APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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Edward Lee Carruth v. City of Etowah

E2011-02502-COA-R3-CV

The City of Etowah appeals a decision of the trial court leaving in place an injunction prohibiting the City from demolishing a house owned by the plaintiff, Edward Lee Carruth. The City’s Building Inspector, on behalf of the City, directed that the house be demolished. He acted pursuant to a city ordinance governing the clearing of unsafe structures. Carruth filed a complaint seeking (1) judicial review of the administrative ruling or, in the alternative, (2) review by writ of certiorari. The trial court issued the writ and entered a temporary restraining order prohibiting the City from demolishing or otherwise destroying the house. Following a bench trial, the court found that (1) there was inadequate proof to sustain the City’s action; (2) Carruth did not receive a hearing from the City prior to the City’s action; (3) the City failed to make findings of fact, as required by statute, in support of its decision; and (4) the cost of repairing the house was less than fifty percent of its value. The City challenges each of the trial court’s determinations and it further challenges the trial court’s conduct of a hearing on a common-law writ of certiorari. Finding no reversible error, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.

Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Chancellor Jerri S. Bryant
McMinn County Court of Appeals 07/25/12
State of Tennessee v. Michael Gooding

W2011-00970-CCA-R3-CD

After a jury trial, Defendant Michael Gooding was convicted of third offense driving under the influence of an intoxicant (DUI). The trial court sentenced him to serve 160 days in the county workhouse. Defendant’s sole issue on appeal is a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence to sustain the conviction of DUI. We affirm the conviction of DUI, third offense, but remand for entry of a corrected judgment setting forth the correct sentence of 11 months and 29 days, with all but 160 days suspended for DUI, third offense, and for designation that counts 1, 2, and 4 are merged with count 3.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge John Fowlkes Jr.
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/25/12
Ulysses Durham, Jr. ex rel. Ulysses Durham, III, a minor v. John Noble, et al.

M2011-01579-COA-R3-CV

This appeal arises out of a lawsuit brought by the parents of a minor child who was struck by a school bus while riding his bicycle. The matter proceeded to a bench trial, and the trial court found that the child was 58% percent at fault for the accident and that the defendants were 42% at fault; judgment was entered in favor of the defendants. Plaintiffs appeal. The trial court’s finding that the child was negligent was proper, and the evidence does not preponderate against the court’s allocation of fault between the parties; the judgment is affirmed in all respects.
 

Authoring Judge: Judge Richard H. Dinkins
Originating Judge:Chancellor Robert E. Corlew, III
Rutherford County Court of Appeals 07/25/12
State of Tennessee v. Tarik Thompson

W2011-01277-CCA-R3-CD

A Shelby County jury convicted the Defendant, Tarik Thompson, of two counts of unlawful possession of dihydrocodeinone, a schedule III drug. The trial court merged the offenses, assessed a two thousand dollar fine, and sentenced the Defendant to eighteen months in the workhouse as a range one offender. On appeal, the Defendant contends: (1) the evidence is insufficient to sustain the Defendant’s conviction for one of the two counts of unlawful possession of dihydrocodeinone; and (2) the trial court committed plain error by failing to instruct the jury on the valid prescription exception to the offense of simple possession of dihydrocodeinone. After a thorough review of the record and relevant authorities, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Paula Skahan
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/25/12
Kenneth Rich v. State of Tennessee

W2011-00891-CCA-R3-HC

Petitioner, Kenneth Rich, appeals from the habeas corpus trial court’s order dismissing, without an evidentiary hearing, the petition for writ of habeas corpus relief filed by Petitioner. After reviewing the entire record, we affirm the judgment of the habeas corpus court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge R. Lee Moore Jr.
Lake County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/25/12
In Re Alyssa B.

M2011-02698-COA-R3-PT

Mother appeals the termination of her parental rights and argues that the trial court erred in deciding the termination action while a de novo appeal of a dependency and neglect action was pending in circuit court. Finding no error in the actions of the trial court, we affirm.
 

Authoring Judge: Judge Andy D. Bennett
Originating Judge:Chancellor Robert E. Corlew, III
Rutherford County Court of Appeals 07/25/12
In Re Estate of Robert Beazley, Jr.

M2011-01914-COA-R3-CV

This case concerns a dispute over attorney’s fees. Attorney, who was hired to represent a client in connection with the probate of her uncle’s estate, sued his former client and the beneficiaries of the estate under theories of civil conspiracy and inducement of breach of contract. Court found in favor of attorney and held the attorney was entitled to $20,000 in damages. The court trebled the damages in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. § 47-50-109. Finding that the evidence preponderates against the trial court’s holding regarding inducement of breach of contract, we reverse the judgment of the trial court.
 

Authoring Judge: Judge Richard H. Dinkins
Originating Judge:Judge David Randall Kennedy
Davidson County Court of Appeals 07/24/12
Deborah Mason Hawkins, as Administratrix of the Estate of Wayne Hawkins, Deceased, and Deborah Mason Hawkins, Individually, v. Rodney A. Martin, M.D., et al.

W2011-02318-COA-R3-CV

The trial court granted Defendants’ motion to dismiss in this medical malpractice action where Plaintiff failed to attach a HIPPA compliant medical authorization to her notice to Defendants prior to filing her complaint as required by Tennessee Code Annotated  29-26-121. Plaintiff appeals. We vacate and remand for further proceedings.

Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Judge John R. McCarroll, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Appeals 07/24/12
Barry W. Bethel, et al. v. Neill Sandler Buick Pontiac GMC, Inc., et al.

M2011-00356-COA-R3-CV

This is an appeal of a jury verdict in favor of Plaintiff in an action for misrepresentation and breach of contract. The jury returned a general verdict finding Defendant liable and awarding Plaintiff $62,083.18 in compensatory damages. Defendant appeals, asserting that the elements of misrepresentation are not supported by the evidence and that the jury was improperly instructed on the issue of damages. We hold there is substantial and material evidence in supportof a finding that Defendant breached the contract between the parties and affirm the jury’s verdict in all respects.
 

Authoring Judge: Judge Richard H. Dinkins
Originating Judge:Judge J. Mark Rogers
Rutherford County Court of Appeals 07/24/12
Terry Mullins v. Alfred L. Locke, et al

E2011-01395-COA-R3-CV

Terry Mullins (“the Plaintiff”) filed this action seeking a declaratory judgment and an injunction to prohibit landowners (collectively “the Defendants”) to his south from using a driveway they constructed across his property. Following a bench trial, 1 the court dismissed the Plaintiff’s complaint. The court held that the proof established that the Defendants had a prescriptive easement over the Plaintiff’s property. The Plaintiff appeals. We remand to the trial court for the purpose of allowing that court to correct a defect in the record.

Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Chancellor Jeffrey F. Stewart
Rhea County Court of Appeals 07/24/12
Griffith Services, LLC, et al v. Arrow Gas & Oil, Inc.

E2012-00507-COA-R3-CV

This appeal is from an order of the trial court entered February 23, 2012, which order denied the motion of the plaintiffs below, as later supplemented, seeking to amend, alter or set aside a prior order of the trial court dismissing the plaintiffs’ complaint. The order appealed from is not a final order. Accordingly, the plaintiffs’ appeal is hereby dismissed.

Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Donald R. Elledge
Anderson County Court of Appeals 07/24/12
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Mark L. Holton, et al

E2012-01103-COA-R3-CV

The defendants filed a notice of appeal in the trial court seeking to appeal the court’s order of May 11, 2012. That order is not a final judgment. Accordingly, the defendants’ putative appeal is hereby dismissed.

Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge W. Jeffrey Hollingsworth
Hamilton County Court of Appeals 07/24/12
Erie Insurance Exchange v. Gary Rose, Individually and d/b/a American Masonry and Capital Builders, LLC

M2011-02495-COA-R3-CV

Defendant in a lawsuit filed in Williamson Countyappeals the dismissal of its separate action filed in Davidson County seeking a declaratory judgment; the Davidson County action was dismissed on the basis of prior suit pending. Finding no error, we affirm.
 

Authoring Judge: Judge Richard H. Dinkins
Originating Judge:Chancellor Russell T. Perkins
Davidson County Court of Appeals 07/24/12
J.M. Hanner Construction Co. v. Thomas Brothers Construction Co.

E2011-01641-COA-R9-CV

The plaintiff filed suit against the defendants to recover monies alleged to be due the plaintiff on two construction projections. The first complaint was involuntarily dismissed. The defendants averred that the plaintiff’s claims against them in the second complaint are barred by the doctrine of res judicata. The trial court found that the involuntary dismissal was not an adjudication on the merits. The defendants pursued this interlocutory appeal. We affirm the decision of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge John W. McClarty
Originating Judge:Judge W. Jeffrey Hollingsworth
Hamilton County Court of Appeals 07/24/12
In Re Ashley E., Robert E., Jr. and Evan E.

M2011-02473-COA-R3-PT

Parents appeal the termination of their parental rights to three children, contending that the court erred in finding that the Department of Children’s Services complied with the notice requirements of Tenn. Code. Ann. § 37-2-403. We affirm the judgment terminating parental rights.
 

Authoring Judge: Judge Richard H. Dinkins
Originating Judge:Judge Ross H. Hicks
Montgomery County Court of Appeals 07/24/12
Charles Raymond Loveday, et al v. Blount County, Tennessee, et al

E2011-01713-COA-R3-CV

Charles Raymond Loveday and his wife, Virginia Hope Loveday (collectively “the Plaintiffs”), filed this action in January 2011 against Blount County and the Blount County School Board (collectively “the Defendants”) to recover for flood damage to their property allegedly caused by the construction of a new school next to the Plaintiffs’ property. The school was built in 2007. The Plaintiffs allegedly sustained “permanent” damage in 2008, 2009 and 2010. The Defendants filed a motion to dismiss asserting that the action was barred by the statute of limitations for a taking. The trial court granted the motion. The Plaintiffs appeal. We affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge David R. Duggan
Blount County Court of Appeals 07/24/12
O'Rane M. Cornish, Sr. v. Steven C. Cooper, et al.

W2012-00264-COA-R3-CV

Appellant filed his Notice of Appeal one day past the deadline imposed by Rule 4 of the Tennessee Rules of Appellate Procedure. Accordingly, this Court lacks jurisdiction and we must dismiss this appeal.

Authoring Judge: Per Curiam
Originating Judge:Judge Robert L. Childers
Shelby County Court of Appeals 07/23/12
Tommy Lee Pendleton v. State of Tennessee

M2011-02207-CCA-R3-PC

Petitioner, Tommy Lee Pendleton, pled guilty to two counts of aggravated sexual battery and received concurrent sentences of fourteen years. He filed a petition for post-conviction relief alleging that his trial counsel provided ineffective assistance of counsel by failing to file a bill of particulars, by failing to obtain an expert witness to review the statements of the child victim, and by failing to spend adequate time investigating the case and preparing for trial. He further contends that his guilty pleas were involuntary because trial counsel’s errors tainted the plea process. Finally, he claims that the trial court should not have accepted his plea in light of his hesitance during the guilty plea hearing. Discerning no error in the proceedings, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Roger A. Page
Originating Judge:Judge Thomas W. Graham
Franklin County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/23/12
Heritage Operating, LP v. Henry County Propane Gas, Inc., et al.

W2011-01162-COA-R3-CV

The trial court entered an order granting Plaintiff’s motion to compel discovery and for discovery sanctions, and stated that the order was final under Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure 54.02. Defendant did not file a notice of appeal within 30 days of entry of the trial court’s order. Plaintiff subsequently filed a notice of voluntary nonsuit. Defendants filed a notice of appeal within 30 days of the trial court’s entry of an order of voluntary dismissal, and appeal the trial court’s award of discovery sanctions to Plaintiff. We hold that the order awarding sanctions was not an effective final judgment under Rule 54.02. Defendants’ appeal accordingly is timely. We vacate the award of sanctions and remand for further proceedings.

Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Judge Ron E. Harmon
Henry County Court of Appeals 07/23/12
Michael Jones v. State of Tennessee

W2011-01465-CCA-R3-PC

The Petitioner, Michael Jones, appeals the Shelby County Criminal Court’s denial of post-conviction relief from his conviction for second degree murder and resulting thirty-year sentence. The Petitioner contends that he received the ineffective assistance of counsel and that his guilty plea was unknowing, involuntary, and unintelligent because he received the ineffective assistance of counsel. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge James Lammey
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/23/12
Mickel Hoback v. City of Chattanooga

E2011-00484-COA-R3-CV

The City Commission terminated plaintiff as a police officer. He then filed a certiorari petition to the Chancery Court, where the Chancellor held that the Commission applied the wrong legal standard to the case, and the Chancellor reversed the Commission and ordered plaintiff to be reinstated as a policeman. On appeal, we affirm the Trial Court's ruling that the Commission applied the wrong legal standard to the facts of the case, but vacate the reinstatement of the officer and remand to the City Commission to apply the proper legal standards in a new trial in plaintiff's case.

Authoring Judge: Judge Herschel Franks
Originating Judge:Chancellor Jeffrey M. Atherton
Hamilton County Court of Appeals 07/23/12
Roger D. Roach v. Don Bunch, et al

E2011-00159-COA-R3-CV

Plaintiffs who own homes in Mallard Baye subdivision, brought this action against defendants who had constructed a septic system on several of the residential lots serving other properties, alleging that defendants acted in violation of the restrictive covenants of their subdivision. Following a bench trial, the Trial Court held that the defendants' construction of the septic system violated the subdivision restrictive covenants, and the defendants appealed. On appeal, we affirm the Judgment of the Trial Court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Chancellor Telford E. Forgety, Jr.
Grainger County Court of Appeals 07/23/12
In the Matter of: Alijah K.F.

W2011-01159-COA-R3-JV

Because the order appealed is not a final judgment, we dismiss this appeal for lack of jurisdiction.

Authoring Judge: Per Curiam
Originating Judge:Judge Donna M. Fields
Shelby County Court of Appeals 07/23/12
Phedrek Davis v. State of Tennessee

M2011-01366-CCA-R3-CO

The Petitioner, Phedrek Davis, appeals from the Davidson County Criminal Court’s summary dismissal of his petition for writ of error coram nobis. In this appeal as of right, the Petitioner contends that the coram nobis court erred by summarily dismissing his petition. Following our review, we affirm the judgment of the coram nobis court.

Authoring Judge: Judge D.Kelly Thomas, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Seth Norman
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/23/12
State of Tennessee v. Gabriel Demon Williams

E2011-02092-CCA-R3-CD

The Defendant, Gabriel Demon Williams, pled guilty to aggravated burglary, and the trial court sentenced him to five years of split confinement, with eleven months and twenty-nine days to be served in jail followed by intensive probation. The Defendant’s probation officer filed a probation violation warrant that alleged that the Defendant had violated the terms of his probation by being arrested for aggravated assault and driving on a suspended license. After a hearing, the trial court revoked the Defendant’s probation and ordered the Defendant to serve the balance of his sentence in confinement. On appeal, the Defendant contends that the trial court improperly considered hearsay evidence during the revocation hearing and that its revocation order is contrary to the evidence. After reviewing the record, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.

Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Rebecca J. Stern
Hamilton County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/20/12