Eric Young v. Dept. of Corrections
M2002-01086-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Trial Court Judge: Ellen Hobbs Lyle
A prison inmate was convicted of a disciplinary offense, and sentenced to punitive segregation. He filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari, claiming there were serious procedural defects in the disciplinary proceeding. The trial court dismissed his Petition as time-barred. We affirm the trial court.

John David Terry vs. State
M1999-00191-SC-DDT-DD
Authoring Judge: Justice William M. Barker
Trial Court Judge: J. Randall Wyatt, Jr.

John David Terry vs. State
M1999-00191-SC-DDT-DD
Authoring Judge: Justice William M. Barker
Trial Court Judge: J. Randall Wyatt, Jr.

Charlotte Brown, et al vs. Birman Managed Care, Inc., et al
M1999-02551-SC-R11-CV
Authoring Judge: Justice Frank F. Drowota, III
Trial Court Judge: John A. Turnbull
The plaintiff, individually and on behalf of her daughter, sued her former husband and his employers for fraud and civil conspiracy to defraud. She alleges that these defendants successfully carried out a plan to reduce the amount of her former husband's child support payments. Part of the plaintiff's conspiracy claim is based on the testimony of her former husband in a child support hearing in which he is alleged to have falsely stated his income. The defendants moved for summary judgment on two grounds: (1) the quality of the plaintiff's evidence and (2) the defense of "testimonial privilege," which grants a witness immunity from subsequent civil liability based on testimony he gave in a judicial proceeding. The trial court granted the defendants' motion. The Court of Appeals, in an opinion authored by Judge Cantrell, reversed, holding that the defendants were not entitled to summary judgment and that the former husband's testimony comes within the "larger conspiracy" exception to the testimonial privilege. We affirm both holdings of the Court of Appeals.

Robert Spurlock, et al vs. Sumner County, et al
M1999-01486-SC-R23-CQ
Authoring Judge: Justice Adolpho A. Birch, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Robert L. Echols
This case comes to us on a question of law certified from the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee. The question for our resolution is: "Does a sheriff, when acting in a law enforcement capacity, [act] as a state [official] or [as a] county official under Tennessee law?" We accept certification and answer that a sheriff acts as a county official under Tennessee law.

Robert Wilson, Jr. vs. Martha Wilson
E2000-01181-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: William R. Brewer
In this post-divorce case, the trial court (1) denied the father's request to relocate to Georgia with the parties' minor child; (2) imposed sanctions for the father's perjury; and (3) changed the joint custody decreed at the time of the divorce to sole custody in the mother. On this appeal, the father argues (1) that the trial court erred in reversing its initial post-divorce decision pursuant to which the father had been permitted to relocate to Georgia; (2) that the trial court lacked subject matter jurisdiction under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act to make a custody determination; (3) that the trial court should have declined to exercise jurisdiction on the ground of inconvenient forum; (4) that the trial court erred in basing its change of custody upon the father's admittedly false testimony; (5) that the trial court's reversal of its prior decision to permit the father to relocate is barred by the doctrine of laches; (6) that the trial court erred in finding that father's contemptuous behavior was a proper basis for denying him an award of child support; and (7) that the trial court abused its discretion when it imposed sanctions for criminal contempt without providing the necessary procedural safeguards. We find that the trial court erred in dismissing Father's petition for child support. In all other respects, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Lydia Brewster vs. Dan Brewster
M2000-01174-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Trial Court Judge: Leonard W. Martin
This appeal involves the trial court's denial of the father's visitation after entry of a final decree of divorce granting the parents joint custody of the two minor children. The father filed a motion to alter and amend the final decree of divorce and for visitation. The mother opposed visitation by the father because of alleged sexual abuse of their daughter. The trial court denied father visitation. The father has appealed. We amend the final decree, affirm the denial of visitation, and remand the case for further proceedings.

Amy Blankenship vs. Carl Blankenship
M2000-01483-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Trial Court Judge: Russell Heldman
Husband appeals a final decree of divorce terminating a marriage of ten years, presenting issues regarding the trial court's finding of contempt, confiscation of his guns, alimony, division of marital assets and debts, and attorneys fees. We vacate in part, modify in part, and affirm as modified.

C.R. Batts Const. v. 101 Construction Co., et al.
M2004-00322-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Trial Court Judge: J. S. Daniel
This appeal arises out of a breach of contract action filed by the plaintiff against the defendants. After a hearing, the trial court entered a judgment in favor of the plaintiff, awarding the plaintiff $24,260.11. Additionally, the trial court awarded the plaintiff pre-judgment interest in the amount of $5,579.82. The defendants have appealed to this Court. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Nina Noel vs. Harold Noel
W1999-02343-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Trial Court Judge: D. J. Alissandratos
This is a divorce case. The trial court granted the husband the divorce but ordered him to pay, inter alia, $8000 in child support arrearage, half of the wages owed to the former employees of the wife's new business, and court costs. The husband appealed. We reverse the trial court's holding that the husband should pay half of the wages of the wife's new business, since this is the wife's separate debt incurred after the parties separated, and affirm the remainder of the trial court's order.

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State of Tennessee v. Doug Myers
M2000-00861-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge Charles D. Haston, Sr.

Doug Myers was convicted by a Warren County Circuit Court jury of aggravated assault. The trial court sentenced Myers, as a Range I standard offender, to six years incarceration in the Department of Correction. On appeal, Myers raises the following issues for our review: (1) whether the evidence presented at trial was sufficient to support his aggravated assault conviction; (2) whether the trial court erred by allowing testimony concerning Myers' subsequent criminal conduct; and (3) whether the trial court erred in sentencing Myers to six years incarceration. After review, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

State of Tennessee v. William Glenn Wiley
M1999-02487-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge Walter C. Kurtz

William Glenn Wiley was convicted by a Davidson County jury of felony murder and especially aggravated robbery. Wiley was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for the murder conviction and sentenced to twenty-five years for the robbery conviction, with the sentences to run concurrently. On appeal, Wiley raises the following issues for our review: (1) whether the evidence at trial was sufficient to support the conviction for felony murder; (2) whether the evidence was sufficient to support the conviction for especially aggravated robbery; (3) whether the evidence was sufficient to support the jury's reliance on two aggravating factors when imposing a sentence of life without the possibility of parole; and (4) whether the trial court erred by not instructing the jury on the theory of self-defense. After review, we find no error and affirm the judgment.

Pyamid Computers vs. Ben Gasparro
W1999-01784-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Trial Court Judge: Roger A. Page
This case involves a business relationship between Pyramid Computers, Inc., and Ben Gasparro. Mr. Gasparro purchased computer equipment and related services from Pyramid for use in his businesses. Mr. Gasparro also sold Pyramid computers to his clients. Pyramid sued and alleged that Mr. Gasparro owed it $14,446.32. The trial court entered judgment for Pyramid in the amount of $11,989.32. Pyramid appeals, alleging that the trial court erred in reducing the amount it sought and that the trial court erred in denying prejudgment interest

Darryl J. Ross v. State of Tennessee
W2000-00531-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Trial Court Judge: Judge Carolyn Wade Blackett

The Defendant was convicted in two jury trials of six counts of aggravated robbery and one count of attempted aggravated robbery. He received an effective sentence of sixty years for these crimes. The Defendant subsequently pled guilty to three additional counts of aggravated robbery, one additional count of attempted aggravated robbery, and one count of theft. After an unsuccessful appeal of his second trial, the Defendant filed for post-conviction relief, alleging ineffective assistance of counsel. After a hearing the post-conviction court denied relief, which ruling the Defendant now appeals. We affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Billy Walker vs. State
W2000-03079-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
This is a medical malpractice action before the Tennessee Claims Commission. The Commission found that the evidence presented by the plaintiff was insufficient to establish that the defendant's employees failed to meet the required standard of care. The plaintiff appealed the decision of the Claims Commission, asserting that the Commission improperly reviewed medical sources not presented at trial. We affirm, finding that the Commission did not base its decision on information outside the record and that any such review was harmless error.

State of Tennessee v. Clement Dale Potter
M2000-01420-CCA-R9-CO
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Trial Court Judge: Judge J. S. (Steve) Daniel

In this Rule 9 interlocutory appeal, the defendant, an incumbent district attorney general, appeals the trial court's denial of his motion to dismiss a presentment returned against him by the grand jury. He asserts that the General Assembly, in Tennessee Code Annotated section 8-6-112, vested the sole or exclusive authority to investigate and prosecute an incumbent district attorney general in the Attorney General and Reporter's office. After review, we disagree with the defendant and affirm the trial court's denial of the defendant's motion.

State of Tennessee v. Jeffrey E. Copeland
W2000-00346-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Trial Court Judge: Judge Russell Lee Moore, Jr.

The defendant appeals from his conviction for vehicular homicide, contesting the sufficiency of the evidence and the denial of his motion to suppress the result of his blood alcohol test. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

State of Tennessee v. Johnny F. Dugger
E2000-02385-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Trial Court Judge: Judge Robert E. Cupp

The defendant pled guilty to four charges arising out of events in Carter County and thirteen charges arising out of events in Washington County. Other than a forgery charge in Carter County, the charges all stemmed from criminal acts occurring on March 12, 1999, when the defendant and a friend broke into two vehicles parked at a local night spot in Johnson City, stealing various pieces of sound equipment. When confronted by two security guards, the defendant knifed one guard and ran into the other with his car. A high-speed chase involving the defendant and officers of the Johnson City Police Department ensued. The chase, crisscrossing between Washington and Carter Counties, ended with the apprehension of the defendant, who was subsequently charged with, and pled guilty to: DUI; driving with a suspended license; aggravated assault of the two security guards; felony evading arrest (two counts); automobile burglary (two counts); theft under $500 (two counts); aggravated assault of two Johnson City police officers; and assault of another officer. According to a plea agreement, the defendant received an effective sentence of eight years as a Range I, standard offender. The trial court denied probation and any community-based alternative to incarceration and ordered that the defendant serve his sentence in the Tennessee Department of Correction. In this appeal, the defendant presents one issue for our review: whether the trial court appropriately sentenced him as to the manner of service of his sentence. The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

State of Tennessee v. Marsha L. McClellan
E2000-02373-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Trial Court Judge: Judge Phyllis H. Miller

The defendant pled guilty to one count of theft of property over $1,000, and one count of conspiracy to commit theft of property over $1,000. The trial court sentenced her to concurrent sentences of two years on each conviction, suspended, with the defendant placed on four years of probation, and ordered to pay $10,000 restitution at $225 per month for the duration of her probationary period. In this appeal as of right, the defendant argues that the trial court abused its discretion in denying her request for judicial diversion. Based upon our review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

State of Tennessee v. Andre Dwayne Tucker
E2000-00932-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Trial Court Judge: Judge Douglas A. Meyer

The defendant was convicted by a Hamilton County jury of aggravated assault, a Class C felony. The defendant now contends: (1) the evidence was insufficient to sustain his conviction; and (2) his sentence is excessive. After a thorough examination of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Joseph A. Hough v. State of Tennessee
E2000-00945-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Trial Court Judge: Judge Kindall T. Lawson

In February 2000, the petitioner filed a petition for post-conviction relief, setting out several claims as to the invalidity of his June 12, 1998, DUI guilty plea in the Greene County General Sessions Court. He had not appealed the plea of guilty but claimed that his post-conviction petition was timely because he had a "mental disability," which tolled the running of the applicable statute of limitations. The post-conviction court concluded that the petition was untimely and dismissed it. Finding that the allegations of "mental disability" are insufficient to toll the statute, we agree that the dismissal of the petition was proper. Further, we find that the notice of appeal was not timely filed.

Joseph A. Maine v. State of Tennessee
E2000-01813-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Trial Court Judge: Judge Richard R. Vance

On May 12, 1998, the petitioner, Joseph A. Maine, pled guilty in the Cocke County Circuit Court to one count of first degree murder and one count of conspiracy to commit first degree murder. The trial court sentenced the petitioner to life imprisonment in the Tennessee Department of Correction for the murder conviction and to twenty-five years incarceration in the Department for the conspiracy conviction. The petitioner filed a pro se petition for post-conviction relief alleging that his convictions were based upon unlawful guilty pleas, that his convictions were based on a violation of the privilege against self-incrimination, and that his plea counsel was ineffective. The post-conviction court appointed counsel, and an amended petition was filed contending that the petitioner was misinformed about his release eligibility date. The post-conviction court dismissed the petition for relief without holding an evidentiary hearing, and the petitioner appeals that dismissal. Upon review of the record and the parties' briefs, we reverse the judgment of the post-conviction court and remand this case for an evidentiary hearing.

Mcarthur Davis v. Komatsu America Industries
M2000-01373-SC-R-23-CQ

Custom Built Homes, v. G.S. Hinsen Company, Inc.
01A01-9511-CV-00513
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge Henry Denmark Bell

This appeal arises out of a dispute over the workmanship of residential renovations. The interior designer hired by the owner to undertake the renovations withheld final payment to the contractor who performed the work because the owner was dissatisfied with the renovations. After the contractor obtained a judgment against the interior designer in the Williamson County General Sessions Court, the interior designer perfected an appeal to the Circuit Court for Williamson County and filed a counterclaim against the contractor. Following a bench trial, the trial court dismissed the interior designer’s claims against the contractor and entered a judgment against the interior designer for the remaining balance of the construction contract. The interior designer has appealed. While the trial court erroneously concluded that the Contractor’s Licensing Act of 1976 prevented the interior designer from pursuing its claims against the contractor, we have concluded that the trial court reached the proper result. Accordingly, we affirm the judgment.