APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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State vs. Darron Lenon

W1999-01951-CCA-R3-CD
In this case the Defendant, Darron Lenon, was found guilty of unlawful delivery of a Schedule II controlled substance, a Class B felony, following a jury trial. The trial court imposed a maximum Range I sentence of twelve years. In this appeal, the Defendant, in three issues, argues that the trial court erroneously applied an enhancement factor; failed to apply a mitigating factor; and failed to follow the mandates of the Tennessee Criminal Sentencing Reform Act of 1989. The Defendant asks this court to reverse the trial court and impose the minimum sentence of eight years. We decline to do so, and therefore affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Dick Jerman, Jr.
Gibson County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
Mervin Reed v. Abb Combustion Engineering, Inc.

E1999-00589-WC-R3-CV
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 of findings of fact and conclusions of law. In this appeal, the plaintiff/appellant asserts that the trial court erred in basing plaintiff's award of permanent disability benefits on a percentage of impairment other than that supported by the medical evidence at trial. After a complete 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:W. Frank Brown, III, Chancellor
Knox County Workers Compensation Panel 09/12/00
State vs. Myra L. Smith

E1999-02196-CCA-R3-CD
Myra L. Smith appeals the sentencing decision of the Knox County Criminal Court revoking her non-incarcerative sentence and ordering service of the sentence in the TDOC. In September 1998, Smith pled guilty to the class C felony of facilitating aggravated robbery and was placed under the supervision of the Knox County Community Alternative to Prison Program (CAPP). Four months later, a violation warrant issued. On appeal, Smith argues that the trial court acted arbitrarily in revoking her suspended sentence by failing to consider her extreme drug addiction, her history of mental illness, and her lack of intent to violate the conditions of probation. Finding that the trial court did not abuse its discretion, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Mary Beth Leibowitz
Knox County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. Jackie Gooch

W2000-00032-CCA-R3-PC
The appellant, Jackie L. Gooch, appeals from the trial court's denial of his petition for post-conviction relief. Pursuant to a plea agreement, the appellant entered a "best interest" plea to the charge of voluntary manslaughter. On appeal, the appellant contends: (1) that his guilty plea was coerced and, thus, involuntarily entered; and (2) that trial counsel was ineffective. After review, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:R. Lee Moore Jr.
Lake County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
E1999-02594-COA-R3-CV

E1999-02594-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:William R. Brewer
Blount County Court of Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. Dereke Fitzgerald

W2000-01279-CCA-R3-CD
The appellant, Dereke Emont Fitzgerald, was convicted by a jury of aggravated assault and was sentenced to six years incarceration in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the appellant raises one issue: Whether the trial court erred in refusing to instruct the jury on the issue of self-defense. Finding no error, we affirm the judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Julian P. Guinn
Henry County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. Ronald Ballard

W2000-00033-CCA-R3-CD
The appellant, Ballard, was found guilty by a jury of facilitating first degree murder. Following a sentencing hearing, the trial court imposed a sentence of twenty-five years, the maximum sentence permitted for a class A felony. Ballard now appeals the sentencing decision of the lower court, arguing that the court erred in its application of two enhancing factors and failed to apply a mitigating factor. Finding the record incomplete for review of these issues, the trial court's sentencing determination is afforded the presumption of correctness and the sentence is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Roy Morgan
Henderson County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. Michael Upshaw

W1999-00777-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:James C. Beasley, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. Joe C. Anderson a/k/a Uncle Tom

E1999-02485-CCA-R3-CD
Raising issues of sufficiency of the evidence and improper sentencing, Joe C. Anderson appeals from his conviction of second degree murder in the Loudon County Criminal Court. Because we discern no error requiring reversal, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:E. Eugene Eblen
Loudon County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. Jerry Elliott

W1999-00361-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant, Jerry Wayne Elliott, pled guilty to three counts of aggravated assault, reserving his right to appeal a certified question of law, pursuant to Tenn. R. Crim. P. 37(b)(2)(i). Defendant had filed a Motion to Suppress evidence obtained from an allegedly unconstitutional search and seizure of Defendant, which the trial court denied following an evidentiary hearing. The denial of this Motion to Suppress is the basis of the certified question of law. After review of the record and the briefs we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:John Franklin Murchison
Henderson County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. Gilford Williams

W1999-01556-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:John Franklin Murchison
Madison County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. Johnny Jones

W2000-01241-CCA-R3-PC
This appeal follows dismissal of the Appellant's petition for post-conviction relief. The Appellant, Jones, was convicted by a Fayette County jury of possession of cocaine (over 26 grams) with intent to sell and possession of marijuana. On direct appeal, his convictions and sentences were affirmed. The Appellant filed this post-conviction petition asserting the following errors: (1) the trial court erred in not granting the Appellant's motion to sever; (2) the trial court erred in sentencing the Appellant; and (3) deficient representation by defense counsel including failing to timely file a Rule 11 application to the supreme court from this court's decision. We find that Appellant's defense counsel was ineffective with respect to his failure to timely file a Rule 11 application. Accordingly, the Appellant is granted the right to seek a delayed appeal to the Tennessee Supreme Court. Denial of post-conviction relief is affirmed as to the remaining issues.
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Jon Kerry Blackwood
Fayette County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. Shannon Corley

E2000-00382-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant seeks full probation after pleading guilty to aggravated burglary and theft. She claims the trial court erred in requiring her to be incarcerated for ninety days of her four-year sentence. We affirm the sentence as imposed.
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.
Blount County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
E2000-00256-COA-R3-CV

E2000-00256-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Wheeler A. Rosenbalm
Knox County Court of Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. Michael Upshaw

W1999-00777-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:James C. Beasley, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
State vs. Gilford Williams

W1999-01556-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:John Franklin Murchison
Madison County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/12/00
Eddie Ray Harper v. Lockheed Martin Energy Systems,

E1999-01150-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-employee appealed the trial court's award of 12.5% permanent disability to the body as a whole which was based on a finding the employee had made a meaningful return to work resulting in capping the award at two and one-half times the medical impairment under T.C.A. _ 5-6-241(a)(1). On appeal, appellant argues he did not return to work for the "pre-injury employer" and the six times medical impairment under subsection (b) should control the award. Judgment of the trial court is affirmed as the new employer was a successor or substitute employer for the original employer by reason of a change of contractors at the U.S. government facility.
Authoring Judge: Thayer, Sp. J.
Originating Judge:James B. Scott, Jr., Judge
Knox County Workers Compensation Panel 09/12/00
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
Peter A. Smith v. Asplundh Tree Expert Co.

E1999-01376-WC-R3-CV
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. The defendant appeals from the judgment of the trial court which awarded the plaintiff temporary total benefits from May of 1992 until November 2, 1995, and found the plaintiff had sustained a forty percent permanent partial disability to the body as a whole. The plaintiff suffered a compensable injury, returned to work for the pre-injury employer, then left that position and obtained employment with another employer. We affirm the award of permanent partial disability, reverse the award of temporary total disability and remand the case to the trial court for a determination of the amount owed consistent with our findings.
Authoring Judge: John K.Byers, Sr. J.
Originating Judge:Howell N. Peoples, Chancellor
Smith County Workers Compensation Panel 09/11/00
Eddie Copeland vs. James A. Bowlen, Warden

E1999-01753-CCA-R3-CD
The trial court dismissed the petitioner's pro se petition for habeas corpus relief. The petitioner alleges that various credits should reduce his sentence. The trial court determined that it lacked jurisdiction to address this issue or, in the alternative, that the sentence had not expired. We affirm the dismissal of the petition.

Originating Judge:Buddy D. Perry
Bledsoe County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/11/00
State vs. Emit Keith Cody

E2000-02188-CCA-RM-CD
The Defendant, Emit Keith Cody, was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. He appealed, and we reversed his conviction and remanded the case for a new trial based on our conclusion that the trial court's failure to give a limiting instruction to the jury on the use of the State's main witness's prior inconsistent statement constituted plain error. See State v. Emit Keith Cody, No. E1999-00068-CCA-R3CD, 2000 WL 190227 (Tenn. Crim. App., Knoxville, Feb. 16, 2000). The State applied for permission to appeal to the supreme court, which granted permission for the purpose of remanding the case to this Court for reconsideration in light of the supreme court's recent decision in State v. Smith, 24 S.W.3d 274 (Tenn. 2000). After revisiting this issue, we remain of the opinion that the trial court committed plain error by failing to give a limiting instruction. Accordingly, the Defendant's conviction is reversed, and the case is remanded for a new trial.
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Ben W. Hooper, II
Cocke County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/11/00