| Dept. of Transportation vs. Sammy/Yvonne Hanna
W2002-00152-COA-R3-CV
This is a condemnation case. The Tennessee Department of Transportation alleges that the trial judge committed error by allowing the landowners to discover the opinions of an appraiser not designated to testify at trial and that these errors require overturning the jury's verdict because of the prejudice they caused. We find that errors were committed in the court below, but that these errors were harmless. Therefore, we affirm the verdict of the jury.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:C. Creed Mcginley |
Hardin County | Court of Appeals | 11/19/02 | |
| State of Tennessee v. Lillie Fran Ferguson
W2002-00638-CCA-R3-CD
After entering a guilty plea, the defendant reserved certified questions for review: (1) whether the Terry search was justified, and (2) whether the incriminating nature of the contraband was immediately apparent. We hold that the officer lacked reasonable suspicion to justify a Terry frisk and that the object felt was not immediately apparent as contraband. We reverse and dismiss the defendant's conviction.
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Roger A. Page |
Madison County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/19/02 | |
| State of Tennessee v. Calvin T. Barham
W2002-00246-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant pled guilty to possession of cocaine with intent to sell, a Class C felony. Defendant's motion to suppress evidence was denied by the trial court. Defendant claimed that evidence found on him was the result of an illegal search and should have been suppressed. The suppression issue was certified for review. We affirm the trial court and hold the evidence was properly admissible.
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Roger A. Page |
Chester County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/19/02 | |
| Hal Gerber v. Virginia Starr Segal
CH-00-0893-2
Originating Judge:Floyd Peete, Jr. |
Shelby County | Court of Appeals | 11/19/02 | |
| State of Tennessee v. Michael Douglas Willis
E2002-00769-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Michael Douglas Willis, was charged with DUI, violating the open container law, and violating the implied consent law. A jury convicted the defendant of violating the implied consent law but acquitted him of the other charges. The trial court subsequently overturned the jury's guilty verdict but nevertheless revoked the defendant's license for one year for violating the implied consent law. The defendant now appeals the trial court's revocation of his license. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Judge E. Shayne Sexton |
Campbell County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/19/02 | |
| Hal Gerber v. Virginia Starr Segal
CH-00-0893-2
Originating Judge:Floyd Peete, Jr. |
Shelby County | Court of Appeals | 11/19/02 | |
| Stella Keltner vs. Open Lake Sporting Club
W2002-00449-COA-R3-CV
This is a dispute over ownership of the Right Hand Arm portion of Open Lake. The trial court awarded summary judgment to Open Lake Sporting Club. Having determined that there are genuine issues of material facts, we reverse and remand for further proceedings.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Jon Kerry Blackwood |
Lauderdale County | Court of Appeals | 11/19/02 | |
| John Iovinelli vs. Steadman Estes
W2001-02968-COA-R3-CV
This is an appeal of the grant of summary judgment. The Appellants contend that the trial judge granted the Appellees summary judgment, sua sponte, and that they did not have notice or an opportunity to respond to the issues decided by the judge. We disagree and, for the following reasons, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:D'Army Bailey |
Shelby County | Court of Appeals | 11/19/02 | |
| Wesley A. Clayton, Andrew v. Sellers, Jackson, For Defendants-Appellees, Joseph Scott Wadley
W2002-01994-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Donald H. Allen |
Henderson County | Court of Appeals | 11/19/02 | |
| Ronald Crafton v. John Van Den Bosch, Jr.
W2002-00679-COA-R9-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Donald H. Allen |
Madison County | Court of Appeals | 11/19/02 | |
| Gary Eugene Aldridge v. State of Tennessee
M2001-02452-CCA-R3-PC
The petitioner, Gary Eugene Aldridge, was convicted by a jury in the Circuit Court of Hickman County of one count of aggravated kidnapping, two counts of aggravated rape, one count of rape, and two counts of simple assault. The trial court sentenced the petitioner to an effective sentence of sixty years incarceration in the Tennessee Department of Correction, followed by an effective consecutive sentence of seventeen months and twenty-nine days in the local workhouse. After an unsuccessful appeal of his convictions, the petitioner timely filed a petition for post-conviction relief, alleging, among other grounds, ineffective assistance of counsel. The petitioner now brings this appeal challenging the post-conviction court's denial of his petition. After reviewing the record and the parties' briefs, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Timothy L. Easter |
Hickman County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/19/02 | |
| Janice Evans vs. Thomas Evans
W2001-03037-COA-R3-CV
This is an appeal of a final decree of divorce involving issues of division of marital property, rehabilitative alimony, child support, and admission of evidence. Wife appeals. We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand.
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Joe C. Morris |
Henderson County | Court of Appeals | 11/19/02 | |
| Milton Lee Cooper v. State of Tennessee
E2001-01527-CCA-R3-PC
A Hamilton County jury convicted the petitioner of first degree felony murder and conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery. The petitioner was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder conviction and to eight years incarceration for the conspiracy conviction. This court affirmed the convictions, and the Tennessee Supreme Court denied permission to appeal. The petitioner then filed a petition for post-conviction relief alleging that he received ineffective assistance of counsel at trial and on direct appeal. Specifically, the petitioner alleged that counsel: (1) failed to request an alibi instruction at trial; (2) failed to raise the alibi instruction issue on direct appeal; and (3) failed to challenge an erroneous accomplice instruction at trial and on appeal. Also, the petitioner alleged that the trial court: (1) failed to instruct the jury on the defense of alibi, thus violating the petitioner's due process rights and his right to a jury trial; and (2) failed to instruct the jury on "the natural and probable consequences rule." Following a hearing, the post-conviction court denied the petition for post-conviction relief, and this appeal ensued. Finding no error, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Stephen M. Bevil |
Hamilton County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/18/02 | |
| Chester Gray Thompson v. Nashville Electric Service
M2001-02306-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 award of permanent partial disability benefits based on 37.5 percent to the body as a whole is excessive, (2) the trial court erred in finding that the employee suffered a back injury "in the scope and course of the employment," and (3) the trial court erred in commuting the award to a lump sum. The employee questions the admissibility of the treating physician's records because the records were neither admitted through a medical records custodian nor the deposition of the treating physician, and no C-32 form was submitted. As discussed below, the panel has concluded that any error in the admission of the medical records was harmless. We therefore affirm the judgment. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e) (21 Supp.) Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Circuit Court Affirmed JOE C. LOSER, JR., SP. J., in which JANICE M. HOLDER, J., and JAMES L. WEATHERFORD, SR. J., joined. Mark A. Baugh and Eugene Ward, Nashville, Tennessee, for the appellant, Nashville Electric Service E. Guy Holliman and William Joseph Butler, Lafayette, Tennessee, for the appellee, Chester Thompson MEMORANDUM OPINION The employee or claimant, Mr. Thompson, initiated this civil action to recover workers' compensation benefits for injuries to his back and ankle allegedly resulting from a fall during a training exercise authorized by the employer, Nashville Electric Service. The trial court awarded permanent partial disability benefits based on 37.5 percent to the body as a whole and 5 percent to his ankle.1 Both parties 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) (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:John H. Gasaway, III, Judge |
Chester County | Workers Compensation Panel | 11/15/02 | |
| Royal & Sunalliance v. Barbara Cooper
M2001-01580-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's insurer questions the trial court's finding that the employee's injury is causally related to her employment; and the employee questions the sufficiency of the award. As discussed below, the panel has concluded the judgment 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 ADOLPHO A. BIRCH, JR., J., and TOM E. GRAY, SP. J., joined. Diana C. Benson and Larry G. Trail, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, for the appellant, Royal and SunAlliance Keith Jordan, Nashville, Tennessee, for the appellee, Barbara Cooper MEMORANDUM OPINION The appellant initiated this civil action seeking a declaration of its rights and liabilities relative to the appellee's claim for benefits under the Workers' Compensation Law. By her answer and counterclaim, the employee or claimant, Barbara Cooper, demanded medical and permanent disability benefits for an injury allegedly arising out of and in the course of her employment by Nissan North America, Inc. After a trial on the merits, the trial court awarded lifetime medical benefits and permanent disability benefits based on 13 percent to the left leg. Both parties 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). 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:Robert Corlew, III, Chancellor |
Rutherford County | Workers Compensation Panel | 11/15/02 | |
| State of Tennessee v. James Corey Edmiston
M2002-00059-CCA-R3-CD
A jury convicted the Defendant, James Corey Edmiston, of attempted second degree murder, especially aggravated robbery, especially aggravated burglary, aggravated assault, vandalism and resisting arrest. The trial court merged the aggravated assault conviction into the attempted murder conviction. The court sentenced the Defendant as a Range I offender to ten years for the attempted murder; twenty-four years for the especially aggravated robbery; ten years for the especially aggravated burglary; and eleven months, twenty-nine days for each of the two misdemeanor convictions. The trial court ordered the felony sentences to run consecutively to each other, with the misdemeanor sentences to run concurrently with the attempted murder sentence, for an effective sentence of forty-four years. The Defendant now appeals, challenging the sufficiency of the evidence for the attempted second degree murder conviction, and the trial court's imposition of consecutive sentences. We affirm the trial court's judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Judge W. Charles Lee |
Marshall County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/15/02 | |
| State of Tennessee v. James Dewey Jensen, Jr.
E2002-00712-CCA-R3-CD
A Hamilton County jury convicted the defendant, James Dewey Jensen, Jr., of a seventh offense of driving under the influence, theft of identity, and violation of the Motor Vehicle Habitual Offenders Act. The sole issue presented by the defendant in this appeal is whether the trial court erred in denying the motion to suppress evidence obtained as a result of the vehicle stop. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Originating Judge:Judge Stephen M. Bevil |
Hamilton County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/15/02 | |
| Harper Enterprises vs. City of Bean Station
E2002-01734-COA-R3-CV
The City of Bean Station ("the City") denied the application of the plaintiff ("the applicant") for a permit to sell beer for off-premises consumption. The applicant filed a petition for certiorari, naming the City and seeking a writ of mandamus to compel it to issue the requested permit. On cross motions for summary judgment, the trial court granted the City summary judgment. The applicant appeals. It contends that the City, "by actions and/or inaction," has caused its beer ordinance, which limits beer permits within the municipality to two, to be invalid. In the alternative, it contends that the City "has engaged in discriminatory, arbitrary and capricious application of the ordinance." We vacate the trial court's judgment and remand for further proceedings.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Richard R. Vance |
Grainger County | Court of Appeals | 11/15/02 | |
| State of Tennessee v. Jason Allen Mobley
W2001-02022-CCA-MR3-CD
The defendant, Jason Allen Mobley, appeals as of right from the Henry County Circuit Court's revoking his eight-year probation. The defendant contends that the trial court erroneously revoked his probation without sufficient proof that he was using drugs. We affirm the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge Julian P. Guinn |
Henry County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/15/02 | |
| State of Tennessee v. Joe L. Jones
W2002-00168-CCA-R3-CD
The Appellant, Joe L. Jones, appeals from the sentencing decision of the Weakley County Circuit Court. After a trial by jury, Jones was convicted of casual exchange, a class A misdemeanor. Following a sentencing hearing, Jones received a split confinement sentence of eleven months and twenty-nine days, with forty-five days to be served in the county jail followed by probation. The trial court also imposed a $500 fine. On appeal, Jones contends that the trial court erred in imposing a sentence of continuous confinement and that the fine was excessive. Finding no error, the judgment is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Judge William B. Acree |
Weakley County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/15/02 | |
| State of Tennessee v. Quawn L. Lillard
M2001-02136-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Quawn L. Lillard, appeals his Davidson County Criminal Court convictions for aggravated robbery and aggravated assault. On appeal, he insists that the convicting evidence is not legally sufficient to support his convictions, and he claims that the trial court should not have admitted the identification testimony of one of the victims. After review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Steve R. Dozier |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/15/02 | |
| Hillsboro Plaza v. H.T. Pope Enterprises
M2001-02943-COA-R3-CV
This cause of action involves damages resulting from the breach of a commercial lease agreement. The trial court awarded judgment to the landlord, including forfeiture damages, prejudgment interest and attorney's fees. We affirm in part and reverse in part.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Carol L. Mccoy |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 11/15/02 | |
| Denver Waddell vs. Lawrence Ogledzinkski
E2001-03131-COA-R3-CV
Knox County -In this appeal from the Knox County Circuit Court the Appellant, Denver J. Waddell, contends that the Trial Court erred in dismissing his case by grant of summary judgment upon grounds that the cause of action against the Appellee, Lawrence M. Ogledzinkski, is precluded by T.C.A. 50-6-108(a). We affirm the judgment of the Trial Court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Dale C. Workman |
Knox County | Court of Appeals | 11/15/02 | |
| State of Tennessee v. Daniel James Cosgrove
M2001-02127-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Daniel James Cosgrove, pled guilty in the Bedford County Circuit Court to nineteen felonies and thirty-one misdemeanors. The trial court sentenced him to an effective sentence of twenty-one years and eleven months, twenty-nine days in confinement to be served consecutively to another sentence for which his probation was revoked. The defendant appeals, claiming that the trial court failed to apply and weigh mitigating factors properly and improperly ordered consecutive sentencing. We affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge William Charles Lee |
Bedford County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/15/02 | |
| State of Tennessee v. Samuel Lee Partin
E2002-00094-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant pled guilty to two counts of driving after being declared an habitual motor vehicle offender and one count each of "third or subsequent" offense DUI, child endangerment, and vehicular assault, and it was agreed the trial court would determine the sentences. The trial court imposed a total effective sentence of five years, eleven months, and twenty-eight days in incarceration. In this appeal, the defendant argues the trial court erred in sentencing him. We conclude the defendant was indicted for fourth offense DUI, a Class E felony; he pled guilty to the offense as charged in the indictment, yet the plea erroneously referred to the non-existent enhancement classification of "third or subsequent" offense DUI rather than fourth offense DUI; and the defendant was erroneously sentenced for a misdemeanor based upon this non-existent enhancement classification. Because the defendant's guilty plea and sentence for this offense were erroneous and his pleas to all other offenses were part of his agreement to plead guilty, we vacate all judgments of conviction and remand to the trial court for further proceedings.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Originating Judge:Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr. |
Blount County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 11/15/02 |