APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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State vs. Damon Theodore Marsh

M1999-01879-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant, Damon Theodore Marsh, appeals his conviction for second degree murder, for which he received a sentence of 23 years and 6 months. On appeal, the defendant raises the issue of sufficiency of the evidence to support his conviction. We conclude that the issue raised by the defendant in this appeal is without merit. The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Originating Judge:W. Charles Lee
Bedford County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/29/00
State vs. Richard Allan Frye

E1999-01564-CCA-R9-RL
This appeal arises from the order of the Sullivan County Criminal Court upholding the district attorney general's refusal to accept the application of the defendant for pretrial diversion. The defendant asserts that the trial court erred in failing to determine that the district attorney general abused his discretion by relying on facts not supported by the evidence and by failing to consider all relevant factors. We conclude that substantial evidence was before the district attorney general to support the validity of each of the four factors relied on in denying pretrial diversion and that the district attorney general considered all relevant factors. Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Phyllis H. Miller
Sullivan County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/29/00
S.E.A., Inc. vs. Southside Leasing Company and Moss W. Yater

E2000-00631-COA-R3-CV
S.E.A., Inc. brought suit in Knox County Chancery Court seeking an injunction and alternatively, damages, against its lessor, Southside Leasing Company, and Southside's secured creditor, Moss W. Yater, regarding a non-disturbance agreement. Yater is also Southside's majority shareholder, president and director. S.E.A.sought to sublease a portion of the property. Pursuant to the terms of the lease between S.E.A. and Southside, Southside consented to the sublease and executed the requested non-disturbance agreement. However, Yater, Southside's secured creditor, refused to execute the non-disturbance agreement unless Southside received a portion of the rent from the sublease. Defendants filed motions for summary judgment which were granted by the Trial Court. S.E.A. appeals the Trial Court's granting of summary judgment to the Defendants. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:John F. Weaver
Knox County Court of Appeals 09/29/00
State vs. Raymond Jackson Collins

E1999-00233-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant appeals from his conviction of, and four-year sentence for, violation of a habitual traffic offender order, failure to stop for a red light, and violation of the seat belt law. He asserts that insufficient evidence supported the verdict, that the imposed sentence was excessive, and that the trial court improperly denied alternative sentencing. We affirm the convictions and sentence, holding that sufficient evidence supported the verdict and that the trial court properly sentenced the defendant.
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:R. Jerry Beck
Sullivan County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/29/00
State vs. Dyron H. Yokley

M1999-00290-CCA-R3-CD
Pursuant to a plea agreement, Dyron Yokley, the defendant and appellant, entered "best interest" pleas to four (4) counts of aggravated robbery. The plea agreement provided that the "[d]efendant is to receive an [eight] 8 year package with a sentencing hearing to determine any alternative sentencing, if applicable." Following a sentencing hearing, the trial court sentenced the defendant to eight years for each count, concurrently, as provided in the plea agreement. Relying primarily on the defendant's criminal history and previous sentences of probation, the court ordered the defendant to serve his sentence in the Tennessee Department of Corrections. The defendant now appeals, arguing that all parties were unaware that the defendant was statutorily ineligible for probation and that his plea was thus involuntarily given. Because we find this matter is a post-conviction issue rather than one properly raised at this time, we affirm the judgment of the trial court
Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry Smith
Originating Judge:Robert L. Jones
Lawrence County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/29/00
State vs. George O. Mears

M1999-01229-CCA-R3-CD
The appellant, George O. Mears, appeals his conviction in the Cannon County Circuit Court of driving under the influence of an intoxicant, second offense. Pursuant to the appellant's conviction, the trial court imposed a sentence of eleven months and twenty-nine days incarceration in the Cannon County Jail, suspending all but six months of the appellant's sentence and placing him on probation. On appeal, the appellant presents the following issues for our review: (1) whether the trial court erred in permitting the prosecutor to comment to the jury about the appellant's failure to call a witness and in providing a "missing witness" instruction to the jury; (2) whether the evidence adduced at the appellant's trial is sufficient to support the jury's verdict of guilt; and (3) whether the trial court erred in sentencing the appellant. Following a review of the record and the parties' briefs, we reverse the judgment of the trial court and remand this case for a new trial.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Don Ash
Cannon County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/29/00
Wilson vs. So. Centr. Corr. Facility Disciplinary Bd

M2000-00303-COA-RM-CV
An inmate in a privately operated prison filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari against the disciplinary board at that facility. The trial court dismissed his petition for failure to state a claim. We affirm
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Jim T. Hamilton
Wayne County Court of Appeals 09/28/00
Joiner vs. Metro Gov't

M2000-00413-COA-R3-CV
The Trial Court entered consent Judgment over objection of defendant. We vacate Judgment and remand.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Carol L. Soloman
Davidson County Court of Appeals 09/28/00
Paul Farnsworth, A/K/A Ronnie Bradfield v. Donita Moore,

01623-COA-R3-CV

Originating Judge:Thomas W. Graham
Bledsoe County Court of Appeals 09/28/00
Turner vs. Turner

M1999-00482-COA-R3-CV
This is a divorce case. Following a bench trial, the court below (1) granted a divorce to wife; (2) divided the marital property; (3) awarded wife alimony in the form of a $1,640.55 monthly payment out of husband's retirement account; and (4) declared that the alimony award was to be secured by the husband's retirement account. Husband appeals the alimony award, the use of the retirement account as security for the payment of alimony, and the trial court's division of the marital property. Wife takes issue with the division of the parties' marital property. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Marietta M. Shipley
Davidson County Court of Appeals 09/28/00
Turner vs. Turner

M1999-00482-COA-R3-CV
This is a divorce case. Following a bench trial, the court below (1) granted a divorce to wife; (2) divided the marital property; (3) awarded wife alimony in the form of a $1,640.55 monthly payment out of husband's retirement account; and (4) declared that the alimony award was to be secured by the husband's retirement account. Husband appeals the alimony award, the use of the retirement account as security for the payment of alimony, and the trial court's division of the marital property. Wife takes issue with the division of the parties' marital property. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Marietta M. Shipley
Davidson County Court of Appeals 09/28/00
State Dept. of Children's Svcs. vs. L.S., In the Matter of D.S.

M1999-00847-COA-R3-CV
The Trial Court removed minor child from the parental home on grounds child was dependent and neglected. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:John J. Maddux
Pickett County Court of Appeals 09/28/00
Franklin Nat'l Bank vs. Prowell

M2000-00580-COA-R3-CV
The Circuit Court of Williamson County refused to issue a writ of certiorari to review a judgment of the General Sessions Court of that county because the petition was untimely and the same issues were already pending in an action in Maury County. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Jeffrey S. Bivins
Williamson County Court of Appeals 09/28/00
Tammy Elizabeth Hickman & Danny Ray Hickman vs. Eugenia Darlene Hickman

E2000-00927-COA-R3-CV
Plaintiffs sued to terminate the mother's parental rights. The Trial Judge held plaintiffs failed to carry the burden of proof. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Jeffrey F. Stewart
Rhea County Court of Appeals 09/28/00
Barry Robinson v. Donald Brooks

M2003-00185-COA-R3-CV
This case involves the sale by auction of certain real property in Davidson County. The buyers brought suit in Davidson County Chancery Court seeking specific performance or, in the alternative, damages for breach of contract. From the trial court's grant of summary judgment for the defendants, the plaintiff buyers appeal. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Ellen Hobbs Lyle
Davidson County Court of Appeals 09/28/00
State vs. Chris Wilson a/k/a Calvin Clark

M1998-00395-CCA-R3-CD
Following a "best interest" plea to one count of aggravated burglary, the appellant was sentenced to a term of five years in the Department of Correction. On appeal, he challenges (1) the length of the sentence and (2) the imposition of a sentence of total confinement. After review, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:John H. Gasaway, III
Montgomery County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/28/00
Lassiter vs. Lassiter

M1999-00374-COA-R3-CV
This case involves a divorce ending a seven-year marriage. The divorce was awarded to the wife on grounds of the husband's inappropriate marital conduct. The trial court divided the property and debts according to the parties' stipulations. The court then awarded the wife alimony in futuro and ordered the husband to pay $750 of the wife's attorney fees. The husband appeals the awards of alimony and attorney fees. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Carol A. Catalano
Robertson County Court of Appeals 09/28/00
Dudley vs. Dudley

M1998-00982-COA-R3-CV
In this divorce case, the trial court awarded the divorce to the Wife and divided the property. Husband appeals the award of the marital residence and its contents to Wife. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Carol A. Catalano
Montgomery County Court of Appeals 09/28/00
Moss vs. TN Board of Paroles

M2000-00128-COA-R3-CV
At the hearing where appellant's parole was revoked, the Hearing Officer admitted sworn statements of alleged victims. The Trial Court upheld the revocation. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Ellen Hobbs Lyle
Davidson County Court of Appeals 09/28/00
State vs. Tony Allen Leonard

E1999-00971-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant appeals his conviction for aggravated sexual battery, contending that the evidence is insufficient to support his conviction, the trial court erred in allowing hearsay evidence, and the trial court erred in allowing the state to impeach the defendant on cross-examination with a prior felony conviction. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:R. Jerry Beck
Sullivan County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/27/00
State vs. Susan Renee Whited

E1999-00493-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant pled guilty to eight counts of theft in Bradley and McMinn Counties. Pursuant to a plea agreement, the Defendant agreed to serve a total of seventeen years in prison and pay restitution in the aggregate amount of $212,284.00. Although the record is silent on the matter, the Defendant was apparently granted parole in 1997 and released. Although not apparent from the record, statements of counsel indicate that the Board of Parolees ordered the Defendant to pay $50.00 per month toward her restitution upon release. On July 30, 1999, the District Attorney General filed an application for garnishment in both counties in order to satisfy the restitution. The trial court temporarily stayed the garnishments pending briefing by both parties, but ultimately issued an order removing the stays in both counties on October 4, 1999. The Defendant appeals that order here. After a careful review of the record, we find that (1) the Defendant has failed to provide an adequate record for our review, (2) Rule 3 of the Tennessee Rule of Appellate Procedure does not authorize an appeal as of right from an order removing a stay of garnishment, and, (3) the court is without jurisdiction to consider the Defendant's claim that her sentence of restitution was void. Accordingly, the appeal is dismissed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry Smith
Originating Judge:R. Steven Bebb
McMinn County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/27/00
State vs. Steve Jackson

E1999-02013-CCA-R3-CD
A Knox County jury convicted the defendant of aggravated burglary. For this offense the trial court sentenced him to twelve years as a Range III, persistent offender. Through the instant appeal the defendant challenges both the validity of his convictions and his sentence. More specifically, he alleges that the evidence is insufficient to support the jury's verdict of guilty; that the trial court did not appropriately carry out its role as the thirteenth juror; that the copies of prior convictions used to enhance his sentence were not properly certified; and that one of these prior convictions from another state should not have been utilized in sentencing because the State failed to prove that the offense would have been a crime in Tennessee. After reviewing the record, we find that these claims lack merit and, therefore, affirm the lower court's actions.
Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry Smith
Originating Judge:Mary Beth Leibowitz
Knox County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/27/00
State vs. Bruce Adams

E2000-00298-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Bruce Adams, appeals his convictions of resisting arrest and disorderly conduct and the manner of service of his effective six-month sentence. The trial court ordered ten days of confinement and probated the balance of the sentence. The resisting arrest conviction is supported by sufficient evidence, and we affirm that conviction and the sentence, including the confinement term. However, because we find insufficient evidence to support the disorderly conduct conviction, we reverse it and dismiss that charge.
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.
Blount County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/27/00
State vs. William Terrell Hampton

E2000-00582-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant appeals his conviction for aggravated sexual battery, contending that the evidence is insufficient to support his conviction, the trial court erred in admitting evidence of a fresh complaint, and the trial court erred in imposing a nine-year sentence. We affirm the defendant's conviction and sentence.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Carroll L. Ross
Bradley County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/27/00
State vs. Kimberly Greene

E1999-02200-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant appeals from her Blount County Circuit Court conviction and sentence for criminal responsibility for rape of a child, a Class A felony. The trial court sentenced the defendant as a child rapist to 25 years incarceration in the Department of Correction. In this direct appeal, the defendant complains that the videotaped statement she made in response to questioning at the police station should have been suppressed; that the videotaped statement contained inadmissible references to uncharged misconduct; that the cautionary instruction about the evidentiary value of the videotaped statement was inadequate; that her sentence is excessive; and that she should have been sentenced as a Range I, standard offender with a 30 percent release eligibility date. We affirm the defendant's conviction and sentence.
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.
Blount County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/27/00