COURT OF APPEALS OPINIONS

Michael Daniel Fry v. Yuriko Shinoda Fry
M2000-02969-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Trial Court Judge: Judge Muriel Robinson

Pursuant to the wife's motion under Rule 60, Tenn. R. Civ. P., the trial court amended the division of the husband's Navy pension contained in an agreed order of divorce. We reverse the trial court's judgment.

Davidson Court of Appeals

Thomas A. Smythe v. Phil Jones, et al .
M2000-02062-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Houston M. Goddard
Trial Court Judge: Judge Russell Heldman

In this suit wherein the Plaintiff, Thomas a. Smythe, seeks damages against the Defendant, Donald Cowan, for willfully interfering with contractual relations between Mr. Smythe and Phil Jones, the Trial Court granted summary judgment because in his opinion the Statute of Limitations barred the claim asserted. We affirm.

Williamson Court of Appeals

Loretta Trull, v. Margaret Culpepper, Commissioner of Tennessee Department of Employment Security, and Kerr Plastic Products, Manpower Temp Svcs., et al.
02A01-9603-CH-00041
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge W. Frank Crawford
Trial Court Judge: Judge George R. Ellis

This is an unemployment compensation case. Petitioner, Loretta Trull, appeals from the order of the chancery court dismissing her petition for certiorari and affirming the decision of the Board of Review that disallowed her claim for unemployment compensation benefits.

Crockett Court of Appeals

Mary Kindred, On Her Own Behalf, And as Next of Kin of Marcus Briggs, v. The Board of Education of Memphis City Schools, et al.
02A01-9512-CV-00280
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Trial Court Judge: Judge Robert A. Lanier

In this wrongful death action, Plaintiff-Appellant Mary Kindred (Plaintiff), on her own behalf and as next of kin of Marcus Briggs, appeals the trial court’s judgment entered in favor of Defendants-Appellees Board of Education of Memphis City Schools, Willie Anderson, and Raybon Hawkins (Defendants).

Shelby Court of Appeals

Cultra Landscaping Supply Company, v. Director of HIghways, Department of Transportation and W.L. Sharpe Contracting Company, Inc. and Charles Hill, Individually and D/B/A C.H. Hill Landscape and Excavating
02A01-9512-CV-00275
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Trial Court Judge: Judge Robert L. Childers

This is an action by the appellant, Cultra Landscaping Supply Company (Cultra), seeking to recover the balance allegedly due on an open account. Cultra’s complaint, as amended, was filed against the Director of Highways, Department of Transportation, W. L. Sharpe Contracting Company, Inc. (Sharpe) and Charles Hill, individually and d/b/a C. H. Hill Landscape and 2The Director of Highways was named as a defendant pursuant to T.C.A. § 54-5-124 (civil actions against contractors by claimants). Cultra’s complaint states that it “seeks no remedies” against Sharpe, but acts to put the latter “on notice” of said claim having been filed with the Department of Transportation. Prior to trial, a summary judgment was entered in favor of Sharpe. The order granting summary judgment provided that the State of Tennessee and the Department of Transportation were to retain certain funds to satisfy Cultra’s claim in the event it proved meritorious at trial, in accordance with T.C.A. § 54-5-123. After trial, an agreed order was entered with this Court dismissing the Department of Transportation, Director of Highways as a party. 2 Excavating (Hill). For purposes of this appeal, however, the only other party before us is Hill, the appellee.2 A bench trial resulted in a judgment for Hill. Cultra appeals on the sole basis that the evidence presented at trial preponderates against the trial court’s findings. For reasons hereinafter stated, we affirm.

Shelby Court of Appeals

Glenn T. McColpin, v. North Atlantic Casualty & Surety Insurance Company, Inc.
03A01-9602-CH-00067
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge W. Frank Crawford
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor R. Vann Owens

This is a suit for damages against an insurance company for the alleged breach of a lawyer’s professional liability insurance policy. Plaintiff, Glenn McColpin, appeals from the judgment of the chancery court for the defendant, North Atlantic Casualty & Surety Insurance 2 Company, Inc. (hereinafter, “North Atlantic”).

Hamilton Court of Appeals

Bobby R. Reed, v. National Foundation Life Insurance Company and Mark Bradshaw
03A01-9603-CV-00081
Authoring Judge: Senior Judge William H. Inman

This is a Rule 9 appeal from a judgment denying the defendants’ motions for summary judgment. The issue is whether an insurance agent has the apparent authority to waive the conditions for issuance of a policy and the limitations on his authority as contained in the application for the policy. We hold that the agent has no such authority and therefore grant the motions for summary judgment.

Court of Appeals

Austin Powder Co., et al., v. Walter Thompson
03A01-9607-CV-00229
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Houston M. Goddard
Trial Court Judge: Judge W. Dale Young

The Defendant appeals a judgment entered by the Blount County Circuit Court awarding the Plaintiffs discretionary costs including attorney fees. This appeal arises from an earlier action (second lawsuit) seeking specific performance of a settlement agreement resolving the original lawsuit filed by the Defendant.

Blount Court of Appeals

Flora Mae Melton v. Glen Houston Melton
2001-00128-COA-R3-CV
Trial Court Judge: J. Russ Heldman

Lewis Court of Appeals

Mike G. Pauley, v. Madison County, Madison County Penal Farm, David Woolfork, Madison County Sheriff, Penal Farm Superintendent, Captain Jackson, et al.
02A01-9607-CH-00161
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge W. Frank Crawford
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor Joe C. Morris

Plaintiff, Mike G. Pauley, an inmate at the Madison County Penal Farm (Penal Farm), appeals from an order of the trial court dismissing his pro se complaint against the defendants, 1 Plaintiff filed suit against Madison County, Madison County Penal Farm, David Woolfork, the Madison County Sheriff and Penal Farm Superintendent, Captain Jackson, the Penal Farm’s Head Controller and Acting Warden, Sergeant Jered, the first shift sergeant, Sergeant Evans, the third shift sergeant, Officer Steven Horner, and Officer Cleo King in their official and individual capacities. 2 4which include Madison County, the Penal Farm, and several of the Penal Farm’s personnel.1

Madison Court of Appeals

Lawrence Woodward Hamilton, v. Brenda K. Smith Hamilton
02A01-9601-CV-00009
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Highers
Trial Court Judge: Judge Kay S. Robilio

In this divorce action, the Plaintiff, Lawrence Woodward Hamilton, filed his petition 2 for divorce on July 20, 1993. The Defendant, Brenda Kay Smith Hamilton, filed a countercomplaint seeking a divorce on the grounds of inappropriate marital conduct. The trial court granted the Defendant’s request for a divorce on the grounds of inappropriate marital conduct. The trial court awarded the parties’ marital residence as well as household furnishings to the Defendant. The Plaintiff was ordered to pay all outstanding marital debts other than the first and second mortgage on the marital residence, all expenses incurred by the Defendant as a result of this action including the Defendant’s attorney fees and $2,200.00 per month in permanent alimony. The trial court awarded the Defendant onehalf of the Plaintiff’s retirement proceeds and ordered the Plaintiff to maintain the Defendant on his health insurance policy for three years. The trial court further ordered the Plaintiff to maintain a $50,000.00 life insurance policy naming the Defendant as the irrevocable beneficiary. The Plaintiff has appealed the judgment of the trial court arguing that the trial court erred in awarding the Defendant permanent alimony and attorney fees. For the reasons stated hereafter, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Shelby Court of Appeals

State of Tennessee, v. Robert Willis Chance, Jr.
02C01-9605-CC-00178
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge C. Creed McGinley

The appellant, Robert Willis Chance, pled guilty to one count of second degree murder and one count of attempted first degree murder. Pursuant to the plea agreement, the sentences were to be served concurrently. The Hardin County Circuit Court imposed a sentence of twenty-three years for each conviction. In his sole issue, the appellant contends that the trial court erred in imposing twenty-three year sentences because of the misapplication of Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-210 (1995 Supp.), regarding the presumptive sentence of a class A felony.

Hardin Court of Appeals

State of Tennessee, v. Michael Anthony Pike
02C01-9509-CC-00261
Authoring Judge: Judge William M. Barker
Trial Court Judge: Judge Julian P. Guinn

The Appellant, Michael Anthony Pike, appeals as of right his sentences for simple possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He argues on appeal that the trial judge erred by not placing him in community corrections or, in the alternative, by not giving him the minimum statutory sentences. After a careful review of the record on appeal, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.

Henry Court of Appeals

State of Tennessee, Elton Donald Bowers, A/K/A Rashid Qawwi
02C01-9509-CC-00282
Authoring Judge: Judge Gary R. Wade
Trial Court Judge: Judge Franklin Murchison

The defendant, Elton Donald Bowers, also known as Rashid Qawwi, was convicted of aggravated robbery and possession of a weapon with the intent to employ in the commission of the robbery. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-402 and Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-307. The trial court ordered the weapons conviction merged with the aggravated robbery, classified the defendant as a career offender, and imposed a thirty-year sentence.

Madison Court of Appeals

E.L. (Eldred) Reid, v. Jason Petty
02A01-9611-CV-00269
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Trial Court Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley. Jr.

Eldred L. Reid (Plaintiff) sued Jason Petty (Defendant) for “pain and suffering with mental stress” alleged to have resulted from the defendant’s failure to timely respond to Plaintiff’s request for pain medication. Summary judgment was entered in favor of Defendant on the grounds that the trial court lacked jurisdiction and that the defendant was immune pursuant to T.C.A. § 9-8- 307(h).

Lake Court of Appeals

Gary Bernard Sanders, #76973, v. Jimmie L. Jones - Concurring
02A01-9610-CV-00261
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Trial Court Judge: Judge Joseph H. Walker

Plaintiff, Gary Bernard Sanders, an inmate in the custody of the Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) at the Cold Creek Correctional Facility, appeals from an order of the trial court dismissing his complaint against the defendant, Jimmie L. Jones, a correctional officer at  the facility.1

Lauderdale Court of Appeals

Lynn Bernice Carraher, v. Michael Thomas Carreher
03A01-9608-CV-00259
Trial Court Judge: Senior Judge William H. Inman

The plaintiff’s employer had a generous profit-sharing plan to which the plaintiff was not required to contribute. The trial judge declined to treat this fund as marital property because the “plaintiff didn’t earn it, and the defendant didn’t contribute to it.”

Court of Appeals

Patricia Broadwell, v. Thomas Michael Broadwell
03A01-9607-CV-00242
Authoring Judge: Senior Judge William H. Inman

This is a domestic relations case. The issues are whether the evidence preponderates against (1) an award of alimony in futuro to the appellee, (2) the finding that an alleged loan to the parties was intended as a gift, (3) an award of attorney’s fees.
 

Hamilton Court of Appeals

Patricia Broadwell, v. Thomas Michael Broadwell
03A01-9607-CV-00242
Authoring Judge: Senior Judge William H. Inman

This is a domestic relations case. The issues are whether the evidence preponderates against (1) an award of alimony in futuro to the appellee, (2) the finding that an alleged loan to the parties was intended as a gift, (3) an award of attorney’s fees.

Hamilton Court of Appeals

Lori Lee Grissom (Brown) v, Jeffrey Donald Grissom
03A01-9607-CV-00219
Authoring Judge: Per Curiam
Trial Court Judge: Judge Bill Swann

This appeal came on to be heard upon the record from the Circuit Court of Knox County and briefs filed on behalf of the respective parties. Upon consideration thereof, this Court is of the opinion that there is reversible error in the trial court's judgment.

Knox Court of Appeals

Eddie Heath, v. Jayne S. Creson, Waylon Wininger, and Pat Hutchinson, and A.C. Gilless
02A01-9505-00105
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly Kirby Lillard
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor C. Neal Small

In this action, Plaintiff Eddie Heath (“Heath”) filed a pro se complaint for declaratory judgment to determine whether he provides a taxable service under the Business Tax Act. Heath brought suit against A.C. Gilless (“Gilless”), the Shelby County Sheriff, Jayne S. Creson (“Creson”), the Shelby County Clerk, as well as two employees of the Shelby County Clerk’s Office, Waylon Wininger (“Wininger”) and Pat Hutchinson (“Hutchinson”). The trial court dismissed Heath’s complaint, finding that it failed to state a claim upon which relief could be granted. We affirm.

Shelby Court of Appeals

Sandy Sanders, v. David W. Lanier, In his individual and in his offical capacities, and the State of Tennessee
02A01-9412-CH-00276
Authoring Judge: Judge Herschel Pickens Franks

Plaintiff's actin filed against the State pursuant to the Tennessee Human Rights Act (THRA), Tennessee Code Annotated  § 4-20-191, et seq. , was dismissed by the Trial Judge for failure to state of cause of action.  T.R.C.P. Rule12.02( 6) .

Dyer Court of Appeals

Jami Allyson Ross Carter, v. Guy Marshall Carter
E2000-01283-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Houston M. Goddard
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor G. Richard Johnson

This appeal from the Washington County Chancery Court concerns whether the Trial Court erred in refusing to allow the testimony of an expert witness in accordance with a local rule. The Appellant, Jami Allyson Ross Carter, appeals the decision of the Chancery Court. We vacate the decision of the Trial Court.

Washington Court of Appeals

Montee H. Carrutheres Johnson, v. Nathan Johnson
02A01-9603-CH-00061
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly Kirby Lillard
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor D. J. Alissandratos

This is a divorce case involving an Illinois decree. An Illinois court granted a divorce to the husband and awarded the marital residence in Tennessee to the husband. The Tennessee trial court enforced the Illinois court’s award of property, and the wife appeals. Because the Illinois court did not have personal jurisdiction over the wife, we reverse and remand.

Shelby Court of Appeals

Ronald D. McKinna, v. Lasco, Inc.
02A01-9604-CH-00083
Authoring Judge: Senior Judge William H. Inman

We have for consideration a thoughtful petition to re-hear in which the employer insists that our enquiry was abortive since we failed (1) to examine the proffered reason for the employee’s termination, (2) to examine the plaintiff’s evidence of pretext, and (3) to find that age discrimination was a motivating factor in the determination.

Shelby Court of Appeals