State vs. Russell Snider
W2000-01240-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant, Russell Snider, was convicted by a jury of third offense driving under the influence (DUI). He was sentenced to eleven months, twenty-nine days, with four months and twenty-nine days suspended. In this appeal as of right, the Defendant asserts (1) that he was prejudiced by the video recording of his performance of field sobriety tests because the video recording depicts an unqualified officer performing the horizontal gaze nystagmus test and (2) that the DUI sentencing statute is void for vagueness because it fails to give a person of ordinary intelligence fair notice that his or her conduct is forbidden by the statute. We hold that the Defendant was not prejudiced by the admission of the video and that the DUI sentencing statute is not void for vagueness. Therefore, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Chris B. Craft |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/26/01 | |
State of Tennessee v. Eric D. Thomas
W1999-00337-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant, Eric D. Thomas, pled guilty to four counts of robbery and was sentenced to six years for each conviction. The sentences were ordered to run consecutively, which ruling the Defendant now appeals. The judgment of the trial court ordering the Defendant's sentences to run consecutively is reversed, and this matter is remanded for resentencing on the issue of consecutive sentences.
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Judge Joseph B. Dailey |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/26/01 | |
State of Tennessee v. Eric Phillips
W1999-01800-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant appeals and asserts that the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction for first degree premeditated murder. After review, we hold that the evidence is sufficient; therefore, we affirm the defendant's conviction.
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge John P. Colton, Jr. |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/26/01 | |
Jerry L. Luster v. J. Larry Craven, Jr.
W2000-02217-CCA-R3-CD
The petitioner, Jerry L. Luster, appeals pro se the summary dismissal of his petition for writ of habeas corpus. Because the petition was filed in the wrong county, we affirm the trial court's dismissal of the request for habeas corpus relief.
Authoring Judge: Special Judge Cornelia A. Clark
Originating Judge:Judge Roy B. Morgan, Jr. |
Madison County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/26/01 | |
State of Tennessee v. Mario Rogers
W1999-01454-CCA-R3-CD
In 1999, a Shelby County jury found the Defendant guilty of aggravated robbery, and the trial court sentenced him as a Range I, standard offender to eight years incarceration. In this appeal as of right, the Defendant presents the following issues for our review: (1) whether the evidence presented at trial was sufficient to support his conviction; (2) whether the trial court erred by admitting into evidence the gun alleged to have been used in the robbery; (3) whether the trial court erred by allowing testimony by the victim concerning the death of the victim's mother; (4) whether the trial court improperly instructed the jury; and (5) whether the cumulative effect of errors at trial warrants a new trial. Having reviewed the record, we find no error and accordingly affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Arthur T. Bennett |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/26/01 | |
In re: Adoption of A.K.S.R. and A.T.S.R.
M2000-03081-COA-R3-CV
This appeal stems from a petition by both a paternal aunt and the foster parents to adopt twenty-month-old twin girls. The trial court found that the paternal aunt should adopt the children because relatives have preference over non-relatives in adoption proceedings and the foster parents did not meet the terms of the contract they signed with the Department of Children's Services. We reverse the decision of the trial court and grant the petition of the foster parents.
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Leonard W. Martin |
Cheatham County | Court of Appeals | 06/26/01 | |
State of Tennessee v. Demetrius Holmes
E2000-02263-CCA-R3-CD
A Knox County jury convicted the defendant of aggravated robbery, and the trial court sentenced him as a Range I offender to eleven years incarceration. The defendant now appeals and raises the following issues: (1) whether the trial court erred by not granting a mistrial when a detective improperly testified that the Defendant was “well known for home invasions,” (2) whether the state failed to disclose fingerprint evidence in a timely fashion, and (3) whether sufficient evidence supported the defendant’s conviction for aggravated robbery. Finding that the trial court erred in denying the motion to declare a mistrial, we reverse the judgment of the trial court and remand for a new trial.
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Richard R. Baumgartner |
Knox County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/26/01 | |
State of Tennessee v. Donnell Booker
E2000-02137-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant was convicted by a Knox County jury of aggravated assault, a Class C felony. The Defendant was sentenced as a Range II multiple offender to nine years incarceration in the state penitentiary. The Defendant now appeals, arguing that insufficient evidence was presented at trial to convict him of aggravated assault. Finding no error, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Mary Beth Leibowitz |
Knox County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/26/01 | |
State of Tennessee v. William Butler Bolling
E2000-03166-CCA-R3-CD
William Butler Bolling appeals from the Sullivan County Criminal Court's determination that he serve his plea bargained, effective two-year sentence for gambling crimes in the Department of Correction. He claims he should have received some form of alternative sentencing, preferably probation, for his felony conviction. Because Bolling has failed to demonstrate the error of the trial court's determination, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Phyllis H. Miller |
Sullivan County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/26/01 | |
State vs. Frank Johnson
W2000-00386-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant was indicted by a Shelby County Grand Jury for driving while an habitual motor vehicle offender, felony evading arrest, and driving under the influence of an intoxicant, fourth offense (felony DUI), all charges arising from a single incident. The defendant pled guilty to driving while an habitual motor vehicle offender, a Class E felony, with punishment reserved until after trial of the other offenses. Following a jury trial, the defendant was found guilty of felony evading arrest, a Class E felony, not guilty of felony DUI, and sentenced to consecutive, six-year terms as a career offender for driving while an habitual motor vehicle offender and for felony evading arrest, resulting in an effective sentence of twelve years. The trial court also assessed fines of $2000 on each conviction. In this appeal as of right, the defendant argues that the evidence was insufficient as to the felony evading arrest conviction, that the jury should have been instructed as to lesser-included offenses, and that the sentences should not be served consecutively. Based upon our review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Chris B. Craft |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/26/01 | |
Williamson County, et al. v. State Board of Equalization
M2000-03178-COA-R3-CV
In this case, a consortium of counties and cities appeals the decision of the Chancery Court of Davidson County upholding the action of the Tennessee State Board of Equalization in applying depreciable life schedules forming a part of Tennessee Code Annotated section 67-5-903(f) to commercial and industrial tangible personal property and in holding that personal property is not constitutionally required to be valued at its actual value in the implementation of Tennessee Code Annotated section 67-5-1509(a). The only issues before this court are the constitutionality of Tennessee Code Annotated section 67-5-903(f) and Tennessee Code Annotated section 67-5-1509(a). We hold both statutes to be constitutional and affirm the Chancellor.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Ellen Hobbs Lyle |
Williamson County | Court of Appeals | 06/26/01 | |
Jerry Anderson v. State of Tennessee
W2000-03141-CCA-R3-CO
Petitioner appeals the denial by the trial court of his writ of habeas corpus and writ of certiorari. Petitioner contended in his petition that he previously pled guilty in the Criminal Court of Madison County to the offenses of facilitation of first degree murder, conspiracy to commit especially aggravated robbery, and arson, and received an effective sentence of 60 years. He further contended that court did not have jurisdiction to try him as an adult; his rights to double jeopardy were violated as a result of his transfer to the Criminal Court; and he received ineffective assistance of trial counsel. On appeal, he claims the trial court erred in dismissing his petition without appointing counsel, without conducting a hearing, and by failing to make findings of fact and conclusions of law. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Originating Judge:Judge Lee Moore |
Lake County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/26/01 | |
Donald Ferrell v. York Trucking, Inc.,
M2000-01350-WC-R3-CV
This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to theSpecial Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated _ 5-6- 225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. The trial court found the plaintiff had suffered an assault during the course and scope of his employment, which resulted in a permanent disability of 4 percent to the body as a whole as a result of a psychiatric injury. The trial judge also awarded the plaintiff temporary total disability, future medical benefits and other costs. We affirm the judgment of the trial court. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e) (1999) Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Chancery Court is Affirmed JOHN K. BYERS, Sr. J., in which FRANK F. DROWOTA, III, J. and JOSEPH C. LOSER, JR., SP. J., joined. Robert J. Uhorchuk, Chattanooga, Tennessee, for the appellants, York Trucking, Inc. et al. H. Thomas Parsons, Manchester, Tennessee, for the appellee, Donald Ferrell. MEMORANDUM OPINION Review of the findings of fact made by the trial court is de novo upon the record of the trial court, accompanied by a presumption of the correctness of the findings, unless the preponderance of the evidence is otherwise. TENN. CODE ANN. _ 5-6-225(e)(2); Stone v. City of McMinnville, 896 S.W.2d 548, 55 (Tenn. 1995). The application of this standard requires this Court to weigh in more depth the factual findings and conclusions of the trial courts in workers' compensation cases. See Corcoran v. Foster Auto GMC, Inc., 746 S.W.2d 452, 456 (Tenn. 1988). Plaintiff's Biography The plaintiff was age fifty at the time of the trial. He had not completed the eighth grade in school. His work history consisted almost entirely of being a truck driver and tow-motor operator. He is married and does not have any children. History of Previous Injuries The plaintiff had a workers' compensation claim in 1982 and another in 1991. Each of these was settled. The 1991 injury occurred when the plaintiff fell from a truck of a previous employer. The plaintiff injured his neck, shoulder and lower back in that accident. Approximately nine months after the 1991 incident, the plaintiff developed a condition known as syncope, which is a fainting episode that results from coughing that causes restricted blood flow to a person's heart. In addition to the syncope, the plaintiff developed blurred vision, dizziness, headaches and depression. The episodes of fainting diminished somewhat prior to the injury in this case. The plaintiff testified the other symptoms he suffered never stopped bothering him. Discussion of Current Case This case arose out of an occurrence on July 15, 1997. The plaintiff and his wife, who drove with him because of his history of fainting, were in the course of their employment with the defendant employer. They stopped at a restaurant in Murfreesboro at approximately 3: a.m. The plaintiff and his wife went into the restaurant and got food to go. When they returned to the truck, the plaintiff's wife got into the truck and took the passenger's seat. The plaintiff testified he heard a noise at the back of the truck and went in that direction to investigate. The plaintiff said he heard something and turned and saw a man in a blue shirt. Then said the plaintiff, "my lights went out in Georgia." The plaintiff's wife did not see or hear anything occurring, but she became concerned when the plaintiff did not come into the truck. She testified she looked out toward the back of the truck and saw the plaintiff lying on the ground about half way down the length of the truck. She went to the plaintiff and held him in her lap. She got the attention of another truck driver who summoned aid from the restaurant. This driver left the area without being identified. An employee of the restaurant came out to help with the plaintiff and verified that the plaintiff was lying on the ground in an unconscious state. The only difference between the witness' testimony and that of the plaintiff's wife was that the restaurant employee said the plaintiffwas lying much nearer the driver door than did the wife. -2-
Authoring Judge: John K. Byers, Sr. J.
Originating Judge:Jeffery Stewart, Chancellor |
Franklin County | Workers Compensation Panel | 06/26/01 | |
State of Tennessee v. Demetrius Holmes - Dissenting
E2000-02263-CCA-R3-CD
I respectfully dissent. I agree with the majority opinion that the granting or denial of a mistrial is a matter within the sound discretion of the trial court and that a trial court should grant a mistrial only when it is of “manifest necessity.” I would add that the burden of establishing a “manifest necessity” is upon the appellant. State v. Williams, 929 S.W.2d 385, 388 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1996).
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Richard R. Baumgartner |
Knox County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/26/01 | |
Pearl Lynell Potts, Indiv.and Executor of the Estate of Gordon Ray Potts, Sr., Deceased, vs. Mary Potts Mayforth, et al vs. Alice Elizabeth Nelson
E2000-03116-COA-R3-CV
The Trial Court entered a Default Judgment against Potts pursuant to Tenn. R. Civ. P. 37.02 and then summary judgment for plaintiffs. On appeal by defendants, we affirm the Judgment of the Trial Court.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:G. Richard Johnson |
Carter County | Court of Appeals | 06/26/01 | |
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Supreme Court | 06/25/01 | ||
Danny Middleton v. Porcelain Products Company
E2000-01464-WC-R3-CV
The employee appeals and contends the trial court erred (1) in finding his medical impairment to be eleven percent instead of eighteen percent to the body, (2) in concluding that he has employment opportunities available locally, and (3) in failing to consider economic feasibility in determining local employment opportunities. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Howell N. Peoples, Special Judge
Originating Judge:Daryl Fansler, Chancellor |
Knox County | Workers Compensation Panel | 06/25/01 | |
State of Tennessee v. Kenneth S. Griffin
E2000-02471-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant, Kenneth Griffin, was found guilty of burglary (Class D) and theft (Class D) following a bench trial. He was sentenced as a career offender on each conviction to twelve (12) years incarceration, and the sentences were ordered to be served consecutively. The Defendant, with counsel, appealed the conviction raising the sole issue of the sufficiency of the evidence. This court affirmed. State v. Kenneth S. Griffin, C.C.A. No. 03C01-9811-CR-00406, 1999 Tenn. Crim. App. LEXIS 1316, Knox County (Tenn. Crim. App., Knoxville, Dec. 27, 1999). Subsequently, Defendant timely filed a petition for post-conviction relief alleging, apparently among other issues, that he received ineffective assistance of counsel on appeal because appellate counsel did not raise as an issue the consecutive sentencing ordered by the trial court. The post-conviction court, in a written order, granted Defendant a "delayed appeal" as "authorized under TENNESSEE CODE ANNOTATED SECTION. 40-30-213." The post-conviction court's order limited the delayed appeal to the sole issue "of the correctness of [defendant's] sentence." However, the post-conviction court, while impliedly finding ineffective assistance of counsel for not raising the sentencing issue on direct appeal, made no finding that the Petitioner was prejudiced by the deficient representation. In any event, we find that the granting of a delayed appeal from the original conviction is not authorized by statute, and accordingly, this appeal from the sentence imposed in the original convictions is dismissed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Ray L. Jenkins |
Knox County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/25/01 | |
State of Tennessee v. Takeita M. Locke
E2000-00923-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant was convicted in the Knox County Criminal Court of especially aggravated robbery and felony murder. She timely appealed, arguing that the State had failed to show that statements she gave while a juvenile were admissible, that the trial court erred in not instructing as to lesser-included offenses or that the jury must find whether felony murder was a "natural and probable consequence" of especially aggravated robbery, and that the evidence was insufficient to sustain the convictions. Based upon our review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge Richard R. Baumgartner |
Knox County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/25/01 | |
Franklin Parton v. State of Tennessee
E2000-01511-CCA-R3-CD
The petitioner/appellant, Franklin Parton, filed a pro se "Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus" in the Knox County Criminal Court, which was dismissed by the trial court without an evidentiary hearing. Petitioner filed a motion for reconsideration and for treatment of the petition as a petition for writ of error coram nobis. This motion was also summarily denied by the trial court. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Ray L. Jenkins |
Knox County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/25/01 | |
Michael T. Burum v. Bnfl, Incorporated and Hartford
E2000-01383-WC-R3-CV
This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the SpecialWorkers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated _ 5-6- 225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. The trial court awarded the plaintiff, who fell at work, permanentpartial disabilityof 5 percent to the left leg. We affirm the decision of the trial court. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e) (1999) Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Circuit Court is Affirmed JOHN K. BYERS, SR. J., in which E. RILEY ANDERSON, C. J., and ROGER E. THAYER, SP. J., joined. Robert R. Davies, Knoxville, Tennessee, for the appellants, BNFL, Inc. and Hartford Insurance Company. Roger L. Ridenour, Clinton, Tennessee, for the appellee, Michael T. Burum. MEMORANDUM OPINION Review of the findings of fact made by the trial court is de novo upon the record of the trial court, accompanied by a presumption of the correctness of the findings, unless the preponderance of the evidence is otherwise. TENN. CODE ANN. _ 5-6-225(e)(2). Stone v. City of McMinnville, 896 S.W.2d 548, 55 (Tenn. 1995). The application of this standard requires this Court to weigh in more depth the factual findings and conclusions of the trial courts in workers' compensation cases. See Corcoran v. Foster Auto GMC, Inc., 746 S.W.2d 452, 456 (Tenn. 1988). Plaintiff's History The plaintiff, thirty-nine years of age at the time of trial, is a high school graduate. He attended classes at Tennessee Technical Institute and the University of Tennessee where he studied computer science. The plaintiff also served for eight years in the United States Armed Forces working in communications, computers, radios and electrical repair. The plaintiff's job history consists of work as a machine operator, a service desk employee and a paper technician with a large paper manufacturer. The plaintiff worked for the defendant, who contracted with the K-25 facility for waste management, as a waste management employee. On November 2, 1998, the plaintiff was carrying out his duties for the defendant when he fell and twisted his knee. The plaintiff eventually underwent surgery on the left knee. He testified the knee still causes him problems, and he can no longer participate in activities or work as before the injury. Discussion The trial court's decision in this case appears to be based mainly on the testimony of the plaintiff. Where the trial judge has made a determination based upon the testimony of witnesses whom he has seen and heard, great deference must be given to that finding in determining whether the evidence preponderates against the trial judge's determination. See Humphrey v. David Witherspoon, Inc., 734 S.W.2d 315 (Tenn. 1987). When the trial judge sees and hears the witnesses, it is not for this Court to determine whether a witness has so far destroyed his credibility by inconsistent statements that the trial judge is unable to give credence to any of the witness' testimony. The trial judge's finding of fact in this regard is conclusive if there is any evidence to support it. Walls v. Magnolia Truck Lines, Inc., 622 S.W.2d 526 (Tenn. 1981). In this case, the trial court made no specific finding regarding the plaintiff's credibility or lack thereof. We find nothing in the record to undermine the trial court's decision to credit the testimony of the plaintiff. Both parties in this action agreed at trial that a worker does not have to show vocational disability or loss of earning capacity to be entitled to the benefits for the loss of use of a scheduled member. Duncan v. Boeing Tenn., Inc., 825 S.W.2d 416 (Tenn. 1992). However, the plaintiff may provide such proof to the court as a factor for the court to consider when determining loss of use. In this case, the plaintiff testified as to the loss of use of his leg. He stated he did not believe he could do jobs he had previously done; he also testified he could no longer participated in sports_baseball, basketball, softball_as he had previously done. The plaintiff testified he could neither sit nor walk for long periods of time without pain and told the trial court that the injury bothered him "pretty much all the time." The plaintiff's testimony is unrefuted; the defendants offered no rebuttal proof at trial regarding the plaintiff's testimony about his vocational prospects -2-
Authoring Judge: John K. Byers, Sr. J.
Originating Judge:James B. Scott, Judge |
Knox County | Workers Compensation Panel | 06/25/01 | |
State of Tennessee v. Ricky Eugene Cofer
E2000-01499-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Ricky Eugene Cofer, was convicted of aggravated robbery. The trial court imposed a Range II sentence of 15 years. In this appeal of right, the defendant contends that his indictment for aggravated robbery was legally insufficient; that the evidence was insufficient to convict; and that his trial counsel was ineffective. The judgment is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:Judge James B. Scott, Jr. |
Anderson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/25/01 | |
Hopewell Baptist Church vs. Southeast Window Mfg. Co., et al
E2000-02699-COA-R3-CV
Hopewell Baptist Church brought suit against defendant Southeast Window Mfg. LLC., alleging that it was a successor corporation and liable under a contractual warranty given by its predecessor. The Trial Court ruled that the defendant was a successor corporation and had expressly or impliedly assumed the obligations under its predecessor's warranty through the acts of its agent. We reverse.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:W. Dale Young |
Blount County | Court of Appeals | 06/25/01 | |
Jerry Brooks vs. Melissa Ibsen, et al
E2000-02870-COA-R3-CV
Jerry Brooks ("Plaintiff") contracted with Joe Ibsen d/b/a Century Wholesale Pool Supply, Inc. ("Defendant"), for the installation of a swimming pool. Plaintiff received a limited warranty. After the swimming pool developed several cracks and the parties could not reach agreement on the proper way to repair the pool, Plaintiff had the pool repaired in the manner recommended by an engineer he had retained. This lawsuit followed. The Trial Court awarded Plaintiff $61,531.28 in damages. We reduce the judgment to $51,371.28 and affirm as modified.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Billy Joe White |
Union County | Court of Appeals | 06/25/01 | |
Tonya Sexton vs. Hartco Flooring Co.
E2000-02489-COA-R3-CV
The Trial Court granted defendant summary judgment on plaintiff's claims of sexual harassment and retaliatory discharge from employment. On appeal, we affirm judgment on the sexual harassment claim, but vacate and remand on claim of retaliatory discharge.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Billy Joe White |
Scott County | Court of Appeals | 06/25/01 |