State of Tennessee v. Robert Lee Ream
M2024-01301-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Robert Lee Ream, pleaded guilty to two counts of arson, and the trial court imposed an effective sentence of four years’ incarceration in the Tennessee Department of Correction. The trial court also ordered the defendant to pay $75,000 in restitution. On appeal, the defendant argues the trial court erred in ordering restitution. Upon our review, we conclude that the defendant has failed to prepare a sufficient brief in compliance with Tennessee Rule of Appellate Procedure 27(a), and therefore, his issue is waived. Accordingly, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Ross Dyer
Originating Judge:Judge Julie Carrell Heffington |
Lawrence County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 08/01/25 | |
State of Tennessee v. Oscar Hernandez
M2023-01387-CCA-R3-CD
A jury convicted the defendant, Oscar Hernandez, of three counts of rape of a child and five counts of aggravated sexual battery. The trial court sentenced the defendant to thirty-three years for each of the rape of a child convictions and to ten years for each of the aggravated sexual battery convictions. The trial court ordered the three thirty-three-year sentences to run consecutively and the remaining sentences to run concurrently, for an effective sentence of ninety-nine years’ incarceration. In his direct appeal, the defendant contends the effective sentence is excessive. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Jeffrey Usman
Originating Judge:Judge James A. Turner |
Rutherford County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 08/01/25 | |
State of Tennessee v. Jeremy Tobias Ryan Byram
W2024-00788-CCA-R3-CD
A Hardin County jury convicted the Defendant of first degree premeditated murder, and the trial court imposed a life sentence in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal the Defendant contends that the evidence is insufficient to sustain his conviction. After review, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge J. Brent Bradberry |
Hardin County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 08/01/25 | |
Eric Orlando Carter v. State of Tennessee
M2024-01402-CCA-R3-PC
The petitioner, Eric Orlando Carter, appeals from the Circuit Court of Davidson County’s dismissal of his petition for post-conviction relief. Following review, we dismiss the appeal as untimely.
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Ross Dyer
Originating Judge:Judge Khadija Lanice Babb |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 08/01/25 | |
In Re Estate of Floyd Edward Faulkner
M2023-01055-COA-R3-CV
After the decedent’s most recent will was admitted to probate, the decedent’s grandson moved to certify standing for a will contest. The grandson claimed standing as a beneficiary of a prior will. After a couple of hearings, he came forward with signed copies of several prior wills that named him as a beneficiary. The trial court ruled the grandson lacked standing because he failed to produce an original instrument or establish a lost will. We conclude that the copies of the prior wills, standing alone, were insufficient to establish standing. So we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Neal McBrayer
Originating Judge:Chancellor Christopher V. Sockwell |
Giles County | Court of Appeals | 07/31/25 | |
State of Tennessee v. Kenneth Shane McDonald
M2024-01275-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant, Kenneth Shane McDonald, appeals from his convictions for first degree premeditated murder, first degree felony murder, and aggravated burglary. On appeal, the Defendant asserts that the evidence was insufficient to support the jury’s verdict, and the trial court improperly restricted cross-examination of one of his codefendants regarding sentencing exposure. After review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Kyle A. Hixson
Originating Judge:Judge Brody N. Kane |
Smith County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 07/31/25 | |
Byron Black v. Frank Strada, in his official capacity as Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Correction, et al.,
M2025-01095-SC-RDO-CV
Byron Lewis Black, a death-row inmate scheduled for execution on August 5, 2025,
Authoring Judge: Per Curiam
Originating Judge:Russell T. Perkins |
Davidson County | Supreme Court | 07/31/25 | |
IN RE ESTATE OF BETTY RUTH SHAW MORGAN
E2025-00713-COA-R3-CV
This is an appeal from a trial court’s final order entered on February 7, 2025. The notice of appeal was not mailed to the Appellate Court Clerk via certified mail until May 9, 2025, more than thirty days from the final order’s entry date. Because the notice of appeal was not timely filed, we lack jurisdiction to consider this appeal.
Authoring Judge: Per Curiam
Originating Judge:Chancellor Christopher D. Hagerty |
Knox County | Court of Appeals | 07/31/25 | |
Susan Anderson, By Her Conservator Rebecca Woods Et Al. v. Alexian Village of Tennessee
E2024-00977-COA-R3-CV
In this health care liability action, the trial court dismissed the action with prejudice upon finding that the plaintiff had failed to comply with the pre-suit notice requirements found in Tennessee Code Annotated § 29-26-121. The plaintiff has appealed. Discerning no reversible error, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas R. Fierson
Originating Judge:Judge Michael J. Dumitru |
Court of Appeals | 07/31/25 | ||
JAMES E. BLOUNT, IV v. WEIGEL’S STORES, INC. ET AL.
E2023-01835-COA-R3-CV
The plaintiff sued a third party in North Carolina. During that litigation, the plaintiff learned that a Tennessee business might have information relevant to the lawsuit, so the plaintiff obtained a subpoena in North Carolina and, under the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act, received a corresponding subpoena from the Circuit Court Clerk for Knox County, Tennessee. After serving the subpoena on an agent for the defendant, the plaintiff heard no response. He then brought a petition to enforce the subpoena against the company and its agent. The defendants filed a motion to dismiss and for Rule 11 sanctions, which the trial court granted. Because we find that the trial court did not adequately explain its decisions to dismiss the petition, grant attorney’s fees, and order Rule 11 sanctions so as to allow for meaningful appellate review, we vacate the decision of the trial court and remand for further proceedings.
Authoring Judge: Judge Jeffrey Usman
Originating Judge:Chancellor William T. Ailor |
Knox County | Court of Appeals | 07/30/25 | |
State of Tennessee v. Paul Hayes
W2024-01632-CCA-R3-CD
The petitioner, Paul Hayes, appeals from the Shelby County Criminal Court’s summary denial of his pro se motion to correct an illegal sentence pursuant to Tennessee Rule of Criminal Procedure 36.1. Based on our review of the record, the parties’ briefs, and the applicable law, we affirm the decision of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Ross Dyer
Originating Judge:Judge Chris Craft |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 07/30/25 | |
Darryl Whisnant v. Tennessee Board of Probation and Parole
M2024-01569-COA-R3-CV
This appeal concerns a decision by the Tennessee Board of Parole (“the Board”). Following a hearing, the Board denied parole to inmate Darryl Whisnant (“Whisnant”). The Board said that, going forward, Whisnant should complete his programming as recommended by his Strong R Assessment, namely by continuing his positive behavior, remaining drug free, and taking a few minutes each day for positive reflection. Whisnant filed a petition for writ of certiorari in the Chancery Court for Davidson County (“the Trial Court”). The Trial Court upheld the Board’s decision. Whisnant appeals. According to Whisnant, the Board violated Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-503(b)(2)(B) by failing to state in writing how he could improve his chances of being released on parole. Whisnant argues that his recommended tasks were open-ended and impossible to complete. We find, as did the Trial Court, that the tasks given to Whisnant clearly were meant to be complied with up to his next parole hearing, at which time the Board can consider Whisnant’s compliance or non-compliance as part of its decision-making. The recommended tasks are neither open-ended nor impossible to complete. We hold that the Board complied with Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-503(b)(2)(B). We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Chief Judge D. Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Chancellor Anne C. Martin |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 07/30/25 | |
IN RE VICTORIA H.
E2024-01562-COA-R3-JV
This action involves the dismissal of an appeal from the juvenile court regarding the custody of a minor child. We now affirm the dismissal of the appeal.
Authoring Judge: Judge John W. McClarty
Originating Judge:Chancellor Vanessa A. Jackson |
Roane County | Circuit Court | 07/30/25 | |
In Re Lola-Rayne D.
M2024-00980-COA-R3-PT
Mother appeals the trial court’s decision terminating her parental rights. She challenges the termination ground, which is severe child abuse, as well as the best interest determination. We have concluded that clear and convincing evidence supports both of these rulings by the trial court and, therefore, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Andy D. Bennett
Originating Judge:Chancellor M. Caleb Bayless |
Giles County | Court of Appeals | 07/30/25 | |
Lakeesha Nicole Dixon-Starnes v. Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown
M2025-01022-COA-T10B-CV
This matter is a petition for recusal of the trial judge pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 10B. The inadequacies of the petition require this Court to affirm the trial court’s denial of the recusal motion.
Authoring Judge: Judge Andy D. Bennett
Originating Judge:Judge Joseph P. Binkley, Jr. |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 07/30/25 | |
Ronald C. Wade v. State of Tennessee
E2024-00945-SC-RWC
Ronald C. Wade brings this appeal challenging the Tennessee Claims Commission's denial of his motion to compel medical benefits. The appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel pursuant to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 51. Because we conclude that the Claims Commission's two grounds for denying benefits are incorrect, we reverse and remand for further proceedings.
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Mark Ward
Originating Judge:Commissioner William A. Young |
Workers Compensation Panel | 07/30/25 | ||
In Re Alexis F. et al.
M2024-01316-COA-R3-PT
A mother and a father challenge the juvenile court’s finding of two grounds for the termination of their parental rights and its finding that termination was in the best interests of the two children. We find that the juvenile court failed to make sufficient findings regarding one ground and vacate that ground. We affirm in all other respects.
Authoring Judge: Judge Andy D. Bennett
Originating Judge:Judge Tiffany Gentry Gipson |
Jackson County | Court of Appeals | 07/30/25 | |
State of Tennessee v. Carlos Ometrick Stasher
M2024-00222-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant, Carlos Ometrick Stasher, was convicted by a Putnam County jury of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and evading arrest.1 The trial court imposed an effective ten-year sentence to be served in confinement. On appeal, Defendant argues that the trial court erred by denying his motion to suppress the firearm found in his vehicle; that the trial court erred by allowing the State to present evidence of his prior possession of a firearm; and that the trial court erred by allowing the State to impeach him with prior convictions. Upon review of the record, the briefs of the parties, arguments of counsel, and the applicable law, we conclude that the trial court erred by admitting evidence of Defendant’s prior possession of a firearm and by allowing the State to impeach Defendant with a prior conviction for possession of a firearm. However, we conclude that the error was harmless and affirm Defendant’s convictions.
Authoring Judge: Judge Jill Bartee Ayers
Originating Judge:Judge Wesley Thomas Bray |
Putnam County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 07/29/25 | |
In Re Lucas S.
M2024-00611-COA-R3-PT
This is a termination of parental rights appeal. The father appeals the judgment of the trial court that terminated his parental rights to his minor child based on abandonment by willful failure to visit. The trial court further concluded that termination was in the child’s best interests. Discerning no error, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge Valerie L. Smith
Originating Judge:Judge Kathryn Wall Olita |
Montgomery County | Court of Appeals | 07/29/25 | |
State of Tennessee v. Gregory Livingston
W2024-01087-CCA-R3-CD
A Shelby County jury convicted Defendant, Gregory Livingston, of first degree premeditated murder for which he received a sentence of life imprisonment. On appeal, Defendant challenges (1) the sufficiency of the evidence supporting the conviction; (2) the admission of the autopsy report prepared by a non-testifying forensic examiner and testimony from a medical examiner who did not conduct the autopsy; (3) the admission of a video recording from a police officer’s body camera showing the victim’s girlfriend crying following the shooting; and (4) the admission of Defendant’s statement that he previously killed others. Upon review, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Matthew J. Wilson
Originating Judge:Judge Chris Craft |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 07/29/25 | |
State of Tennessee v. Tracy Lebron Vick
E2024-01861-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant, Tracy Lebron Vick, pleaded guilty to second degree murder as a Range II offender and received a forty-year sentence. The Defendant filed two motions to correct an illegal sentence pursuant to Tennessee Rule of Criminal Procedure 36.1, which the trial court summarily dismissed for the failure to state a colorable claim. On appeal, the Defendant contends that the court erred in denying relief. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert H. Montgomery, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Boyd Patterson |
Court of Criminal Appeals | 07/28/25 | ||
STACIE SMITH v. GARY MEEK
E2024-00647-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises out of a landlord-tenant dispute between Appellant Stacie Smith and Appellee Gary Meek. In response to a plumbing issue in her rented home, Ms. Smith sought injunctive relief from the Knox County General Sessions Court requiring Mr. Meek to make certain repairs to the home. The General Sessions Court granted the requested injunction, which Mr. Meek appealed to the Knox County Circuit Court. Following a bench trial, the Circuit Court entered judgment in favor of Mr. Meek and dismissed Ms. Smith’s complaint. Finding no reversible error, we affirm the judgment of the Circuit Court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Kristi M. Davis
Originating Judge:Chancellor William T. Ailor |
Knox County | Court of Appeals | 07/28/25 | |
Richard Crawford v. State of Tennessee
W2024-00638-CCA-R3-PC
Petitioner, Richard Crawford, appeals the denial of his petition for post-conviction relief, which challenged his Shelby County Criminal Court convictions of especially aggravated robbery, attempted especially aggravated kidnapping, attempted second degree murder, and employing a firearm during the attempt to commit a dangerous felony, claiming that he was deprived of the effective assistance of counsel and due process of law. Discerning no error, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Matthew J. Wilson
Originating Judge:Judge Jennifer Johnson Mitchell |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 07/28/25 | |
State of Tennessee v. Todd Johnathan Grubb
E2025-00071-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant, Todd Johnathan Grubb, appeals from the Meigs County Criminal Court’s
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert H. Montgomery, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Jeffrey WIcks |
Court of Criminal Appeals | 07/28/25 | ||
STATE OF TENNESSEE v. JULIUS GODBOLT
E2025-01098-CCA-R10-CD
The Defendant, through counsel, seeks an extraordinary appeal pursuant to Tennessee Rule of Appellate Procedure 10 from the trial court’s order entered on July 23, 2025, denying his motion to continue the trial scheduled for July 28, 2025. The attachments to the application include, among other materials, the Defendant’s motion to continue filed on July 9, 2025, and the trial court’s order denying that motion. Upon review of the application and its supporting documents, we conclude that the Defendant has not demonstrated grounds for extraordinary relief under Rule 10. Accordingly, a response from the State is not required, and the application is respectfully DENIED.
Authoring Judge: JUDGE TOM GREENHOLTZ, JUDGE KYLE A. HIXSON, JUDGE ROBERT H. MONTGOMERY, JR.
Originating Judge:Chancellor Hector Sanchez |
Knox County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 07/25/25 |