State of Tennessee v. Michael Wojnarek
M2022-00326-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant, Michael Wojnarek, appeals the revocation of his probation and reinstatement of his original sentence in confinement, arguing that the trial court erred by considering evidence found in violation of the Fourth Amendment and by failing to make adequate findings in support of its decision. Based on our review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge John W. Campbell, Sr.
Originating Judge:Judge Robert Bateman |
Montgomery County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/10/23 | |
In Re Ciara O., Et Al.
E2022-01179-COA-R3-PT
This is an appeal involving the termination of parental rights. The trial court terminated the parental rights of the mother and the fathers of the children on the following grounds: (1) abandonment by failure to support; (2) substantial noncompliance with a permanency plan; (3) persistent conditions; and (4) failure to manifest an ability and willingness to assume custody. The trial court also found that termination was in the best interest of the children. Only the mother appeals. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Carma Dennis McGee
Originating Judge:Judge James Cotton |
Scott County | Court of Appeals | 05/10/23 | |
Bethany Michelle Lovelady v. Nicholas Heath Lovelady
E2023-00020-COA-R3-CV
Because the order appealed from does not constitute a final appealable judgment, this Court lacks jurisdiction to consider this appeal.
Authoring Judge: Per Curiam
Originating Judge:Judge Tammy M. Harrington |
Blount County | Court of Appeals | 05/10/23 | |
William Foehring, Et Al. v. Town of Monteagle, Tennessee, Et Al.
M2022-00917-COA-R3-CV
This appeal concerns whether a municipality must have a general plan for development before it can exercise its zoning power. William Foehring, Janice Foehring, William Best, Mary Beth Best, Ron Terrill, and Sandra Terrill (collectively, “Plaintiffs”) sued the Town of Monteagle, Tennessee (“the Town”) and RBT Enterprises, LLC (“RBT”)1 (collectively, “Defendants”) for declaratory judgment in the Chancery Court for Marion County (“the Trial Court”). Plaintiffs challenged the rezoning of a certain parcel which allowed for the development of a truck stop near their homes. Plaintiffs argued that the zoning ordinances at issue, 05-21 and 12-21, were invalid because the Town had no comprehensive or general plan in effect. The Trial Court ruled in favor of Defendants. Plaintiffs appeal. We hold, inter alia, that no comprehensive or general plan was required before the Town could exercise its zoning powers. It was sufficient that the Monteagle Regional Planning Commission (“the Commission”) transmitted to the Town Board of Mayor and Aldermen (“the Board”), the Town’s chief legislative body, the text of a zoning ordinance and zoning maps, which comprised the zoning plan. We affirm the judgment of the Trial Court.
Authoring Judge: Chief Judge D. Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Chancellor Melissa Thomas Willis |
Marion County | Court of Appeals | 05/10/23 | |
State of Tennessee v. Miron D. Johnson
W2022-00234-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant, Miron D. Johnson, was convicted by a Dyer County jury of evading arrest,
Authoring Judge: Judge Kyle A. Hixson
Originating Judge:Judge Tony A. Childress |
Dyer County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/09/23 | |
State of Tennessee v. Charles Rutledge
M2022-00226-CCA-R3-CD
Following a bench trial, the Appellant, Charles Rutledge, was convicted of second-degree murder, for which he received a sentence of twenty-eight years’ imprisonment. In this appeal, the Appellant presents two issues for review: 1) whether the evidence was sufficient to sustain his conviction, and 2) whether the State failed to disclose witness information in violation of Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963). Upon our review, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Camille R. McMullen
Originating Judge:Judge Mark J. Fishburn |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/09/23 | |
State of Tennessee v. Isaias Rodriguez
W2022-00894-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Isaias Rodriguez, was convicted of rape of a child, a Class A felony, and
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Ross Dyer
Originating Judge:Judge Clayburn Peeples |
Crockett County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/08/23 | |
In Re A.W. Et Al.
E2022-01088-COA-R3-PT
Mother appeals the trial court’s termination of her parental rights as to two of her children.
Authoring Judge: Judge Jeffrey Usman
Originating Judge:Judge Brian J. Hunt |
Court of Appeals | 05/08/23 | ||
State of Tennessee v. Latosha Starks-Twilley
W2022-00020-CCA-R3-CD
A Shelby County Criminal Court jury convicted the Defendant, Latosha Starks-Twilley, of
Authoring Judge: Judge Camille R. McMullen
Originating Judge:Judge James M. Lammey |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/08/23 | |
Gregg Merrilees v. State of Tennessee - Concurring in part and Dissenting in part
M2021-01324-CCA-R3-PC
I have the privilege to join the majority’s well-reasoned opinion in large part. For example, I agree that a post-conviction petitioner cannot raise a stand-alone claim seeking dismissal based upon an alleged legal insufficiency of the convicting evidence. I also agree that the Petitioner here has not shown that he received the ineffective assistance of counsel with respect to the victim’s testimony and the in-court identification.2 Finally, I agree that trial counsel rendered deficient performance in failing to raise and argue that the accomplice’s testimony was not sufficiently corroborated. Where I respectfully part ways with the majority concerns its analysis of whether the Petitioner has shown that the reliability of his verdict was undermined by trial counsel’s failure to argue a lack of corroboration.
Authoring Judge: Judge Tom Greenholtz
Originating Judge:Judge James A. Turner |
Rutherford County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/08/23 | |
Automotive Performance Technologies, LLC v. State of Tennessee
W2023-00186-COA-R3-CV
The notice of appeal in this case was not timely filed. Therefore, this Court lacks
Authoring Judge: Per Curiam
Originating Judge:Commissioner James A. Hamilton, III |
Court of Appeals | 05/08/23 | ||
State of Tennessee v. Tinisha Nicole Spencer
E2022-00350-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant, Tinisha Nicole Spencer, appeals her jury conviction for driving under the
Authoring Judge: Judge Kyle A. Hixson
Originating Judge:Judge G. Scott Green |
Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/08/23 | ||
State of Tennessee v. Tavarius Goliday
M2022-00378-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant, Tavarius Goliday, was convicted in the Montgomery County Circuit Court
Authoring Judge: Judge John W. Campbell, Sr.
Originating Judge:Judge William R. Goodman, III |
Montgomery County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/08/23 | |
Katrina Greer ET AL. v. Fayette County, Tennessee Board of Zoning Appeals ET AL.
W2022-00783-COA-R3-CV
Appellants filed a petition for common law writ of certiorari, seeking judicial review of
Authoring Judge: Judge Kenny Armstrong
Originating Judge:Judge William C. Cole |
Fayette County | Court of Appeals | 05/08/23 | |
Sevier County, Tennessee, Et Al. v. Tennessee State Board of Equalization, Et Al.
E2022-00773-COA-R3-CV
This is an administrative property tax appeal concerning the classification of real property
Authoring Judge: Judge John W. McClarty
Originating Judge:Chancellor Telford E. Forgety, Jr. |
Court of Appeals | 05/08/23 | ||
Sevier County, Tennessee, Et Al. v. Tennessee State Board of Equalization, Et Al.
E2022-00777-COA-R3-CV
This is an administrative property tax appeal concerning the classification of real property
Authoring Judge: Judge John W. McClarty
Originating Judge:Chancellor Telford E. Forgety, Jr. |
Court of Appeals | 05/08/23 | ||
Eric Foster v. State of Tennessee
E2022-00787-CCA-R3-PC
The Petitioner, Eric Foster, appeals the Knox County Criminal Court’s dismissal of his
Authoring Judge: Judge Kyle A. Hixson
Originating Judge:Judge Steven Wayne Sword |
Knox County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/08/23 | |
Gregg Merrilees v. State of Tennessee
M2021-01324-CCA-R3-PC
In this post-conviction appeal, the Petitioner-Appellant, Gregg Merrilees, seeks relief from his original convictions of aggravated robbery and robbery in concert with two or more persons, for which he received an effective sentence of sixteen years’ imprisonment. He subsequently filed a petition seeking post-conviction relief, which was denied by the postconviction court. The Petitioner now appeals and raises a stand-alone challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence. In addition, the Petitioner argues four grounds in support of his ineffective assistance of counsel claim: (1) trial counsel’s failure to challenge the sufficiency of the evidence based on the lack of accomplice corroboration in a motion for judgment of acquittal or on direct appeal; (2) trial counsel’s failure to request a jury instruction on accomplice corroboration; (3) trial counsel’s failure to object based on speculation to the hotel clerk-victim’s accusation that the Petitioner was involved in the offenses based on the hotel clerk-victim’s “gut”; and (4) trial counsel’s failure to object to “the unconstitutional show-up” identification of the Petitioner by the hotel clerk-victim at trial. Upon our review, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Camille R. McMullen
Originating Judge:Judge James A. Turner |
Rutherford County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/08/23 | |
Thomas Stephen Goughenour, Jr. v. Marion Michelle Goughenour
M2022-00297-COA-R3-CV
This is an appeal from a final decree of divorce involving the trial court’s award of parenting time and requiring parental restrictions. The trial court entered a permanent parenting plan in which Mother and Father were awarded equal parenting time, with Father being named the primary residential parent. The trial court also ordered that neither Father nor Mother were to consume alcohol in the presence of Child. Father appeals. Having carefully reviewed the record, we affirm the trial court’s order. We further award Mother her attorney’s fees on appeal and remand to the trial court for a determination of the amount awarded.
Authoring Judge: Judge Arnold B. Goldin
Originating Judge:Judge Bonita Jo Atwood |
Rutherford County | Court of Appeals | 05/05/23 | |
Christopher Bostick v. State of Tennessee
W2022-00723-CCA-R3-PC
The Petitioner, Christopher Bostick, appeals the Shelby County Criminal Court’s denial of
Authoring Judge: Judge Kyle A. Hixson
Originating Judge:Judge Jennifer Johnson Mitchell |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/05/23 | |
In Re Parker F. Et Al.
M2022-01110-COA-R3-PT
A father appeals the termination of his parental rights to two children. The trial court concluded that the petitioners proved four statutory grounds for termination by clear and convincing evidence. The court also concluded that there was clear and convincing evidence that termination was in the children’s best interest. After a thorough review, we agree and affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Neal McBrayer
Originating Judge:Judge Kathryn Wall Olita |
Robertson County | Court of Appeals | 05/05/23 | |
State of Tennessee v. Joshua X. Beasley
E2021-01483-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant, Joshua X. Beasley, was convicted in the Knox County Criminal Court of
Authoring Judge: Judge John W. Campbell, Sr.
Originating Judge:Judge Steven Wayne Sword |
Knox County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/05/23 | |
Kenneth J. Mynatt v. National Treasury Employees Union, Chapter 39 Et Al.
M2020-01285-SC-R11-CV
Kenneth J. Mynatt (“Plaintiff”) served as the vice president of the local chapter of his union. He filed an action for malicious prosecution and civil conspiracy against the union, the local chapter, and several individuals associated with the union. He alleged that after he publicly criticized the union’s financial waste, its leadership accused him of misusing union funds. Those accusations led to his indictment on two felony charges. In the resulting criminal case, the State filed a motion to retire the charges for one year, and those charges were ultimately dismissed after the year passed. In Plaintiff’s complaint for malicious prosecution, he stated that he continued to maintain his innocence, that he refused any plea deals, and that the criminal case terminated in his favor because it was ultimately dismissed. The defendants filed a motion to dismiss, arguing that the retirement and dismissal of the criminal charges was not a favorable termination on the merits. Thus, they argued his complaint was missing an essential element of a malicious prosecution claim. The trial court agreed and dismissed the complaint. The Court of Appeals reversed, concluding that Plaintiff sufficiently alleged that the underlying criminal proceedings terminated in his favor. The defendants sought review from this Court, arguing that the Court of Appeals did not apply the correct standard for determining what constitutes a favorable termination for the purpose of a malicious prosecution claim. We conclude that the prohibition in Himmelfarb v. Allain, 380 S.W.3d 35 (Tenn. 2012), precluding a factintensive and subjective inquiry into the reasons and circumstances leading to dispositions in civil cases also applies to dispositions in criminal cases. We hold that plaintiffs can pursue a claim for malicious prosecution only if an objective examination, limited to the documents disposing of the proceeding or the applicable procedural rules, indicates the termination of the underlying criminal proceeding reflects on the merits of the case and was due to the innocence of the accused. Under this standard, Mr. Mynatt did not allege sufficient facts for a court to conclude that the dismissal of his criminal case was a favorable termination. We therefore reverse the holding of the Court of Appeals and affirm the trial court’s judgment granting the motion to dismiss.
Authoring Judge: Chief Justice Roger A. Page
Originating Judge:Judge Darrell Scarlett |
Rutherford County | Supreme Court | 05/04/23 | |
Torrance Taylor v. Board of Administration, City of Memphis Retirement System
W2022-00896-COA-R3-CV
This appeal concerns a Memphis police officer’s application for a line-of-duty disability
Authoring Judge: Chief Judge D. Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Chancellor Gadson W. Perry |
Shelby County | Court of Appeals | 05/04/23 | |
Torrance Taylor v. Board of Administration, City of Memphis Retirement System -Dissent
W2022-00896-COA-R3-CV
The majority thoughtfully examines the evidence in the present case and may even
Authoring Judge: Judge Jeffrey Usman
Originating Judge:Chancellor Gadson W. Perry |
Shelby County | Court of Appeals | 05/04/23 |