State v. Tamberley Daniels
M2001-00624-COA-R3-JV
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Trial Court Judge: Samuel H. Smith
The non-custodial parent of two minor girls appeals the decision of the Juvenile Court of Hickman County terminating her parental rights on the grounds of willful abandonment. We affirm the action of the trial court.

First Union National Bank v. Donald Abercrombie
M2001-01379-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Russell Heldman
This appeal involves a dispute stemming from a defaulted note. The lender filed suit against the purported borrower in the Chancery Court for Williamson County asserting that he was liable for $57,778.20. The defendant moved to dismiss the complaint on the ground that he was not personally liable on the note because he was simply an officer of the corporation named as the borrower on the note and because he was not a guarantor of the corporation's debts. Thereafter, the lender moved for a default judgment, and the purported borrower then filed an answer denying liability on the note and a counterclaim against the lender for compensatory and punitive damages. The trial court granted the lender a default judgment for $57,778.20 without addressing the pending motion to dismiss or the answer and counterclaim. We have determined that the trial court erred by granting the default judgment and, accordingly, reverse the judgment and remand the case for further proceedings.

In the Matter of: D.D.V.
M2001-02282-COA-R3-JV
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Trial Court Judge: Barry Tatum
The State filed a petition to terminate parental rights to a four-year-old boy. Only the mother contested the action. The trial court granted the petition, terminating the mother's parental rights on multiple grounds, including abandonment and failure to comply with a plan of care. We reverse as to the mother, because we do not believe any of the grounds were proven against her by clear and convincing evidence, as is required by statute.

Shepard Barbash vs. Monty Bruell & Anthony Smith
E2005-00387-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Trial Court Judge: Howell N. Peoples

03-98-005-CC
03-98-005-CC
Trial Court Judge: A. Andrew Jackson

Gregory L. Hollingsworth v. State of Tennessee
W2000-01993-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Trial Court Judge: Judge Joe C. Morris

On May 3, 1999, the Defendant, Gregory L. Hollingsworth, pled guilty to aggravated assault, vehicular assault, driving after being declared an habitual motor vehicle offender, and two counts of criminal impersonation. The convictions were obtained in Madison County, Tennessee. The Defendant apparently did not appeal, but filed pro se for post-conviction relief in Carter County, Tennessee, where he was incarcerated. The trial court summarily dismissed the petition for improper venue. The Defendant refiled his petition on May 25, 2000, in Madison County, Tennessee. The trial court summarily dismissed the petition as barred by the one year statute of limitations. The Defendant now appeals. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

State of Tennessee v. Chad Davis
W2000-02752-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge W. Fred Axley

The Appellant, Chad Davis, pled guilty in the Shelby County Criminal Court to DUI, second offense, and driving on a revoked license. At the sentencing hearing, Davis requested that he be permitted to serve on work release the imposed forty-five day mandatory jail sentence for DUI, second offense, and the consecutive two-day jail sentence for driving on a revoked license. The trial court found Davis was ineligible for work release because he was self-employed. Davis now appeals
this ruling. In response, the State asserts that the trial court was without authority under the provisions of the work release statute, Tennessee Code Annotated § 41-2-128, to grant work release to Davis or any other person convicted of DUI, second offense, prior to expiration of the minimum period of confinement. After review, we find the trial court’s ruling misplaced. Nonetheless, we conclude that Davis was not entitled to “work release,” as only the general sessions court has the authority to grant work release under the provisions of Tennessee Code Annotated § 41-2-128.

State of Tennessee v. Chad Davis - Order
W2000-02752-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
It appearing that the original opinion filed in this case on January 10, 2002, is in conflict with the recent holding of State v. Marcus Morrow, No. M1999-00769-SC-R11-CD (Tenn. Jan. 11, 2002). Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED that the opinion filed on January 10, 2002, is withdrawn and replaced by the opinion filed on this day (Jan 16, 2002). For appeal time purposes, the judgment filed on January 10, 2002, shall be vacated and reentered as of the date of the refiling of this court's opinion.

Sears Roebuck vs. William Riley
W2001-01981-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Trial Court Judge: Rita L. Stotts
This appeal arises from the filing of a civil warrant by the Appellee against the Appellant in the General Sessions Court of Shelby County. The Appellee alleged that the Appellant owed on an account in the amount of $3,345.56. The trial court entered a judgment in favor of the Appellee. The Appellant appealed the judgment of the general sessions court to the Circuit Court of Shelby County. The Appellee filed a motion for summary judgment. At the hearing on the motion for summary judgment, the Appellant stated that he did not oppose the motion for summary judgment. The trial court entered an order granting summary judgment in favor of the Appellee. The Appellant appeals the order of the Circuit Court of Shelby County granting summary judgment in favor of the Appellee. For the reasons stated herein, we affirm the trial court's decision.

State of Tennessee v. Mario Johnson
W2001-00898-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge J. C. Mclin

The Appellant, Mario Johnson, was convicted by a Shelby County jury for first-degree felony murder during the perpetration of a robbery and was sentenced to life imprisonment with parole. On appeal, Johnson argues that the evidence presented at trial was insufficient to support the verdict. After review, we find no error and affirm the judgment of the Shelby County Criminal Court.

Michael Casby vs. Theresa Hazlerig
W2001-02073-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Trial Court Judge: Joseph H. Walker, III
This appeal involves a custody and visitation dispute brought by divorced parents having joint custody of their two children. Following the submission of numerous filings by the parties, the court held a hearing to determine whether or not to alter the custody arrangement set out in the court's final decree. As a result of the hearing, the court issued an opinion and permanent parenting plan which altered the previous visitation agreement by naming the father primary custodial parent and granting the mother limited visitation rights. The court further ordered the mother to pay child support in accordance with the guidelines. The mother appealed and, for the following reasons, we affirm the decision of the trial court.

Stacey J. Stanley v. Daniel Ring,
W2001-00950-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Trial Court Judge: William Michael Maloan

State of Tennessee v. Eddie Medlock
W2000-03009-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge Joseph B. Dailey

The Appellant, Eddie Medlock, was convicted after a trial by jury of two counts of aggravated rape and two counts of especially aggravated kidnapping, class A felonies. The Appellant, a Range III persistent offender, was sentenced to sixty years on each count. The Criminal Court of Shelby County ordered the rape counts to run concurrent, the kidnapping counts to run concurrent, and the rape and kidnapping counts to run consecutively to each other, for an effective one-hundred and twenty-year sentence. On appeal, Medlock argues that: (1) his multiple punishments for especially aggravated kidnapping and multiple punishments for aggravated rape violated double jeopardy principles; (2) his convictions for especially aggravated kidnapping violated due process principles of State v. Anthony; (3) the evidence was insufficient to sustain his convictions; (4) the trial court failed to articulate its findings of applicable enhancing factors at sentencing; and (5) consecutive sentencing was improper. After review, we find Medlock's multiple convictions for especially aggravated kidnapping constitute double jeopardy. Accordingly, one count of especially aggravated kidnapping is reversed and dismissed; the sentences and convictions for the remaining two counts of aggravated rape and one count of especially aggravated kidnapping are affirmed.

State of Tennessee v. Clifford Douglas Peele
E2001-02825-CCA-RM-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Trial Court Judge: Judge Arden L. Hill & Judge R. Jerry Beck

The defendant appeals the trial court's denial of his motion to withdraw his guilty plea on the ground that he received ineffective assistance of counsel during the plea proceedings. Initially, we dismissed his appeal. The supreme court granted the defendant's application to appeal and reversed the dismissal, remanding the matter to this Court for a determination of the merits of the appeal. After a thorough review of the record and applicable law, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Buster Chandler v. Don Sundquist
M2001-00274-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Trial Court Judge: Walter C. Kurtz
A Kentucky prisoner filed suit in a Tennessee court, claiming that he was entitled to be pardoned so that he could stand trial for murder in this state. The trial court dismissed his complaint for failure to state a claim for which relief can be granted. We affirm.

Richard O'Leary, et ux. v. Ann Johnson, et al.
M2000-03110-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Trial Court Judge: Tom E. Gray
This case involves a payoff of a loan secured by a deed of trust on real estate and the failure to release the deed of trust on the record. In connection with a refinancing by the property owner, the title company closing agent issued a check to pay off the existing loan secured by a deed of trust. The check-payees, husband and wife, failed to negotiate the check and did not release the deed of trust. Some ten years later, after the death of the husband, the wife-payee found the check in her husband's files, and her attempt to negotiate the check failed because the account on which it was drawn was closed. She duly notified the title company closing agent, but it refused to reissue the check. Some three years later, the owners of the property tried again to refinance their loan, and in examining the title, it was discovered that the deed of trust, which presumably had been paid off, had not been released. The property owners filed suit against the title company closing agent and the holder of the note secured by the unreleased trust deed. The holder of the note filed a counter-claim against the property owners and a cross-claim against the title company closing agent. After a nonjury trial, the trial court awarded plaintiffs judgment against the title company closing agent for the amount of the payoff check issued to pay the previous loan and dismissed the cross-claim against the title company. The holder of the previous loan was awarded a judgment against the property owners for the amount of the principal balance due, plus attorney fees. The title company has appealed. We vacate in part, modify and affirm as modified.

Mohammad D. Hussain v. Grange Mutual Casualty
M2001-00658-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Trial Court Judge: Walter C. Kurtz
Homeowners, unsatisfied with repairs to their home following a fire, sued their insurance company, the contractor who performed repairs on their home, and another contractor who removed personal property for cleaning and repair. The homeowners settled their claims against the insurance company and, on the day of trial, voluntarily dismissed their claims against the contractor for cleaning of their personal property. The trial proceeded upon their claims against the contractor who repaired the fire damage in their home, and the trial court entered a judgment for $650.00 in favor of the homeowners. Because the appellate record includes no record of the evidence taken at trial, we must presume the trial court's findings were supported by the record. Accordingly, we affirm the trial court's judgment.

Mallory Valley Utility District v. Jeffrey Cantwell, et al.
M2001-00627-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Trial Court Judge: Russell Heldman
The Trial Court dismissed plaintiff's condemnation action on grounds that the taking was arbitrary and capricious. On appeal, we vacate and remand for an evidentiary hearing.

In Re: William Harris Epps
M2001-01336-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Trial Court Judge: Carol A. Catalano
The conservators and sons of Mr. Epps appeal the trial court's decision to award to Mr. Epps's wife one-third of the proceeds from the sale of a house owned by Mr. Epps but used as the marital residence during the marriage of over ten years. We affirm the decision of the trial court.

Juliann Morando v. William McGahan
M2000-01551-COA-R3-JV
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Trial Court Judge: Charles B. Tatum
This appeal arose after the trial court made its final determination on issues involving the support of the parties' minor child. Mother petitioned the trial court to establish parentage, to be awarded custody of the parties' child, and to establish other issues regarding the care of the child. At trial, Father conceded paternity and did not contest the custody issue. In making its child support award, the trial court based its decision on Father's new found employment. The court also set a payment schedule for the child support arrearage, determined that Father should claim the child as a dependent for tax purposes, split medical costs associated with the child's birth, and refused to award mother filing fees and attorney's fees. Mother contends that Father is voluntarily underemployed for purposes of child support and challenges several other decisions of the trial court. We reverse the court's decision in part, modify in part, affirm in part, and remand to the trial court for proceedings consistent with this opinion.

State Council of Tennessee, Junior Order of United American Mechanics v. William Boyd, et al.
M2000-01652-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Trial Court Judge: Stella L. Hargrove
This case involves an action to quiet title between the state chapter of a national fraternal organization and the members of a local chapter. The organization's constitution provides that, upon the dissolution of a local chapter, all acquired property becomes the property of the state chapter. After receiving a letter from three officers of the local chapter expressing their intent to surrender its charter, the state chapter sent a letter to all known members of the local chapter calling a meeting to discuss the future of the chapter. At a second meeting, three members attended; two of the members abstained until a vote of the entire membership could be taken while the third member voted to remain dissolved. Thereafter, the state chapter announced that the local chapter was dissolved and ordered the local chapter to surrender its bank account and had the door to the lodge padlocked. The state chapter then brought a lawsuit to quiet title. The defendant members disputed that their chapter had been properly dissolved. The trial court held that the dissolution of the local chapter and surrender of the chapter's premises and bank account by its officers was improper, dismissed the state chapter's petition to quiet title and ordered the return of the surrendered funds. From this decision, the state chapter now appeals. We affirm.

Melissa Combs Cranston v. Edward Scott Combs
02101-COA-R3-CV
Trial Court Judge: Catalano

State of Tennessee v. Marcus Fitzgerald
W2000-02669-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Trial Court Judge: Judge Chris B. Craft

Defendant, Marcus Fitzgerald, was convicted by a Shelby County jury of resisting arrest, aggravated rape, and rape. Defendant appeals his convictions and presents the following issues for review: (1) whether the trial court erred in granting the State's motion to consolidate; (2) whether the trial court erred in denying Defendant's motion to suppress a pre-trial identification; (3) whether the trial court erred by offering an advisory opinion on a stipulation; (4) whether Defendant was unfairly prejudiced by the trial court's comments to the jury after extraneous contact with a third party; and (5) whether the trial court erred by admitting mug shots of Defendant taken a few days after his arrest. After a thorough review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

State of Tennessee v. Terrance Rogers
W2001-00528-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Trial Court Judge: Judge Roy B. Morgan, Jr.

Defendant, Terrance Rogers, appeals the revocation of his community corrections sentence. Defendant contends that the court erred by revoking his sentence for failing to report a new arrest, and for the alleged possession of cocaine. After a thorough review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

State of Tennessee v. Cornelius Michael Hyde
E2001-02708-CCA-RM-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Trial Court Judge: Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.

The Defendant, Cornelius Michael Hyde, was convicted of aggravated child abuse of a child under seven years old and appealed as of right on numerous grounds, including the trial court's failure to instruct the jury on the lesser-included offenses of aggravated assault and assault. Judge Welles held that the trial court's failure to so charge the jury was error, but harmless under State v. Williams, 977 S.W.2d 101, 105 (Tenn. 1998). Judge Wedemeyer concurred, finding the error harmless beyond a reasonable doubt; Judge Tipton dissented, finding that the State failed to carry its burden of demonstrating that the trial court's error in not instructing the jury on the lesser-included offenses was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. See State v. Cornelius Michael Hyde, No. E2000-00042-CC-R3-CD, 2000 WL 1877490, at *11 (Tenn. Crim. App., Knoxville, Dec. 28, 2000). Our supreme court subsequently granted the Defendant's application to appeal this case for the purpose of remanding it to us for reconsideration in light of that court's opinions in State v. Honeycutt, 54 S.W.3d 762 (Tenn. 2001) and State v. Ely, 48 S.W.3d 710 (Tenn. 2001). We now conclude that the trial court's error in failing to instruct the jury on the lesser-included offense of reckless aggravated assault is reversible error, and therefore remand this case to the trial court for a new trial.