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| In Re: Estate of Donald Henderson, Jeff Henderson vs. Kenneth Henderson
E2002-01155-COA-R3-CV
Donald Ben Henderson ("Deceased") died in 1998. Jeff Henderson ("Appellant") is the Deceased's grandson. Kenneth Henderson ("Appellee") is the Deceased's son. Appellant and Appellee each submitted documents for probate purporting to be the last will and testament of the Deceased. In total, three wills and a revocation were filed with the Probate Court. The Probate Court entered its Order of Probate on October 18, 2001, holding that none of the three documents submitted should be admitted to probate as the Deceased's will. Based upon this determination, the Probate Court held the Deceased died intestate. More than thirty days after October 18, 2001, Appellee filed a motion to excuse the administrator ad litem and requested he be appointed personal representative of the estate. Appellant opposed the motion and filed a will contest. The Probate Court's order of April 23, 2002, appointed Appellee personal representative of the estate and stated its earlier order holding the Deceased died intestate was a final order. Appellant appealed. Appellee argues this Court lacks jurisdiction to hear the appeal because the notice of appeal was filed late. We hold the notice of appeal was not filed timely. We, therefore, are without jurisdiction to hear this appeal and, accordingly, dismiss the appeal.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Edwin C. Harris |
Monroe County | Court of Appeals | 12/12/02 | |
| Taylor & Fleishman vs. Kenneth Seaton
E2002-00075-COA-R3-CV
This is a suit to recover a contractual attorney fee. By virtue of circumstances plaintiff Dudley Taylor had the exclusive standing to contest a petition for the involuntary bankruptcy of Taylor and Associates, LLP, from whom defendant and five other individuals had received preferential payments which were required to be returned to the Trustee if the bankruptcy was approved. Conversely, if the bankruptcy was not approved, the defendant and others similarly situated would retain the preferential payments. The plaintiffs had invested a substantial sum with Taylor and Associates, LLP, but had received no preferences. Dudley Taylor devised a plan whereby, for a fee, he would intervene in the bankruptcy and oppose it, and if he were successful the defendant would retain the preferential payments. The defendant proposed a contract by which the plaintiff, for a non-refundable up-front fee of $100,000.00, and a $200,000.00 additional fee contingent upon success, agreed to oppose the bankruptcy as a party litigant. He was successful, but the defendant refused to pay the fee, asserting the invalidity of the contract on various grounds, including ethical considerations. The Chancellor allowed a recovery. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Sr. Judge William H. Inman
Originating Judge:Sharon J. Bell |
Knox County | Court of Appeals | 12/12/02 | |
| E2002-1735-COA-R3-CV
E2002-1735-COA-R3-CV
Originating Judge:L. Marie Williams |
Hamilton County | Court of Appeals | 12/12/02 | |
| State of Tennessee v. Melvin L. Harper
E2001-01089-CCA-R3-CD
The appellant, Melvin L. Harper, was convicted by a jury in the Criminal Court of Sullivan County of aggravated robbery, a Class B felony. The appellant was sentenced as a Range II multiple offender to twenty years incarceration in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the appellant challenges: (1) the sufficiency of the evidence to support his conviction of armed robbery; (2) the trial court's granting of the State's motion to amend the indictment on the day of trial; (3) the wording of the trial court's jury instructions regarding lesser-included offenses; and (4) the sentence imposed by the trial court. After a careful 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 Phyllis H. Miller |
Sullivan County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 12/12/02 | |
| State of Tennessee v. Adrianne Elizabeth Noles
W2002-01558-CCA-R3-CD
Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-13-213(a)(1) (1997), the defendant, Adrianne Elizabeth Noles, was charged with vehicular homicide by recklessness in the Haywood County Circuit Court. She submitted a guilty plea to the charge, a Class C felony, and agreed to have the trial court determine the length and manner of service of her sentence. After a sentencing hearing, the trial court imposed a three-year sentence to be served in the Department of Correction. Aggrieved of the trial court’s rejection of any sentencing alternative to incarceration, she appeals. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Clayburn L. Peeples |
Haywood County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 12/12/02 | |
| State of Tennessee v. Tracy R. Pipes
W2002-00433-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Tracy R. Pipes, appeals the Hardin County Circuit Court's revocation of her drug-offense probation. The court ordered her to serve the effective eight-year sentence in the Department of Correction. Because the record supports the lower court's actions, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge James Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge C. Creed McGinley |
Hardin County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 12/12/02 | |
| Nancy Webber vs. Gary Webber
E2002-01355-COA-R3-CV
The Trial Court held it had jurisdiction over marital property and alimony. Husband argued since the divorce was granted in Nevada, the Nevada Decree was res judicata on these issues. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:William E. Lantrip |
Anderson County | Court of Appeals | 12/12/02 | |
| Wanda F. Cherry, et al vs. First State Bank
E2002-00981-COA-R3-CV
Wanda F. Cherry and Daniel R. Greene ("Plaintiffs") are the owners of property located on the parkway in Pigeon Forge. Wayne Burroughs ("Burroughs") owned property adjacent to the Plaintiffs' property, but Burroughs' property did not adjoin the parkway. Burroughs leased Plaintiff's property and used their property and his property to operate a business. During this time, Burroughs borrowed money from First State Bank ("Defendant"). Burroughs' leasehold interest in Plaintiffs' property was part of the collateral for this loan. After Burroughs filed for bankruptcy, his leasehold interest in Plaintiffs' property was sold at auction. Defendant was the highest bidder at the auction. Defendant paid rent for a period of time, but then stopped paying rent. Plaintiffs sued for past due rent. The Trial Court granted summary judgment to Plaintiffs and awarded damages totaling $127,968.60. Defendant appeals the grant of summary judgment to Plaintiffs. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Ben W. Hooper, II |
Sevier County | Court of Appeals | 12/12/02 | |
| Jackie Wright & Kimberly Green vs. Azalea Rains
E2002-01107-COA-R3-CV
Cager M. Casey ("Deceased") executed a revocable inter vivos trust agreement in July of 1992. The trust named a number of family members and friends as beneficiaries ("Appellees"). In January of 1999, Deceased executed a will. While this will does not specifically reference the trust, it does direct Deceased's PaineWebber stock be sold at his death and the proceeds given to Jackie L. Wright, Kimberly A. Green ("Appellants") and other members of the Wright family. Deceased owned no stock in PaineWebber. However, the trust was administered by UBS PaineWebber, Inc. ("PaineWebber"). Appellants submitted the 1999 will for probate and were granted letters testamentary. PaineWebber refused to turn over the trust investments absent court order. Appellants sued Appellees and PaineWebber. After trial, the Probate Court entered its judgment on November 29, 2001, holding the 1999 will did not alter the trust and the trust would, by its terms, distribute the trust assets to the trust beneficiaries. Appellants appeal the November 29, 2001 judgment. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:William H. Russell |
Loudon County | Court of Appeals | 12/12/02 | |
| McLane Co. v. State
M2002-00838-COA-R3-CV
Licensed wholesale tobacco distributor filed petition against the State seeking the disclosure of identities of all licensed tobacco wholesale distributors in the State of Tennessee pursuant to the provisions of the Tennessee Public Records Act. State opposed petition on the grounds that disclosure of this information was controlled by the taxpayer confidentiality provisions of the revenue statutes. Chancery Court granted petition and ordered disclosure of the names and addresses of all licensed wholesale tobacco distributors in Tennessee but, on the state's motion, stayed its order pending appeal. State appeals. We reverse and dismiss.
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Irvin H. Kilcrease, Jr. |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 12/11/02 | |
| Edward Howell vs. NHC Healthcare
E2002-01321-COA-R3-CV
The Trial Court refused to enforce an Agreement for Mediation and Arbitration. On appeal, we Affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Harold Wimberly |
Knox County | Court of Appeals | 12/11/02 | |
| Sandra Kay Powers, et al. v. American Interstate Insurance Company, et al
W2001-02751-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 the competent evidence preponderates against the trial court's finding that the deaths of two employees occurred in the course of their employment and in favor of a finding that the employees had materially deviated from their employment at the time of their deaths in a vehicular accident. As discussed below, the panel has concluded the judgment of the trial court should be affirmed. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e) (21 Supp.) Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Chancery Court Affirmed JOE C. LOSER, JR., SP. J., in which JANICE M. HOLDER, J., and W. MICHAEL MALOAN, SP. J., joined. Stephen Craig Kennedy, Selmer, Tennessee, for the appellants, Staton's Home Furnishings and American Interstate Insurance Company Art D. Wells, Jackson, Tennessee, for the appellee, Sandra Kay Powers, as guardian and next friend of Jessica Witherspoon, Billy Joe Witherspoon and Cody Witherspoon, minor children of David Witherspoon, deceased Gayden Drew, Jackson, Tennessee, for the appellee, Robbie McEwen, administrator of the Estate of Timothy Gallimore, deceased MEMORANDUM OPINION By these consolidated civil actions, the claimants sued to recover workers' compensation benefits, as provided by the Workers' Compensation Act, Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6- 11 et seq, for the accidental deaths of David Witherspoon and Charles Timothy Gallimore on July 29, 1999. The employer, Staton's Home Furnishings, and its insurer, American Interstate Insurance Company, denied liability. After a trial on the merits, the trial court awarded death benefits to the estate of Gallimore and dependents' benefits to the children of Witherspoon. The employer and its insurer have appealed. For injuries occurring on or after July 1, 1985, 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) (21 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:George R. Ellis, Chancellor |
Gibson County | Workers Compensation Panel | 12/11/02 | |
| Ray Wright v. Brittany Pate
11-01-135-M
Originating Judge:A. Andrew Jackson |
Dickson County | Court of Appeals | 12/11/02 | |
| Greg Melton v. Gerald Melton
M2002-00532-COA-R3-CV
Beneficiaries of irrevocable insurance Trust filed a Complaint against the Trustees, seeking to have the corpus of the trust distributed and the Trust terminated by its own terms. One Trustee, acting pro se, answered the Complaint. Beneficiaries filed a Motion for Summary Judgment supported by their joint affidavits. No response or countervailing affidavit was filed, and an Order was entered granting the Motion. Trustee appeals. We affirm
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:J. B. Cox |
Bedford County | Court of Appeals | 12/11/02 | |
| John Garland vs. Tonia Garland
E2002-00949-COA-R3-CV
In this divorce action, the wife appeals the alimony award and amount of attorney's fees awarded to her. On appeal, we Affirm as Modified.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:James W. Mckenzie |
Rhea County | Court of Appeals | 12/11/02 | |
| State of Tennessee v. Sherrie Mae Crawford
E2002-01292-CCA-R3-CD
Pursuant to a plea agreement, the Defendant pled guilty to theft under $500 and to violating an habitual traffic offender order. She entered Alford pleas to possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia, and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Her total effective sentence was two years as a Range I standard offender plus eleven months and twenty-nine days on supervised probation. The manner of service of the two-year sentence was to be determined by the trial court following a sentencing hearing. The trial court denied alternative sentencing and ordered the Defendant to serve the entire two years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. In this appeal, the Defendant argues that the trial court erred in failing to impose an alternative sentence. Concluding that the record supports the trial court's denial of alternative sentencing, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Phyllis H. Miller |
Sullivan County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 12/11/02 | |
| Herman Howard. v. American Industries Services
M2001-02711-COA-R3-CV
The Chancery Court of Davidson County dismissed the complaint in this case for the plaintiffs' failure to respond to discovery requests. The plaintiffs assert on appeal that the chancellor abused her discretion. We affirm the chancery court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Ellen Hobbs Lyle |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 12/11/02 | |
| Pigeon Forge vs. William Loveday
E2002-00643-COA-R3-CV
Landowner seeks a new trial in eminent domain case on grounds that the Trial Court admitted in evidence the price paid for the land 19 years earlier. We reverse the Trial Court's Judgment.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Richard R. Vance |
Sevier County | Court of Appeals | 12/11/02 | |
| State v. Patty Grissom
M2002-00279-CCA-R3-CD
The appellant, Patty Francine Grissom, was convicted of the simple possession of a Schedule II controlled substance and she received a probationary sentence of eleven months and twenty-nine days. Subsequently, the trial court revoked the appellant's probation upon finding that she had possessed drugs and drug paraphernalia while on probation. On appeal, the appellant raises several issues concerning her probation revocation. Upon reviewing the record and the parties' briefs, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Charles D. Haston, Sr. |
Warren County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 12/11/02 | |
| State v. Phillip Wilcox
M2002-00667-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant contends the trial court erred in revoking his probation. He claims the trial court improperly considered evidence of probation violations, because he was not given proper notice of the violations by the probation revocation warrant. He further claims that the evidence adduced at the probation revocation hearing was insufficient to revoke his probation. The trial court heard evidence of probation violations that were not included in the probation warrant, but the trial court specifically stated it did not consider such evidence in revoking the defendant's probation. Because sufficient evidence exists to prove the defendant violated Rule One of his Rules of Probation, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:L. Craig Johnson |
Coffee County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 12/11/02 | |
| Rose Warnick vs. Carter County
E2002-00833-COA-R3-CV
This is a negligence action filed by Rose F. Warnick against Carter County ("the County") seeking damages for personal injuries arising out of an automobile accident involving the plaintiff and Keith G. Range ("Deputy Range"), a Carter County deputy sheriff, who, according to the complaint, was "acting within the course and scope of his authority as an agent, servant and employee of" the County at the time of the accident. The County filed a motion to dismiss pursuant to Tenn. R. Civ. P. 12.02(6). The trial court dismissed the plaintiff's complaint, holding that it was not filed within one year of the accident as required by the Governmental Tort Liability Act ("the GTLA"). We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Jean A. Stanley |
Carter County | Court of Appeals | 12/11/02 | |
| E2002-01703-COA-R3-CV
E2002-01703-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Telford E. Forgerty, Jr. |
Sevier County | Court of Appeals | 12/11/02 | |
| Teresa Malone vs. Shane Maddox
E2002-01403-COA-R3-CV
This case focuses on an insurance company's liability under the uninsured motorist ("UM") provisions of an automobile insurance policy. It arises out of an automobile accident involving Teresa Malone ("the policyholder") and Shane Maddox ("the uninsured motorist"). The policyholder appeals the trial court's judgment decreeing that the policyholder's uninsured motorist carrier, Harleysville Mutual Insurance Company ("the UM carrier"), cannot be held liable for prejudgment interest under the facts of this case because such an award would cause the total judgment against the UM carrier to exceed the UM coverage limit in the policy. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:W. Neil Thomas, III |
Hamilton County | Court of Appeals | 12/11/02 | |
| State of Tennessee v. Mark Anthony Griffin
E2001-01233-CCA-R3-CD
A jury convicted the Defendant of aggravated robbery and attempted robbery. The trial court sentenced the Defendant to an effective nine-year term. The Defendant appealed, and our Court affirmed the case in part, but remanded the case in part for the trial court to determine whether the Defendant's right to a speedy trial was violated. On remand, the trial court found that the Defendant's right to a speedy trial had not been violated. The Defendant now appeals from the trial court's order denying his motion to dismiss for a violation of his right to a speedy trial. Finding no error, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Richard R. Baumgartner |
Knox County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 12/11/02 | |
| Donna Hardey v. Pml, Inc., Ebi Companies and James
W2001-02569-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. _5-6-285 (e)(3) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings and fact and conclusions of law. In this appeal the plaintiff, Donna Hardey (Hardey) contends the evidence preponderates in favor of an award in excess of the twenty-five percent (25%) permanent partial disability to the body as a whole awarded by the trial court. For the reasons stated in this opinion, we affirm the judgment of the trial court. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e) (21 Supp.) Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Circuit Court Affirmed W. MICHAEL MALOAN, SP. J., in which JANICE M. HOLDER, J. and JOE C. LOSER, JR., SP. J., joined. Ricky L. Boren, Jackson, Tennessee, for the appellant, Donna Hardey. Jeffrey G. Foster, Jackson, Tennessee, for the appellee, PML, Inc. and EBI Companies. E. Blaine Sprouse, Nashville, Tennessee, for the appellee, Tennessee Department of Labor, Workers' Compensation Division MEMORANDUM OPINION The plaintiff, Hardey, was forty (4) years old at trial. She completed the eleventh (11th) grade and obtained a general equivalency diploma. Her work history is mostly manual labor in factories. She began working for PML in November 1994 as a welding machine operator until she was promoted to a group leader. As group leader she was responsible for assigning operators to presses and overseeing their operation. In July 1997 Hardey hurt her neck at PML. Dr. Glenn Barnett diagnosed a herniated C6 disc on the left and on January 26,1998 he performed an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion of the C6-7 discs. She filed a workers' compensation claim which was ultimately settled on January 8, 1999, for twenty percent (2%) permanent partial disability to the body as a whole. Hardey returned to work at PML as a group leader without restrictions. Hardey began to have problems with her right shoulder and arm and returned to see Dr. Barnett on June 25, 1999. Dr. Barnett determined that she had a C5 herniated disc. On October 14, 1999, Dr. Barnett performed as a second operation a discectomy and fusion at the C5-C6 level. As a result of this second surgery, Dr. Barnett assigned an additional five percent (5%) permanent impairment and advised Hardey not to lift in excess of thirty (3) pounds on a regular basis. In June 1999, Hardey complained to Dr. Barnett of right arm and finger numbness. A nerve conduction study showed mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome of the right arm. Dr. Barnett did not recommend surgery for this condition. When Dr. Barnett saw Hardey on February 7, 22, he noted she was doing "miserably, was quite uncomfortable, and taking up to fourteen Tylenol per day." Dr. Barnett testified it was not likely she would be able to return to work "unless she gets a dramatic improvement with her nonsurgical treatment of her pain." Due to her chronic pain, Dr. Barnett referred Hardey to Dr. Frank Jordan, a pain specialist. Dr. Jordan saw her on August 22, 21, diagnosed radicular pain, prescribed medication and performed two (2) epidural blocks. Hardey testified she did not get any relief from Dr. Jordan's treatment. Dr. Joseph Boals examined Hardey for an independent medical evaluation on October 3, 2. On examination, Dr. Boals found extensive loss of motion in her neck, hypesthesia in the last three (3) fingers of her right hand, and a positive Phalen's test on the right arm. He assigned a ten percent (1%) permanent impairment for each cervical surgery and an additional ten percent (1%) for chronic pain syndrome. Dr. Boals assigned an additional ten percent (1%) permanent impairment for the carpal tunnel syndrome. As a result of both injuries and surgeries to her neck and her carpal tunnel syndrome, Dr. Boals recommended she not go back to manual labor employment. Her restrictions include no overhead work, no work away from her body, and a weight limit of less than twenty (2) pounds with no repetitive work using her hands or heavy gripping using her hands, and she is suited to only sedentary or light work status. -2-
Authoring Judge: W. Michael William Michael Maloan, Special Judge
Originating Judge:Julian P. Guinn, Judge |
Benton County | Workers Compensation Panel | 12/11/02 |