State vs. Henry DeQuan Rhodes
M1999-959-CCA-R3-CD
Trial Court Judge: J. O. Bond

Joe Martin vs. State
M1999-01642-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Claimant, an inmate who was housed in a prison operated by a private prison operating company, filed a claim against the State for the loss of his personal property due to acts of employees of the company. The Claims Commission dismissed the claim for lack of jurisdiction because the private prison employees responsible for the loss were not "state employees." We affirm.

Floyd Campbell vs. Corrections Corp. of America
M1999-01082-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Trial Court Judge: Jim T. Hamilton
This is an appeal by an inmate in a prison operated by Corrections Corporation of America (CCA). His claim stems from the monetary loss he received as a result, he alleges, of CCA employee(s) adding an unauthorized name and number to Mr. Campbell's call list which resulted in unauthorized charges. The court below dismissed Mr. Campbell's complaint on the grounds that the complaint did not allege a cause of action against CCA. We disagree. Mr. Campbell did sufficiently allege a cause of action against CCA for the negligence of its employee(s) in violating prison policies and adding an eleventh name and number to his call list without his permission or authorization. Further, CCA may be held vicariously liable for the negligent acts of its employees and, therefore, is a proper defendant.

State vs. Kawaski Taylor
W1998-00656-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles

Manufacturers Consolidation vs. Rick Rodell et al
W1998-00889-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Trial Court Judge: James F. Russell

State vs. Jerry Travis
W1999-01089-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Gary R Wade
Trial Court Judge: Julian P. Guinn

State vs. Samantha Heard
M1999-00246-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge Seth W. Norman

The appellant, Samantha Heard, appeals from a judgment of conviction entered by the Davidson County Criminal Court. The appellant pled guilty to one count of sale of cocaine in excess of .5 grams, a class B felony. As a condition of the plea agreement, the appellant reserved the right to appeal, as a certified question of law, the trial court's denial of her motion to suppress.¹ See Tenn. R. App. P. 3(b); Tenn. R. Crim. P. 37(b). Specifically, she asserts that the facts alleged in the affidavit of the search warrant are insufficient to support a finding of probable cause for the search of her person.  After review of the record, we affirm the trial court’s denial of the motion to suppress and affirm the judgment of conviction.

State of Tennessee v. La Southaphanh
M1999-00302-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge James K. Clayton, Jr.

The appellant, La Southaphanh, appeals his jury convictions for aggravated burglary and theft over $1,000. The trial court imposed, as a Range II offender, a nine year sentence for aggravated burglary and a concurrent seven year sentence for theft. On appeal, the appellant’s sole challenge is the sufficiency of the convicting evidence.  Following review, we affirm.

State of Tennessee v. Khanh V. Le - Concurring and Dissenting
W1998-00637-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Trial Court Judge: Judge W. Fred Axley

I concur with Judge Ogle’s opinion concerning the issue of sufficiency of the evidence to sustain the conviction for first degree murder and the issue regarding the suppression of identification testimony. I concur that the trial court did not err by refusing to charge voluntary manslaughter as a lesser-included offense.  I also concur that the trial court erred by failing to charge second degree murder as a lesser-included offense. However, I dissent from the majority opinion’s conclusion that this error was not reversible error.

State of Tennessee v. Khanh V. Le
W1998-00637-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle

The lead opinion of Judge Ogle, the separate concurring opinion of Judge Welles, and the separate opinion of Judge Woodall concurring in part and dissenting in part, filed in this case on March 6, 2000, are withdrawn.

State of Tennessee v. Khanh V. Le
W1998-00637-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Trial Court Judge: Judge W. Fred Axley

On November 10, 1997, the appellant, Khanh V. Le, was convicted by a jury in the Shelby County Criminal Court of first degree murder. The trial court sentenced the appellant to life imprisonment in the Tennessee Department of Correction.  In this appeal as of right, the appellant presents the following issues for our review:

(I) Whether the evidence is sufficient to sustain the appellant’s conviction of first degree murder;

(II) Whether the trial court erred by refusing to charge any lesser included offenses to first degree murder;

(III) Whether the trial court erred by denying the appellant’s motion to suppress identification testimony.

Following a review of the record and the parties’ briefs, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Cynthia Y. Long v. City of Maryville
E1999-00024-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Trial Court Judge: Judge W. Dale Young

This appeal from the Circuit Court of Blount County concerns liability under the Tennessee Governmental Tort Liability Act, which grants immunity, subject to certain statutory exceptions, to governmental entities pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 29-20-201. Cynthia Y. Long, the Plaintiff/Appellant, appeals the Trial Court’s judgment on directed verdict in favor of the City of Maryville, the Defendant/Appellee.

Cynthia Y. Long v. City of Maryville - Dissenting
E1999-00024-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge W. Dale Young

I dissent because I do not find that the evidence preponderates against the trial court’s judgment dismissing the plaintiff’s complaint. In fact, there is precious little evidence in the record bearing on the culpability of the City of Maryville (“the City”). In my judgment, the proof shows little more than that the plaintiff slipped and fell on icy pavement in a city park at a place near a functioning water fountain on a day when the temperature was at or below freezing. What the evidence does not show is negligence of an employee of the City; notice to the City of a condition of the type described in T.C.A. § 29-20- 203(a); or the necessary causal connection between actionable conduct on the part of the City and the plaintiff’s fall.

Carolyn King v. Tecumseh Products Company
W1998-00699-W C-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: John K. Byers, Sr. J.
Trial Court Judge: Hon. George R. Ellis,
This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. Review of the findings of fact made by the trial court is de novo upon the record of the trial court, accompanied by a presumption of the correctness of the findings, unless the preponderance of the evidence is otherwise. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6- 225(e)(2). Stone v. City of McMinnville, 896 S.W.2d 548, 55 (Tenn. 1995). The application of this standard requires this Court to weigh in more depth the factual findings and conclusions of the trial court in a workers' compensation case. See Corcoran v. Foster Auto GMC, Inc., 746 S.W.2d 452, 456 (Tenn. 1988). The trial court found that the employee had sustained 3 percent permanent partial disability to the right upper extremity and twenty percent permanent partial disability to the body as a whole for psychological injury. The employer appeals, and argues that the trial court erred by awarding excessive benefits for the scheduled member, by awarding any benefits for the mental condition, and by by ordering additional temporary total benefits. We affirm the judgment of the trial court except insofar as it provides for two awards of permanent partial disability rather than one. On that issue, we remand the case to the trial court for a finding of permanent partial disability in accordance with the limitations set forth in T.C.A. _ 5-6-27(3)(c).

Peggy Hammond v. National Health Corp d/b/a Athens Health Care Center
03S01-9812-CH-00149
Authoring Judge: Hon. Earl Henley, Chancellor
Trial Court Judge: Hon. Earl Henley
This worker's compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with the provisions of Tennessee Code Annotated _5-6-225 (e) (3) (1998 Supp.) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. The Trial Court found the worker to suffer from a condition known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy, and awarded the Appellee forty-five percent vocational disability apportioned to the body as a whole. The employer appeals asserting a number of grounds for reversal. We have considered each of the issues raised on appeal, and further we have weighed the evidence ourselves, as we are required to do, with a presumption of correctness of the decision of the Trial Judge as to factual matters, and without presumption as to legal issues. We have considered the testimony presented in the record, including the depositions of a number of medical professionals, and the record of live testimony presented before the Trial Judge. We find that the award of the Trial Judge should be modified to provide for twenty-five percent vocational disability, and further modified with regard to costs of medical and psychological care, but otherwise the decision of the Trial Judge should be affirmed.

State of Tennessee v. Gregory Austin
W1999-01441-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge Joseph B. Dailey

The appellant, Gregory Austin, appeals his jury conviction for first degree premeditated murder. The appellant was originally indicted for felony murder in the perpetration of attempted robbery and first degree premeditated murder. Because the State did not seek a sentence of death or life without parole, the trial court imposed a life sentence. On appeal, the appellant argues the trial court erred in failing to: (1) suppress the appellant’s statement to the police; (2) permit redaction of portions of appellant’s statement to the police prior to its admission; and (3) contemporaneously instruct the jury regarding prior inconsistent statements.

State of Tennessee v. David Remus
W1999-01448-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge Chris B. Craft

The appellant, David Remus, appeals the jury verdict of the Shelby County Criminal Court finding him guilty of burglary of a building, a Class D felony.. The trial court imposed a sentence of three years and three months in the county workhouse.  On appeal, the appellant challenges (1) the sufficiency of the evidence; (2) the jury’s viewing of the appellant while “shackled;” and (3) the trial court’s application of an enhancement factor in determining the appellant’s sentence.

State of Tennessee v. Kermit Maurice Cozart
W1999-00022-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Trial Court Judge: Judge Julian P. Guinn

The defendant, Kermit Maurice Cozart, appeals from a guilty verdict returned against him by a Henry County jury for Aggravated Kidnapping, a Class B felony. The trial court sentenced the defendant to ten years at 100% as a violent offender for the aggravated kidnapping. The defendant contends that the trial court erred in failing to give the defendant’s requested special jury instruction. The defendant had requested that the trial court specifically charge the jury on aggravated kidnapping in the context of a robbery in accordance with the language of State v. Anthony, 817 S.W.2d 299 (Tenn. 1991). The defendant contends that the court’s instruction left the jury without guidance sufficient to decide whether the defendant should stand convicted for the offense of aggravated kidnapping. After careful review, we AFFIRM the instruction, judgment, and sentence from the trial court.

Rueben N. Pelot, III, v. Nicholas S. Cakmes
E1999-02550-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard

Defendant Nicholas S. Cakmes files a petition requesting that instead of adjudging the value of the remaining interest of Plaintiff Reuben N. Pelot, III, in their dentistry partnership, that the case be remanded for the Trial Court to make that determination.

State of Tennessee vs. James Emmett Moses, Jr. a/k/a Ali Hakem Mahammed
W1999-01509-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge Joseph H. Walker, III

The appellant, James Emmett Moses, Jr., a/k/a Ali Hakem Mahammed, appeals the sentencing decision of the Lauderdale County Circuit Court following his guilty pleas to the offenses of one count aggravated burglary, two counts of robbery, and one count of theft under $500. Following a sentencing hearing, the trial court imposed an effective sentence of twenty six years imprisonment.1 On appeal, the appellant challenges the length of the sentences and the imposition of consecutive sentences.

James A. Ayers also known as James Harris v. State of Tennessee
W1999-00612-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge John P. Colton, Jr.

The appellant, James A. Ayers also known as James Harris, appeals the order of the Shelby County Criminal Court summarily dismissing his petition for post-conviction relief. In this appeal, the appellant challenges the trial court’s summary dismissal of his petition as being time-barred. Specifically, he argues that his claim was later arising under Burford and Sands.

State of Tennessee v. Michael Thomason
W1999-02000-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Trial Court Judge: Judge Julian P. Guinn

The defendant, Michael Thomason, appeals as of right his conviction by a Haywood County Circuit Court jury of four counts of sexual battery, one count of aggravated sexual battery, and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The trial court sentenced the defendant as a Range I standard offender to two years on each of the sexual battery charges; ten years on the aggravated sexual battery charge; and eleven months and twenty-nine days on the misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, the sentences to be served concurrently. The defendant presents the following issues for review:

Ray Gabrielle Cox v. Anderson County Highway Dept. and Anderson County, Tennessee - Concurring
E1999-01697-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge James B. Scott, Jr.

In this tort action, the defendants appeal from an award of compensatory damages capped by the trial court at $130,000 pursuant to the Governmental Tort Liability Act (“GTLA”). They also seek to reverse the trial court’s decision to assess them with discretionary costs of $3,440.98. We affirm all of the trial court’s judgment except the award of discretionary costs.

Ray Gabrielle Cox v. Anderson County Highway Dept. & Anderson County, Tennessee - Dissenting
E1999-01697-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge D. Michael Swiney
Trial Court Judge: Judge James B. Scott, Jr.

I dissent from the majority opinion affirming the judgment of the Trial Court awarding compensatory damages of $130,000. From my review of the record, Plaintiff did not meet her burden of proving that Defendant had notice of the condition of the roadway, and therefore I would reverse the judgment of the Trial Court.

Pamela Lannom v. Board of Education for the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County
M1999-00137-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor Carol L. McCoy

The Davidson County Board of Education conducted a termination hearing for a tenured teacher who had been caught on videotape stealing pills from a student’s prescription bottle. After the hearing, the teacher was dismissed -2- from her position. She subsequently filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari, which was dismissed after a Chancery Court hearing. We affirm the Chancery Court.