In the matter of S.MC. and J.L.C.
01A01-9807-JV-00358
Trial Court Judge: Andrew J. Shookhoff

01C01-9803-CC-00129
01C01-9803-CC-00129

Katherine Theresa DeVault, v. James Canon DeVault, Jr.
01-A-01-9806-CV-00270
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Trial Court Judge: Judge Muriel Robinson

This appeal involves a dispute over child support for the parties' two minor children. The trial court denied the Father's petition to modify the support as it had been set in the final decree. In addition, the court placed a lien on two of the Father's properties and awarded fees to the Mother's attorney. On appeal, we affirm the court's decision with regard to child support and attorney fes. However, regarding the lien, we modify the trial court's decision such that a lien remains on only one of the Father's proerties. Accordingly, the decision of the trial court is affirmed as modified and remand for further proceedings.

England v. Hickory Specialties
03S01-9807-CV-00082
Authoring Judge: Joe C. Loser, Jr., Special Judge
Trial Court Judge: Hon. John Turnbull,
This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting of findings of fact and conclusions of law. In this appeal, the employer, Hickory Specialties, insists (1) the trial judge erred in relying on the testimony of Dr. Gene Turner with respect to the extent of the employee's medical impairment, (2) the trial judge erred in finding a causal connection between the employee's injury and her employment by the employer, (3) the award of permanent partial disability benefits is excessive and (4) the trial judge erred in finding that the employee did not have a meaningful return to work. As discussed below, the panel has concluded the judgment should be affirmed. The employee or claimant, England, initiated this action to recover medical disability benefits allegedly due her because of a back injury. The employer denied any liability. After a trial on the merits, the trial court awarded, inter alia, permanent partial disability benefits based on thirty-five percent to the body as a whole. The extent of an injured worker's disability is a question of fact. Collins v. Howmet Corp., 97 S.W.2d 941 (Tenn. 1998). So is causation. We have therefore reviewed the case de novo upon the record of the trial court, accompanied by a presumption of correctness of the findings of fact, unless the preponderance of the evidence is otherwise. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e)(2). The claimant is thirty-seven years old with a ninth grade education and experience as a waitress, at a cannery and as a vegetable packer. She began working for this employer in 1991 as a charcoal bagger. She testified at the trial that on September 27, 1995, the plant ran out of charcoal and she was assigned to unload wood from a tractor-trailer and box it in 4-75 pound boxes, then place up to 27 of such boxes on flats. The employer insists the plant did not load any wood in the week before, during or after the date of injury. 2

Mcginn v. Denamerica Corp.
03S01-9807-CH-00083
Authoring Judge: Joe C. Loser, Jr., Special Judge
Trial Court Judge: Hon. Billy Joe White,
This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting of findings of fact and conclusions of law. In this appeal, the employer and its insurer insist (1) the employee did not suffer an injury compensable under the workers' compensation law of Tennessee, (2) the award of permanent partial disability benefits is excessive and (3) the trial judge erred in rejecting the testimony of Dr. Robert E. Ivy. As discussed below, the panel has concluded the judgment should be affirmed. After a trial of the issues raised by the parties, the chancellor awarded 2

Almetter Chalmers vs. Exchange Ins.
02A01-9711-CV-00280
Trial Court Judge: George H. Brown

State vs. Bronche Terrell
02C01-9801-CR-00014
Trial Court Judge: Arthur T. Bennett

State vs. Harry Goff
02C01-9806-CC-00177
Trial Court Judge: Roy B. Morgan, Jr.

State vs. Burl White
02C01-9810-CC-00322

State vs. Earl Legans
02C01-9810-CC-00326

State vs. Steve Click, Jr.
03C01-9804-CC-00135

State vs. Thomas I. Freeman, Jr.
03C01-9808-CC-00298

Stanley Wilson v. Jim Davenport, Tennessee Department of Employment Security and Carrier Air Conditioning
02A01-9712-CH-00301
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly Kirby Lillard
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor Floyd Peete, Jr.

This is an unemployment benefits case. The claimant’s employment was terminated, based on alleged misconduct. His application for employment benefits was denied. After administrative appeals, the chancery court affirmed the denial of benefits. The claimant appeals. We affirm the decision of the chancery court based on the claimant’s failure to timely file his petition for a writ of certiorari.

State of Tennessee vs. Brian Roberson
01C01-9807-CC-00306
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge Donald P. Harris

The appellant, Brian Roberson, appeals the denial of a Rule 35(b) “Motion for Correction of Sentence” by the Williamson County Criminal Court. This motion arose from a plea entered on January 14, 1998, by the appellant pursuant to an agreed disposition under Rule 11(e)(1)(C), Tenn. R. Crim. P. After pleading guilty to two counts sale of cocaine, a Class B felony, and one count sale of cocaine, a Class C felony, the trial court, in accordance with the plea agreement, imposed a sentence of eight years for each Class B felony and a sentence of three years for the Class C felony. Apparently, the appellant was serving outstanding sentences of 17.5 years at the time he pled guilty to the current charges. The instant eight year sentences were ordered to run concurrently with each other and concurrently with the outstanding sentences of 17.5 years. However, the three year sentence for the Class C felony was ordered to run consecutively to the outstanding sentences for an effective sentence of 20.5 years. On appeal, the appellant argues that the trial court erroneously denied his motion to correct or reduce his three year sentence for the sale of cocaine.
 

Based upon our review of the entire record, i.e., the video transcripts, briefs, and argument of counsel, we affirm the judgment of the trial court pursuant to Rule 20, Tenn. Ct. Crim. App. R.

Janice Young vs. John Doe, et al., - Concurring
01A01-9810-CV-00517
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Trial Court Judge: Judge Thomas W. Graham

This is an uninsured motorist insurance case. Plaintiff/Appellant, Janice C. Young, appeals the order of the trial court granting summary judgment to the unnamed Defendant/Appellee, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (State Farm).

Regina Harris, Individually and as Parent and Next Friend of a Minor, v. Dr. Andrew L. Chern and Baptist Hospital, Inc.
01A01-9806-CV-00299
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Houston M. Goddard
Trial Court Judge: Judge Thomas W. Brothers

This is a medical malpractice case where in Ronnie Dale Netherton, Jr., sustained severe brain injury incident to his birth at Baptist Hospital, Inc. The Trial Judge granted a partial judgment in favor of Baptist as to any negligence alleged against it in connectin with the post-natal care of Plaintiff Ronnie Netherton, Jr. Although the Trial Judge overruled themotion for summary judgment alleging negligence by Baptist preceding Ronnie's birth, the Trial Judge, when ruling on the Plaintiff's motino to reconsider his orfer of partial summary judgment, overruled the motion and made the partial summary judgment final pursuant to Rule 54 of the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure, resulting in this appeal.

Ideal Products, Inc., v. Agmark Foods, Inc.
01A01-9807-CV-00348
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Houston M. Goddard
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor Irvin H. Gilcrease, Jr.

This suit involves a commercial lease agreement entered into by Agmark Foods, Inc., Defendant-Appellant, with Ideal Products, Inc. Plaintiff-Appellee, for container chassis used in transporting commodities and bulk products. Agmark Contends that the Chancellor improperly granted a summary judgment in favor of Ideal.

First Deposit National Bank, v. Men K. Quach
01A01-9809-CH-00505
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor Carol L. McCoy

This is an attack on the service of a summons. The Chancery Court of Davidson County refused to set aside a default judgment based on the sheriff’s return. We affirm.

Homer R. (Toby) Barnes, et al. v. Employers Mutual Casualty Co. - Concurring
03A01-9812-CH-00403
Authoring Judge: Judge Herschel P. Franks
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor Telford E. Fogety, Jr.

In this Declaratory Judgment action, the Trial Judge entered summary judgment against Employers Mutual Casualty Company, in favor of the plaintiffs, declaring “[t]he defendant owes the plaintiffs a duty of defense of the action pending in the Circuit Court for Sevier County, Tennessee, captioned Devin Phillips v. Toby Barnes . . . and further owes indemnity coverage respecting such claim , pursuant to the policies of insurance in question . . .”. The judgment was entered pursuant to T.R.C.P. Rule 54.02, and the insurance company has appealed that decision to this Court.

Paul Farnsworth v. Billy Compton, et al.
02A01-9809-CV-00257
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Highers
Trial Court Judge: Judge R. Lee Moore Jr.

Paul Farnsworth, a pro se inmate, has appealed the trial court’s dismissal of this 42 U.S.C. § 1983 civil rights action that was brought against numerous individually named defendants. Based upon the following, we affirm the trial court’s dismissal.
 

Elease Owens, for herself and as next-of-kin to Etherline Bailey, Deceased v. Methodist Healthcare Systems and William C. Phelps, M.D.
02A01-9704-CV-00089
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly Kirby Lillard
Trial Court Judge: Judge Janice M. Holder

This is a medical malpractice case. The plaintiff asserts that the defendant physician caused
the death of the decedent in the course of childbirth. The jury found in favor of the defendant physician. The plaintiff appeals, asserting error in the jury instructions and juror misconduct. We
affirm.

State of Tennessee v. Ronnie William (Billy) Taylor - Concurring
02SO1-9704-CC-00028
Authoring Judge: Justice William M. Barker
Trial Court Judge: Judge Dick Jerman

We granted this appeal by Ronnie William (Billy) Taylor, the appellant, in  order to address issues pertinent to the sentences he received in the trial  court. In our review, however, we notice as plain error an invalid conviction  that was imposed upon appellant for an offense that was not charged in the indictment.1 Accordingly, for the reasons outlined below, we vacate the invalid burglary conviction and affirm the trial court’s judgment as modified. The cause is remanded to the trial court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

Tommy L. King v. State of Tennessee
01S01-9707-CC-00146
Authoring Judge: Justice Janice M. Holder
Trial Court Judge: Judge James Weatherford

In this post-conviction capital case, we granted this appeal to determine whether the jury’s reliance on an invalid felony murder aggravating circumstance was harmless error. Upon review, we hold that the jury's consideration of the invalid felony murder aggravating circumstance was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt due to the strength of the remaining valid aggravating circumstances and the relative weakness or absence of any mitigating circumstances. The Court of Criminal Appeals' decision affirming the trial court's dismissal of the post-conviction petition is affirmed.

Tommy L. King v. State of Tennessee - Concurring/Dissenting
01S01-9707-CC-00146
Authoring Judge: Chief Justice E. Riley Anderson

I agree with the majority that the jury’s reliance on the felony murder aggravating circumstance in this case violated article I, § 16 of the Tennessee Constitution and that a harmless error analysis must be applied under our decision in State v. Howell, 868 S.W.2d 238 (Tenn. 1993). I disagree, however, with both the majority’s application of the Howell analysis and its conclusion.

James E. Martin vs. State of Tennessee
03C01-9807-CR-00253
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Trial Court Judge: Judge Lynn W. Brown

The Petitioner, James E. Martin, appeals as of right the trial court’s dismissal of his petition fo r writ of habeas corpus relief. After a careful review of the record, we affirm the judgm ent of the trial court.