APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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Kenneth J. Sigel, M.D. v. The Monarch Condominium Association, Inc.

W2011-01150-COA-R3-CV

This appeal involves the release of ballots for a condominium association election. The plaintiff condominium owner was a candidate for a position on the board of directors for the defendant condominium association. After losing the election, the plaintiff condominium owner requested to audit the vote and see the other members’ written ballots. The condominium association provided a tally sheet reflecting the number of ballots cast for each candidate but declined to release the actual ballots. The plaintiff then filed this lawsuit, contending that the condominium association had a statutory obligation to release the ballots to him. The plaintiff later filed a motion for summary judgment. The trial court denied the summary judgment motion and dismissed the lawsuit. The plaintiff condominium owner now appeals. We affirm, finding that the plaintiff condominium owner does not have a statutory right to see the association members’ written ballots.

Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Judge Arnold B. Goldin
Shelby County Court of Appeals 06/29/12
Michael G. McCall v. Jennifer Sue McCall a/k/a Jennifer Sue Jordan

W2012-00692-COA-R3-CV

Father and Mother filed a joint motion to modify a parenting plan entered by the trial court in 2010. In their motion, Father and Mother asked the court to reduce Father’s child support obligation, to modify the parenting time schedule, and to amend the plan to permit a known registered sexual offender to be in the presence of their children. The trial court denied the motion with respect to allowing a sexual offender to be in the presence of the children, and otherwise granted the motion. Mother appeals. We affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Judge George R. Ellis
Crockett County Court of Appeals 06/29/12
State of Tennessee v. Patrick Wayne Carter

M2011-00097-CCA-R3-CD

The Defendant, Patrick Wayne Carter, appeals from the trial court’s revocation of his probation and order that he serve the remainder of his sentence in confinement. The Defendant contends that the evidence was insufficient to sustain the revocation of his probation. Following our review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Dee David Gay
Macon County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/29/12
Delivetrick Blocker v. David Osborne, Warden

E2011-02723-CCA-R3-HC

The petitioner, Delivetrick Dewon Blocker, appeals the Morgan County Criminal Court’s summary dismissal of his petition for writ of habeas corpus. Because the petitioner has failed to state a cognizable claim for habeas corpus relief, we affirm the summary dismissal of the petition pursuant to Rule 20, Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge E. Eugene Eblen
Morgan County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/29/12
In Re: Matthew B.B. et al.

E2011-01375-COA-R3-JV

The married parents of two minor children are involved in custody/visitation litigation in the trial court. The most recent decision by the trial court was prompted by a petition filed by he children’s father. The trial court denied the father’s attempt to obtain custody and suspended his visitation rights pending his completion of anger management and parenting classes. The father appeals. Because the trial court’s judgment is not a final judgment, we dismiss the father’s appeal.

Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge John A. Bell
Cocke County Court of Appeals 06/29/12
State of Tennessee v. Christopher S. Robinson

M2011-02556-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Christopher S. Robinson, appeals the Dickson County Circuit Court’s revocation of his probation, arguing that the court erred: (1) in finding that his due process and speedy trial rights were not violated by the long delay between the filing of the probation violation warrant and the revocation hearing; (2) in finding that he violated the terms of his probation; and (3) in ordering him to serve six months in confinement. Following our review, we conclude that the twelve-year delay between the filing of the warrant and the revocation hearing, under the facts of this case, violated the defendant’s right to a speedy trial. Accordingly, we reverse the judgment of the circuit court and dismiss the revocation warrant.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge Robert E. Burch
Dickson County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/29/12
Derrick Johnson, et al. v. Jerry R. Floyd, M.D., et al.

W2012-00207-COA-R3-CV

This case concerns the application of the medical malpractice notice requirement to a lawsuit that was previously nonsuited and then re-filed pursuant to the saving statute. The children of a woman who died due to alleged medical negligence filed suit against the defendant medical providers. The children subsequently nonsuited the lawsuit. Within one-year of the nonsuit, the children sent notice of a potential claim to the medical providers. Within one year and 120 days from the nonsuit, the children re-filed their claim. The medical providers moved to dismiss on the ground that the claim was not filed within the one-year period provided by the saving statute and, as such, was barred by the applicable statute of limitations. The trial court dismissed the action and the children appealed. Concluding that the saving statute, Tennessee Code Annotated Section 28-1-105(a) is not an “applicable statute[] of limitations or repose,” we hold that the saving statute is not extended by compliance with the medical malpractice notice requirement, Tennessee Code Annotated Section 29-26-121(c). Affirmed and remanded.

Authoring Judge: Judge J. Steven Stafford
Originating Judge:Judge James F. Russell
Shelby County Court of Appeals 06/29/12
Brenda W. Sneyd v. Washington County, Tennessee

E2011-01964-COA-R3-CV

Plaintiff, Clerk and Master of Chancery Court, brought this action for an increase in compensation based on Tenn. Code. Ann. §8-24-102(j), which authorizes the County to increase the compensation for a clerk if the clerk is the clerk of two courts. Defendant County gave the Circuit Court Clerk a 10% increase in compensation pursuant to the statute, but denied the Clerk and Master a 10% increase in her compensation under the statute. The Trial Court held that the County did not abuse its discretion in denying the Clerk and Master the statutory increase in compensation. On appeal, we affirm.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel Pickens Franks
Originating Judge:Judge Walter C. Kurtz
Washington County Court of Appeals 06/28/12
Mikel Shane Hutto v. Cherry Lindamood, Warden

W2011-02451-CCA-R3-HC

The Petitioner, Mikel Shane Hutto, appeals the Hardeman County Circuit Court’s summary dismissal of his petition for writ of habeas corpus, alleging that he failed to receive statutorily mandated pretrial jail credits for his sentences, thereby rendering the confinement illegal. Upon review, we affirm the judgment of the habeas corpus court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Camille R. McMullen
Originating Judge:Judge Joseph H. Walker III
Hardeman County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/28/12
Stephen Lee Scott v. State of Tennessee

M2011-00539-CCA-R3-PC

The Petitioner-Appellant, Stephen Lee Scott, appeals the denial of post-conviction relief, contending that he received the ineffective assistance of counsel in connection with his guilty plea because counsel misinformed him regarding the elements of felony murder. Upon review, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Camille R. McMullen
Originating Judge:Judge Monte Watkins
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/28/12
State of Tennessee v. Jason Charles Austin

E2010-00796-CCA-R3-CD

Appellant, Jason Charles Austin, was indicted by a Washington County grand jury for one count of first-degree murder. After a jury trial, he was convicted of the lesser-included offense of second-degree murder and subsequently sentenced to twenty-three years. On appeal, Appellant argues that: (1) the trial court erred by allowing Appellant’s case to be severed from the case of his co-defendant; (2) the State violated Appellant’s rights under the Tennessee and United States Constitutions; (3) the trial court erred in concluding that Christina Boone was a hostile witness and allowing the State to examine her with regard to her previous statement made to the police; (4) the trial court erred in denying Appellant’s motion to dismiss the indictment based upon the loss of key evidence; (5) the State violated the Rule of Exclusion; (6) the trial court erred by refusing Appellant’s request to call a surrebuttal witness; (7) the trial court erred in instructing the jury that guilt may be inferred from evidence of flight and from concealment of evidence; (8) the trial court erred by imposing a twenty-three-year sentence; and (9) Appellant was denied a fair trial because of cumulative error. Following our review of the record, we find no reversible error and affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge R. Jerry Beck
Washington County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/28/12
Michael Lindsey v. Joe Easterling, Warden

W2011-01897-CCA-R3-HC

Michael Lindsey (“the Petitioner”), pro se, filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus, alleging that the sentence on his second degree murder conviction is illegal, and therefore, his judgment of conviction was void. The habeas corpus court denied relief without a hearing. The Petitioner then filed this appeal. Upon our thorough review of the record and applicable law, we affirm the judgment of the habeas corpus court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Jeffrey S. Bivins
Originating Judge:Judge Joseph H. Walker III
Hardeman County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/28/12
State of Tennessee v. Justin Alexander DeWeese

M2011-00534-CCA-R3-CD

Upon a plea of guilty, Defendant, Justin Alexander Deweese, was convicted of child abuse of a child eight years of age or less, in violation of Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-15401(a), a Class D felony. He submitted to the trial court to determine the length and manner of service of his sentence. After a hearing, the trial court ordered a three-year sentence of confinement. Defendant has appealed, asserting that he should receive a totally suspended sentence to be served on probation. He does not challenge the length of the sentence. Having fully reviewed the record and the briefs of the parties, we affirm the judgment of the trial court by memorandum opinion.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Lee Russell
Bedford County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/28/12
State of Tennessee v. Michael Alvin Young

E2012-00726-CCA-RM-CD

A Sullivan County jury convicted the Defendant, Michael Alvin Young, of aggravated kidnapping and domestic assault. The trial court merged the two convictions and sentenced the Defendant to eight years and six months in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the Defendant contended that the evidence was insufficient to support his aggravated kidnapping conviction and that he received the ineffective assistance of counsel at trial. After a thorough review of the record and the applicable law, this Court affirmed the trial court’s judgment. See State v. Michael AlvinYoung, No. E2010-00849-CCA-R3-CD, 2011 WL 5517281 (Tenn. Crim. App., at Knoxville, Nov. 9, 2011). The Defendant filed a Rule 11 application, pursuant to the Tennessee Rules of Appellate Procedure, to the Tennessee Supreme Court. Our Supreme Court granted the application and remanded the case to this Court for reconsideration in light of State v. Jason Lee White, 362 S.W.3d 559 (Tenn. 2012). After considering the facts and circumstances of this case as compared to those in White, we again affirm the trial court’s judgment.

Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Robert H. Montgomery
Sullivan County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/28/12
Joe Eddie Maclin v. State of Tennessee

W2011-01112-CCA-R3-PC

The Petitioner-Appellant, Joe Eddie Maclin, appeals the denial of post-conviction relief, contending that he did not enter his guilty plea knowingly and voluntarily due to the ineffective assistance of counsel. Upon review, we affirm the judgment of the postconviction court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Camille R. McMullen
Originating Judge:Judge Joseph H. Walker III
Tipton County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/28/12
Jennifer Ferrari-Bullock v. Justin Randall

M2011-01528-COA-R3-CV

This appeal involves an order of protection obtained by Wife against Husband in 2009 and the extension of that order of protection in 2010. We find no basis for Rule 60 relief with respect to the original order of protection. As to the child support provisions in the amended order of protection, we vacate and remand for a determination consistent with the child support guidelines.
 

Authoring Judge: Judge Andy D. Bennett
Originating Judge:Judge Carol Soloman
Davidson County Court of Appeals 06/28/12
State of Tennessee v. Isaac McDonald Jr.

W2011-01233-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Isaac McDonald, Jr., was convicted by a jury of attempted aggravated rape, a Class B felony, and sentenced to serve twelve years in prison. On appeal, the defendant contends that the evidence at trial was insufficient to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. After a thorough review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Roger A. Page
Madison County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/28/12
VFS Leasing v. Bric Constructors, LLC et al.

M2011-01894-COA-R3-CV

Secured party brought action against debtors and guarantors, seeking recovery of deficiency which remained after sale of collateral. The trial court granted summary judgment to secured party. Because genuine issues of material fact preclude summary judgment, we reverse.

Authoring Judge: Judge Andy D. Bennett
Originating Judge:Judge Jeffrey S. Bivins
Williamson County Court of Appeals 06/28/12
State of Tennessee v. Deney Brockman

W2011-01939-CCA-R3-CD

Deney Brockman (“the Defendant”) was convicted by a jury of burglary of a building other than a habitation. After a hearing, the trial court sentenced the Defendant as a career offender to twelve years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. In this appeal, the Defendant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence supporting his conviction. Upon our thorough review of the record and applicable law, we hold that the evidence is sufficient to support the Defendant’s conviction. Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Jeffrey S. Bivins
Originating Judge:Judge James C. Beasley Jr.
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/28/12
Luke Nasgovitz v. Gail Ann Nasgovitz

M2010-02606-COA-R3-CV

The father of an eight year old girl filed a petition for divorce from the child’s mother. After the petition was filed, the court entered a standard restraining order, which among other things prohibited either party from relocating with a minor child outside the state without the permission of the other party or an order of the court. The wife asked the court to name her as the child’s primary residential parent and to allow her to relocate with the child to St. Louis,because that city offered her better employment prospects than did MiddleTennessee. The father opposed the mother’s request to relocate, and he asked the court to divide parenting time equally. After a three day trial, the court ruled that the mother’s proposed relocation was unreasonable and pretextual and that it was in the child’s best interest that the mother be named the primary residential parent, with the mother and child remaining in Tennessee. The mother argues on appeal that the trial court should have allowed her to relocate with the child because the criteria set out in the relocation statute, Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-108, did not preclude her from doing so. We affirm the trial court’s denial of the petition to relocate with the child.
 

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Judge Royce Taylor
Rutherford County Court of Appeals 06/28/12
Michael Panzini v. State of Tennessee

E2011-01497-CCA-R3-HC

The Petitioner, Michael Panzini, pled guilty to aggravated sexual battery, and the trial court sentenced him to ten years, to be served at 100%. The record contains two judgments of conviction, one provided by the State and one provided by the Petitioner. The judgment form in the official court file indicates the box on the judgment form showing the Petitioner was sentenced to community supervision for life as checked. The judgment submitted by the Petitioner does not contain that check mark. The Petitioner filed a petition for habeas corpus relief, contending that his sentence was illegal because he was not sentenced to community supervision for life. The trial court dismissed the petition. On appeal, the Petitioner contends that his original judgment of conviction did not include community supervision for life as required by statute and that his judgment was modified without notice, a hearing, or an order. After a thorough review of the record and applicable authorities, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood
Knox County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/28/12
Tony Holmes v. State of Tennessee

W2011-02524-CCA-R3-PC

A Shelby County jury convicted petitioner, Tony Holmes, of one count of first degree premeditated murder and one count of attempted first degree premeditated murder. The jury sentenced him to life in prison for first degree murder, and the trial court sentenced him as a repeat violent offender to life in prison without the possibility of parole for attempted first degree premeditated murder, to be served consecutively. Following an unsuccessful direct appeal to this court, he filed a petition for post-conviction relief alleging that appellate counsel was ineffective for failing to argue that the trial court erred in denying his motion to suppress an eyewitness’s identification of him. He also contended in his petition that trial counsel was ineffective for improperly making personal attacks against the prosecutor during closing arguments, for failing to impeach witnesses with their prior criminal convictions, and for failing to impeach a witness with her prior inconsistent statement to police. Discerning no error, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Roger A. Page
Originating Judge:Judge James C. Beasley Jr.
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/28/12
In Re: Jena P.

M2011-02605-COA-R3-PT

A mother appeals the termination of her parental rights to one child. The trial court found two groundsfortermination,abandonmentby wantondisregard and persistence of conditions leading to the child’s removal from the mother’s home.The trial court also found termination was in the child’s best interest. The record contains evidence that clearly and convincingly established the ground of persistent conditions and that termination is in the child’s best interest; therefore, we affirm the termination of the mother’s parental rights.
 

Authoring Judge: Judge Frank G. Clement, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Donna Scott Davenport
Rutherford County Court of Appeals 06/28/12
State of Tennessee v. Robert Lee Vandergriff, Jr.

E2010-02560-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Robert Lee Vandergriff, Jr., was convicted of driving while intoxicated, a Class A misdemeanor, by a Union County jury. He was sentenced to a term of eleven months and twenty-nine days, all of which was suspended but for eight days service in the county jail. On appeal, the defendant’s single contention of error is that the trial court erred by failing to grant his motion to suppress. Specifically, he asserts this decision was error because he was seized without reasonable suspicion. Following review of the record, we affirm the denial of the motion to suppress.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge E. Shayne Sexton
Union County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/28/12
State of Tennessee v. James Eric Hurd

W2011-01232-CCA-R3-CD

Following a jury trial, the defendant was convicted of two counts of aggravated sexual battery and was sentenced to twelve years’ imprisonment for each count, to be run concurrently, with a fine of $25,000 for the first count and a fine of $15,000 for the second count. On appeal, the defendant’s sole issue is the contention that the evidence at trial was insufficient to support the verdict. After a thorough review of the record, we conclude that the evidence is sufficient and affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Roy B. Morgan Jr.
Madison County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/28/12