APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

Please enter some keywords to search.
State vs. Matthew Leonard & Bernie Evans

E1999-02724-CCA-R3-CD
The appellants, Matthew W. Leonard and Bernie J. Evans, each pled guilty in the Criminal Court for Washington County to three counts of kidnapping, a class C felony, three counts of aggravated assault, a class C felony, one count of escape, a class E felony, and one count of theft over $10,000, a class C felony. The appellants requested that the trial court grant them full probation. After a probation hearing, the trial court denied the appellants' request. The appellants present the following issue for our review: whether the trial court erred in denying the appellants full probation. After a review of the record and the parties' briefs, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Lynn W. Brown
Washington County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/14/00
State vs. Donaven Brown

W1999-00629-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant and the victim were both maximum security inmates at the Corrections Corporation of America facility in Clifton, Tennessee. After the victim, his hands and feet restrained, had been released from his cell to use a telephone, the defendant asked to be released from his cell take a shower. After his hands, but not his feet had been restrained, he pushed a correctional officer aside and ran from his cell, confronting the victim near the telephones. "Bad blood" had existed between the victim and the defendant, both of whom had armed themselves that day with shanks, or homemade prison knives. The victim received six knife stab wounds, two of which were potentially fatal. The defendant was then charged with first degree murder and felony possession of a weapon in a penal institution and, following his convictions of both offenses, sentenced to life without parole and three years, respectively, the sentences to be served concurrently. He timely appealed, presenting as issues whether the trial court erred in allowing proof that he had asserted his right to remain silent and requested an attorney and whether the evidence was sufficient to sustain the conviction for first degree murder. Based upon our review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Joseph H. Walker, III
Tipton County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/14/00
Ofman vs. Woodford

M1999-00736-COA-R3-CV
This is a suit by an attorney for breach of an oral contract relative to the professional services of an expert witness. Suit was instituted by civil warrant in the general sessions court. Following a default judgment in favor of the plaintiff, an appeal was perfected by the defendant to the circuit court where the case was tried de novo, non-jury and resulted in a judgment for the plaintiff in the amount of $2,500.00. The defendant appealed, and we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Timothy L. Easter
Williamson County Court of Appeals 09/14/00
Blaylock vs. Nash

M1999-00568-COA-R3-CV
This negligence action arises out of a collision between a cow and a car driven by the plaintiff. The trial court granted summary judgment to the defendant, the alleged owner and operator of a stockyard from which the cow supposedly escaped. We affirm the trial court's decision finding that the plaintiff presented no evidence that the defendant breached his duty of care. However, we do not find that the plaintiff's appeal of the trial court's decision was frivolous.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:John A. Turnbull
Putnam County Court of Appeals 09/14/00
State vs. Willie Boyland

W1999-00634-CCA-R3-CD
Following a jury trial in the Hardeman County Circuit Court, Defendant was convicted of the offense of casual exchange of marijuana. On appeal, Defendant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to sustain the conviction. He also asserts that the trial court erred by prohibiting Defendant from questioning a state witness about a civil warrant and judgment against the witness and that the trial court erred by overruling his objection to the State eliciting testimony from its primary witness regarding the witness' employment. We have reviewed the record on appeal and the briefs of the parties and find no reversible error. Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Jon K. Blackwood
Hardeman County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/13/00
State vs. Henry Marshall Jr.

W1999-01159-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant Henry Marshall, Jr. was convicted of reckless aggravated assault following a jury trial in the Madison County Circuit Court. After a sentencing hearing, the trial court sentenced Defendant as a Range I Standard Offender to a term of two years, with the Defendant to serve eleven months and twenty-nine days in the local jail, and the remaining one year and one day on supervised probation. The Defendant challenges his conviction and his sentence, raising the following issues: (1) whether the trial court erred in denying Defendant's request for an instruction on self-defense, (2) whether the trial court erred in denying Defendant's request for an instruction on the lesser-included offense of simple assault and (3) whether the trial court correctly sentenced the defendant. After a review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court as modified herein.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Roy B. Morgan, Jr.
Madison County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/13/00
State vs. James M. Loveday

E1999-02072-CCA-R3-CD
Following a jury trial, Defendant, James M. Loveday, was convicted of one count of attempted first degree murder, four counts of aggravated assault, and two counts of reckless endangerment. The trial court sentenced him to twenty-five (25) years for the attempted first degree murder conviction, six (6) years for each of the four aggravated assault convictions, and two (2) years for each of the reckless endangerment convictions. The sentences were ordered to be served consecutively to each other for a total sentence of fifty-three (53) years. On appeal, he challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to sustain the convictions of attempted first degree murder and aggravated assault, and argues that the trial court erroneously admitted testimony of prior bad acts, improperly considered victim impact letters in the presentence report, and argues that the sentences are excessive and that the trial court erred by ordering consecutive sentencing. After a review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court as modified herein.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Richard R. Vance
Sevier County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/13/00
State vs. John Palmer

W1999-01310-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant, John David Palmer, was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and especially aggravated robbery following a jury trial in Gibson County Circuit Court. He was sentenced to serve three years for voluntary manslaughter and twenty years for especially aggravated robbery with the sentences to be served concurrent with each other. He does not appeal the voluntary manslaughter conviction or sentence. However, regarding the conviction for especially aggravated robbery, Defendant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to support the conviction and argues that the trial court committed reversible error by not instructing the jury on the lesser-included offense of theft and unauthorized use of a vehicle, i.e., joyriding. After review, we reverse and remand for a new trial on the offense of especially aggravated robbery.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Dick Jerman, Jr.
Gibson County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/13/00
Johnny L. Frye v. Athens Products

03S01-9904-CV-00043
This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special 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. 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 finding, 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). The plaintiff appeals from the trial court finding that he had failed to show by a preponderance of the evidence that he had sustained an injury arising out of and in the course of his work. We affirm the judgment of the trial court. There is little need to go into significant detail concerning the facts in this case. There are significant discrepancies between the testimony of the plaintiff at trial and in the statements he made to medical providers concerning whether he sustained an injury on June 1, 1998, or whether he experienced pain on the prior Sunday while walking in the mall, or whether he sustained an injury at work on June 2nd. The plaintiff gave the only evidence concerning an alleged accidental injury. The determination of the trial judge was, by necessity, based upon his assessment of the evidence and his ruling based upon the testimony of the plaintiff. The trial court found that the plaintiff did not tell the defendant of any work- related accident until June 28th but found that he did notify the physician and especially the nurse practitioner on June 2nd that he sustained a work-related injury on June 1. The court found this unusual and ruled that the two histories cancelled out each other, thus causing the plaintiff to fail in carrying his burden of proof. 2
Authoring Judge: John K. Byers, Senior Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. John B. Hagler
Knox County Workers Compensation Panel 09/13/00
Michael Alger vs. Corrections Corp.

W2000-00500-COA-R3-CV
An inmate sued Corrections Corporation of America and various individuals alleging failure to provide dental and medical care. The trial court dismissed the complaint for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. The judgment of the trial court is reversed in part and affirmed in part.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Jon Kerry Blackwood
Hardeman County Court of Appeals 09/13/00
State vs. Joshua Dailey

E1999-01342-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant, Joshua Dailey, pled guilty to two counts of the Class E felony offense of violation of the Habitual Motor Vehicle Offender Act. The trial court sentenced Defendant to two years for each conviction, to be served consecutively. Furthermore, the trial court ordered the first sentence to be served in split confinement, with 300 days incarceration in the county jail followed by placement in Community Corrections. The Defendant appeals, challenging the length of the total effective sentence and arguing that he should serve the entire sentence in Community Corrections. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.
Blount County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/13/00
State vs. Edward Mitchell

W1999-01314-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Edward Mitchell, appeals as of right from his conviction by a jury in the Shelby County Criminal Court for two counts of aggravated assault, a Class C felony. His sole issue on appeal is whether the trial court erred by denying him a continuance because of the unavailability of a witness. After a review of the record, we reverse the judgment of the trial court and remand for a new trial.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Carolyn Wade Blackett
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/13/00
State vs. Ronnie Bradfield

W1999-02344-CCA-R3-PC
Petitioner, Ronnie Bradfield, was convicted by a jury in the Shelby County Criminal Court of three counts of attempt to commit second degree murder, which this Court affirmed on direct appeal. Petitioner subsequently filed a pro se petition together with an amended and supplemental petition for post-conviction relief alleging, primarily, ineffective assistance of counsel. The post-conviction judge denied relief following an evidentiary hearing which took place over numerous days. Petitioner now appeals the judgment of the post-conviction court denying his petition. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:James C. Beasley, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/13/00
State vs. Mark Williams

W1999-01456-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Mark Williams, was indicted for attempted first degree murder. After being convicted for attempted second degree murder, he was sentenced, as a Range I offender, to 12 years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. In this appeal of right, the defendant contends that because the indictment did not allege an overt act, the conviction is void. He further asserts that the jury charge on attempted second degree murder was erroneous in that it did not require the jury to find that he intended to kill the victim. The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:Chris B. Craft
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
Jimmy Lee Pierce v. State of Tennessee

W2000-00630-CCA-R3-CD

Originating Judge:Jon Kerry Blackwood
Fayette County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. Jack North

W1999-01301-CCA-R3-PC
The appellant, Jack Jay North, Jr., was convicted of first degree murder by a Hardin County jury and was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. On appeal, he asserts that the post-conviction court erred in finding trial counsel's performance to be effective during the sentencing phase of trial. Specifically, the appellant contends that trial counsel was ineffective for (1) failing to offer mitigating proof at the sentencing phase; (2) for failing to request funds for a mitigation specialist; and (3) for not objecting to comments made by the State during closing arguments of the sentencing phase. After review, we affirm the judgment of the Circuit Court of Hardin County.
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:C. Creed Mcginley
Hardin County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. Jenniefer Oakley

W1999-00850-CCA-R3-CD
Jennifer E. Oakley entered guilty pleas to three counts of misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. The manner of service, including the request for judicial diversion, was submitted to the trial court. The trial court denied a grant of judicial diversion based upon the circumstances of the offenses and the inherent dangerous effect of drugs to our communities. After review, we conclude that the record supports the trial court's denial of diversion. The judgment, accordingly, is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Bernie Weinman
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
Theodore Davis v. U. S. Coal Inc.

E1999-01297-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. The appellant-employer appealed the trial court's ruling awarding appellee-employee 32% permanent partial disability to the body as a whole. Appellant argues the trial court was in error in accepting certain medical testimony when the doctor failed to follow AMA Guides in conducting examination and evaluation of employee. Judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Thayer, Sp. J.
Originating Judge:Billy Joe White, Chancellor
Knox County Workers Compensation Panel 09/12/00
State vs. Julius Parker

W1999-01327-CCA-R3-PC
Because the petitioner, Julius Parker, who was convicted of aggravated robbery and felony murder, received the effective assistance of counsel at trial, he is not entitled to post-conviction relief.
Authoring Judge: Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:Joseph B. Brown
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. Michael Addison

W1999-00432-CCA-R3-PC
Because the evidence does not preponderate against the trial court's determination that the petitioner received the effective assistance of counsel at trial and on direct appeal, the order denying post-conviction relief is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:Bernie Weinman
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
William Collins vs. State

E1999-02759-CCA-R3-PC
Because the trial court properly treated a habeas corpus petition as one for post-conviction relief and because the statute of limitations barred any review of constitutional issues, the petition was properly dismissed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:Lynn W. Brown
Washington County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. John Hampton

W1999-00983-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, John Lee Hampton, who was charged with two counts of rape, was convicted of two counts of statutory rape. The trial court imposed two concurrent one-year sentences, with all but sixty days suspended. In this appeal as of right, the defendant asserts that the evidence was insufficient. He also argues that the trial court erred by admitting certain photographs into evidence, by rehabilitating a juror, by denying his motion in limine to exclude evidence of uncharged sexual offenses involving the victim, by permitting the victim to testify in rebuttal regarding an uncharged sexual offense, and by refusing to suspend his entire sentence. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:Jon Kerry Blackwood
Hardeman County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
James Karls vs. Percy Pitzer, et al

W1999-01107-COA-R3-CV
This is an appeal from the trial court's order dismissing a petition for writ of habeas corpus for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. We affirm the ruling of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Jon Kerry Blackwood
Hardeman County Court of Appeals 09/12/00
Clementine Newman vs. Allstate Insurance Co.

W1999-02064-COA-R3-CV
Automobile owner sued body shop and her insurance company for alleged faulty repairs to vehicle after it was involved in a collision. The body shop repaired what the insurance company authorized, but owner initially claimed other damages which the insurance company and body shop determined were not a result of the collision. During attempts to resolve the dispute, body shop was willing to repair anything authorized by the insurance company, but requested the owner to pay the deductible and retrieve her automobile from their facility. Owner refused to take the automobile, and the body shop, after notification to her, started charging storage charges. In the suit that was initially tried in general sessions court, then de novo in the circuit court, owner sought to recover storage charges paid an additional award for other damage to her vehicle and for relief under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act. The trial court awarded owner a judgment against the insurance company for additional damages and denied her claims under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act and for repayment of the storage charges. Owner has appealed.
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Robert L. Childers
Shelby County Court of Appeals 09/12/00
Clayton D. Eller v. Loram Maintenance of Way, Inc.,

E1999-00874-SC-R3-CV
This workers' compensation appeal from the Cumberland County Circuit Court 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. The Cumberland County Circuit Court dismissed the plaintiff's claim for Tennessee workers' compensation benefits on the basis that the plaintiff affirmatively elected to seek workers' compensation benefits in the states of Maryland and Pennsylvania. After a review of the entire record, briefs of the parties and applicable law, we affirm the trial court's judgment.
Authoring Judge: L. Terry Lafferty, Senior Judge
Originating Judge:John Maddux, Judge
Knox County Workers Compensation Panel 09/12/00