APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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State of Tennessee v. Melvin Hudson

W2024-00126-CCA-R3-CD

The Appellant, Melvin Hudson, pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated sexual battery and violating the sexual offender registry act. The trial court imposed an agreed-upon sentence of eight years and denied the Appellant’s request for alternative sentencing. On appeal, the Appellant argues this denial was an abuse of discretion. After review, we affirm the trial court’s judgments.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Camille R. McMullen
Originating Judge:Judge Paula L. Skahan
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/12/24
Kristina Cole v. State of Tennessee

W2023-01307-CCA-R3-ECN

The Petitioner, Kristina Cole, appeals the Shelby County Criminal Court’s summary denial of her petition for a writ of error coram nobis, claiming newly discovered evidence of an improper ex parte communication between the assistant district attorney general and the trial court about her case. Based upon our review of the oral arguments, the record, and the parties’ briefs, we affirm the judgment of the coram nobis court.

Authoring Judge: Judge John W. Campbell, Sr.
Originating Judge:Judge James Jones, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/12/24
PMC Squared, LLC v. Rita Gallo Et Al.

E2023-00524-COA-R3-CV

Tenants filed action against their former landlord in the form of a Countercomplaint, alleging that they had
suffered emotional distress resulting from slanderous statements that the landlord made to others about the
tenants. In response, the landlord moved to dismiss the tenants’ claims under the Tennessee Public Participation
Act (“TPPA”). The trial court determined that the landlord had not met its prima facie burden to show that the
tenants’ claim fell within the scope of the TPPA and dismissed the landlord’s TPPA petition. Discerning no error,
we affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge Kristi M. Davis
Originating Judge:Chancellor John F. Weaver
Knox County Court of Appeals 08/12/24
Shira Skopp Levy v. Alan Louis Levy

W2023-01124-COA-R3-CV

This appeal arises from a divorce action in which the issues on appeal principally concern the award of alimony in futuro and the allocation of the children’s optional school or extracurricular expenses. Prior to trial, the parties agreed to a parenting schedule and that the husband would pay $4,100 per month in child support, but they did not agree on the wife’s claim for alimony, the allocation of optional expenses for the children’s school or extracurricular activities, or the division of the marital estate. Following a multi-day trial, the trial court divided the approximately $12 million marital estate equally between the parties and awarded the wife $2,000 a month in alimony in futuro. The award of alimony in futuro was based, in principal part, on the court’s finding that the wife had an earning capacity of $160,000 a year—although the most the wife had ever earned was $80,000 a year—and that some of the wife’s claimed monthly expenses were “overstated” or unsubstantiated. The court also allocated 20% of the children’s optional expenses for school and extracurricular activities to the wife and 80% to the husband. The wife challenges the award of alimony in futuro and the allocation of the children’s optional expenses, contending that the trial court “grossly overestimated” her earning capacity and erred by reducing her claimed expenses. Finding that the evidence preponderates against the trial court’s determination of the wife’s earning capacity, we vacate the award of alimony in futuro and the court’s order that the wife pay 20% of the children’s optional expenses for school or extracurricular activities, and remand both issues for further consideration. We affirm the trial court in all other respects.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Frank G. Clement, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Mary L. Wagner
Shelby County Court of Appeals 08/12/24
State of Tennessee v. Alejandro Avila-Salazar

M2023-01649-CCA-R3-CD

In 2006, the Defendant, Alejandro Avila-Salazar, pled guilty to second degree murder and attempted aggravated rape. Seventeen years later, he filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea or, alternatively, to modify his sentences. The trial court denied the motion, finding it to be untimely. On appeal, the Defendant raises different issues. He argues that an amended judgment for his attempted aggravated rape conviction is improper because the sentence is expired. He also asserts that his conviction for second degree murder is invalid because it violated the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution. Upon our review, we conclude that the Defendant did not raise these issues in the trial court and has thus waived them on appeal. We respectfully affirm the trial court’s judgment.

Authoring Judge: Judge Tom Greenholtz
Originating Judge:Judge Cynthia Chappell
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/09/24
In Re Elizabeth Y.

E2023-01448-COA-R3-PT

In this case involving termination of the father’s parental rights to his child, the trial court found by clear and convincing evidence four statutory grounds supporting termination. The trial court further determined that clear and convincing evidence established that termination of the father’s parental rights was in the child’s best interest. The father has appealed. Discerning no reversible error, we affirm the trial court’s judgment in its entirety, including termination of the father’s parental rights.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas R. Frierson, II
Originating Judge:Judge Blake Sempkowski
Hamblen County Court of Appeals 08/09/24
Allison Cooper v. Tony Cooper

E2023-01374-COA-R3-CV

This post-divorce appeal concerns the trial court’s classification, valuation, and equitable division of marital property. Following our review of the record, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.

Authoring Judge: Judge John McClarty
Originating Judge:Chancellor Elizabeth C. Asbury
Scott County Court of Appeals 08/09/24
Michael D. Lewis v. State of Tennessee

M2023-01659-CCA-R3-PC

Pursuant to a plea agreement, Petitioner, Michael D. Lewis, pleaded guilty to four counts of statutory rape by an authority figure and received an effective sentence of twenty years’ incarceration. Thereafter, Petitioner filed a petition for post-conviction relief, which the post-conviction court denied after a hearing. On appeal, Petitioner claims that trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance because counsel: (1) was unprepared for trial and failed to develop a defense; (2) failed to inform Petitioner “of the potential merits of his motion to suppress the State’s evidence” before Petitioner entered a plea agreement; and (3) failed to contact material witnesses named by Petitioner that may have benefited his defense. We affirm the post-conviction court’s denial of relief.

Authoring Judge: Judge Robert L. Holloway, Jr
Originating Judge:Judge James A. Turner
Rutherford County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/09/24
State of Tennessee v. Dominque Justice

E2023-00529-CCA-R3-CD

In 2020, the Defendant, Dominque Justice, entered an open plea to twenty-eight counts of
rape of a child, twenty counts of aggravated statutory rape, and forty-eight counts of incest.
Eight months later, the Defendant filed a motion to withdraw his plea which the trial court
denied. At the subsequent sentencing hearing, the trial court imposed an effective sentence
of one hundred and five years. On appeal, the Defendant contends that his motion to
withdraw his guilty plea should have been granted and that the trial court erred when it
sentenced him. After review, we affirm the trial court’s judgments.

Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Zachary R. Walden
Claiborne County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/09/24
Berkeley Research Group, LLC v. Southern Advanced Materials, LLC

W2023-00720-COA-R3-CV

Defendant appeals the trial court’s decision to deny its motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction and grant the plaintiff’s motion to confirm an arbitration award. Because we conclude that the plaintiff failed to establish that the trial court had either specific or general jurisdiction over this matter, we reverse.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge J. Steven Stafford
Originating Judge:Chancellor Jim Kyle
Shelby County Court of Appeals 08/09/24
State of Tennessee v. Lizandro Guevara

M2023-01646-CCA-R3-CD

The Petitioner, Lizandro Guevara, appeals the Davidson County Criminal Court’s dismissal of his petition requesting DNA analysis of evidence pursuant to the Post-Conviction DNA Analysis Act of 2001. Based upon our review, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Authoring Judge: Judge John W. Campbell, Sr.
Originating Judge:Judge Steve R. Dozier
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/08/24
Sheryl Galison v. Jennifer Brownell, et al.

W2023-00526-COA-R3-CV

After a jury trial, Appellant received a $500.00 award. She then moved for a judgment notwithstanding the verdict based on the exclusion of certain testimony, which the trial court denied. On appeal, Appellant again argues that the trial court erred in excluding the testimony. Because Appellant failed to properly raise these issues post-trial, the issues are waived, and the trial court’s judgment is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge J. Steven Stafford
Originating Judge:Judge Mary L. Wagner
Shelby County Court of Appeals 08/08/24
Vicki Ann Giro v. Kaleb Wilburn Et Al.

E2023-01541-COA-R3-CV

This appeal concerns service of process and the statute of limitations. Vicki Ann Giro (“Giro”) sued Kaleb Wilburn (“Wilburn”) in the Circuit Court for Knox County (“the Trial Court”) for injuries Giro sustained in a car accident with Wilburn. Giro failed to timely serve the summons in compliance with Tenn. R. Civ. P. 3 and failed to issue new process before the statute of limitations expired. Giro filed a motion for enlargement of time. In opposition to Giro’s motion, the Trial Court was furnished with an altered copy of Hollis ex rel. Nicole N. v. Sanchez, No. M2022-01190-COA-R3-CV, 2023 WL 5920145 (Tenn. Ct. App. Sept. 12, 2023), no appl. perm. appeal filed. The altered copy of Hollis retains the heading “MEMORANDUM OPINION” but omits Footnote 1 stating that, as a memorandum opinion, Hollis is not to be cited or relied on in any unrelated case pursuant to Tenn. Ct. App. R. 10. The Trial Court, which had been furnished on Wilburn’s behalf with the altered copy missing the explanatory footnote, relied heavily on Hollis to deny Giro’s motion for enlargement of time. We therefore vacate the judgment of the Trial Court and remand for the Trial Court to exercise its discretion on whether to grant Giro’s motion for enlargement of time without considering Hollis or any other opinion designated by this Court as a memorandum opinion.

Authoring Judge: Judge D. Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Judge E. Jerome Melson
Knox County Court of Appeals 08/07/24
State of Tennessee v. Bobby Ray Ladd, Jr.

E2023-01641-CCA-R3-CD

After pleading guilty to evading arrest and being sentenced to probation, Bobby Ray Ladd,
Jr., Defendant, was the subject of several probation violation warrants. After a hearing, the
trial court determined that Defendant violated probation and ordered the probationary
sentence revoked. Defendant appeals, arguing that the trial court improperly admitted
hearsay evidence at the violation hearing. Because the record is inadequate for our review,
we determine that Defendant has waived the issue. Accordingly, the judgment of the trial
court is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Judge Timothy L. Easter
Originating Judge:Judge Hector Sanchez
Knox County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/06/24
Jacob Cipolla v. Sylvia Coutras

M2023-00890-COA-R3-JV

This appeal stems from a petition for a parenting plan modification filed by Jacob Cipolla (“Father”). Father shares one child with Sylvia Coutras (“Mother”). The parties engaged in contentious and protracted litigation over the custody of their child. In October of 2022, a juvenile court magistrate entered an order naming Father as the child’s primary residential parent. Mother sought a rehearing before the juvenile court judge pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated section 37-1-107 but later withdrew that request. The juvenile court subsequently entered an order awarding Father his attorney’s fees as the prevailing party. Mother appeals that ruling to this Court. Discerning no error, we affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge Kristi M. Davis
Originating Judge:Judge Sharon Guffee
Williamson County Court of Appeals 08/06/24
Nancy Hardison (Stokes) Williams v. Ernest K. Hardison, III et al.

M2022-01596-COA-R3-CV

This is a breach of trust action by a trust beneficiary, Nancy Hardison (Stokes) Williams (“Plaintiff”), against the co-trustees, Ernest K. Hardison, III, and Cumberland Trust and Investment Company (collectively “Defendants”). The issues raised in this appeal only pertain to Plaintiff’s claims against Cumberland Trust and Investment Company (“Cumberland”). Plaintiff alleged, inter alia, that Cumberland committed a breach of trust by failing to properly manage and invest trust assets resulting in the trust sustaining significant financial losses. In her effort to recover damages against Cumberland, Plaintiff also sought to declare two trust indemnity and investment agreements—which she and all qualified beneficiaries entered into with Cumberland in 2006 and 2009—void ab initio on the basis that they are unenforceable pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 35-15-1008 because they violate a material purpose of the trust. She also contended that the agreements are unenforceable because they constitute “an abuse of a fiduciary or confidential relationship” pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 35-15-1008(b). Upon the motion of Defendants for partial summary judgment, the trial court dismissed all of Plaintiff’s claims arising prior to July 1, 2016, as barred by the one-year statute of limitations set forth in Tennessee Code Annotated § 35-15-1005(a). Additionally, upon the finding that Plaintiff and the qualified beneficiaries had released Cumberland from liability pursuant to the indemnity and investment agreements, the trial court summarily dismissed all remaining claims against Cumberland. The court then awarded Cumberland its attorney’s fees and costs in the amount of $45,594.70 pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 35-15-1004(a). This appeal followed. We affirm the trial court in all respects. We also find that Cumberland is entitled to recover the reasonable and necessary attorney’s fees and expenses it has incurred in this appeal and remand this issue to the trial court to make the appropriate award.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Frank G. Clement
Originating Judge:Judge Randy Kennedy
Davidson County Court of Appeals 08/06/24
State of Tennessee v. Demond Maurice Buchanan

M2023-01232-CCA-R3-CD

Defendant, Demond Maurice Buchanan, appeals his resentencing resulting in a 52-year sentence, imposed following the trial court’s revocation of his original 12-year community corrections sentence. Defendant argues the sentence is excessive and the trial court misapplied enhancement factors. Following our review of the entire record and the briefs of the parties, we affirm the judgments of the trial court in all respects, but, because Defendant’s 12-year sentence for evading arrest in case number 2016-C-1352 is illegal, we modify the sentence to six years and remand for entry of a corrected judgment in that case.

Authoring Judge: Judge Timothy L. Easter
Originating Judge:Judge Angelita Blackshear Dalton
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/06/24
Kenneth Merritt v. Christian Fahey, et al.

W2023-00680-COA-R3-CV

Bringing a suit pro se, a Patient sued his healthcare providers under the Tennessee Health Care Liability Act. The trial court dismissed the Patient’s claims, deeming them time-barred. Instead of promptly appealing that order, the Patient serially submitted various motions over the course of approximately a year. The trial court denied the Patient’s motions. The Patient appeals. Concluding that this court lacks subject matter jurisdiction, we dismiss the Patient’s appeal.

Authoring Judge: Judge Jeffrey Usman
Originating Judge:Judge Mary L. Wagner
Shelby County Court of Appeals 08/06/24
Dorothy Small et al. v. Jon Law et al.

M2024-00255-COA-R3-CV

This began as an immediate appeal of an order dismissing a suit under the Tennessee Public Participation Act. After the plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed the appeal, the only issue that remains is the request of the defendants, now proceeding as appellants, for an award of attorney’s fees, costs, and expenses incurred on appeal. Because an award is mandatory, we grant the request and remand to the trial court to determine the amount.

Authoring Judge: Judge W. Neal McBrayer
Originating Judge:Judge M. Wyatt Burk
Lincoln County Court of Appeals 08/06/24
In Re Elijah G.

M2023-00355-COA-R3-PT

A father appeals the termination of his parental rights to his child. The trial court terminated his parental rights on the grounds of abandonment by failure to visit, abandonment by failure to support, substantial noncompliance with the permanency plan, and failure to manifest an ability and willingness to assume custody. It also determined that termination was in the child’s best interest. We affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge W. Neal McBrayer
Originating Judge:Judge Branden Bellar
Smith County Court of Appeals 08/06/24
State of Tennessee v. Tara D. Allen

M2023-00868-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Tara Allen, was found guilty by a Cheatham County jury of vehicular homicide by intoxication and possession of drug paraphernalia. The trial court imposed an effective ten-year sentence. On appeal, the defendant contends the trial court erred in denying her motion to suppress evidence obtained from a warrantless blood draw. The defendant also argues the evidence presented at trial was insufficient to support her conviction of possession of drug paraphernalia. Following our review, the parties’ briefs, and oral arguments, we affirm the defendant’s convictions.

Authoring Judge: Judge J. Ross Dyer
Originating Judge:Judge Larry J. Wallace
Cheatham County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/05/24
State of Tennessee v. David Sylvester Cavette

W2023-01375-CCA-R3-CD

A Carroll County jury convicted the Defendant, David Sylvester Cavette, of evading arrest involving the risk of death or injury. The trial court sentenced the Defendant to three years and placed him on probation after serving 180 days in custody. On appeal, the Defendant asserts that the State failed to prove either that he intentionally fled from police officers or that his flight created a risk of death or injury to others. Upon our review, we respectfully disagree and affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Tom Greenholtz
Originating Judge:Judge Bruce Irwin Griffey
Carroll County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/05/24
State of Tennessee v. Corey Denzal Williams

M2023-01070-CCA-R3-CD

A Sumner County jury convicted the defendant, Corey Denzal Williams, of first-degree murder, reckless endangerment, aggravated assault, and false imprisonment, for which he received an effective sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole plus eight years. On appeal, the defendant contends the evidence presented at trial was insufficient to support his convictions. The defendant also argues the trial court erred in denying his motion for severance and in admitting autopsy photographs of the victim, the testimony of Sergeant Harry Harper, and video testimony of the victim. After reviewing the record and considering the applicable law, we conclude that the trial court erred in failing to sever the offenses and that the error was not harmless as to the defendant’s convictions for aggravated assault and false imprisonment. Accordingly, we reverse the defendant’s convictions for aggravated assault and false imprisonment and remand to the trial court for a new trial. We otherwise affirm the trial court’s judgments.

Authoring Judge: Judge J. Ross Dyer
Originating Judge:Judge Dee David Gay
Sumner County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/05/24
Ethan Rashad Holmes, as surviving child and next of kin of Ephraim Holmes v. Stacy L. Shipp

W2023-00605-COA-R3-CV

This is a personal injury case. The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of one of the defendants. The plaintiff appeals. Because the order appealed is not a final judgment, and because the order was improperly certified as final pursuant to Tennessee Rule of Civil Procedure 54.02, we dismiss the appeal for lack of jurisdiction.

Authoring Judge: Judge Carma Dennis McGee
Originating Judge:Judge Yolanda Kight Brown
Shelby County Court of Appeals 08/02/24
State of Tennessee v. Jordan Dane Weatherspoon

W2023-01175-CCA-R3-CD

A Hardin County jury convicted the Defendant, Jordan Dane Weatherspoon, of one count of the sale of .5 grams or more of cocaine, and he later pleaded guilty to two additional counts of the sale of .5 grams or more of cocaine. The trial court sentenced the Defendant to an effective sentence of ten years of incarceration as a Range I offender. On appeal, the Defendant contends that the trial court erred when it denied his request for an alternative sentence. After review, we affirm the trial court’s judgments.

Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge J. Brent Bradberry
Hardin County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/02/24