Ted A. Puckett v. Ray Lyons
M2012-00696-COA-R3-CV
This is an appeal from an order entered by the Circuit Court for Bedford County denying the appellant leave to proceed in that court on a pauper’s oath. Because the order appealed does not resolve all the claims between the parties, we dismiss the appeal for lack of a final judgment.
Authoring Judge: Per Curiam
Originating Judge:Judge Franklin L. Russell |
Bedford County | Court of Appeals | 05/31/12 | |
Timothy L. Jefferson v. State of Tennessee
M2011-01653-CCA-R3-CO
The petitioner, Timothy L. Jefferson, appeals from the summary dismissal of his petition for writ of error coram nobis which challenged his 2001 guilty-pleaded conviction of second degree murder. Discerning no error, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge James Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Cheryl Blackburn |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/31/12 | |
State of Tennessee v. Terry Bonds
E2011-01199-CCA-R3-CO
Appellant, Terry Bonds, appeals the trial court’s revocation of his probation, claiming that the trial court did not have jurisdiction to revoke his probation because his sentence had expired. Appellant also claims that the trial court abused its discretion by revoking his probation. The State contends that this court should dismiss the appeal because the notice of appeal was untimely and deficient in form. Finding no error, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Roger A. Page
Originating Judge:Judge Don W. Poole |
Hamilton County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/31/12 | |
In Re: Dakota L.M.
E2011-02177-COA-R3-PT
This is a termination of parental rights case in which the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services sought to terminate the parental rights of Brandon M. and Anthony T. to their minor child. The trial court terminated Brandon M.’s parental rights, finding that there was clear and convincing evidence to support termination based upon, abandonment, substantial non-compliance with the permanency plans, and persistence of conditions and that termination of her parental rights was in the best interest of the child. Brandon M. appeals the court’s best interest determination. We affirm the decision of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge John W. McClarty
Originating Judge:Judge Kenneth N. Bailey, Jr. |
Greene County | Court of Appeals | 05/31/12 | |
Danny Miller v. State of Tennessee
E2011-00498-CCA-R3-PC
The Petitioner, Danny Miller, appeals the Knox County Criminal Court’s denial of his petition for post-conviction relief from his 1979 conviction of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree and resulting life sentence. On appeal, he argues that the post-conviction court erred by denying his petition to test DNA evidence pursuant to the Post-Conviction DNA Analysis Act of 2001. Based upon the oral arguments, the record, and the parties’ briefs, we affirm the post-conviction court’s denial of the petition.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Mary Beth Leibowitz |
Knox County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/31/12 | |
In Re The Matter of Cheetah Lounge, Inc., dba "The Cheetah Lounge" et al. v. Sarasota County
E2011-02027-COA-R3-CV
After a subpoena duces tecum was served on Chattanooga attorney Scott D. Bergthold (“the Attorney”) requiring him to appear for a deposition in Hamilton County and to produce documents regarding ordinances enacted by Sarasota County, Florida (“the County”)pertaining to “adult businesses,” he filed this action as a motion for a protective order pursuant to the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act, Tenn. Code Ann. § 24-9-201, et seq. (Supp. 2011). The Attorney asserted, on behalf of himself and the County, that the information sought was protected by the attorney-client privilege and the work-product doctrine and that the discovery was overly broad and unduly burdensome. The trial court granted the protective order and quashed the subpoena. The subpoena had been issued and served at the request of Cheetah Lounge, Inc., dba “The Cheetah Lounge” and Sarasota Eateries, LLC (“the Adult Clubs”) as a part of their discovery in a Florida case wherein they challenged the constitutionality of the subject ordinances. The Adult Clubs appeal. While this matter was pending oral argument before us, the County filed motions asking that this Court consider dual facts, i.e., (1) that, following the entry of the trial court’s judgment, the Florida court dismissed the underlying case and (2) that court later denied the Adult Clubs’ motion to rehear. We directed the parties to brief the issue of whether this ancillary matter is rendered moot by the dismissal of the underlying action. We now hold that this case is moot. Accordingly, this appeal is dismissed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Chancellor W. Frank Brown, III |
Hamilton County | Court of Appeals | 05/31/12 | |
Joseph Barna v. Preston Law Group, P.C. et al.
M2011-02016-COA-R3-CV
Plaintiff appeals from the summary dismissal of his legal malpractice claim against his former attorney who represented him during an arbitration of a securities dispute. Finding that there are no genuine issues of material fact and that Defendants negated an essential element of Plaintiff’s claim, causation, we affirm the summary dismissal of the action.
Authoring Judge: Judge Frank G. Clement, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Joe Binkley |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 05/31/12 | |
State of Tennessee v. Guy Alvin Williamson
W2011-00049-SC-R11-CD
After an investigatory stop and frisk, the defendant was charged with the unlawful possession of a handgun after a felony conviction and the unlawful possession of a handgun while under the influence of alcohol and was convicted on both counts. The trial court imposed probationary sentences of three years and eleven months, twenty-nine days, respectively. The defendant appealed, arguing that his motion to suppress evidence should have been granted. The Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed. This Court granted the defendant’s application for permission to appeal. Because the investigatory stop and frisk of the defendant was not supported by specific and articulable facts establishing reasonable suspicion that a criminal act was being or about to be committed, the trial court erred by failing to suppress the handgun found by the police and presented as evidence at trial. The judgments of conviction are, therefore, reversed and the cause dismissed.
Authoring Judge: Justice Gary R. Wade
Originating Judge:Judge Joseph H. Walker |
Tipton County | Supreme Court | 05/31/12 | |
Leonard Gamble v. Sputniks, LLC et al.
M2010-02145-SC-R11-CV
In these consolidated cases, the primary issue is whether there is liability insurance coverage for the plaintiffs’ injuries resulting from an altercation on the premises of the insured’s bar and restaurant. The insurer denied coverage and declined to defend the insured based on its determination that there was no coverage under the terms of the policy. We hold that based on the clear terms of the policy agreement, there is no liability coverage because the incident arose from an assault and battery, which was an excluded cause, and because there is no nonexcluded concurrent cause to provide coverage. We further hold that estoppel by judgment does not apply to collaterally estop the insurer from arguing the lack of coverage. The judgment of the trial court is reversed.
Authoring Judge: Justice Sharon G. Lee
Originating Judge:Judge C. L. Rogers |
Sumner County | Supreme Court | 05/30/12 | |
Franklyn Nathaniel Morgan v. Kandi Tonyelle Morgan
E2011-00164-COA-R3-CV
Franklyn Nathaniel Morgan (“Father”) filed this divorce action after his spouse, Kandi Tonyelle Morgan (“Mother”), was hospitalized because she had ingested an overdose of medication. Father was given temporary custody of the parties’ daughter who was four years old when the parties separated. Mother then obtained temporary custody based on proof that the Father allowed the marital residence to become filthy and dangerous. After a hearing, the court entered a temporary parenting plan based on “week-about” parenting. After a trial, the court made Mother the primary residential parent during the school year and Father the primary residential parent during the summer. The court also awarded Father parenting time during the spring break and two-thirds of the Christmas break. The court further ordered that Father would pick up the child after school and exercise parenting time from then until he went to work at 6:00 p.m. on his workdays, or until 7:00 p.m., when Mother got off from work on her workdays. Mother had 252 parenting days and Father had 113. The court set Father’s child support according to the Child Support Guidelines (“the Guidelines”), but allowed Father a downward deviation of $30 per month based on the extra parenting time after school, which the court found was not taken into account by the Guidelines. Mother appeals. We modify the judgment to designate Mother the sole primary residential parent. In all other respects, the judgment is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Thomas J. Wright |
Greene County | Court of Appeals | 05/30/12 | |
Consumer Advocate & Protection Division of the Office of the Attorney General of Tennessee v. Tennessee Regulatory Authority
M2011-00028-COA-R12-CV
This is an appeal from an order of the Tennessee RegulatoryAuthority(“TRA”). The appeal was filed by the Consumer Advocate and Protection Division of the Office of Tennessee’s Attorney General. It challenges the TRA’s authority to allow a gas company to recover attorney fees that were incurred in a proceeding before the TRA that did not involve ratemaking, and the TRA’s authority to order that the attorney fees be recovered from asset management funds. We conclude that the TRA has the authority to order that such litigation fees be recovered as any other reasonable and prudent operating expense of the utility, and that the TRA acted within its authority in ordering that the fees be paid out of asset management funds. The TRA’s decision, therefore, is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
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Court of Appeals | 05/30/12 | ||
In Re Estate of Ardell Hamilton Trigg
M2009-02107-SC-R11-CV
In this case, we address the following two matters: (1) the proper procedure for obtaining appellate review of a judgment of a probate court created by private act upholding a claim filed by the Bureau of TennCare against the estate of a TennCare recipient and (2) the right of TennCare to obtain reimbursement for properlypaid TennCare benefits from real property owned by the recipient at the time of her death. After the decedent’s will was admitted to probate in the Putnam County Probate Court, TennCare filed a claim against her estate seeking reimbursement for services provided through theTennCare program. The decedent’s personal representative filed an exception to this claim. After the probate court upheld TennCare’s claim, the estate appealed to the Circuit Court for Putnam County. The circuit court determined that the decedent’s real property was not subject to TennCare’s claim, and TennCare appealed to the Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals held that the circuit court lacked subject matter jurisdiction over the appeal from the probate court and that the appeal should have been filed with the Court of Appeals. Accordingly, it vacated the circuit court’s judgment and affirmed the judgment of the probate court. In re Estate of Trigg, No. M200902107-COA-R3-CV, 2011 WL 497459, at *3 (Tenn. Ct. App. Feb. 9, 2011). We granted the estate’s application for permission to appeal to determine whether the circuit court had subject matter jurisdiction over the estate’s appeal from the probate court’s order upholding TennCare’s claim and whether real property owned by the recipient at the time of her death is subject to TennCare’s claims. We have determined that the circuit court lacked jurisdiction over the estate’s appeal from the probate court’s judgment regarding TennCare’s disputed claim and that the real property owned by the decedent at the time of her death is subject to TennCare’s claims for reimbursement.
Authoring Judge: Justice William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge John J. Maddux, Jr. |
Putnam County | Supreme Court | 05/30/12 | |
State of Tennessee v. Brandi Nichole Miller
M2011-02025-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Brandi Nichole Miller, appeals the revocation of her probation and reinstatement of her original twelve-year sentence, arguing: (1) that the trial court abused its discretion by revoking her probation; (2) that her due process rights were violated by the fact that the trial court relied on grounds that had formed the bases for her prior probation revocations and were not alleged in the instant revocation warrant; and (3) that the trial court erred by ordering her to serve sentences that had already expired. Following our review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court revoking the defendant’s probation and reinstating her twelve-year sentence in the Department of Correction.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge Jim T. Hamilton |
Giles County | General Sessions Courts | 05/30/12 | |
In Re: Emily N.I., et. al.
E2011-01439-COA-R3-PT
This is a termination of parental rights case in which the Tennessee Department of Children's Services filed a petition to terminate the parental rights of Teresa O. and Harrison O. Teresa O. was the mother of three children, while Harrison O. was the father of two of those children. The trial court terminated Teresa O.'s parental rights to all three children and terminated Harrison O.'s parental rights to his two children. Teresa O. and Harrions O. appeal. We affirm the decision of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge John W. McClarty
Originating Judge:Judge Jayne Johnston Crowley |
Jefferson County | Court of Appeals | 05/30/12 | |
Jonathan Lawrence v. State of Tennessee
M2010-02548-CCA-R3-PC
The Petitioner, Jonathan Lawrence, appeals the Davidson County Criminal Court’s denial of his petition for post-conviction relief from his convictions of two counts of especially aggravated kidnapping, one count of aggravated kidnapping, three counts of aggravated robbery, and resulting effective sentence of twenty-five years in confinement. On appeal, the Petitioner contends that he did not plead guilty knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily. Based upon the oral arguments, the record, and the parties’ briefs, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Steve Dozier |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/30/12 | |
Leslie Raydell Jones v. State of Tennessee
M2011-01128-CCA-R3-PC
The petitioner, Leslie Raydell Jones, appeals the post-conviction court’s denial of his petition for post-conviction relief, arguing he received the ineffective assistance of counsel. After review, we affirm the denial of the petition.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge Robert G. Crigler |
Bedford County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/30/12 | |
Jamiel D. Williams v. State of Tennessee
M2011-01316-CCA-R3-PC
The petitioner, Jamiel D. Williams, appeals the denial of his petition for post-conviction relief, arguing that the post-conviction court erred in finding that he received effective assistance of counsel. Following our review, we affirm the denial of the petition
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge Timothy L. Easter |
Williamson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/30/12 | |
State of Tennessee v. Brandi Nichole Miller
M2011-02025-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Brandi Nichole Miller, appeals the revocation of her probation and reinstatement of her original twelve-year sentence, arguing: (1) that the trial court abused its discretion by revoking her probation; (2) that her due process rights were violated by the fact that the trial court relied on grounds that had formed the bases for her prior probation revocations and were not alleged in the instant revocation warrant; and (3) that the trial court erred by ordering her to serve sentences that had already expired. Following our review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court revoking the defendant’s probation and reinstating her twelve-year sentence in the Department of Correction.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge Jim T. Hamilton |
Giles County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/30/12 | |
Kenneth E. Diggs v. LaSalle National Bank Association, et al.
W2011-02203-COA-R3-CV
This is an appeal from the grant of a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. The trial court found that the Appellant’s claim sounded in fraud. However, the trial court ruled that the Appellant failed to plead fraud with particularity and dismissed. Affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Steven Stafford
Originating Judge:Judge Arnold B. Goldin |
Shelby County | Court of Appeals | 05/30/12 | |
State of Tennessee v. Barry D. McCoy
M2011-02121-CCA-R9-CD
In this interlocutory appeal by the State, the State challenges the trial court’s ruling denying the State’s request to admit into evidence at trial the video-recorded interview of the minor victim pursuant to newly-enacted Tennessee Code Annotated section 24-7-123. Because the trial court erred by reaching the constitutional question before it was ripe for review, the ruling of the trial court is vacated, and the case is remanded for further proceedings.
Authoring Judge: Judge James Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge John H. Gasaway, III |
Montgomery County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/30/12 | |
Donna Clark v. Sputniks, LLC et al.
M2010-02163-SC-R11-CV
In these consolidated cases, the primary issue is whether there is liability insurance coverage for the plaintiffs’ injuries resulting from an altercation on the premises of the insured’s bar and restaurant. The insurer denied coverage and declined to defend the insured based on its determination that there was no coverage under the terms of the policy. We hold that based on the clear terms of the policy agreement, there is no liability coverage because the incident arose from an assault and battery, which was an excluded cause, and because there is no nonexcluded concurrent cause to provide coverage. We further hold that estoppel by judgment does not apply to collaterally estop the insurer from arguing the lack of coverage. The judgment of the trial court is reversed.
Authoring Judge: Justice Sharon G. Lee
Originating Judge:Judge C. L. Rogers |
Sumner County | Supreme Court | 05/30/12 | |
Delawrence Williams v. State of Tennessee
W2010-02293-CCA-R3-PC
The petitioner, Delawrence Williams, appeals the post-conviction court’s denial of his petition alleging ineffective assistance of counsel on the grounds that: (1) prior to trial, his counsel did not inform him of the possibility of consecutive sentencing and (2) his counsel failed to research and sufficiently argue against the imposition of consecutive sentences at his sentencing hearing. Because the petitioner has not shown deficiency by clear and convincing evidence, we affirm the denial of the post-conviction petition.
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge R. Lee Moore Jr. |
Dyer County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/29/12 | |
In Re: Johnny J.E.M.
E2011-02192-COA-R3-PT
This is a termination of parental rights case with respect to Johnny J.E.M. (“the Child”), the minor son of Amanda M. (“Mother”) and Joshua D. (“Father”). The Department of Children’s Services (“DCS”) removed the Child from Mother’s home as a result of “serious environmental neglect.” The Child was adjudicated dependent and neglected in Mother’s care; he had no relationship with Father, who was serving a lengthy prison sentence throughout these proceedings. After taking the Child into custody, DCS soon placed him with Janice M. (“Foster Aunt”) and her husband, Sonny M. (collectively “Foster Parents”), the prospective adoptive parents, where he remained for a year and a half before DCS sought to permanently sever the rights of the biological parents to the Child. Following a bench trial, the court granted the petition to terminate based on its dual findings, by clear and convincing evidence, that multiple grounds for termination were established as to both parents, and that termination was in the best interest of the Child. Mother and Father, represented by separate counsel, appeal. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge J. Michael Sharp |
Polk County | Court of Appeals | 05/29/12 | |
Al H. Thomas, on Behalf of Himself and the Citizens and Taxpayers of the City of Memphis v. Joseph Lee, III, Robert L. J. Spence, Jr., and Halbert E. Dockins, Jr.
W2011-01645-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves a lawsuit by a taxpayer. The taxpayer filed this action on behalf of the citizens of the municipality to prevent a disputed disbursement of funds, naming as defendants the municipality, the municipality’s utility district, and three private citizens. By the time the initial hearing in this matter took place, the only defendants who remained in the suit were the three private citizens. Finding that the taxpayer lacked standing to pursue this action, the trial court dismissed the case. The taxpayer then filed a motion to alter or amend, seeking to continue to pursue the lawsuit, pursuant to Bennett v. Stutts, 521 S.W.2d 575 (Tenn. 1975). The trial court denied the motion to alter or amend. The taxpayer appeals. We affirm, finding the exception in Bennett v. Stutts inapplicable.
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Judge Arnold B. Goldin |
Shelby County | Court of Appeals | 05/29/12 | |
Janice Lacroix, et al. v. L.W. Matteson, Inc., et al.
E2011-01702-COA-R3-CV
Deceased, a resident of Iowa, an employee of plaintiff, delivered materials to the State of Tennessee, and while the materials were being unloaded sustained injuries which resulted in his death, which arose out of the course and scope of his employment. His widow could claim benefits either under the Iowa worker's compensation laws or the State of Tennessee worker's compensation laws, which contain essentially similar provisions. The widow claimed benefits under the Iowa worker's compensation law, and the employer under both laws was entitled to seek subrogation recovery for benefits paid from the alleged third party tort feasors. The State of Iowa would not have jurisdiction over some of the alleged tort feasors, and the employer brought his subrogation action in the State of Tennessee under the Tennessee worker's compensation statutes. Defendants moved for summary judgment and the Trial Court concluded that since the claimant elected to sue under the Iowa worker's compensation statutory scheme, that the employer could not rely on the Tennessee worker's compensation statutes to maintain its action in Tennessee, and dismissed plaintiffs' action. On appeal, we hold that the employer was entitled to employ the Tennessee worker's compensation statute in an effort to recover subrogation benefits against the third party tort feasors.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel Pickens Franks
Originating Judge:Judge Russell Simmons, Jr. |
Roane County | Court of Appeals | 05/29/12 |