APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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Darrell Wentzel v. State of Tennessee

M2002-00799-CCA-R3-PC

On December 6, 1996, the petitioner was convicted of armed robbery, aggravated burglary, and aggravated kidnaping. On direct appeal, those convictions were affirmed. The Tennessee Supreme Court denied permission to appeal on May 10, 1999. On June 21, 2001, the petitioner filed, pro se, a document titled "motion for extraordinary relief." The trial court dismissed the motion, characterizing it as a petition for post-conviction relief, and barred by the one-year statute of limitations. We affirm the dismissal from the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Donald P. Harris
Williamson County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/18/03
Dudley Eastbourne vs. Roger Brumitte

E2002-00068-COA-R3-CV
In this appeal from the Chancery Court for Loudon County the Appellant, Roger Brumitte d/b/a Roger Brumitte Construction, argues that the Trial Court erred in awarding the Appellees, Dudley C. Eastbourne and wife Barbara A. Eastbourne, damages for defects in the construction of their home. We affirm the judgment of the Trial Court as modified and remand for enforcement of the judgment and collection of costs below.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Frank V. Williams, III
Loudon County Court of Appeals 03/18/03
Jesse Fitts v. Donald Arms, d/b/a McMinnville Orthopedic Clinic

M2002-00655-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from a medical malpractice proceeding. The trial court granted summary judgment for both physicians, finding that Aapellants' expert affidavits failed to raise a genuine issue of material fact. For the following reasons, we affirm the ruling of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Charles D. Haston, Sr.
Warren County Court of Appeals 03/18/03
Ethel Carmical v. Mary Jane Kilpatrick

M2002-00613-COA-R3-CV
This is a challenge to an award of attorney's fees in a partition action. The testatrix left 500 acres of land in Perry County to her then-living heirs. Some of the heirs filed this action to partition and sell the land. After several years, the land finally sold. The trial court awarded 10% of the sale proceeds, approximately $100,000, as attorney's fees for the three attorneys who provided legal services in the partition action. One of the heirs now appeals that award, claiming that it was excessive. The appellant filed neither a transcript of the proceedings nor a statement of the evidence pursuant to Tennessee Rule of Appellate Procedure 24(c). We must affirm the trial court's award, because the issues raised by the appellant would require a review of the proceedings below, and without a transcript of the trial proceedings or a statement of the evidence, we must assume that the trial court properly exercised its discretion in light of the evidence.
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Timothy L. Easter
Perry County Court of Appeals 03/18/03
Joann Gail Rosa v. State of Tennessee

E2002-00437-CCA-R3-PC

The petitioner appeals the dismissal of her petition for post-conviction relief from her conviction for first degree murder, arguing that the post-conviction court erred in finding that she received effective assistance of trial counsel. After a thorough review of the record, we conclude that the petitioner failed to demonstrate either a deficiency in counsel's performance or a resulting prejudice to her case. Accordingly, we affirm the dismissal of the petition.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge Richard R. Baumgartner
Knox County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/17/03
Michael Warden v. Thomas Wortham/Jerry Tidwelll v. Michael Warden

M2002-00364-COA-R3-CV
This case involves specific performance of a real estate contract. The first buyer and the seller entered into a contract for the sale of certain land. The contract did not state a time of performance. After the first buyer failed to perform within the time period understood by the seller, the seller sold the property to the second buyer. The first buyer did not discover the sale to the second buyer until approximately ten months after the second contract was signed and seven months after the transfer. The first buyer filed a lawsuit against both the seller and the second buyer, seeking specific performance of the original contract. The trial court found that the first buyer failed to tender performance within a reasonable time, and granted the second buyer's motion for directed verdict. The first buyer appeals. We affirm, in agreement with the reasoning of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Donald P. Harris
Hickman County Court of Appeals 03/17/03
In Re: M.L.J. and R.R.J., et al

M2002-02213-COA-R3-JV
The Juvenile Court for Sequatchie County terminated respondents' parental rights. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Sequatchie County Court of Appeals 03/17/03
Ferguson Harbour v. Flash Market

M2002-00750-COA-R3-CV
This case involves a dispute over the validity of a contract. Appellant claims that its signature on the contract was obtained through economic duress and that the contract is, therefore, void. The trial court found for Appellee, awarding compensatory damages and attorney's fees. Appellee contends that the award of attorney's fees was unreasonably low. We affirm the trial court's award of compensatory damages. On the issue of attorney's fees, we reverse the order of the trial court and remand this case for a determination of reasonable attorney's fees consistent with this opinion.
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:C. L. Rogers
Sumner County Court of Appeals 03/17/03
21st Mortgage ,formerly 21st Century Mortgage Corp. vs. Capitol Homes, LLC

E2002-02670-COA-R3-CV
Ms. Stella Ford ("Ford") purchased a manufactured home from Capitol Homes, LLC ("Capitol Homes") and contractually agreed to make monthly payments. At the same time, Capitol Homes assigned its rights under the contract with Ford to 21st Mortgage Corp. ("Plaintiff") through an Assignment by Seller ("Assignment"). Capitol Homes made twelve express warranties in the Assignment. The Assignment further provided it would be with limited recourse for two months. After the two months expired, Plaintiff sued Capitol Homes and James Hurst ("Hurst")(collectively referred to as "Defendants"). Hurst had personally guaranteed the debt of Capitol Homes. Plaintiff alleged, among other things, that Capitol Homes had breached several of the express warranties. Defendants filed a motion to dismiss claiming the two month limited recourse provision also applied to any claim for breach of express warranty. The trial court agreed, and dismissed the lawsuit. Plaintiff appeals, and we reverse.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:G. Richard Johnson
Washington County Court of Appeals 03/17/03
Jonathan Thornton v. State of Tennessee

E2003-00393-CCA-R8-PC

The petitioner, Jonathan Thornton, appeals the trial court's denial of his petition for habeas corpus relief, alleging that the sentence imposed by this court on direct appeal is illegal. Because the sentence imposed by this court upon direct appeal is in direct contravention of a statute, the judgment of the trial court is reversed and the petitioner's sentence is modified. With regard to the petitioner's felony conviction, we modify the sentence to a term of split confinement, with 7.2 months to be served in the local jail and the balance to be served on probation. The sentence for the misdemeanor sentence remains the same, 11 months and 29 days with thirty percent to be served in confinement.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:Judge James Edward Beckner
Greene County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/17/03
Narrowly Tailored To Withstand Strict Scrutiny Under United States v. O'Brien, 391 U.S. 367 (1968).

02273-COA-R3-CV

Originating Judge:Michael R. Jones
Montgomery County Court of Appeals 03/17/03
Sandra Hensley v. Daniel Scokin, M.D.

M2002-00922-COA-R3-CV
This is a medical battery case. The patient was scheduled to undergo a hysterectomy. Because of prior medical problems, she told the anesthesiologist that she needed him to use nasal intubation instead of oral intubation to anesthetize her for the surgery. The anesthesiologist told her that he would use the type of intubation that he thought was best for her. Ultimately, when the hysterectomy was performed, the patient was intubated through an oral pathway. The patient sued the anesthesiologist for medical battery. The anesthesiologist filed a motion for summary judgment. The trial court found that the patient knew that the anesthesiologist might use oral intubation, and that she authorized the procedure both by signing a consent form prior to the surgery and by not stopping the procedure when she became aware that the anesthesiologist might use oral intubation. Consequently, summary judgment was granted in favor of the anesthesiologist. We reverse, finding that a question of material fact exists as to whether the patient authorized the use of oral intubation.
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Marietta M. Shipley
Davidson County Court of Appeals 03/17/03
Jamie Robinson v. Donald Sundquist

M2001-01491-COA-R3-CV
The trial court dismissed this action for failure to state a claim. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:James E. Walton
Montgomery County Court of Appeals 03/17/03
State of Tennessee v. Joseph B. Thompson

E2002-00061-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Joseph B. Thompson, was convicted of aggravated robbery and aggravated kidnapping. The trial court imposed consecutive sentences of twenty years for each offense for an effective sentence of forty years. In this appeal of right, the defendant asserts (1) that the trial court erred by denying his motion for judgment of acquittal; (2) that his convictions for both aggravated robbery and aggravated kidnapping violate the rule established in State v. Anthony; (3) that a pretrial photographic array was unduly suggestive; (4) that the trial court erred by the admission of photographs of the victim; (5) that the trial court erred by denying his motion for mistrial; (6) that the offenses should have been severed for trial; (7) that the trial court erred by refusing to dismiss the indictment when the state failed to disclose exculpatory information; (8) that the trial court erred by admitting a receipt that was not properly authenticated; (9) that the trial court impermissibly limited closing argument to forty minutes; and (10) that the sentence is excessive. The judgments of the trial court are affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:Judge R. Jerry Beck
Sullivan County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/17/03
Russell Lipsey vs. Protech Sys.

W2001-01785-COA-R3-CV
This is a negligence case. The owner of a three-story historic building was remodeling it. He called a fire sprinkler company to move a sprinkler pipe. The repairman cut one of the sprinkler pipes and, thinking it was a "dead pipe," pushed it behind some sheetrock without capping it. The sprinkler system was regulated by an air compressor that filled the pipes with pressurized air until the system was triggered to allow water to flow through the pipes. The repairman left before the compressor completely charged the system, that is, before the air pressure reached the required level to hold the water back. Two days later, water began rushing out of a sprinkler pipe, causing extensive damage to the building. The owner sued the fire sprinkler company for damage to the building and its contents as well as for interruption of his business. At the trial, there was conflicting testimony about whether the water came out of the pipe that the repairman cut or whether it came out of another pipe. The jury found that both parties were zero percent responsible; thus, the owner recovered no damages. The owner moved for judgment notwithstanding the verdict or for a new trial. Both motions were denied. The owner appeals, and we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Karen R. Williams
Shelby County Court of Appeals 03/17/03
Carolyn Mitchell Brown vs. John Hilyee Watson, Jr.

E2004-01229-COA-R3-CV
The Trial Court annulled Brown's marriage at the insistence of her conservator. On appeal, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Daryl R. Fansler
Knox County Court of Appeals 03/14/03
Michael Anthony Scruggs v. State of Tennessee

M2002-00875-CCA-R3-PC

The petitioner, Michael Anthony Scruggs, pled guilty to forgery and theft under $500. The trial court ordered concurrent sentences of six years for the forgery and eleven months, twenty-nine days, for the theft. No appeal was taken. Later, the petitioner filed a petition for post-conviction relief alleging ineffective assistance of counsel. After a hearing, the post-conviction court denied relief, finding that the petitioner had failed to prove that his appointed counsel fell below the required level of competency. The judgment of the post-conviction court is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:Judge Timothy L. Easter
Williamson County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/14/03
State of Tennessee v. Dwayne Nelvis Slocum

W2002-01980-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant appeals his effective ten-year community corrections sentence with a requirement of 160 days of jail time after pleading guilty to violating a habitual motor vehicle offender order, driving under the influence - 4th offense, and resisting arrest. The defendant filed no transcripts of the guilty plea submission hearing or sentencing hearing. These hearings are essential for appellate review. Therefore, we must presume that the trial court is correct. We affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood
Fayette County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/14/03
James Kyzer vs. Patty Blackburn

E2002-02254-COA-R3-JV
This is a custody dispute between James Christopher Kyzer, the father of Haleigh Sharee Kyzer, d.o.b. 10/6/93, and the child's maternal grandmother, Patti Blackburn, which arose after Haleigh's mother, the ex-wife of Mr. Kyzer, was killed in an automobile accident. The Trial Judge awarded custody to the father upon his finding that "there has been no showing of substantial risk of harm to the child." We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:C. Van Deacon
Bradley County Court of Appeals 03/14/03
William Roger Shelton v. ADS Environmental Services, et al

M2002-00186-SC-R9-CV
This workers' compensation case is before this court on interlocutory appeal pursuant to Rule 9 of the Tennessee Rules of Appellate Procedure. We granted interlocutory appeal in this case, as well as in the companion case of McCall v. National Health Corp., to determine whether the trial court has the authority to initiate temporary workers' compensation benefits prior to trial. In accordance with the reasoning and holding in McCall, we find that the trial court has this authority.
Authoring Judge: Justice Adolpho A. Birch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Robert E. Corlew, III
Rutherford County Supreme Court 03/14/03
Sharon R. Hurt v. State of Tennessee

M2002-00900-CCA-R3-PC

Petitioner, Sharon R. Hurt, was convicted by a jury of first degree murder and conspiracy to commit first degree murder. The trial court sentenced Petitioner to serve consecutive sentences of life imprisonment and twenty-four years. On direct appeal, this court affirmed Petitioner's convictions and sentences. State v. James Murray, Marcie Murray and Sharon R. Hurt, No. 01C01-9702-CR-00066, 1998 Tenn. Crim. App. LEXIS 1323, 1998 WL 934578 (Tenn. Crim. App., filed at Nashville, Dec. 30, 1998), perm. to app. denied (Tenn., June 28, 1999). On September 4, 2001, Petitioner filed a petition for post-conviction relief, in which she alleged the existence of new scientific evidence establishing her actual innocence. The State sought to dismiss the petition. The trial court dismissed the petition, finding that Petitioner failed to show the existence of new scientific evidence, and the petition was therefore barred by the statute of limitations. After a review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Seth W. Norman
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/14/03
Emmerick vs. Mountain Valley Chapel Business Trust

E2002-01453-COA-R3-CV
The trial court dismissed the complaint of Marc D. Emmerick ("the plaintiff") and awarded one of the defendants, Mountain Valley Chapel Business Trust, a judgment on its counterclaim against the plaintiff for $1,416. The plaintiff appeals. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:O. Duane Slone
Sevier County Court of Appeals 03/14/03
State of Tennessee v. Cindy Gentry

M2002-00415-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant was convicted of aggravated assault, a Class C felony, and was sentenced by the trial court as a Range I, standard offender to three years in the Department of Correction, with the sentence to be suspended and the defendant placed on probation after one year in the county workhouse. She raises two issues on appeal: (1) whether the evidence was sufficient to support her conviction; and (2) whether the trial court erred in ordering that she serve one year of her sentence in the county workhouse. Based on our review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge Robert E. Burch
Dickson County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/14/03
Rick Williams vs. Angela Williams

E2002-01995-COA-R3-CV
The Trial Court in this divorce action, granted the parties a divorce and divided marital property. The husband appeals, seeking additional marital property. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:James W. Mckenzie
Rhea County Court of Appeals 03/14/03
State of Tennessee v. Raymond Nicholus Wallace - Order

W2001-02598-CCA-R3-CD

On August 27, 2001, pursuant to a bench trial, the Circuit Court of Tipton County found the defendant, Raymond N. Wallace, guilty of driving under the influence, second offense. For this offense, he received an effective sentence of eleven months, twenty-nine (29) days, suspended on the service of forty-five (45) days. The court fined the defendant $600.00 and suspended his license to drive for two years. The defendant contends that the evidence presented at his trial was insufficient to support the conviction for driving under the influence of intoxicating beverages. After a thorough review of the record before this Court, we affirm the trial court’s judgment pursuant to Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals Rule 20.

Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry L. Smith
Tipton County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/14/03