State of Tennessee v. Bobby J. Armstrong
W2000-02598-CCA-R3-PC
The Appellant, Bobby J. Armstrong, appeals from the dismissal of his petition for post-conviction relief. Armstrong's convictions stem from his guilty pleas to two counts of felony murder and two resulting consecutive sentences of life without the possibility of parole. In this appeal, Armstrong raises the following issues for our review: (1) whether the guilty plea was knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily made; and (2) whether trial counsel was ineffective for failing to request a competency hearing to determine Armstrong's mental condition. After review, we find Armstrong's guilty plea was knowing, intelligent and voluntary and that he received effective assistance of counsel. As such, we affirm the judgment of the Madison County Circuit Court.
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Judge Roy B. Morgan, Jr. |
Madison County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 07/19/01 | |
Rhonda Lowrimore vs. Certified Industries, Inc.
M1998-00938-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves an award of front pay damages in a retaliatory discharge case. An employee who had been injured on the job five times in less than two years filed a retaliatory discharge suit in the Circuit Court for Lewis County alleging that her employer had discharged her in retaliation for her workers' compensation claims. A jury awarded the employee $10,390 in back pay and $20,000 in punitive damages. Thereafter, the trial court determined that reinstatement was not feasible and awarded the employee an additional $36,327 in front pay. On this appeal, the employer challenges the front pay award on two grounds. First, it asserts that the employee was not entitled to front pay. Second, it asserts that if the employee is entitled to front pay, the amount of front pay awarded by the trial court is too high. We have determined that the trial court correctly determined that the employee is entitled to front pay. However, we have also determined that front pay award must be reduced to $25,429 because of an error in the trial court's computations.
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Donald P. Harris |
Lewis County | Court of Appeals | 07/19/01 | |
Rachel Rice vs. Lee Rice
M1998-00973-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves the dissolution of a four-year marriage. Both parties requested the Circuit Court for Davidson County to grant them a divorce. On the day of trial, the parties stipulated that they should be declared divorced and agreed upon the division of their modest marital estate. Accordingly, the trial court heard proof regarding child custody and child support as well as the wife's request for rehabilitative spousal support. The trial court gave sole custody of the parties' child to the wife and directed the husband to pay $570 per month in child support, as well as all the child's healthcare expenses not covered by insurance. The trial court also ordered the husband to pay the wife $250 per month in rehabilitative support for twenty-four months. On this appeal, the husband takes issue with the trial court's decisions to grant the wife sole custody of the parties' child, to require him to pay the child's medical expenses not covered by insurance, and to pay the wife $250 per month in spousal support for twenty-four months. We have determined that the trial court's decisions are amply supported by the record, and accordingly, we affirm the judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Muriel Robinson |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 07/19/01 | |
State of Tennessee v. Jimmy Wardel Glenn
W2000-02590-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant, Jimmy Wardel Glenn, was convicted by a jury of possession with intent to deliver over .5 grams of cocaine. He was subsequently sentenced as a Range I, standard offender to nine years incarceration. In this appeal as of right, the Defendant asserts that the trial court erred by failing to grant a mistrial after a comment made by the State during its opening statement and that the evidence was insufficient to support the conviction. We find no error; thus, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Judge Joseph H. Walker, III |
Lauderdale County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 07/19/01 | |
State of Tennessee v. Joe L. Patrick, Sr.
W2000-02998-CCA-R3-CD
This is an appeal by the State of Tennessee as to whether the trial court erred in granting the Appellee/Defendant's motion to award program credits toward his release date from the Department of Corrections. After docketing of this case on May 8, 2001, for disposition of the State's appeal, the State filed a motion to consider post-judgment fact pursuant to Tennessee Rules of Appellate Procedures 14(a). After a review of the motion and the attached affidavit in support of the motion, we granted the State's motion. After a review of the entire record, and the motion for post-judgment of fact, we find that the Defendant has been released from the Department of Corrections and, thus, this appeal is dismissed.
Authoring Judge: Judge L. Terry Lafferty
Originating Judge:Judge Joseph H. Walker, III |
Lauderdale County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 07/19/01 | |
State of Tennessee, Department of Children's Services, v. Amy Diane Bottoms, and Brian Bottoms, Sr. In the Matter of: Brian Scott Bottoms, Jr., Israel Vaughn Bottoms, and Elijah Keane Bottoms
01A01-9706-JV-00249
Brian Bottoms, Sr., and Amy Bottoms have appealed from the judgment of the Juvenile
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Henry F. Todd
Originating Judge:Judge Andrew J. Shookhoff |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 07/18/01 | |
Anthony P. Jones v. State of Tennessee
M2000-01416-CCA-R3-PC
The petitioner, Anthony P. Jones, pled guilty in the Davidson County Criminal Court to three counts of aggravated sexual battery and received consecutive sentences of ten years for each count for a total effective sentence of thirty years. Subsequently, the petitioner filed a petition for post-conviction relief claiming that he received ineffective assistance of counsel and that his guilty pleas were involuntary and unknowing. The post-conviction court denied his petition. Consequently, the petitioner presents the following issue for our review: whether the post-conviction court erred in denying his claim for post-conviction relief. Upon review of the record and the parties' briefs, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Walter C. Kurtz |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 07/18/01 | |
John Watson Little, et. al. and Leslie Earl Little, Executors for the Estate of Leslie H. Llittle, Deceased, . v. Michael Hogan, Jeff Payne et. al.
01A01-9707-CV-00291
The captioned executors filed this suit to recover damages for the wrongful death of 88
Authoring Judge: Judge Henry F. Todd
Originating Judge:Judge Lee Russell |
Bedford County | Court of Appeals | 07/18/01 | |
Sara J. and Jerry H. Malone v. First Capital Home Improvements
02A01-9704-CV-00091
Defendant First Capital Home Improvements appeals the trial court’s judgment entered in favor of Plaintiffs/Appellees Sara J. Malone and Jerry H. Malone in this breach of contract action. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Judge John Franklin Murchison |
Madison County | Court of Appeals | 07/18/01 | |
George Stinson, Edward D. Lewis, and Gelsco of Tennessee, Inc., v. 138 Fifth Avenue South, et. al. and Metro Development and Housing Authority - Concurring
01A01-9702-CV-00060
I concur in the conclusion that paragraph 17 of the lease was not triggered by the sale from the lessors to MDHA. I am also of the opinion that the critical sentence beginning with “All damages awarded for such taking . . .” refers to a partial taking, because the damages are described later in the sentence as “compensation for diminution in value to the leasehold or to the fee of the property herein leased.” A taking of the whole would not diminish the value of the leasehold or the fee; it would extinguish the leasehold and the fee and replace them with a monetary award.
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
|
Court of Appeals | 07/18/01 | ||
Barbara Korthoff vs. Herbert Korthoff
W2001-01712-COA-R10-CV
In this pending divorce action, the trial court ordered Husband to transfer $300,000.00 to Wife as a partial distribution of the marital estate. Husband filed an application for extraordinary appeal pursuant to Rule 10 Tenn. R. App. P. which this Court granted. Husband contends that the trial court is without authority to make a partial distribution of marital funds during the pendency of the divorce action. Furthermore, if the court had such authority, it could not do so absent an evidentiary hearing to determine whether the property was marital or separate. The application was granted and the order of the trial court reversed.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Kay S. Robilio |
Shelby County | Court of Appeals | 07/18/01 | |
Jean Kelly Fisher Wallace v. Richard Edward Wallace
02A01-9702-CH-00029
This is a post-divorce custody proceeding. Jean Kelly Fisher Wallace (“mother”) was
Authoring Judge: Judge Hewitt P. Tomlin
Originating Judge:Judge C. Neal Small |
Shelby County | Court of Appeals | 07/18/01 | |
Sheila Faye Hagen McCall Barnett v. Ronald Edward Barnett, Sr.
01A01-9706-CV-00244
Plaintiff, Sheila Faye Hagen McCall Barnett (Wife), and defendant, Ronald Edward Barnett, Sr. (Husband), were divorced by decree entered January 9, 1997. Husband appeals and presents issues concerning property division, alimony, and attorney’s fees.
Authoring Judge: Presiding W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Judge Muriel Robinson |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 07/18/01 | |
State of Tennessee v. Damien Marcess Jackson
M2000-00763-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant, Damien Marcess Jackson, was indicted for first degree murder and two counts of attempted first degree murder. A jury convicted the Defendant of second degree murder and two counts of attempted second degree murder. He was subsequently sentenced as a Range I offender to twenty-five years for the murder and twelve years for each of the attempted murders, all to run consecutively. In this appeal as of right, the Defendant challenges the trial court's denial of his motion to suppress; the trial court's refusal to order the State to disclose the identity of a confidential informant; the sufficiency of the evidence; and the length and manner of service of his sentences. We affirm the trial court's judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Judge Cheryl A. Blackburn |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 07/18/01 | |
Harpeth Valley Utilities Dist. of Davidson and Williamson Counties, v. The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County - Concurring
01A01-9711-CH-00686
We concur with the results of the presiding judge’s opinion because we believe that the holding of Davidson County v. Harmon, 200 Tenn. 575, 292 S.W.2d 777 (1956) controls the outcome of this case. The Harpeth Valley Utility District has been operating since 1959 under the aegis of the Utilities Law of 1937 [Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 7-82-101, -804 (1992 & Supp. 1997)] providing water and sewerage disposal services to areas of Davidson, Williamson, and Cheatham Counties. As such, it is a governmental entity. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 7-82-301(a)(1) (Supp. 1997); First
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
|
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 07/17/01 | |
James Dortch, Sr. vs. Evonne Dortch
M1999-02053-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves a dispute over the division of a marital estate following a seventeen-year marriage. Both parties sought a divorce in the Circuit Court for Davidson County. During a short bench trial, they stipulated that each of them had grounds for divorce but contested the classification, valuation, and division of their separate and marital property. The trial court declared the parties divorced and undertook to divide their marital estate equally. Both parties are dissatisfied with the division of the marital estate. The husband asserts that the trial court made a significant mathematical error in calculating the amount required to equalize the division. For her part, the wife asserts that the trial court misclassified items of separate property as marital property. We have determined that the trial court properly determined that the parties should receive equal shares of the net marital estate. However, we also find that the trial court misclassified a number of items of the wife's separate property and erroneously calculated the amount to be awarded to the wife to equalize the division of the marital estate. Accordingly, we have corrected the errors and affirm the judgment as modified herein.
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Muriel Robinson |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 07/17/01 | |
Connie McGahey vs. James Wilson
M2000-01931-COA-R3-CV
Upon divorce, the parties entered into an agreement that provided the parties would retain ownership as the marital residence as tenants in common, but could not sell the property without mutual consent. Mrs. McGahey now desires to partition the property over her former husband's objection. The special master found that the contract provision barring partition was unenforceable. The chancellor found the provision enforceable but only for a reasonable period of time (sixteen years). Mr. Wilson now appeals the trial court's judgment ordering partition by sale. Resolution of this appeal requires us to examine the effect of a contract barring partition between tenants in common when no time limitation or purpose for the restriction against sale was stated in the agreement. We hold the contract provision to be unenforceable.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Carol L. Mccoy |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 07/17/01 | |
Dept. of Children's Svcs. vs. Pamela Cox, et al
M1999-01598-COA-R3-CV
This case presents two issues. The first is whether proper notice was given to the mother of a dependent and neglected child to meet due process requirements and allow adjudication of her right to visitation and of the goal of the permanency plan for the child. The second issue is whether the evidence preponderated against the trial court's decision to change the goal of the permanency plan to termination of parental rights and terminate the mother's visitation. We affirm the circuit court on both issues finding no due process violation and more than adequate evidence to support the trial court's decision.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Robert L. Holloway |
Lawrence County | Court of Appeals | 07/17/01 | |
William Craig Browning v. James River Corporation
W1999-01799-WC-R3-CV
The trial court determined that the plaintiff suffered a 5% vocational impairment to each leg. The defendant asserts that the plaintiff failed to provide proper notice of his injuries; that he failed to prove that the injuries arose out of and within the course and scope of his employment; and that the evidence does not support the amount of vocational disability awarded. For the reasons set forth below, We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: J. Steven Stafford, Special Judge
Originating Judge:Joe C. Morris, Chancellor |
Madison County | Workers Compensation Panel | 07/17/01 | |
William Craig Browning v. James River Corporation
W1999-01799-WC-R3-CV
The trial court determined that the plaintiff suffered a 5% vocational impairment to each leg. The defendant asserts that the plaintiff failed to provide proper notice of his injuries; that he failed to prove that the injuries arose out of and within the course and scope of his employment; and that the evidence does not support the amount of vocational disability awarded. For the reasons set forth below, We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Wil V. Doran, Special Judge
Originating Judge:Joe C. Morris, Chancellor |
Madison County | Workers Compensation Panel | 07/17/01 | |
James Ray vs. Thomas Richards
M2000-01808-COA-R3-CV
Plaintiff filed a complaint against Defendant for personal injuries resulting from an alleged assault which occurred on October 20, 1998. The jury found for Defendant. Plaintiff appeals raising two issues: (1) Whether the trial court committed reversible error by admitting evidence of Plaintiff's character, reputation, conduct, and criminal records, and (2) whether the trial court erred in allowing the neighbor's petition describing Plaintiff as a public nuisance into evidence. We affirm the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Hamilton V. Gayden, Jr. |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 07/17/01 | |
William Ware, Virginia Ware, and Summer Ware, et. al. v. Michael C. Green, Commissioner, State of Tennessee Department of Safety
01A01-9604-CH-00170
This appeal involves the forfeiture under the Tennessee Drug Control Act of $4,710.75 in cash, twenty-two pistols, rifles and shotguns, a video camera, silver bars, and assorted gold and silver coins during a search of a residence in Waynesboro. The Commissioner of Safety ordered the currency and personal property forfeited despite the family’s contention that an initial search of their home and property without a warrant was illegal. The family filed a petition for judicial review in the Chancery Court for Davidson County. The trial court found the personal property was lawfully seized after the officers obtained a search warrant and affirmed the forfeiture order. The family perfected this appeal. We have determined that there is substantial and material evidence to support the commissioner’s decision. Originating Judge:Chancellor Robert S. Brandt |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 07/17/01 | |
Recognized Ground of Equity. Chambers v. City of Chattanooga, 71 S.W.3D 281, 284 (Tenn. Ct. App.
M2006-02424-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Carol L. Mccoy |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 07/17/01 | |
State of Tennessee v. Kathleen Malley
W2000-01064-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant, Kathleen Malley, entered a guilty plea to theft of over $60,000, a Class B felony, in exchange for an agreed sentence of eight years incarceration. Following a sentencing hearing to determine the manner of service of that sentence, the Defendant was ordered to serve six months in jail followed by twelve years of probation. She was also ordered to pay $100,000 in restitution. In this appeal as of right, the Defendant argues that the trial court erred by refusing to grant her full probation. We find no error. Thus, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Judge Joseph B. Brown |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 07/16/01 | |
State of Tennessee v. Douglas C. Carr
W2000-01775-CCA-R3-CD
The appellant, Douglas C. Carr, pled guilty in the Shelby County Criminal Court to one count of driving while an habitual motor vehicle offender. Pursuant to the plea agreement, the petitioner was sentenced as a standard Range I offender to eighteen months incarceration in the Shelby County Correction Center with the manner of service to be determined by the trial court. The trial court denied the appellant alternative sentencing, and, on appeal, the appellant raises the following issue for our review: whether the trial court erred in denying the appellant alternative sentencing. 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 Arthur T. Bennett |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 07/16/01 |