APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County v. Joseph H. Johnston

M2012-01537-COA-R3-CV

The Metropolitan Government issued a parking citation to the driver of a vehicle parked at an expired meter; upon his failure to pay the $11.00 fine within the requisite 45-day period, the fine was increased to $50.00 and costs were assessed. Driver challenged the fine as a violation of the Fifty-Dollar Fines Clause of Article VI, Section 14 of the Tennessee Constitution and the Metropolitan Government’s authority to increase the fine, and asserted that the parking citation was unconstitutional for failure to comply with Tenn. Code Ann. § 7-3-501. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Richard H. Dinkins
Originating Judge:Judge Hamilton V. Gayden, Jr.
Davidson County Court of Appeals 01/22/13
Jonathan Williams v. State of Tennessee

W2012-00107-CCA-R3-PC

The Petitioner, Jonathan Williams, appeals the Lauderdale County Circuit Court’s denial of his petition for post-conviction relief from his convictions of attempted second degree murder and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, for which he received an effective sentence of twenty years. In this appeal, the Petitioner contends he received ineffective assistance of counsel and that his guilty pleas were not entered knowingly and voluntarily. Upon review, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Camille R. McMullen
Originating Judge:Judge Joseph H. Walker, III
Lauderdale County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/22/13
Randy B. Braswell v. State of Tennessee

E2012-00347-CCA-R3-PC

The Petitioner, Randy B. Braswell, Jr., appeals the Hamilton County Criminal Court’s denial of post-conviction relief from his 2006 convictions for second degree murder and aggravated child abuse and his effective twenty-two-year sentence. On appeal, he contends that the trial court erred by finding counsel provided the effective assistance of counsel. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood
Hamilton County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/22/13
State of Tennessee v. James Lee Harris

E2012-00347-CCA-R3-PC

The defendant, James Lee Harris, appeals as of right from the Hamilton County Criminal Court’s orders revoking his probationary sentences and ordering the sentences to be served in confinement. The defendant’s counsel has filed a motion to withdraw pursuant to Rule 22 of the Rules of the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals. We find the motion well-taken and, in accordance with Rule 22 F), affirm the trial court’s orders pursuant to Rule 20 of the Rules of the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals.

Authoring Judge: Judge James Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Don W. Poole
Hamilton County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/22/13
Rev. J. M. Shaffer v. Memphis Airport Authority, Service Management Systems, Inc., and John Doe B. through D.

W2012-00237-COA-R9-CV

This interlocutory appeal involves comparative fault and amending to add a defendant. The plaintiff suffered slip-and-fall injuries at the defendant airport. The day before the statute of limitations ran, the plaintiff filed this lawsuit against the airport, alleging negligence. The airport’s answer asserted comparative fault but did not identify an additional tortfeasor. In later discovery, the airport identified its janitorial service. The plaintiff amended her complaint to add the janitorial service as a defendant, citing T.C.A. 20-1-119. The defendant janitorial service filed a motion to dismiss, citing the statute of limitations. The trial court declined to dismiss the claims against the janitorial service, holding that the disclosure of the identity of the janitorial service in discovery triggered the 90-day statutory period under Section 20-1-119 in which the plaintiff is permitted to amend the complaint to add a defendant. We reverse, holding that, by the express terms of Section 20-1-119, the statutory 90-day period is not triggered by a defendant’s response to a discovery request.

Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Judge Karen R. Williams
Shelby County Court of Appeals 01/18/13
Eric Sutton v. McKinney Drilling Company, et al.

W2012-00503-WC-R3-WC

An employee was pinned between a large crane and a pickup truck. He suffered injuries to his ribs, shoulder, and back. He also suffered a collapsed lung and contusions on his lungs. He recovered from those injuries and was able to return to work for his employer. The trial court found the correct impairment to be 19% to the body as a whole and awarded 28.5% permanent partial disability benefits. The employer contends that the trial court erred by awarding benefits for pulmonary dysfunction. The employee contends that the award was based on an incorrect impairment rating. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Special Judge Donald Parish
Originating Judge:Chancellor Kenny Armstrong
Shelby County Workers Compensation Panel 01/18/13
Tony Hoover v. Henry Steward, Warden

W2011-02453-CCA-R3-HC

Pro se petitioner, Tony Hoover, appeals the Lake County Circuit Court’s denial of his petition for writ of habeas corpus. The petitioner entered a plea of nolo contendere to two counts of rape and two counts of incest, and he received an effective sentence of twenty-one years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the Petitioner argues that the judgments were illegal because they did not impose mandatory lifetime community supervision or a sex offender surcharge. Because the Petitioner’s judgments do not reflect the statutory requirement of mandatory lifetime community supervision, we conclude that the judgments for rape are illegal and void. We vacate the Petitioner’s sentences for rape only and remand to the habeas court for an evidentiary hearing to determine whether the illegal sentence was a bargained for element of the Petitioner’s plea agreement. In all other respects, the judgment of the habeas corpus court is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Judge Camille R. McMullen
Originating Judge:Judge R. Lee Moore Jr.
Lake County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/18/13
Cauley McCilton Cross v. State of Tennessee

M2012-00020-CCA-R3-PC

The petitioner, Cauley McCilton Cross, appeals the denial of his petition for post-conviction relief. The petitioner is currently serving an effective ten-year sentence in the Department of Correction following his convictions for two counts of aggravated sexual battery and three counts of exhibition of obscene materials to a minor. On appeal, he contends that the post-conviction court erroneously denied his petition because the proof established that he was denied his right to the effective assistance of counsel. On appeal, he specifically contends that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to file a motion to dismiss the charges against the petitioner based upon a constitutional challenge to Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-13-504. Following review of the record, we affirm the denial of relief.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Robert Crigler
Marshall County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/18/13
State of Tennessee v. Desi Kris Moore

M2012-00772-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Desi Kris Moore, was convicted of rape of a child, a class A felony, and aggravated sexual battery, a Class B felony, and received an effective twenty-five-year sentence. In this appeal, the defendant claims his sentence is excessive and contrary to law. Following our review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Robert Crigler
Bedford County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/18/13
Mary C. Smith, as Surviving Widow of James B. Smith v. UHS of Lakeside, Inc., et al.

W2011-02405-COA-R3-CV

Appellant appeals the trial court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of Appellee mental health facility, effectively dismissing the case. Having determined that the trial court failed to state the legal grounds upon which it was granting summary judgment, we vacate the orders at issue and remand for entry of orders that comply with Rule 56.04 of the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure.

Authoring Judge: Judge J. Steven Stafford
Originating Judge:Judge Kay S. Robilio
Shelby County Court of Appeals 01/18/13
Rolando Toyos v. Amanda G. Hammock

W2011-01649-COA-R3-JV

After primary residential parent Mother notified Father of her intent to relocate, Father opposed relocation and he petitioned to be named the child’s primary residential parent. The trial court determined the Father had demonstrated a material change in circumstances, but it found the child’s best interests would be promoted by Mother remaining the primary residential parent, and it allowed Mother’s relocation with the child. We affirm in part and we reverse in part.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Judge Curtis S. Person, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Appeals 01/17/13
Dick Broadcasting Company, Inc. of Tennessee v. Oak Ridge FM, Inc. et al.

E2010-01685-SC-R11-CV

The legal issues in this appeal revolve around the assignment of three agreements. The first is a Right-of-First-Refusal Agreement that allowed for an assignment with the consent of the non-assigning party. The agreement was silent as to the anticipated standard of conduct of the non-assigning party in withholding consent. The other two agreements—a Time Brokerage Agreement and a Consulting Agreement—were assignable without consent. The primary issue we address is whether the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing applies to the non-assigning party’s conduct in refusing to consent to an assignment when the agreement does not specify a standard of conduct. Oak Ridge FM, Inc. (“Oak Ridge FM”) contractually agreed for Dick Broadcasting Company (“DBC”) to have a right of first refusal to purchase Oak Ridge FM’s WOKI-FM radio station assets. The agreement was assignable by DBC only with the written consent of Oak Ridge FM. When DBC requested Oak Ridge FM to consent to the assignment of the Right-of-First-Refusal agreement to a prospective buyer, Oak Ridge FM refused to consent. Oak Ridge FM also refused to consent to the assignment of the Consulting Agreement and Time Brokerage Agreement, neither of which contained a consent provision. DBC sued Oak Ridge FM and the other defendants, alleging breach of contract and violation of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. The trial court granted the defendants a summary judgment. DBC appealed, and the Court of Appeals vacated the summary judgment. We hold that where the parties have contracted to allow assignment of an agreement with the consent of the non-assigning party, and the agreement is silent regarding the anticipated standard of conduct in withholding consent, an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing applies and requires the non-assigning party to act with good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner in deciding whether to consent to the assignment. Because there are genuine issues of material fact in dispute, we affirm the judgment of the Court of Appeals and remand to the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Justice Sharon G. Lee
Originating Judge:Chancellor Michael W. Moyers
Knox County Supreme Court 01/17/13
John Charles Wilson, et al. v. Tennessee Department of Transportation

M2012-00675-COA-R3-CV

The trial court dismissed Plaintiffs’ declaratory judgment action for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Plaintiffs’ appeal. We affirm.
 

Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Chancellor Russell T. Perkins
Davidson County Court of Appeals 01/17/13
Dick Broadcasting Company, Inc. of Tennessee v. Oak Ridge FM, Inc. et al. - Concur

E2010-01685-SC-R11-CV

I concur with the Court’s decision to apply the implied duty of good faith and fair dealing to the three contracts involved in this case. I also concur with the Court’s decision that neither party is entitled to a summary judgment because the current record reflects genuine disputes regarding the facts material to their claims and defenses. However, because there is no consensus regarding the scope of the implied duty of good faith and fair dealing in the context of arm’s length commercial transactions, I write separately to address this important point.

Authoring Judge: Justice William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Chancellor Michael W. Moyers
Knox County Supreme Court 01/17/13
Martin D. "Red" Patterson, as a Citizen of the State of Tennessee, and as Business Manager of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 369, et al. v. The Convention Center Authority of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson Co.

M2012-00341-COA-R3-CV

Respondent Convention Center Authority appeals the trial court’s determination that the residential addresses of employees of third-party contractors contained in payroll records submitted by the contractors to the Convention Center Authority aren ot exempt from disclosure under the Tennessee Public Records Act. Petitioners cross-appeal the trial court’s denial of their request for attorney’s fees and costs. We affirm the trial court’s judgment.

Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Chancellor Carol L. McCoy
Davidson County Court of Appeals 01/17/13
In Re: Jeremiah P.A.

E2012-01961-COA-R3-JV

This appeal is from an order of the trial court entered on August 14, 2012, which order terminated the parental rights of Jeremy A. to his son, Jeremiah P.A., based upon Jeremy A.’s joining in the petition for adoption filed by Donna J. P., the child’s biological maternal grandmother, on September 20, 2011. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-1-117(f). The order appealed from does not resolve all issues raised in the petition for adoption, or the petition to intervene and adopt filed by Charles R., the child’s biological maternal grandfather. As such, the order is not a final order and this appeal is dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.

Authoring Judge: Per Curiam
Originating Judge:Chancellor Michael W. Moyers
Knox County Court of Appeals 01/17/13
Alberto DeLeon v. State of Tennessee

E2012-02393-COA-R3-CV

Alberto DeLeon (“the Claimant”) filed a claim pursuant to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act for permanent impairment benefits and moving expense benefits allegedly arising out of an incident that occurred on April 5, 2011, in which the Claimant apparently was shot by his landlord. The claim was assigned to the small claims docket of the Claims Commission. Because we have no jurisdiction to hear an appeal from an order denying a claim appearing on the small claims docket of the Claims Commission, this appeal is dismissed.

Authoring Judge: Per Curiam
Originating Judge:William O. Shults, Commissioner
Davidson County Court of Appeals 01/17/13
Torrie Schneider Longanacre v. Matthew Robert Longanacre

M2012-00161-COA-R3-CV

Husband appeals the order granting Wife a legal separation and alimony in futuro. Finding no error, we affirm.
 

Authoring Judge: Judge Richard H. Dinkins
Originating Judge:Chancellor Laurence M. McMillan
Montgomery County Court of Appeals 01/16/13
State of Tennessee v. Jurico Readus

W2011-01544-CCA-R3-CD

A jury convicted the defendant, Jurico Readus, of one count of first degree (felony) murder of Luis Reyes Hernandez, and two counts of attempted especially aggravated robbery,class B felonies. The trial court merged the count of attempted especially aggravated robbery of Luis Reyes Hernandez with the first degree (felony) murder conviction, for which the defendant received a life sentence. The defendant was sentenced to serve ten years, concurrently with his life sentence, for the attempted especially aggravated robbery of Jary Reyes. On appeal, the defendant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence underlying his convictions and the voluntariness of his confession which was obtained while he was a juvenile. After a thorough review of the record, we conclude that there was no reversible error and affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Carolyn Wade Blackett
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/16/13
Joshua Cooper et al. v. Logistics Insight Corp. et al.

M2010-01262-SC-R11-CV

An employee was injured at work as a result of the actions of a third-party tortfeasor. The employee suffered permanent injuries that required future medical care. The injured employee filed a claim for workers’ compensation benefits and filed a lawsuit against the third-party tortfeasor. The employer intervened in the lawsuit pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-112 (2008) to protect its subrogation lien against any recovery from the third-partytortfeasor. The employee settled the lawsuit with the third-partytortfeasor and voluntarily dismissed the case. The employer requested that the case be set for trial, claiming that it was entitled to a lien against the settlement proceeds for the cost of future medical benefits that may be paid on behalf of the injured employee. We hold that the employer’s subrogation lien provided by Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-112 does not include the cost of future medical benefits that may be provided to an injured employee.

Authoring Judge: Justice Janice M. Holder
Originating Judge:Chancellor Robert E. Corlew, III
Rutherford County Supreme Court 01/16/13
Torrie Schneider Longanacre v. Matthew Robert Longanacre - Dissent

M2012-00161-COA-R3-CV

I dissent from the majority because I believe that the evidence preponderates against the trial court’s finding that the husband did not prove a ground for divorce. My review of the record leads me to conclude that the husband did, in fact, produce unrebutted evidence that established the ground of inappropriate marital conduct.
 

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Chancellor Laurence M. McMillan
Montgomery County Court of Appeals 01/16/13
Joshua Cooper et al. v. Logistics Insight Corp. et al. - Dissent

M2010-01262-SC-R11-CV

Employees’work-related injuries are, on occasion, caused by the fault of third parties. Approximately fifty years ago, the Tennessee General Assembly addressed how recoveries from these third parties should be apportioned between the employee and the employer. This appeal requires us to interpret and apply Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-112(c) (2008), one of these fifty-year-old statutes. Rather than applying the plain statutory language, the Court has undertaken to harmonize Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-112 with other changes in the Workers’ Compensation Law that were made after Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-112 was enacted. There is no doubt that the Tennessee General Assembly should revisit Tenn.Code Ann.§ 50-6-112. However, until the General Assembly does, I would interpret and apply the statute according to its plain meaning. Accordingly, I must respectfully dissent.

Authoring Judge: Justice William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Chancellor Robert E. Corlew, III
Rutherford County Supreme Court 01/16/13
Torrie Schneider Longanacre v. Matthew Robert Longanacre - Concur

M2012-00161-COA-R3-CV

I fully concur with the decision to affirm the trial court in all respects; I write separately to address the emphasis on reconciliation as a predicate to granting Wife a legal separation for two years even though Husband failed to prove any ground upon which he would be entitled to a divorce. I fully recognize that the trial court had the discretion to grant or deny Wife’s request for a legal separation; however, based upon the facts of this case, I submit the only party who would have a basis to appeal the grant or denial of a legal separation would be Wife, not Husband. This is because Husband failed to prove any ground upon which he would be entitled to a divorce at the time of the hearing.
 

Authoring Judge: Judge Frank G. Clement, Jr.
Originating Judge:Chancellor Laurence M. McMillan
Montgomery County Court of Appeals 01/16/13
State of Tennessee v. Richelle Dawn Gann

E2012-00599-CCA-R3-CD

The Defendant, Richelle Dawn Gann, challenges the trial court’s denial of judicial diversion for her convictions for theft of $500 or less and possession of both Oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance, and Diazepam, a Schedule IV controlled substance, with intent to sell. She contends that the trial court erred by failing to consider all of the required factors in deciding her suitability for judicial diversion and by finding that the circumstances of the offense outweighed all the factors that favored a grant of judicial diversion. Following our review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Bob R. McGee
Knox County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/16/13
In the Matter of Jacob A. C. H.

M2012-01175-COA-R3-PT

The trial court terminated the parental rights of Mother to her child, finding that she wilfully failed to visit or support the child. Mother appeals, contending that she lacked the capacity to visit or pay support. Upon our de novo review we determine that the evidence does not preponderate against the trial court’s findings of fact and its conclusion that Mother abandoned the child and that termination of her rights is in the child’s best interest.
 

Authoring Judge: Judge Richard H. Dinkins
Originating Judge:Chancellor Laurence M. McMillan
Robertson County Court of Appeals 01/16/13