaiming ownership of the key and by asserting that it belonged to another person. We also conclude that the evidence is sufficient to support the convictions on both charges. Finally, although the trial court should have considered the mitigating factor in Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-35-113(1),  we conclude that the maximum sentence in the Range is nevertheless appropriate. The judgment of the Court of Criminal Appeals is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Justice William M. Barker
Originating Judge:Judge Charles C. Mcginley
Hardin County Supreme Court 07/09/01
State of Tennessee v. Michael O. Johnson

M2000-01837-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant appeals from the trial court's denial of probation or some other form of alternative sentencing. After a review of the record, we affirm the trial court's judgment.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Cheryl A. Blackburn
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/09/01
State of Tennessee v. Peter Allen Ross - Dissenting

W1999-00972-SC-R11-CD

For denying that a key to a hotel room belonged to him, the defendant has been stripped of
his Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. The majority
imposes this harsh result even in the face of obvious and undisputed evidence that the subject
premises were under the defendant’s exclusive and private control. Because I am unable to agree
that a refusal to incriminate one’s self in response to police inquiries should result in a loss of Fourth Amendment rights, I respectfully dissent.

Authoring Judge: Justice Adolpho A. Birch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Charles C. Mcginley
Hardin County Supreme Court 07/09/01
State of Tennessee v. Latroy W. Askew

E2000-02010-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Latroy W. Askew, appeals from the order of the Knox County Criminal Court which revoked Defendant's probation and required him to serve his sentence in the Tennessee Department of Correction. Having reviewed the record and the briefs submitted by the parties, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Ray L. Jenkins
Knox County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/06/01
Eddie F. Depriest v. Kevin Meyers, Warden

M2000-02312-CCA-R3-PC

The petitioner, Eddie F. Depriest, appeals as of right from the Wayne County Circuit Court's dismissal of his petition for habeas corpus relief. Petitioner claims that the circuit court lacked the necessary jurisdiction to convict him because he was a juvenile when he committed the offense and a proper transfer hearing had not been conducted. After a review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Robert L. Jones
Wayne County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/06/01
State of Tennessee v. Randall Anthony

W2000-02234-CCA-R3-CD

In September 1991, the Defendant pled guilty to aggravated assault and possession of a weapon with intent to employ it in the commission of aggravated assault. The Defendant was sentenced to six years for the aggravated assault conviction and to two years for the weapon conviction. The sentences were to run consecutively, for an effective sentence of eight years, with six months to be served in jail and the remainder to be served on intensive probation. Following several probation violation reports, the trial court revoked the Defendant's probation. The Defendant now appeals, arguing that the trial court erred in revoking his entire eight-year probated sentence when his six-year sentence had expired prior to the issuance of the probation revocation warrant. Finding that the probation revocation warrant was not timely filed as to the aggravated assault conviction, we reverse the judgment of the trial court revoking the Defendant's probation for that count. Finding that the probation revocation warrant was timely filed as to the weapons conviction, we affirm the judgment of the trial court revoking the Defendant's probation for that count.

Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Donald H. Allen
Madison County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/06/01
The Bank/First Citizens Bank, v. Citizens and Associates, Allied Mortgage Capital Corp., Frieda Gray, and Henry Gray, A/K/A James Gray, First Tennessee Bank

E2000-02545-COA-R3-CV

Drawer of checks and Bank failed to exercise ordinary care in transactions under Tenn. Code Ann. §47-3-406. Drawer was assessed 80% of fault and Bank 20%. Drawer appeals. We affirm, as modified. 

Authoring Judge: Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Judge Russell E. Simmons, Jr.
Bradley County Court of Appeals 07/06/01
The Bank/First Citizens Bank v. Citizens and Associates, et al. - Concurring/Dissenting

E2000-02545-COA-R3-CV

I concur in so much of the majority opinion as holds that Citizens is precluded from raising an issue on appeal as to the dismissal of First Tennessee Bank. I disagree, however, with the majority’s conclusion that the facts do not preponderate against the trial court’s finding that Citizens was 80% at fault for the loss occasioned by Frieda Gray’s forgery. In my judgment, Citizens did not engage in negligent conduct that substantially contributed to the forgery, as that concept is embodied in T.C.A. § 47-3-406. Accordingly, I would hold that the Bank, who was clearly negligent in allowing checks made payable to a business to be deposited directly into an individual’s bank account, was 100% at fault for the loss.

Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Russell E. Simmons, Jr.
Bradley County Court of Appeals 07/06/01
State of Tennessee v. Tavis Shields

W2000-01404-CCA-R3-CD

The sole issue in this appeal is whether the trial court erred when it admitted into evidence a booking record purportedly containing the defendant's fingerprints. The defendant contends that the booking record is hearsay and not admissible under the business records exception to the hearsay rule. After a thorough review of the record, we conclude that the introduction of the defendant's booking record into evidence was proper as a business record. The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Roy B. Morgan, Jr.
Madison County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/06/01