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State of Tennessee v. Harry Coleman
W2011-01546-CCA-R3-CD
A Shelby County Criminal Court Jury convicted the appellant, Harry Coleman, of second degree murder, aggravated assault, and two counts of assault. After a sentencing hearing, he received an effective eighteen-year sentence. On appeal, the appellant contends that the evidence is insufficient to support the convictions and that he is entitled to a new trial based on newly discovered evidence. Based upon the oral arguments, the record, and the parties’ briefs, we affirm the appellant’s convictions and the trial court’s denial of the motion for new trial. However, the case is remanded to the trial court for correction of a clerical error on two of the judgments.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr. |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 02/01/13 | |
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State of Tennessee v. Jackson Martin
W2012-00144-CCA-R3-CD
A Shelby County Criminal Court Jury convicted the appellant, Jackson Martin, of attempted second degree murder and two counts of carjacking. After a sentencing hearing, the trial court merged the carjacking convictions and sentenced him to an effective sentence of twenty-two years in confinement. On appeal, the appellant contends that (1) the trial court erred by commenting to the jury about his failure to present alibi witnesses; (2) the trial court erred by refusing to give the jury an alibi instruction; and (3) the evidence is insufficient to support the convictions. Based upon the record and the parties’ briefs, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge W. Mark Ward |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 02/01/13 | |
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Ronald Woods v. State of Tennessee
W2012-00563-CCA-R3-PC
A Shelby County grand jury indicted petitioner, Ronald Woods, for three counts of assault. Petitioner pleaded guilty to one count of assault, and the State agreed to dismiss the two remaining counts. During the plea hearing, petitioner also pleaded guilty to several offenses in an unrelated case that was pending in the criminal court. He received an agreed-upon effective sentence of six years, eleven months, and twenty-nine days for both cases. Petitioner requested post-conviction relief, alleging: (1) that the State engaged in vindictive prosecution; (2) that he received ineffective assistance of counsel; (3) that his guilty plea was involuntary; and (4) that he was denied due process of law. Following our review, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Roger A. Page
Originating Judge:Judge Chris Craft |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 02/01/13 | |
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State of Tennessee v. Robert Nelson Buford, III
M2011-00323-CCA-R3-CD
A Davidson County Criminal Court Jury convicted the appellant, Robert Nelson Buford, III, of facilitation of first degree felony murder and facilitation of attempted especially aggravated robbery. After a sentencing hearing, the appellant received an effective thirty-five-year sentence. On appeal, he contends that (1) the evidence is insufficient to support the convictions; (2) the trial court should have suppressed his statement to police because he invoked his right to remain silent; (3) his prior bad acts were inadmissible; (4) the trial court should have given the jury a requested instruction; and (5) his effective sentence is excessive. Based upon the oral arguments, the record, and the parties’ briefs, we conclude that the trial court erred by admitting the appellant’s statement into evidence because the appellant invoked his right to remain silent but that the error was harmless. Therefore, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge J. Randall Wyatt |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 01/31/13 | |
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Beal Bank, SSB v. David and Connie Prince
M2011-02744-COA-R3-CV
Plaintiffs appeal the dismissal pursuant to Rule 12.02(6) of the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure of their claims for conspiracy, negligence, and negligent infliction of emotional distress arising from an alleged wrongful foreclosure.We affirm the trial court in all respects.
Authoring Judge: Judge Frank G. Clement, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Stella L. Hargrove |
Lawrence County | Court of Appeals | 01/31/13 | |
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State of Tennessee v. Samuel Moore
M2011-01680-CCA-R3-CD
A Warren County Circuit Court Jury convicted the appellant, Samuel Moore, of attempted first degree murder, aggravated assault, and assault. The trial court imposed a total effective sentence of thirty-one years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the appellant challenges the State’s failure to provide him with a verbatim transcript of the suppression hearing, the trial court’s denial of his motion to suppress, the sufficiency of the evidence supporting his convictions, and the sentences imposed. Upon review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Larry B. Stanley, Jr. |
Warren County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 01/31/13 | |
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The 4-J L.P. v. Scarbrough & Weaver, PLC et al.
M2012-00284-COA-R3-CV
In this case regarding title insurance company’s duty to seller of real property, the trial court found no factual dispute regarding the escrow agent’s apparent agency and granted summary judgment to title insurance company against seller of real property. Discerning no error, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Andy D. Bennett
Originating Judge:Chancellor Russell T. Perkins |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 01/31/13 | |
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Terry Suzanne Adkison Chambers v. Frank C. Chambers
W2012-00068-COA-R3-CV
Husband appeals the trial court’s award of alimony and partial attorney’s fees to Wife in this divorce action. Finding no abuse of discretion on the part of the trial court, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Judge Martha B. Brasfield |
Fayette County | Court of Appeals | 01/31/13 | |
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Connie Lou Jolley v. Ronald Van Jolley
M2011-02550-COA-R3-CV
In this divorce proceeding, Husband appeals the trial court’s determination that, pursuant to the unclean hands doctrine, he is not entitled to proceeds of property sold in a partition action. Finding no error, we affirm the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Andy D. Bennett
Originating Judge:Chancellor Ronald Thurman |
White County | Court of Appeals | 01/31/13 | |
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State of Tennessee vs. Gary Adams
M2011-00629-CCA-R3-CD
A Davidson County Criminal Court Jury convicted the appellant, Gary Adams, of four counts of aggravated rape. The trial court imposed four, consecutive sentences of twenty-five years for a total effective sentence of 100 years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the appellant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence sustaining his convictions, the trial court’s refusal to merge the convictions, and the sentences imposed by the trial court. Upon review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Cheryl A. Blackburn |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 01/31/13 | |
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Nicolle M. Johnson v. Brian Keith Johnson
M2012-00900-COA-R3-CV
Mother and Father were divorced, and Mother was named the primary residential parent of their three children. Mother remarried and decided to relocate to California. Father opposed the relocation and sought to be named the primary residential parent. By the time of hearing, relocation of only one child was at issue. Father introduced expert testimony that the relocation would pose a threat of specific and serious harm to the child that outweighed the threat of harm to the child from a change of custody, as set forth in Tenn. Code Ann. §36-6108(d)(1)(B). Relying on the expert’s testimony, the trial court denied Mother the opportunity to relocate with the child to California. Mother appealed, and we affirm the trial court’s judgment.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Judge Royce Taylor |
Rutherford County | Court of Appeals | 01/31/13 | |
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Shawn Blair v. State of Tennessee
M2012-00066-CCA-R3-PC
The petitioner, Shawn Blair, appeals the post-conviction court’s dismissal of his petition for post-conviction relief from his two convictions for simple possession of marijuana and resulting consecutive sentences of eleven-months, twenty-nine days. On appeal, the petitioner contends that he is entitled to post-conviction relief because he was not advised by trial counsel or the trial court about the immigration consequences of his pleas. Upon review, we affirm the post-conviction court’s denial of the petition.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge David Bragg |
Rutherford County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 01/31/13 | |
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In re Devonta L.C. et al
E2012-00678-COA-R3-PT
This is a termination of parental rights case focusing on three minor children (“the Children”). The defendants are Russell C. (“Father”) and Brandy C. (“Mother”). The Children were taken into custody by the Department of Children’s Services (“DCS”) in January 2008 because of repeated injuries sustained by the oldest child. DCS filed a petition to terminate the parental rights of both parents in April 2010, alleging numerous grounds for termination. Following a bench trial, the court granted the petition after finding, by clear and convincing evidence, that Father and Mother were in substantial noncompliance with the permanency plans and that the conditions leading to removal still persisted. However, the trial court found that severe child abuse was not proven. The court did find, by clear and convincing evidence, that termination is in the Children’s best interest. Father and Mother appeal. We reverse in part and affirm in part. Termination of the parents’ parental rights is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Tim Irwin |
Knox County | Court of Appeals | 01/31/13 | |
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Demetrius Byrd v. State of Tennessee
E2012-00070-CCA-R3-PC
Petitioner, Demetrius Byrd, appeals the dismissal of his petition for post-conviction relief from felony drug convictions in which he alleged that his guilty plea was unknowingly and involuntarily entered due to the ineffective assistance of trial counsel. More specifically he contends that (1) trial counsel failed to properly investigate his case to determine that Petitioner’s co-defendant, Dominic Jones, pled guilty to the cocaine offense under a separate indictment and accepted full responsibility for the offense; and (2) trial counsel insisted that he plead guilty to avoid federal prosecution. After a thorough review of the record, we conclude that Petitioner has failed to show that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance of counsel, and we accordingly affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Barry A. Steelman |
Hamilton County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 01/31/13 | |
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Tellico Village Property Owners Association, Inc. v. Health Solutions, LLC, et al.
E2012-000101-COA-R3-CV
Tellico Village Property Owners Association, Inc. (“TVPOA”) sued Health Solutions, LLC; Tellico Senior Living, LLC; Citizens National Bancorp, Inc. d/b/a Citizens National Bank of Tennessee; Home Federal Bank Corporation d/b/a Home Federal Bank; and NBN Corporation d/b/a National Bank of Tennessee (“National Bank”) with regard to a failed development project. TVPOA asked the Trial Court to declare that TVPOA’s option agreement concerning real estate in the development project had priority over certain recorded deeds of trust. National Bank appeals the Trial Court’s grant of partial summary judgment to TVPOA raising issues about whether the Memorandum of Agreement and Development Agreement between TVPOA and the Developer and the Developer Company violated the statute of frauds, and the Trial Court’s grant of TVPOA’s motion in limine to exclude evidence on National Bank’s claim of unjust enrichment. We find and hold that National Bank was not a party to the Memorandum of Agreement or the Development Agreement and, therefore, may not raise a statute of frauds defense. We further find and hold that the Trial Court did not err in excluding evidence on National Bank’s claim of unjust enrichment.
Authoring Judge: Judge D. Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Chancellor Frank V. Williams, III |
Loudon County | Court of Appeals | 01/30/13 | |
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Keenan W. Carroll v. Chandra P. Carroll
M2012-00111-COA-R3-CV
This case involves the issue of retroactive child support and whether the trial court appropriately denied Wife’s request. Husband’s divorce petition was pending for more than three years before Wife answered. During that time the parties were separated, and Husband made monthly car payments on Wife’s vehicle in an amount that exceeded what would have been his child support obligation. We conclude that Husband satisfied his child support obligations based on the unique facts of this case and affirm the trial court’s judgment.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Judge Ross H. Hicks |
Montgomery County | Court of Appeals | 01/30/13 | |
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Sandra Bellanti, et al. v. City of Memphis, Tennessee, A Municipal Corporation, et al.
W2012-01623-COA-R3-CV
Plaintiff motorist was seriously injured when a padlock was hurled from beneath a lawn mower operated by a City of Memphis Parks Services employee and through the window of her vehicle, striking her in the head and resulting in the loss of her left eye. The motorist and her husband filed an action for damages against the City, which was adjudicated pursuant to the Governmental Tort Liability Act. The trial court entered judgment in favor of Plaintiffs, and the City appeals. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Judge Robert L. Childers |
Shelby County | Court of Appeals | 01/30/13 | |
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Fred V. Wilson, et al v. Monroe County, Tennessee, et al
E2012-00771-COA-R3-CV
Fred V. Wilson and his wife, Anna R. Wilson, were the initial plaintiffs. They filed suit against Monroe County and the City of Sweetwater alleging that the amputation of Mrs. Wilson’s left leg was proximately caused by the negligence of those responding to an emergency call to her home. Mrs. Wilson died before trial and the case proceeded with her husband as the sole plaintiff, individually and in a representative capacity. At a bench trial, the court found that the injury to Mrs. Wilson’s left foot occurred during the ambulance ride from the Wilsons’ home to the hospital emergency room. It further found that the injury, which did not heal, necessitated the amputation of her leg. The court entered judgment against Monroe County. The claims against Sweetwater were dismissed. Monroe County appeals. The plaintiff, by way of a separate issue, challenges the sufficiency of the court’s award of damages. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Lawrence H. Puckett |
Monroe County | Court of Appeals | 01/30/13 | |
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Coffee County Bank v. Robert Eugene Hulan and Sherry Renee Hulan
M2012-00109-COA-R3-CV
A bank filed a complaint against husband and wife to recoup money owed on a credit agreement after a foreclosure sale failed to produce sufficient funds to repay the loan in full. The trial court entered a judgment against the couple, and the couple appealed. We reverse the trial court’s judgment because the bank relied on two different versions of a credit agreement, thereby failing to prove the existence of an enforceable contract with definite terms.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Judge Vanessa Jackson |
Coffee County | Court of Appeals | 01/30/13 | |
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In Re: Estate of Danny W. Wilson, Deceased
W2012-01390-COA-R3-CV
Claimant filed a claim against the estate of his first cousin, seeking repayment of $47,300 in loans he made to the Decedent in the months before his death. The trial court sustained the claim, and the administrator of the estate appeals. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Judge Rachel Jackson |
Lauderdale County | Court of Appeals | 01/30/13 | |
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Harold Dean McDaniel v. Kimberly Ruth McDaniel
E2012-00007-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from a divorce. Harold Dean McDaniel (“Husband”) sued Kimberly Ruth McDaniel (“Wife”) for divorce in the Circuit Court for Hamilton County (“the Trial Court”). After a long and contentious legal battle, including an earlier appeal to this Court and subsequent remand for a new trial, the Trial Court entered its supplemental final decree of divorce. Wife appeals, raising a number of issues. We hold that the Trial Court did not adequately compute child support, and, therefore remand for its proper computation. We also modify the allocation of guardian ad litem fees. Otherwise, we affirm the judgment of the Trial Court. We affirm the judgment of the Trial Court as modified, in part, and vacated, in part.
Authoring Judge: Judge D. Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Judge Neil Thomas |
Hamilton County | Court of Appeals | 01/30/13 | |
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Erie Insurance Exchange v. Columbia National Insurance Company et al.
M2012-00331-COA-R3-CV
This is a declaratory judgment action wherein one insurance company, which provided general liability insurance coverage to the insured, asserts that another insurance company, which provided the same insured with automobile insurance coverage, had the primary duty to pay the cost of defending and to indemnify the insured in a third-party tort action filed pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 50-6-112. The plaintiff insurer asserts that the defendant insurer had the primary duty to provide and pay the cost of the defense in that action and to indemnify the insured pursuant to its automobile insurance policy because an additional insured was operating a “boom truck” owned by the insured that was listed under the defendant’s auto policy when the injury to the third-party plaintiff occurred.Both insurers filed motions for summary judgment.The trial court denied the plaintiff’s motion and granted summary judgment to the defendant insurer holding that the plaintiff, not the defendant, is liable for providing and paying the cost of the defense and for indemnifying the insured in the third-party tort action. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Frank G. Clement, Jr.
Originating Judge:Chancellor Charles K. Smith |
Wilson County | Court of Appeals | 01/30/13 | |
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In Re: Jacob A.G. et al.
E2012-01213-COA-R3-PT
Robin M.G. (“Mother”) appeals the termination of her parental rights to her minor children, Daniel E.S. and Jacob A.G. (“the Children”). At separate times, the Children 1 were removed to the custody of the Department of Children’s Services (“DCS”) and were placed in foster care. DCS took custody of Daniel after he pleaded “true” to disorderly conduct and was adjudicated unruly. A year later, DCS petitioned the court to declare both Children dependent and neglected in Mother’s care and took Jacob into immediate protective custody. After the Children were adjudicated as being dependent and neglected, DCS implemented a permanency plan for each and worked with Mother for two years in a failed effort to reunify the family. DCS filed a petition to terminate Mother’s parental rights. After a bench trial, the court found, by clear and convincing evidence, that multiple grounds for terminating Mother’s rights exist and that termination is in the best interest of the Children. Mother appeals. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Charles D. Susano
Originating Judge:Judge Larry M. Warner |
Cumberland County | Court of Appeals | 01/30/13 | |
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David Amado v. Bridgestone Firestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC et al.
M2012-00094-WC-R3-WC
In this workers’ compensation action, the employee alleged that he sustained compensable injuries to both shoulders. His employer conceded the compensability of the right shoulder injury, but denied the left shoulder claim. An examination was done by a physician through the Medical Impairment Registry(“MIR”) regarding the right shoulder claim. The trial court found that the presumption of correctness of the MIR impairment opinion had been overcome by clear and convincing evidence as to the right shoulder injury. The trial court also concluded that the left shoulder injury was compensable and awarded benefits accordingly. The trial court also denied employer’s claim that it was entitled to an offset pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-114(b) for benefits paid under its accident and sickness policy. We hold and find that the trial court erred by failing to apply the offset sought by the employer, and affirm the judgment in all other respects.
Authoring Judge: Senior Judge Walter C. Kurtz
Originating Judge:Chancellor L. Craig Johnson |
Coffee County | Workers Compensation Panel | 01/30/13 | |
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The Preserve at Forrest Crossing Townhome Association, Inc. v. Marsha DeVaughn and Keene Patterson
M2011-02755-COA-R3-CV
A townhome owner and her tenant challenge an amendment adopted by the owner’s townhome association prohibiting the owner from leasing her unit to a third party. The owner purchased her unit before there were any restrictions on leasing individual units. The amendment was adopted in accordance with the Horizontal Property Act and in accordance with the documents governing the units where she lives. The trial court granted the association’s motion for summary judgment enjoining the owner from renting her townhome to a third party and requiring the tenant to vacate the unit. On appeal we conclude the amendment is enforceable and affirm the trial court’s judgment.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Judge James G. Martin, III |
Williamson County | Court of Appeals | 01/30/13 |