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 | |
State of Tennessee v. Stejana Holder
M1999-02470-CCA-R3-CD
The appellant, Stejana S. Holder, was convicted of one count of aggravated assault, one count of resisting arrest, and one count of disorderly conduct. The Davidson County Criminal Court imposed an effective sentence of three years to serve sixty days in the workhouse followed by two years probation. On appeal, the appellant alleges that the trial court erred by denying total probation. Upon review, we find no error and affirm the sentence of the Davidson County Criminal Court.
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Judge J. Randall Wyatt, Jr. |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 09/08/00 | |
State of Tennessee v. Shawn Dontay Beard
M1997-00114-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant, Shawn Dontay Beard, appeals as of right following his conviction in the Warren County Circuit Court. Defendant was convicted by a jury for sale of a Schedule II controlled substance, cocaine, in an amount of less than point five (0.5) grams within one thousand feet of school grounds. Defendant argues there was insufficient evidence regarding his identity to support his conviction. He further challenges the length of his sentence on the grounds that the State raised the felony classification of his offense pursuant to the Drug-Free School Zone Act but failed to provide the Defendant with notice of enhancement. The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Charles D. Haston, Sr. |
Warren County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 09/08/00 | |
Diana Lynn Stinnett v. Jack Stinnett
01210-COA-R3-CV
This is an appeal in a divorce case of the Trial Court’s denial of Wife’s Motion seeking postjudgment interest. The Judgment was satisfied three years and four months after it was entered. The Motion for post-judgment interest was filed three months after the Judgment was paid. The Trial Court denied post-judgment interest on two grounds. The first was the Trial Court’s finding of an accord and satisfaction resulting from Husband’s payment of the judgment without interest. The Trial Court also held it would be unconscionable and inequitable for Husband to pay post-judgment interest. The Trial Court then exercised its discretion to deny post-judgment interest. Wife argues that the Trial Court can not deny post judgment interest for equitable reasons, that Husband failed to prove an accord and satisfaction, and that the accord and satisfaction affirmative defense may not be raised for the first time during legal argument, cannot be established without proof, and is waived if not pleaded. We hold the Trial Court erred, reverse the Judgment of the Trial Court, and remand the case for further proceedings. To avoid the appearance of impropriety or lack of impartiality, the Trial Judge is to recuse himself from those further proceedings. Tenn. R. App. R. 3; Judgment of the Trial Court Reversed; Case Remanded
Authoring Judge: Judge D. Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Judge Bill Swann |
Knox County | Court of Appeals | 09/07/00 | |
Sara T. McBride v. Kenneth A. McBride
E1999-02562-COA-R3-CV
Kenneth A. McBride appealed from an Order of the Chancellor confirming the Referee's Report that concluded McBride had offered no new evidence on the issue of reducing child support, which had been previously adjudicated. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Chancellor John F. Weaver |
Knox County | Court of Appeals | 09/07/00 | |
Signal Capital Corpooration, et a.,l v. Signal One, LLC, et al.
E2000-00140-COA-R3-CV
This appeal questions whether a forum selection clause is valid and enforceable against the Plaintiffs, Larry Wells and Signal Capital Corporation. Pursuant to the forum selection clause, Signal One LLC and NationsBanc Capital Corporation filed a motion to dismiss for improper venue. The Trial Court granted the motion to dismiss by finding the forum selection clause was valid. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Chancellor W. Frank Brown, III |
Hamilton County | Court of Appeals | 09/07/00 | |
Robert B. Turner, et al v. John Louis Kinser
E1999-01201-COA-R3-CV
By this suit the Plaintiffs seek a declaration that they are entitled to four separate prescriptive easements across property owned by the Defendant. Prior to the commencement of trial the Defendant conceded that the Plaintiffs were entitled to one easement and the Plaintiffs conceded that they were not entitled to another one. The Trial Court found in favor of the Plaintiffs as to the remaining two easements, resulting in this appeal. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Chancellor Thomas R. Frierson, II |
Greene County | Court of Appeals | 09/07/00 | |
Valerie A. Lewis v. Saturn Corporation
M1999-00422-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 of findings of fact and conclusions of law. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e) (1999) Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Chancery Court Affirmed WEATHERFORD, SR. J., in which BIRCH, J., and GAYDEN, SP. J., joined. Thomas H. Peebles, IV and K. Suzanne Crenshaw, Columbia, Tennessee, for the appellant, Saturn Corporation. Lloyd T. Kelso, Nashville, Tennessee, for the appellee, Valerie A. Lewis. MEMORANDUM OPINION The trial court found that employee, Valerie A. Lewis, suffered a compensable injury which arose out of the course and scope of her employment with employer, Saturn Corporation. The trial court awarded employee twenty percent (2%) permanent partial disability to the body as a whole, in addition to all medical expenses, and future medical expenses, and temporary total disability benefits. The trial court held the employerwas entitled to a set-off of $9,762.93 for disabilitypayments in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. _5-6-114 (b). The trial court also granted employee discretionary costs in the amount of $2,846.5. The employer, Saturn Corporation, raises on appeal two issues: (1) The trial court erred in finding that employee's back injury arose out of the course and scope of employee's employment, and (2) The trial court erred in finding that employee sustained her burden of proof as to the causation of her back injury. The employee raises on appeal two issues (1) the trial court erred in holding that employer was entitled to a set-off of $9,762.93, and (2) the trial court erred in awarding employee two (2) times her medical impairment instead of awarding two and one-half (2 _) times her medical impairment. Appellate review is de novo upon the record of the trial court, accompanied bya presumption of correctness of the findings, unless the preponderance of evidence is otherwise. Tenn. Code Ann. _5-6-225 (e)(2). As discussed below, the panel has concluded that the judgment of the trial court should be affirmed. Employee was forty-two (42) years old at the time of trial. She left high school in the 12th year prior to graduation. She attended Ross Medical Education Center and obtained a certificate as a medical-dental administrator. Employee was employed as a medical insurance biller for various hospitals and worked for Buick Motor Co. and Fisher Body prior to being employed at Saturn Corporation. Employee began working for Saturn Corporation on January 16, 1992. Employee did a variety of jobs at Saturn, and in 1995 she was assigned to the "lost foam team" where she met fellow employee, Deborah Leach, who was a member of the same team. Employee and Ms. Leach did not get along well. Ms. Leach complained about employee coming in late, being out on medical, sleeping on the job and having bad work ethics. On October 8, 1996, employee had a blowout on her way to work and was informed that her tire had been slashed in a way that would cause air to leak out slowly. She thought that Ms. Leach had something to do with this, and she and Ms. Leach had a conversation about the tire. Later on the same day, employee was standing near a table talking to Melvin Brantley, a co-worker, when Deborah Leach, carrying supplies, approached the employee and shoved her with her shoulder. Employee fell back on a table, rolled off the table and landed in a chair. Employee did not feel any pain initially. She first felt pain approximately two hours later when she was at home while trying to use the bathroom. Employee was out of work on vacation until October 16, 1996. When employee returned to work on October 16, 1996, she went to Initial Care Facility because of pain in her back, and from there she was sent to Dr. Bartsokas. Employee informed Dr. Bartsokas that she had been pushed causing her to twist through her trunk and low back area and developed low back pain. She further revealed that she had experienced back pain previously, apparentlytwo months prior to this incident and had undergone on MRI scan which was entirely normal. -2-
Authoring Judge: Weatherford, Sr. J.
Originating Judge:Irvin H. Kilcrease, Jr., Chancellor |
Lewis County | Workers Compensation Panel | 09/06/00 | |
John W. Johnson v. Bernice Wade, et al.
W1999-01651-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from an action for ejectment filed by Plaintiff John W. Johnson ("Plaintiff") against Defendant Bernice Wade ("Defendant"). Plaintiff filed suit in the Gibson County Circuit Court alleging that he was the sole owner of the tract of land where both Plaintiff's and Defendant's residences are located. Prior to Defendant's filing on an answer, Plaintiff filed a motion for default judgment. Thereafter, Defendant filed an answer, a motion to dismiss, and a motion to compel Plaintiff to appear for deposition. Following Plaintiff's failure to appear for deposition, failure to prepare an order as directed by the court, and an attempt to file a premature appeal, the trial court dismissed Plaintiff's case for failure to properly prosecute. Plaintiff appeals.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Judge Dick Jerman, Jr. |
Gibson County | Court of Appeals | 09/06/00 | |
The Kroger Company, et al. v. Sara Cooper
M1999-01120-WC-R3-CV
The employer has appealed contending the trial court's award of permanent partial disability benefits based on thirty-five percent to the leg for a torn meniscus is excessive.
Authoring Judge: Loser, Sp. J.
Originating Judge:Walter C. Kurtz, Judge |
Davidson County | Workers Compensation Panel | 09/05/00 | |
State of Tennessee vs. Thomas Wayne Overbay
E1999-00840-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant was convicted by a jury of four counts of aggravated sexual battery and ten counts of rape of a child. In this direct appeal Defendant alleges he did not receive a fair trial because (1) the bill of particulars did not sufficiently inform Defendant of the charges, and (2) the prosecution violated Brady vs. Maryland when it failed to turn-over potentially exculpatory evidence to Defendant pre-trial. Held: the bill of particulars adequately appraised Defendant of the crimes with which he was charged. Although the prosecution violated Brady when it failed to turn over potentially exculpatory evidence to Defendant pre-trial, the error was harmless. Judgment of the trial court affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge R. Jerry Beck |
Sullivan County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 09/05/00 | |
Robert McAlister Barnett, III v. Paula Lynn Barnett
E1997-00010-SC-R11-CV
We granted this appeal to determine: 1) whether private school tuition constitutes an extraordinary educational expense under the Tennessee Child Support Guidelines; and 2) whether the noncustodial parent should be required to pay those expenses in addition to child support based upon the percentage of net income of the noncustodial parent. We hold that pursuant to the Tennessee Child Support Guidelines private school tuition is an "extraordinary educational expense." We affirm the decision of the Court of Appeals requiring the total amount of private school tuition to be paid by the obligor-father. We hold, however, that in appropriate cases a court may apportion the amount of tuition between the parties.
Authoring Judge: Justice Janice M. Holder
Originating Judge:Judge L. Marie Williams |
Hamilton County | Supreme Court | 09/05/00 | |
Patricia M. Campbell v. City of Tullahoma, et al
M1999-01235-WC-R3-CV
The appellant, Campbell, insists the trial court erred in granting the appellee's motion for discretionary costs because no equitable ground for such relief was asserted in the motion and accompanying affidavit. The panel concludes that the plaintiff's voluntary dismissal of her complaint is a sufficient ground for an award of discretionary costs.
Authoring Judge: Loser, Sp. J.
Originating Judge:John W. Rollins, Judge |
Campbell County | Workers Compensation Panel | 09/01/00 | |
State vs. Theron L. Boyd
M1999-01125-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant, Theron L. Boyd, appeals as of right from an "Agreed Final Judgment Granting Delayed Appeal" entered by the trial court upon the trial court's finding that the Defendant was entitled to post-conviction relief. The "Agreed Final Judgment Granting Delayed Appeal" purports to modify the original judgment of conviction by explicitly reserving certified questions of law which would be dispositive of the case and then to grant a delayed appeal of those issues. The Defendant argues that his convictions pursuant to his guilty pleas should be reversed because the trial court erred in denying his motion to suppress evidence found as a result of illegal searches by police. The State, however, argues that we lack jurisdiction to address the merits of the Defendant's contentions because the trial court did not have jurisdiction to amend the final judgment which did not reflect the reservation of certified questions of law pursuant to Tennessee Rule of Criminal Procedure 37(b). We conclude that this appeal is not properly before us. Accordingly, we must dismiss this appeal and remand to the trial court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Seth W. Norman |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 08/31/00 | |
Miller vs. Miller
M1999-00724-COA-R3-CV
In this divorce, both Husband and Wife have appealed contesting the trial court's division of marital property and alimony awards. The division of marital property is affirmed, alimony awards are modified, and the case is remanded for a determination of the value of Husband's retirement plan and a proper division thereof.
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Muriel Robinson |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 08/31/00 | |
Sloan vs. Perryman
M1999-00828-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from a breach of contract suit and action to assert priority of a mechanics lien filed by Jason Sloan ("Contractor") against Shelby Ray Perryman ("Owners") and First Farmers & Merchants National Bank ("Bank"). Contractor sought recovery for labor and materials under the contract including expenses that exceeded Contractor's original bid price. In the alternative, Contractor sought recovery under quantum meruit. The court granted Bank's motion for summary judgment on the issue of priority of liens. Following trial, the court awarded Contractor damages under an implied contract theory, limiting Contractor's recovery to the bid price. In addition, the court denied Contractor's claim for alternative recovery in quantum meruit. Contractor appeals.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Stella L. Hargrove |
Maury County | Court of Appeals | 08/31/00 | |
Shuman vs. Parkhurst
M1999-02043-COA-R3-CV
James Parkhurst d/b/a Parkhurst Home Improvement appeals the trial court's final judgment awarding Ken Shuman $8,021.14 in actual damages for breach of oral construction contract and $2,406.33 in attorney's fees based upon a finding of fraud in violation of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act. Parkhurst raised two issues on appeal, contending that the damages awarded in this home construction dispute were not legally warranted and that the trial court erred in finding fraud, therefore justifying an award for attorney's fees under the Act. We conclude that Shuman presented sufficient proof to find a violation of the Act and to support his claim for damages and for attorney's fees. Accordingly, we affirm the trial court's judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Carol L. Soloman |
Sumner County | Court of Appeals | 08/31/00 | |
State of Tennessee v. Thomas Anderson, Jr.
II-398-102-B
Originating Judge:Cornelia A. Clark |
Williamson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 08/31/00 | |
Scholz vs. S.B. International
M1997-00215-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from a dispute over the severance benefits in an employment contract. Following his termination, a corporate officer filed suit against his former employer in the Chancery Court for Davidson County seeking his severance benefits. The employer asserted that its former officer was not entitled to the severance benefits. Following a jury trial, the trial court entered a judgment awarding the officer $111,623.33 but denying his requests for prejudgment interest and discretionary costs. On this appeal, the officer asserts that the trial court erred by failing to award him prejudgment interest and discretionary costs. We agree and, therefore, remand the case for further proceedings.
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Ellen Hobbs Lyle |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 08/31/00 | |
Daniel Benson Taylor v. Jack Morgan, Warden
M1999-01416-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Donald P. Harris |
Hickman County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 08/31/00 | |
Kibby vs. Kibby
M1999-00906-COA-R3-CV
This appeal presents a dispute of custody, visitation, and attorney fees. The parties are parents of one child, Ian Kibby, who is the subject of this dispute. The father was awarded primary custody when the parties divorced in May of 1996. The mother filed a Petition for Contempt and Modification seeking primary residential placement of Ian and later requested that the court refer this matter to mediation. The father filed a counter-petition requesting a change in the mother's visitation privileges and attorney's fees. The trial court dismissed the mother's petition but granted the father's petition reducing the mother's visitation rights. The court also refused to refer this matter to mediation and did not award attorney fees to the father. The mother now appeals the court's dismissal of her petition, failure to refer the matter to mediation, and change in visitation; the father also appeals the failure of the trial court to award attorney fees to him. We agree with the trial court on all issues and affirm its ruling. We also award attorney's fees necessitated by this appeal to the father and remand to the trial court for a determination of this amount.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Buddy D. Perry |
Sequatchie County | Court of Appeals | 08/31/00 | |
Howard vs. Howard
M1999-00670-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from a dispute over a contractual provision in a Marital Dissolution Agreement ("MDA") between the parties. Susan Trabue Howard ("Mother") filed a Petition for Enforcement of Contractual Obligation, alleging that Robert Mark Howard ("Father") had failed to abide with a provision in the MDA providing that Father would be responsible for Daughter's "related costs of education." The court below found in favor of Mother, holding that Father was responsible for all of Daughter's expenses for the time specified in MDA. Father appeals.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Russell Heldman |
Williamson County | Court of Appeals | 08/31/00 | |
Streeter vs. TDOC
M1999-02267-COA-R3-CV
A prison inmate claimed that he was entitled to be released, because he had earned the required sentence reduction credits. The Department of Correction disagreed. The trial court granted summary judgment to the Department on the basis of laches. We affirm the trial court's judgment, but upon a different basis.
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Carol L. Mccoy |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 08/31/00 | |
Spurlock vs. Jackson Co.
M1999-01407-COA-R3-CV
The appellants were hurt in a collision with a subject allegedly being pursued by county officers in a high speed chase. They sued the county, and the Circuit Court of Jackson County granted the county summary judgment. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:John D. Wootten, Jr. |
Jackson County | Court of Appeals | 08/31/00 |