State of Tennessee v. Dennis R. Jenkins
M2002-01702-CCA-R3-CD
The appellant, Dennis R. Jenkins, pled guilty in the Rutherford County Circuit Court to possession of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, with intent to deliver. The trial court sentenced the appellant to three years to be served on probation and imposed a two thousand dollar ($2,000) fine. Pursuant to the plea agreement, the appellant reserved the right to appeal as a certified question of law the trial court's denial of his motion to suppress. 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 James K. Clayton, Jr. |
Rutherford County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/30/03 | |
E2002-02474-COA-R3-CV
E2002-02474-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Jacqueline E. Schulten |
Hamilton County | Court of Appeals | 06/30/03 | |
First Presbyterian Church vs. Board of Equalization
E2003-00128-COA-R3-CV
Ms. Madeline D. Apple bequeathed her house to First Presbyterian Church of Chattanooga ("the Church") to be used for the temporary housing and convenience of the Church's missionaries. The Church filed a formal application with the Board of Equalization requesting the house be exempted from property taxation because it was used purely and exclusively for carrying out the Church's missionary work. The request for exemption was denied, a decision later upheld by an Administrative Law Judge and then by the Assessment Appeals Commission. The Church appealed the final decision of the Assessment Appeals Commission to the Hamilton County Chancery Court ("Trial Court"). After a hearing, the Trial Court concluded the house was not used purely and exclusively for religious purposes and denied an exemption. The Church appeals, and we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Howell N. Peoples |
Hamilton County | Court of Appeals | 06/30/03 | |
John Hannah vs. Lindsay Russell
E2002-02475-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Dale C. Workman |
Knox County | Court of Appeals | 06/30/03 | |
John Hannah vs. Lindsay Russell
E2002-02475-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
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Knox County | Court of Appeals | 06/30/03 | |
State of Tennessee v. James Stanley Beckman, Sr.
M2002-00401-CCA-R3-CD
The appellant, James Stanley Beckman, Sr., was indicted by the Bedford County Grand Jury on one count of theft over $10,000 in July 2001. After a jury trial, the defendant was convicted as a Range I offender, and sentenced to four years at thirty percent in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On January 4, 2002, the appellant filed a motion for a new trial which was denied on February 22, 2002. In this appeal, the appellant raises the issue of whether the evidence is sufficient for a conviction of theft of property over $10,000. After a review of this record we find that the evidence is sufficient. Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry L. Smith
Originating Judge:Judge Lee Russell |
Bedford County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/30/03 | |
Tom Henderson vs. City of Chattanooga
E2002-02165-COA-R3-CV
Five police officers employed by the Chattanooga Police Department were involved in a physical altercation with Torris Harris ("Harris") which ended with Harris' death. Harris allegedly had ties to the local Crips gang. Pursuant to the Public Records Act, a local news station requested photographs of these five officers as well as a sixth officer who had prepared the official police report. After the request was denied by the City of Chattanooga, the news station filed a petition seeking to compel production of the photographs. After a trial, the Trial Court concluded the photographs were "public records" and the undercover officer exemption found in the Public Records Act did not apply to these officers. The Trial Court also held that disclosing the photographs would not place the officers or their families at substantial risk of harm and, therefore, would not violate the officers' constitutional right to privacy. After ordering production of the photographs, the Trial Court refused to award attorney fees incurred by the successful petitioners. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:W. Frank Brown, III |
Hamilton County | Court of Appeals | 06/30/03 | |
Billy Wayne Cosby v. State of Tennessee
M2001-01538-CCA-R3-PC
The petitioner, Billy Wayne Cosby, pled nolo contendere in the Giles County Circuit Court to aggravated assault and received a sentence of eight years incarceration. Subsequently, the petitioner filed for post-conviction relief, which petition was denied. On appeal, the petitioner contests the summary dismissal of his post-conviction petition. Upon review of the record and the parties' briefs, we reverse the judgment of the post-conviction court and remand for the appointment of new counsel and further proceedings in accordance with this opinion.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Robert L. Jones |
Giles County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/27/03 | |
State of Tennessee v. Michael Joseph Cook
W2002-01924-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Michael Joseph Cook, was convicted of manufacturing a Schedule II controlled substance and conspiracy to manufacture a Schedule II controlled substance, Class C and D felonies. The trial court merged the conspiracy conviction into the Class C felony and imposed a four-year community based alternative sentence. As a part of the sentence, the defendant was ordered to serve one year in jail. In this appeal of right, the defendant contends that the evidence was insufficient and that his sentence is excessive. The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:Judge William B. Acree |
Obion County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/27/03 | |
State of Tennessee v. Kerry L. Dowell
M2002-00630-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Kerry L. Dowell, was convicted by a jury of kidnapping, car jacking, robbery, felony evasion of arrest, and misdemeanor evading arrest, and was sentenced to an effective twenty-four years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the defendant claims that the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction for kidnapping, car jacking, and Class D felony evading arrest; the trial court erred in failing to suppress a statement he made to the police; the trial court erred in failing to give a limiting instruction to the jury regarding the defendant's prior convictions; the trial court failed to properly instruct the jury on lesser-included offenses; and the trial court erred in sentencing the defendant consecutively on one of the counts. The Class D felony evading arrest conviction is reversed. We affirm all other judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Seth W. Norman |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/27/03 | |
State, ex rel. Stacy Anderson v. Stephen Taylor
M2001-02193-COA-R3-CV
This case involves retroactive child support payments. The child was born in 1990. A petition to establish paternity was filed in 1998. The father's paternity was established and the juvenile court referee entered a parentage order and set child support. The mother amended her petition to seek child support retroactive to the date of birth. The juvenile court referee awarded retroactive child support, but awarded only a portion of it to the mother, with the remainder to be placed in an educational trust fund for the benefit of the child. The juvenile court affirmed the decision of the juvenile court referee. The mother appeals. We affirm in part and reverse in part, finding no basis for the order that a portion of the retroactive support be paid into a trust fund.
Originating Judge:Betty Adams Green |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 06/27/03 | |
Jason Craig DeMarcus v. State of Tennessee
M2002-01335-CCA-R3-PC
The petitioner appeals the denial of his petition for post-conviction relief from his convictions for attempted first degree murder and three counts of aggravated assault, one of which was merged with the attempted murder conviction. He argues that the trial court did not have jurisdiction to try the juvenile petitioner as an adult and that he received ineffective assistance of trial counsel. Based upon our review, we affirm the post-conviction court's denial of the petition.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge Walter C. Kurtz |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/27/03 | |
State of Tennessee v. Lawrence E. Truman
M2002-03086-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Lawrence E. Truman, appeals as of right his conviction by the Williamson County Circuit Court for driving under the influence of an intoxicant (DUI), a Class A misdemeanor. The trial court sentenced the defendant to eleven months, twenty-nine days, with seven days of the sentence to be served in the county jail and the balance on probation. The defendant, who remained free on bond following his conviction, failed to appear for a subsequent review hearing, and the trial court issued a capias for his arrest. In this appeal, the defendant contends that the evidence is insufficient to support his DUI conviction. We dismiss the appeal because the defendant remains on escape status.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge Donald P. Harris |
Williamson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/27/03 | |
State of Tennessee v. Angela E. Isabell
M2002-00584-CCA-R3-CD
The appellant, Angela E. Isabell, was convicted by a jury in the Lewis County Circuit Court of three counts of the sale or delivery of controlled substances. The trial court imposed a total effective sentence of four years incarceration in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the appellant contests her convictions for the "sale or delivery" of controlled substances and further complains about statements made during trial by the State and the State's witnesses. The State concedes that there is reversible error. Finding the appellant's argument to have merit, we reverse all three of the appellant's convictions and remand to the trial court for further proceedings.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Robert E. Lee Davies |
Lewis County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/27/03 | |
State of Tennessee v. Irvin Lee Franklin and Jerry Lorenze Sandridge
W2002-00945-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendants, Irvin Lee Franklin and Jerry Lorenze Sandridge, were each convicted by a jury of two counts of aggravated robbery. In this direct appeal, both Defendants challenge the sufficiency of the evidence. Defendant Franklin further contends that double jeopardy principles require the reversal and dismissal of one of the convictions. We find the evidence sufficient to support the jury's determination that each of these Defendants committed an aggravated robbery. However, because the facts and circumstances of this offense support only one conviction for aggravated robbery as to each Defendant, we modify the other aggravated robbery convictions to aggravated assault and remand for resentencing on that offense. In all other respects, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Judge Joseph H. Walker, III |
Lauderdale County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/27/03 | |
State of Tennessee v. Grover Donnell Cowart
E2002-02232-CCA-R3-PC
This is an appeal from the trial court’s denial of post-conviction relief. The Defendant, Grover Donnell Cowart, was originally convicted by a jury of attempted first degree premeditated murder and especially aggravated robbery; the jury acquitted the Defendant of additional charges of aggravated rape. On direct appeal, this Court reversed and remanded for retrial the Defendant’s conviction of attempted first degree murder. See State v. Grover Donnell Cowart, No. 03C01-9512-CR-00402, 1999 WL 5174, at *1 (Tenn. Crim. App., Knoxville, Jan. 8, 1999). The Defendant subsequently filed for post-conviction relief with respect to the judgment of especially aggravated robbery, alleging that the State failed to disclose exculpatory evidence in violation of Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 83 S.Ct. 1194, 10 L.Ed.2d 215 (1963). After an evidentiary hearing, the trial court denied relief. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Judge Mary Beth Leibowitz |
Knox County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/27/03 | |
Earl Junior Pike v. State of Tennessee
M2002-01363-CCA-R3-PC
The petitioner, Earl Junior Pike, appeals from the post-conviction court's denial of his petition for post-conviction relief, which alleged that his appointed trial counsel was ineffective for not allowing him to testify at trial. Following a hearing, the post-conviction court dismissed the petition, and we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge Cheryl A. Blackburn |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/27/03 | |
Floyd W. Smith, II v. State of Tennessee
M2002-01933-CCA-R3-PC
A Wilson County jury convicted the Petitioner of second degree murder. The trial court sentenced the Petitioner to twenty years in the Department of Correction. On direct appeal, the Petitioner's sole issue was that the twenty year sentence imposed by the trial court was excessive. This Court affirmed the trial court's twenty-year sentence. The Petitioner then filed a petition for post-conviction relief, alleging that he was denied effective assistance of counsel at trial and on appeal. The post-conviction court found that Petitioner failed to present clear and convincing evidence to support his claims and dismissed the petition. The Petitioner now appeals, arguing that the post-conviction court erred in denying post-conviction relief based on ineffective assistance of counsel and flaws in the voir dire. Finding no error, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Don Ash |
Wilson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/27/03 | |
Leonard Edward Baugh, Jr. v. State of Tennessee
M2002-02425-CCA-R3-PC
A Davidson County jury found the Petitioner, Leonard E. Baugh, Jr., guilty of one count of especially aggravated robbery, five counts of especially aggravated kidnapping, one count of aggravated burglary, and one count of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. The trial court imposed an effective sentence of thirty years. The convictions and sentences were affirmed on direct appeal. See State v. Leonard Edward Baugh, Jr., M2000-00477-CCA-R3-CD, 2001 Tenn. Crim. App. LEXIS 415, (Tenn. Crim. App., Nashville, June 1, 2001). The Petitioner filed a petition for post-conviction relief, alleging ineffective assistance of counsel. Following an evidentiary hearing, the post-conviction court dismissed the petition. We affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Steve R. Dozier |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/27/03 | |
Mark Gore v. Department of Correction
M2002-02640-COA-R3-CV
Mark B. Gore, an inmate in the Department of Corrections, appeals the action of the Chancery Court of Davidson County in granting a T.R.C.P. rule 12.02(6) motion to dismiss his Petition for a Writ of Certiorari. We affirm the action of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Ellen Hobbs Lyle |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 06/26/03 | |
Ralph Laverne Gholston v. Brown Chain Link Fence
M2002-02038-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 evidence preponderates against the trial court's finding of permanent and total disability and (2) the trial court erred by ordering the non-commuted benefits to be paid over a shortened period of time. As discussed below, the panel finds no reversible error in the record, but modifies the judgment with respect to the second issue, there being no objection to it. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e) (22 Supp.) Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Chancery Court Affirmed as Modified JOE C. LOSER, JR., SP. J., in which FRANK F. DROWOTA, III, C. J., and JAMES L. WEATHERFORD, SR. J., joined. Randolph A. Veazey, Glasgow & Veazey, Nashville, Tennessee, for the appellants, Brown Chain Link Fence Construction Co., Inc. and Westfield Companies Edwin Z. Kelly, Jr., Kelly & Kelly, Jasper, Tennessee, for the appellee, Ralph Laverne Gholston Paul G. Summers, Attorney General and Reporter, and E. Blaine Sprouse, Assistant Attorney General, Nashville, Tennessee, for the appellee, Second Injury Fund MEMORANDUM OPINION The employee or claimant, Mr. Gholston, initiated this civil action to recover workers' compensation benefits for an injury by accident arising out of his employment. His amended complaint named the employer, Brown Chain Link Fence Construction Co., Inc., the employer's insurer, Westfield, and the Second Injury Fund as defendants. After a trial, the trial court found the employee to be permanently and totally disabled and apportioned the award between the employer and the Second Injury Fund. The employer 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:Jeffrey F. Stewart, Chancellor |
Marion County | Workers Compensation Panel | 06/26/03 | |
Jennifer Skerrett v. The Association for Guidance
M2002-00218-COA-R3-JV
This appeal involves a paternal grandmother's efforts to obtain permanent custody of her grandson. After the child's mother surrendered him to a licensed child-placing agency, the grandmother intervened in the proceeding commenced in the Davidson County Juvenile Court to terminate her son's parental rights. Following a bench trial, the trial court terminated the father's parental rights and denied the grandmother's request for custody. While the grandmother does not contest the termination of her son's parental rights, she asserts on this appeal that the juvenile court erred by awarding custody of the child to the child-placing agency rather than to her. We have determined that, under the facts of this case, the grandmother lacked standing to intervene in the proceeding to terminate her son's parental rights. Therefore, we affirm the dismissal of her custody petition.
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Betty Adams Green |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 06/26/03 | |
State of Tennessee v. Leslie Darrell Debord
E2001-02808-CCA-R3-CD
The appellant, Leslie Darrell Debord, pled guilty in the Cumberland County Criminal Court to two counts theft of property over one thousand dollars ($1000), Class D felonies, and three counts of theft of property over ten thousand dollars ($10,000), Class C felonies. The trial court sentenced the appellant to an effective sentence of eight years incarceration in the Tennessee Department of Correction. The trial court suspended the appellant's sentence, ordering the appellant to serve 104 days in the Cumberland County Jail on consecutive weekends and the remainder in a community corrections program. Pursuant to the plea agreement, the appellant reserved the right to appeal certified questions of law challenging the trial court's denial of his motion to suppress. Upon review of the record and the parties' briefs, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Lillie Ann Sells |
Cumberland County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/26/03 | |
Richard Hughey v.Metro Gov' t Nashville and Davidson County
M2002-02240-COA-R3-CV
Richard Hughey, a former Metropolitan Nashville police officer, appeals the action of the Chancery Court of Davidson County in affirming the adverse decision of the Metropolitan Civil Service Commission, which had rejected his application for police department employment. We affirm the action of the Chancellor.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Irvin H. Kilcrease, Jr. |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 06/26/03 | |
Elizabeth Oliver v. Marc Oliver
M2002-02880-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves a father's effort to obtain primary physical custody of his now twelve-year-old daughter. Approximately three months after the parties' divorce, the father filed a petition in the Circuit Court for Davidson County seeking to hold the mother in criminal contempt for interfering with his visitation and for alienating their daughter. He later amended his petition to seek primary physical custody. Following a bench trial, the trial court held the mother in contempt but declined to change custody from the mother to the father. The father has appealed. We have determined that the trial court did not err by denying the father's petition to change custody.
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Muriel Robinson |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 06/26/03 |