Barton Hawkins v. Dept of Correction
M2001-00473-COA-R3-CV
Petitioner, a state inmate, filed the underlying pro se petition for writ of certiorari to challenge the result of a prison disciplinary proceeding against him. The trial court dismissed the suit sua sponte for improper venue. Because the legislature has localized venue for actions brought by inmates to the county where the prison facility is located, we affirm the decision of the trial court, but remand for transfer to the appropriate trial court.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Walter C. Kurtz |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 07/25/02 | |
State of Tennessee v. Demetrius Kendale Holmes
E2001-00660-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Demetrius Kendale Holmes, was convicted of felony murder and especially aggravated robbery. The trial court imposed consecutive sentences of life and 24 years, respectively. In this appeal of right, the defendant asserts that the evidence is insufficient to support his convictions. The judgments of the trial court are affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:Judge Richard R. Baumgartner |
Knox County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 07/23/02 | |
Glenna Grissom vs. State
W2001-03021-COA-R3-CV
This is a Claims Commission case that was dismissed for failure to prosecute. In July 2000, the claimant filed a lawsuit with the Tennessee Claims Commission against the State of Tennessee. The State filed its answer in October 2000. In September 2001, the State filed a motion to dismiss for failure to prosecute, relying on Tennessee Code Annotated section 9-8-402(b), which provides for dismissal of a claim with the Claims Commission if the claimant does not take action to advance the claim for a one-year period, unless the claimant received prior written consent from the Commission. In November 2001, the Commission entered an order granting the State's motion to dismiss. On appeal, the claimant argues that the one-year period should be tolled pending a response to her complaint by the State. We affirm, finding that the statutory one-year period began to run when the claim was filed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
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Court of Appeals | 07/23/02 | ||
James E. Johnson v. Bd. of Medical Examiners
M2002-00048-COA-R3-CV
This case involves the revocation of a physician's medical license. A patient saw a physician regarding a chronic skin condition. A series of unorthodox treatment methods resulted in the patient having upper respiratory problems, pain, dizziness, blurred vision, a small stroke, infection, and an abscess that had to be surgically drained and removed. As a result, the Tennessee Department of Health filed charges against the physician. After an administrative hearing, the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners found that the physician engaged in unprofessional and unethical conduct, committed acts of gross malpractice, and demonstrated a pattern of incompetence and ignorance in the course of medical practice. The Board revoked the physician's medical license and assessed civil penalties. The physician sought judicial review in the chancery court. The chancellor affirmed the civil penalties but reversed the Board's revocation of the physician's medical license. The Tennessee Department of Health and the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners appeal, arguing that the trial court substituted its judgment for the judgment of the Board. We reverse the ruling of the trial court, finding that the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners did not abuse its discretion, did not act arbitrarily or capriciously, and that its revocation of the physician's medical license was supported by substantial and material evidence. Thus, we reinstate the Board's decision to revoke the physician's medical license.
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Irvin H. Kilcrease, Jr. |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 07/23/02 | |
Veriteena Hollins vs. Covington Pike Chrysler-Plymouth
W2002-00492-COA-R3-CV
Ms. Hollins filed suit against Covington Pike Chrysler-Plymouth in general sessions court. On the day of the scheduled trial, Ms. Hollins' counsel announced a judgment for the defendant. Both parties agree that this judgment was announced in order to move the case from general sessions court to circuit court. Ms. Hollins never appealed the judgment. Eleven months later she refiled the case in general sessions court. The sessions court dismissed the case finding it to be res judicata. Ms. Hollins appealed this decision to circuit court. The circuit court granted Covington Pike Chrysler-Plymouth's motion for summary judgment on the basis of res judicata. We agree.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Robert L. Childers |
Shelby County | Court of Appeals | 07/23/02 | |
Brian Oakley et al. vs. State
W2002-00095-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves the decision of the Claims Commission to dismiss the claimants' case for failure to prosecute. The claimants filed suit against the State alleging "negligent care, custody, and control of persons" after their father was killed by a juvenile inmate at the John S. Wilder Youth Development Center. The Claims Commission, finding that the claimants had failed to take action in over one year, granted the State's Motion to Dismiss for Failure to Prosecute. The claimants appeal the Claims Commission's order dismissing their case for failure to prosecute.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
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Court of Appeals | 07/23/02 | ||
Roy Ernest Young v. Joylee Mayhew
W2002-00185-COA-R3-JV
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Daniel L. Smith |
Hardin County | Court of Appeals | 07/23/02 | |
Thomas Ponchik vs. Don Paul, et al
W2002-00150-COA-R3-CV
Plaintiff, an inmate at a correctional facility, filed a complaint against the facility's private management company and its employees, alleging violations of prisoner's rights under the United States Constitution. The trial court dismissed the complaint for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. Inmate appeals. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Jon Kerry Blackwood |
Hardeman County | Court of Appeals | 07/23/02 | |
State of Tennessee v. Claude W. Cheeks
E2001-00198-CCA-R3-CD
The appellant, Claude W. Cheeks, was convicted by a jury in the Hamilton County Criminal Court of one count of especially aggravated robbery and two counts of aggravated assault. The trial court sentenced the appellant to a total effective sentence of twenty-five years incarceration in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the appellant specifically raises the following issues: (1) “whether the trial court erred in allowing the jury to consider the evidence where the State’s doctors all supported the insanity defense and there was no sufficient lay testimony, nor other testimony that contradicted the insanity defense,” and (2) “whether it is permissible for the State to seek the assistance of expert witnesses in the field of psychiatry, then to provide the experts the information on which to base their opinion, and then at trial to reject the State’s experts and attack their results and offer no proof.” Upon review of the record and the parties’ briefs, we reverse the judgments of the trial court on all three counts, institute verdicts of not guilty by reason of insanity on each count, and remand for proceedings pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 33-7-303 (2001).
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Rebecca J. Stern |
Hamilton County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 07/22/02 | |
State of Tennessee v. Claude W. Cheeks - Dissenting
E2001-00198-CCA-R3-CD
I respectfully dissent from the result reached in the majority opinion. I believe the evidence justifies the convictions. That is, the jury had the right under the evidence to discredit the expert witnesses’ opinions to the extent that the appellant could be found guilty of the offenses charged.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge Rebecca J. Stern |
Hamilton County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 07/22/02 | |
State vs. William Torres
E1999-00866-SC-DDT-DD
The defendant, William Pierre Torres, was convicted of first degree murder by aggravated child abuse for the killing of his son, fifteen- month-old Quintyn Pierre James Wilson. Following a sentencing hearing, the jury found two aggravating circumstances: (1) "the murder was committed against a person less than twelve (12) years of age and the defendant was eighteen (18) years of age, or older" and (2) "the murder was especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel in that it involved torture or serious physical abuse beyond that necessary to produce death." Finding that these aggravating circumstances outweighed mitigating circumstances beyond a reasonable doubt, the jury imposed a sentence of death for the first degree murder conviction. The Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed both the conviction and sentence. The case was docketed and argued in this Court, and after carefully reviewing the record and the relevant legal authorities, we affirm the defendant's conviction of first degree murder. Because the trial court erred by giving the jury an instruction pursuant to Kersey v. State, 525 S.W.2d 139 (Tenn. 1975), rather than accepting the jury's report of a deadlock, the sentence of death is reversed and the case is remanded to the trial court for a new sentencing hearing at which the jury shall only consider the sentences of imprisonment for life without possibility of parole and imprisonment for life.
Authoring Judge: Justice Frank F. Drowota, III
Originating Judge:Ray L. Jenkins |
Knox County | Supreme Court | 07/19/02 | |
State of Tennessee v. Daryl Lee Madden and Marty Dale Williams
M2000-02227-CCA-R3-CD
A Davidson County Grand Jury returned a three-count indictment alleging the defendants committed felony murder during the perpetration of a robbery, especially aggravated robbery, and premeditated first degree murder. A Davidson County jury convicted the defendants of felony murder, especially aggravated robbery, and second degree murder. The second degree murder was merged into the felony murder by the trial court. Madden received an effective sentence of life plus 25 years; Williams received an effective sentence of life. In this appeal, both defendants contend the evidence was insufficient to sustain their convictions for felony murder and especially aggravated robbery, and their sentences were excessive. Defendant Madden additionally contests his conviction for second degree murder and the trial court's certification of the trial transcript. After a review of the record, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Originating Judge:Judge Cheryl A. Blackburn |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 07/19/02 | |
State of Tennessee v. Jerry O. Summers
M2001-01358-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Jerry O. Summers, appeals from the Williamson County Circuit Court’s revoking his probation that was ordered for his sentence for aggravated burglary. The defendant contends that although he violated his probation, the trial court erred in sentencing him to confinement. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge Timothy L. Easter |
Williamson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 07/19/02 | |
The Bank/First Citizens Bank v. Citizens And Associates
E2000-02545-SC-R11-CV
Authoring Judge: Justice William M. Barker
Originating Judge:Russell E. Simmons, Jr. |
Bradley County | Supreme Court | 07/19/02 | |
State of Tennessee v. Jack Roger Norton - Concurring
E2001-01903-CCA-R3-CD
Although based on the narrow issue presented in this appeal, I agree fully with the decision reached by the Court in this appeal, I am compelled to write separately in order to express my astonishment and dismay over the manner in which the Washington County SWAT team treated the innocent patrons of the tavern searched in this case. While the actions of the SWAT team do not mandate the suppression of evidence seized from the defendant, those actions as they relate to the bar patrons do merit the condemnation of anyone who believes that this country is not, at least for the moment, a police state.
Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry L. Smith
Originating Judge:Judge Roger E. Cupp |
Washington County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 07/18/02 | |
State of Tennessee v. Ricky Lynn Earls
M2001-00112-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant appeals the sentences he received from convictions for two counts of forgery and one count of theft. The trial court found defendant to be a career offender and sentenced defendant to serve two sentences of six years each, to be served consecutively for an effective sentence of twelve years. Defendant contends that the sentences are excessive and that the trial court should have ordered the sentences to be served concurrently. We disagree and affirm the trial court's judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Lee Russell |
Marshall County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 07/18/02 | |
Team Design v. Anthony Gottlieb
M1999-00911-COA-R3-CV
This appeal raises important issues regarding the permissible range of court-annexed alternative dispute resolution procedures available under Tenn. S. Ct. R. 31. The case began in the Davidson County General Sessions Court as a dispute over payment for artwork and graphic design for a country music album. All the parties were dissatisfied with the general sessions court's disposition of their claims and perfected de novo appeals to the Circuit Court for Davidson County. When a dispute arose over the inability of two of the parties to be present on the agreed-upon trial date, the trial court, with all parties' agreement, entered an order referring the case to "binding mediation." The trial court conducted separate, off-the-record discussions with each of the parties and then entered an order finally adjudicating their claims. One of the parties filed a Tenn. R. Civ. P. 59.04 motion objecting to the order on the ground that it had not agreed to waive its right to a trial if the outcome of the mediation was unsatisfactory. After the trial court denied its motion, the moving party perfected this appeal. We have determined that the trial court lacked authority to conduct binding mediation or to finally adjudicate the parties' claims. Accordingly, we vacate the final order.
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Barbara N. Haynes |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 07/18/02 | |
State of Tennessee v. Jason Brian Hargrove
M2001-01579-CCA-R3-CD
The appellant, Jason Brian Hargrove, pled guilty in the Marshall County Circuit Court to numerous counts of theft and burglary. He received a total effective sentence of twenty years incarceration in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the appellant raises the following issue for our review: whether the trial court erred in imposing consecutive sentences. After reviewing the record and the parties' briefs, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge William Charles Lee |
Marshall County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 07/18/02 | |
Eva M. Lemeh, Trustee v. Emc Mortgage Corporation
2002-00223-SC-R23-CQ
Originating Judge:Keith M. Lundin |
Supreme Court | 07/18/02 | ||
Consumer Advocate Div. v. Tennessee Regulatory Authority
M1997-00238-COA-R3-CV
The principal issue in this case is whether telephone directory assistance service is basic or non-basic under the statutory scheme. Secondary issues involve the practice of grandfathering existing customers when a new tariff is approved, the exemptions to directory assistance charges, and whether the Tennessee Regulatory Authority was authorized to transfer a contested case to another docket. We affirm.
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Court of Appeals | 07/18/02 | ||
State of Tennessee v. Delaney E. Marcum
M2001-02257-CCA-R3-CD
The Appellant, Delaney E. Marcum, appeals from the sentencing decision of the Williamson County Circuit Court. Marcum entered guilty pleas to one count of aggravated burglary, a class C felony, and one count of theft of property over $1,000.00, a class D felony. Under the terms of the agreement, Marcum received concurrent sentences of five years for aggravated burglary and four years for theft. Following a sentencing hearing, the trial court ordered that Marcum's sentences be served in the Department of Correction and, additionally, he was ordered to pay restitution on both counts. On appeal, Marcum contends that the trial court erred in (1) not sentencing him to probation or any other alternative to incarceration, and (2) ordering restitution in conjunction with total confinement. Finding no error, the judgment of the Williamson County Circuit Court is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Judge Donald P. Harris |
Williamson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 07/18/02 | |
State of Tennessee v. Debra Kay Thomas
W2001-02039-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Debra Kay Thomas, appeals the Henry County Circuit Court's resentencing her upon revocation of her community corrections sentence. She claims that the trial court erred in failing to give her credit for the time she served in confinement and in the community corrections program under her original sentence. The state agrees. We hold that the defendant was improperly sentenced and remand the case for resentencing.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge Julian P. Guinn |
Henry County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 07/18/02 | |
State of Tennessee v. Philip R. Haven
M2001-00332-CCA-R3-CD
A Williamson County grand jury indicted the defendant on alternative counts of driving under the influence of an intoxicant and of driving with a .10% or more alcohol concentration in his blood or breath. At the conclusion of the proof, the trial jury convicted the defendant of the latter offense and assessed a fifteen hundred dollar fine. At sentencing, the trial court approved the fine assessed and further sentenced the defendant to six months to be suspended after the service of thirty days, day for day. Additionally, the court placed the defendant on supervised probation for eleven months and twenty-nine days during which time, among other conditions, the defendant was to complete alcohol safety school. Subsequently, the defendant filed a motion for a new trial or judgment of acquittal, which the trial court denied. Through this appeal the defendant contends that the trial court erred in 1) not excusing four jurors for cause; 2) permitting the prosecutor to make ingratiating statements to the jury during voir dire; 3) overruling counsel's objection to the prosecutor's comment in opening statement that the defendant was "drunk, way too drunk to drive"; 4) finding that the involved forensic scientist for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation was the custodian of the alcohol report, thereby allowing the admission of the report into evidence; 5) concluding that "adult driving while impaired" was not a lesser included offense of driving under the influence; 6) refusing to dismiss count two of the indictment as a nullity; and 7) sentencing the defendant to more than the seven-consecutive-day minimum sentence applicable here. After reviewing each of these assertions, we find that none merit relief and, therefore, affirm the defendant's conviction and sentence. However, in reviewing the case, we have observed an error in the judgment form and, therefore, remand the matter for entry of a corrected judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry L. Smith
Originating Judge:Judge Timothy L. Easter |
Williamson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 07/18/02 | |
Kimberly Haas v. Albert Haas
M2000-02850-COA-R3-CV
In this appeal from the Davidson County Circuit Court, the Appellant, Kimberly Lynn Haas, questions whether the trial court erred in granting her an absolute divorce and rendering a final disposition of the parties' marital property, whether the trial court erred in denying the appellant's motion for judgment on the pleadings, whether the trial court erred in refusing to bifurcate the issues of liability and damages to the appellee's two antique chairs, whether the trial court erred in its division of the appellant's 401K Deferred Compensation Plan, whether the trial court erred in permitting the appellee to assert the Fifth Amendment on the issues of dissipation of marital assets and adultery, whether the trial court erred in refusing to meaningfully consider the appellant's gift of $25,000 to the appellee in dividing the parties' property, whether the trial court erred in awarding the appellee the Toyota 4-Runner, whether the trial court erred in awarding the appellee the rosewood antique table, whether the trial court erred in awarding the appellee the $2,500 General Motors Cash Rebate, whether the trial court erred in not requiring the appellee to assume any of the outstanding marital debt on the Honda Accord, whether the trial court erred in its division of the General Motors credit card debt, and the method of payment of such marital debt. We affirm the judgment of the trial court in part, reverse in part and remand as consistent with this opinion. Costs of this appeal shall be split between the parties.
Authoring Judge: Judge Don R. Ash
Originating Judge:Muriel Robinson |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 07/18/02 | |
State of Tennessee v. Edward Lucas
M2001-01989-CCA-R3-CD
The appellant, Edward Lucas, was convicted in the Montgomery County Circuit Court of two counts of selling cocaine and one count of possession of marijuana with the intent to sell. The trial court imposed an effective sentence of six years incarceration in the Tennessee Department of Correction, sixty days of which were to be served in confinement with the remainder to be served on probation. Subsequently, the trial court found the appellant guilty of violating his probation and ordered the appellant to serve his sentence in confinement. The appellant raises the following issues on appeal: (1) whether the allegation set forth in the violation of probation warrant states a violation of the conditions of probation; (2) whether the allegation set forth in the violation of probation warrant complies with due process requirements of the United States and Tennessee Constitutions; and (3) whether the evidence is sufficient to support the probation revocation. 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 John H. Gasaway, III |
Montgomery County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 07/18/02 |