Randall C. Hagy v. Commisssioner, Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development and Tennessee Distribution, Inc.
E2003-01685-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Trial Court Judge: Judge John S. McLellan, III

Employee was discharged from employment for refusing to follow orders. The Commissioner denied employee unemployment benefits, and employee appealed to the Court which affirmed the ruling of the Commissioner. On appeal to this Court, we affirm.

Sullivan Court of Appeals

Dr. Kenneth F. Freels, v. Joseph C. Taylor & Associates, Inc. and Howard G. Hogan, Successor Receiver for Joseph C. Taylor & Associates, Inc.
E2003-01788-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor Daryl R. Fansler

Plaintiffs sought recovery of cashier's check on theory of bailment or resulting or constructive trust. From an adverse Judgment by the Chancellor, plaintiffs appealed. We affirm.

Knox Court of Appeals

Jerry Rogers v. David Stanley Davis and Vanetta Davis
E2003-01240-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor Jerri S. Bryant

The trial court awarded plaintiff judgment for rents on property occupied by defendants, but refused judgment for defendants for improvements made by them to plaintiff's property. On appeal, we reverse and award defendants judgment for improvements made to the property and modify plaintiff's judgment for the rental value of land.

Polk Court of Appeals

Sedley Alley v. State of Tennessee
W2004-01204-CCA-R3-PD
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge W. Otis Higgs, Jr.

In 1985, Petitioner, Sedley Alley, was convicted of the crimes of aggravated rape, kidnapping, and first degree murder. The jury fixed his punishment at death for first degree murder and the trial court imposed consecutive forty-year sentences for kidnapping and aggravated rape. Petitioner Alley filed a petition to compel testing of evidence under the Post-Conviction DNA Analysis Act of 2001. The post-conviction court denied the petition, and Petitioner Alley timely appealed. This Court expedited review of this matter. Upon review of the record and the responses by both parties, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Shelby Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Ronald Killebrew
W2003-02008-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge Chris B. Craft

The Appellant, Ronald Killebrew, was convicted of being a felon in possession of a handgun, a class E felony, following a jury trial. The trial court sentenced Killebrew, as a Range II multiple offender, to three years and six months in the Shelby County Workhouse. On appeal, Killebrew raises the single issue of whether the evidence was sufficient to support the verdict. After review of the record, we affirm the conviction.

Shelby Court of Criminal Appeals

Patricia M. Bryant v. Baptist Health System Home Care of
E2003-00432-WC-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Roger E. Thayer, Sp. J.
Trial Court Judge: Harold Wimberly, Judge
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. The trial court awarded the employee 22.5 percent permanent partial disability. The employer contends the award was excessive and the trial court was in error in dismissing its counterclaim seeking expenses and penalties under the Workers' Compensation Fraud Act as the employee testified falsely in a discovery deposition. Judgment does not dispose of the counterclaim and is merely interlocutory and not subject to interim appeal. Appeal dismissed. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e) (1999) Appeal as of Right; Appeal Dismissed and Case Remanded ROGER E. THAYER, SP. J., in which WILLIAM M. BARKER, J., and H. DAVID CATE, SP. J., joined. Reuben N. Pelot IV, Knoxville, Tennessee, for the appellant, Baptist Health System Home Care of East Tennessee. J. Anthony Farmer, Knoxville, Tennessee, for the appellee, Patricia M. Bryant. MEMORANDUM OPINION The employer, Baptist Health System Home Care of East Tennessee, has appealed from the trial court's action in awarding the employee, Patricia M. Bryant, 22.5 percent permanent partial disability and also in dismissing its counterclaim where the hospital sought expenses, damages and penalties pursuant to the provisions of the Workers' Compensation Fraud Act, Tenn. Code Ann. _ 56-47-11, et. seq. The basis of the counterclaim is the undisputed evidence the employee testified falsely during the course of a discovery deposition about whether she had worked after leaving the hospital's employment. While the record on appeal is sufficient to review the trial court's action concerning the 22.5 percent award of permanent disability, we are unable to reach the issue with regard to the counterclaim. The record certified to this Court does not contain any order or final judgment stating or directing that the counterclaim was dismissed. We have searched the record several times in the hope of finding an order reflecting this action and the trial court's reasoning why the counterclaim was dismissed. Such document is not present in the technical record. The final judgment recites the case came on to be heard on the "Complaint, responsive pleadings, counter- claim," etc., but the judgment then only adjudicates the claim for workers' compensation benefits and does not contain any language disposing of the counterclaim. When an appellant or any party seeks review of issues before an appellate court, the party must prepare a record which conveys a fair and complete account of what transpired in the trial court. If the record is incomplete, the appellate court is precluded from considering the issue raised. In re Adoption of E.N.R., 42 S.W.3d 26 (Tenn. 21); Word v. Word, 937 S.W.2d 931 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1996). Under the state of the record, the trial court has not disposed of all claims or issues and under Rule 54, Tenn. R. Civ. P., the judgment in the present case is merely interlocutory, subject to revision and not subject to interim appeal. Fagg v. Hutch Mfg. Co., 755 S.W.2d 446 (Tenn. 1988). While interlocutory orders may be appealed by permission of the trial and appellate courts under certain circumstances, no application has been filed pursuant to Rule 9, Tenn. R. App. P. For these reasons the appeal in the present case is hereby dismissed and the case is remanded to the trial court for further consideration. Costs of the appeal are taxed to the appellant, Baptist Health System Home Care of East Tennessee. ___________________________________ ROGER E. THAYER, SPECIAL JUDGE -2-

Knox Workers Compensation Panel

Michael L. Collins v. Advent Electric d/b/a Encompass
E2003-01072-WC-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Roger E. Thayer, Sp. J.
Trial Court Judge: O. Duane Slone, Circuit Judge
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. The trial court awarded the employee 7 percent permanent partial disability. The insurance carrier contends the trial court was in error in finding (1) proper notice of injury had been given, (2) the action was timely filed and not barred by the one year statute of limitations, and (3) the expert medical testimony was sufficient to establish causation of injury. Judgment is affirmed. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e) (1999) Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Circuit Court Affirmed ROGER E. THAYER, SP. J., in which WILLIAM M. BARKER, J., and H. DAVID CATE, SP. J., joined. Linda J. Hamilton Mowles, Knoxville, Tennessee, for Appellant, Insurance Company Of The State Of Pennsylvania. James M. Davis, Morristown, Tennessee, for Appellee, Michael L. Collins. MEMORANDUM OPINION The insurance carrier, Insurance Company Of The State Of Pennsylvania, has appealed from the trial court's action in awarding the employee, Michael L. Collins, 7 percent permanent partial disability to the body as a whole. Factual Background Employee Collins, a forty-eight-year-old high school graduate with vocational training, was employed as an electrician by Advent Electric Company1 during November 1999 when he sustained an injury as a result of falling from a ladder at the Nova Corporation job site. He stated he was pulling electrical wires when the ladder twisted causing him to fall to the concrete floor where he struck his head and shoulder. He testified he immediately felt a burning sensation in the back of his neck and he cut his back by striking the corner of a metal transformer. The incident happened near the end of the workday and he said he did not think he was seriously hurt. Several days later, his supervisor, Rick McIntosh, came to the job site to pick up some materials and he stated he told McIntosh that he had fallen from the ladder. He said the supervisor then asked if he had gone to see a doctor and he replied he did not think it was necessary. After several months, he began to experience problems with his arm becoming numb and shoulder pain and he finally went to see his family doctor, Dr. Kenneth Hill. He told the doctor he thought he was having some bursitis problems and he was later given cortisone injections. After some period of time while under Dr. Hill's care, it was decided that the employee should have an MRI examination. When he went to have the MRI exam, he was in so much pain he could not lay down long enough to take the examination. It was then rescheduled and Dr. Hill gave him a shot immediately before going for the MRI exam. The result of the test was positive and Dr. Hill referred the employee to Dr. Robert E. Finelli, a neurosurgeon. Dr. Finelli saw him for the first time during May 21 and told him he had a serious injury which would require two surgical procedures. The employee then notified his employer of the doctor's diagnosis and recommendations and requested that he be allowed to file a workers' compensation claim. Advent Electric Company declined to treat the matter as a workers' compensation claim since the employee's supervisor denied being aware of the injury and also because of the elapse of time since the incident allegedly happened. Dr. Finelli operated on the employee during May 21; this suit was instituted on July 2, 21 and the employee was terminated from employment because of his physical condition on August 27, 21. During the next month of September, a second surgical procedure was performed. As to his condition at the time of the trial, he told the trial court the first surgery eliminated a great deal of his pain and the second surgery also helped his condition but he was still having a lot of problems. He stated he was still having pain in his right shoulder and his neck and he felt it was moving on to his left side; that he could not sleep well and still had some numbness down his right arm into his fingers; that sometimes his hand would "go dead". Since leaving employment with Advent Electric he said he had worked at some odd jobs here and there and was employed at the time of the trial with Precision Electric Company but his employer was not aware of his physical problems and he would have to stop working as soon as he was called on to do electrician work. 1 Advent Electric Company d/b/a Encompass Electrical Technologies of East Tennessee, Inc., was originally a party defendant but plaintiff took a voluntary nonsuit before trial after his employer filed a voluntary petition in bankruptcy. -2-

Knox Workers Compensation Panel

Tiffany Lewis Denyer v. Peninsula Hospital
E2003-01541-WC-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: H. David Cate, Sp. J.
Trial Court Judge: D. Kelly Thomas, Jr., Judge
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. The employer contends the trial court's award of 5 percent permanent partial disability to the arm was excessive. We disagree and affirm. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e) (1999) Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Circuit Court Affirmed and Remanded H. DAVID CATE, SP. J., in which WILLIAM M. BARKER, J., and ROGER E. THAYER, SP. J., joined. R. Kim Burnette and John A. Willis, Knoxville, Tennessee, attorneys for appellant, Peninsula Hospital. Garry Ferraris, Knoxville, Tennessee, attorney for appellee, Tiffany Lewis Denyer. MEMORANDUM OPINION I. Factual Background The employee, Tiffany Lewis Denyer, has a bachelor of science degree in nursing from St. Louis University. She was twenty-eight (28) years old at the time of trial. On February 2, 1997, she became employed as a psychiatric nurse with the employer, Peninsula Hospital. She has continued to work for the employer except for two periods of leave. The leave periods consisted of a three month period in the summer of 1998, when she worked at a summer camp for disabled youth, and for about six months in 2, when she worked as an occupational health nurse for Blount Memorial Hospital. After each leave she returned to work for the employer on a "PRN" or as needed basis, which provided that she would submit the hours she wanted to work and the employer would schedule her for work, if available. She continued to work in that capacity. When she returned to work for the employer after her second leave, she began to experience pain, cramping, numbness, tingling, decreased grip strength and fine motor skills in her right arm, which is her dominant arm. She also received a sprain from a restraint, which she reported to the employer. The employer provided her with a panel of three doctors, from which she chose Dr. C. Sanford Carlson, who she saw on May 9, 2. He treated her without success with steroid injections, splinting, anti-inflammatories and heat. On October 27, 2, Dr. Carlson performed right carpal tunnel surgery, releasing the median nerve which was plastered to the underside of the transverse carpal ligament. The employee returned to work on December 4, 2, and began to experience pain and swelling. She returned to Dr. Carlson on December 6, 2, and was taken off from work for a week and was assigned writing restrictions. Dr. Carlson concluded she reached maximum medical improvement on April 25, 21, and assigned her a permanent impairment of 5 percent to the right upper extremity based on the AMA Guidelines. Even though she continued to experience pain and cramping, Dr. Carlson placed her on no restrictions after the next two or three months, because carpal tunnel is a self-limited condition when released. He said his "usual admonition would be to do the best you can to get by, rest the hand, stretch the hand, modify technique." Dr. Carlson saw her the last time on August 13, 22, when he recommended she continue to work and decrease her writing requirements for the next four to five weeks. At this time he suggested she obtain a second opinion from another doctor. She went to Dr. E. B. Burns on February 21, and March 11, 23. Dr. Burns was in agreement with Dr. Carlson's treatment and recommended that she should tolerate the symptoms or change jobs. She has continued to work for the employer, although she continues to have problems writing on the patients' charts, and performing such nursing duties as drawing blood. She has requested and been assigned to the medicine room because it required less writing. The medicine room is a position which is not sought after by other nurses. She has purchased a typewriter, which she can use at times, to reduce the writing requirements. Since the hospital is a psychiatric locked facility she has had to learn to open the doors with her left arm and hand and to open the medicine bottles with a different technique. The employee describes her current symptoms relating to her arm, wrist, and hand, as follows: -2-

Knox Workers Compensation Panel

Marcus W. Keener v. State of Tennessee
M2003-01531-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Trial Court Judge: Judge Robert L. Jones

The Defendant, Marcus W. Keener, petitioned for post-conviction relief from his jury-trial conviction of second degree murder, alleging ineffective assistance of counsel. The trial court denied relief after an evidentiary hearing. The defendant now appeals. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Lawrence Court of Criminal Appeals

Wanda Moody v. Timothy Hutchison, Sheriff of Knox County
E2003-01325-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor Daryl R. Fansler

Knox County Commissioner Wanda Moody ("Plaintiff") made a Public Records Act request for numerous documents in the possession of Timothy Hutchison, the Sheriff of Knox County ("Defendant"). Defendant responded and provided some, but not all of the requested documents. Plaintiff eventually sought to have Defendant held in criminal contempt claiming at least fifty of his responses to the various document requests were false. After a trial on the criminal contempt charges, the Trial Court concluded Defendant made "at least six" false representations which amounted to criminal contempt, and imposed the maximum fine of $50 for each offense, for a total of $300. Defendant appeals claiming, among other things, that the proof failed to establish that he was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of criminal contempt. We affirm the judgment of the Trial Court.

Knox Court of Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Fred Allen Owens
E2003-02003-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Trial Court Judge: Judge Richard R. Baumgartner

The Defendant, Fred Allen Owens, was convicted by a jury of second degree murder. The trial court sentenced the Defendant as a Range II multiple offender to thirty-five years in the Department of Correction. In this direct appeal, the Defendant challenges several of the trial court's evidentiary rulings and also challenges the sufficiency of the evidence supporting his conviction. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Knox Court of Criminal Appeals

Anna Faye Floyd, et al., v. Johnny Tesar, et al.
E2004-00025-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor Telford E. Forgety, Jr.

Anna Faye Floyd, Michael Everette Floyd, and David Earl Floyd, minor children, by and through their mother and natural guardian Linda Floyd ("Plaintiffs"), sued Johnny Tesar, Marsell Tesar, Jobey Green, Wilburn Green, and Martha Lee ("Defendants") to quiet title to land in Sevier County, Tennessee. After a bench trial, the Trial Court held, inter alia, that the minor Plaintiffs are the true owners of the land, and that Defendants Johnny Tesar and Marsell Tesar had committed fraud upon the Plaintiffs, knowingly clouded Plaintiffs' title, and trespassed upon Plaintiffs' land. The Trial Court also awarded Plaintiffs damages and attorney's fees against Defendants Johnny Tesar and Marsell Tesar. Defendants appeal but raise no specific issues on appeal and point to no error in the record. We affirm.

Sevier Court of Appeals

State of Tennessee Department of Children's Services v. John Belder
W2003-02888-COA-R3-PT
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Trial Court Judge: Judge Larry J. Logan

This is a termination of parental rights case. Father appeals from the order of the Juvenile Court of Carroll County, terminating his parental rights. Specifically, Father asserts that the grounds cited for termination are not supported by clear and convincing evidence in the record, that termination is not in the best interest of the children, and that the Department of Children’s Services did not provide reasonable services. Because we find clear and convincing evidence in the record to support the trial court’s findings, we affirm. Tenn. R. App. P. 3; Appeal as of Right;

Carroll Court of Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Danny Avery Stewart and Dorothy Ann Stewart
M2003-00664-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Trial Court Judge: Judge Steve R. Dozier

The defendants, Danny Avery Stewart and Dorothy Ann Stewart, pled guilty to numerous drug charges and received effective sentences of thirty-one years and forty-two years, respectively. Their only contention on appeal is that their sentences are excessive because the trial court erred in the application of several enhancement factors. We conclude that the defendants have failed to show that the trial court erred in sentencing. The judgments of the trial court are affirmed.

Davidson Court of Criminal Appeals

Raymond R. Kennebrew v. State of Tennessee
E2003-01896-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge Gary R Wade
Trial Court Judge: Judge Rebecca J. Stern

The petitioner, Raymond R. Kennebrew, appeals the denial of post-conviction relief. In this appeal of right, the petitioner asserts (1) that his pleas were neither knowingly nor voluntarily entered and (2) that he was denied the effective assistance of counsel. The judgment is affirmed.

Hamilton Court of Criminal Appeals

Donald Terry Moore v. State of Tennessee
M2002-02417-CCA-MR3-PC
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R. Wade
Trial Court Judge: Judge Cheryl A. Blackburn

The petitioner, Donald Terry Moore, appeals the denial of his petition for post-conviction relief. In this appeal, he asserts that (1) he did not receive the effective assistance of counsel and (2) the post-conviction court erred by denying his motion to re-open the petition after the close of proof. The judgment of the post-conviction court is affirmed.

Davidson Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Mario Hernandez Castillo
E2003-01250-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Trial Court Judge: Judge O. Duane Slone

A Grainger County jury convicted the defendant of premeditated first degree murder, felony murder, especially aggravated robbery, and theft under $500. The trial court merged the felony murder conviction into the premeditated first degree murder conviction and ordered the defendant to serve an effective life sentence. The defendant raises the following issues on appeal: (1) whether the trial court erred in failing to suppress his statement to law enforcement officials; (2) whether the trial court erred in failing to allow the defense to introduce proof that the victim regularly dealt in illegal drugs and firearms; and (3) whether the evidence was sufficient to sustain his murder convictions. We remand for entry of an order merging the theft conviction into the especially aggravated robbery conviction but otherwise affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Grainger Court of Criminal Appeals

Ruffin Buildling Systems, Inc., v. Larry Gene Varner, an individual, et al.
E2003-1677-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge D. Michael Swiney
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor Richard E. Ladd

Larry Gene Varner and Todd Duncan (“Defendants”) contracted with Joel Frazier d/b/a Timberline Construction Company (“Timberline”) for construction of a building on Defendants’ property. Timberline then contracted with Ruffin Building Systems, Inc. (“Plaintiff”) for Plaintiff to provide certain materials for the construction. Defendants paid Timberline, but Timberline never paid Plaintiff. Plaintiff sued Defendants on its materialman’s lien. The Trial Court granted Defendants summary judgment holding, inter alia, that Plaintiff did not comply with the notice requirements of Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-11-115. Plaintiff appeals. We affirm.
 

Sullivan Court of Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Richard Odom, a/k/a Otis Smith
W2000-02301-SC-DDT-DD
Authoring Judge: Justice E. Riley Anderson
Trial Court Judge: Judge Chris B. Craft

The defendant, RichardOdom, was convicted of felonymurder and sentenced to death in 1992. This Court affirmed the conviction on direct appeal but remanded the case for a new sentencing proceeding. State v. Odom, 928 S.W.2d 18, 21, 33 (Tenn. 1996). After the new sentencing proceeding, a jury again imposed the death sentence after finding that the evidence of one aggravating circumstance, i.e., the defendant was previously convicted of one or more felonies, the statutory elements of which involved the use of violence to the person, outweighed evidence of mitigating circumstances beyond a reasonable doubt. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-204(i)(2) (1991). The Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the sentence. After the appeal was automatically docketed in this Court, see Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-206 (1991), we entered an order specifying five issues for oral argument.1 We now hold as follows: (1) the trial court committed reversible error by applying a 1998 amendment to Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-13-204(c) and allowing the introduction of evidence regarding the facts and circumstances of the defendant’s prior felonies to support the aggravating circumstance in Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-13-204(i)(2); (2) the trial court did not err in admitting photographs of the victim in this case but did err in admitting photographs of the victim of a prior felony offense committed by the defendant; (3) the trial court did not err in denying the defendant’s motion for continuance to complete psychiatric or neuropsychological testing; (4) the death sentence was not invalid based on the failure of the indictment to charge the aggravating circumstance; and (5) the issue of whether the death penalty was excessive, arbitrary, or disproportionate in this case under the mandatory provisions of Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-13-206(c)(1)(A)-(D) need not be addressed at this time. We agree with the Court of Criminal Appeals’ conclusions with respect to the remaining issues and have included the relevant portions of that  opinion in the appendix to this opinion. Accordingly, we reverse the judgment of the Court of Criminal Appeals and remand for re-sentencing.

Shelby Supreme Court

State of Tennessee v. Richard Odom, a/k/a Otis Smith - Dissenting
W2000-02301-SC-DDT-DD
Authoring Judge: Justice William M. Barker
Trial Court Judge: Judge Chris B. Craft

Shelby Supreme Court

Marvin Anthony Matthews, pro se v. State of Tennessee
W2003-02980-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge Arthur T. Bennett

The Petitioner, Marvin Anthony Matthews, appeals the trial court's summary dismissal of his petition for post-conviction relief. The State has filed a motion requesting that this Court affirm the trial court's denial of relief pursuant to Rule 20, Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals. The petition for post-conviction relief is barred by the statute of limitations. Accordingly, the State's motion is granted and the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

Shelby Court of Criminal Appeals

Eddie Williams, Jr., pro se v. David Mills, Warden
W2004-00056-CCA-R3-HC
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Trial Court Judge: Judge Joseph H. Walker, III

This matter is before the Court upon the State’s motion to affirm the judgment of the trial court by order pursuant to Rule 20, Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals. The Petitioner appeals the trial court’s denial of habeas corpus relief. The Petitioner fails to assert a cognizable ground for habeas corpus relief. Accordingly, the State's motion is granted and the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

Lauderdale Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Michael Armstrong
W2003-00317-CCA-RM-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry L. Smith
Trial Court Judge: Judge John P. Colton, Jr.

On May 22, 2001, the defendant, Michael Armstrong, entered a plea of nolo contendere to the offense of operating a motor vehicle after having been declared a habitual motor vehicle offender and banned from driving. He was sentenced to one year in the work house and one year of probation. The defendant reserved a certified question for appeal pursuant to Tennessee Rule of Criminal Procedure 37(b)(2)(i). This question concerns the admissibility into evidence of the defendant’s statement to police that he had driven to the police station to report two cars stolen from his employer. This statement was made in response to a police officer’s question as to how the defendant had gotten to the station. This question was asked after the police officer had found out the defendant was an habitual motor vehicle offender whose Tennessee driver’s license was revoked, but before any Miranda warnings were given to the defendant. The defendant’s response to this question formed the basis of his arrest. The trial court denied the defendant’s motion to suppress concluding that the defendant was not in custody at the time he answered the officer’s question. We find that the record clearly indicates the defendant was not in custody at the time he admitted he had driven to the police station and that therefore no Miranda warnings were required. The judgment of the trial court is therefore AFFIRMED.

Shelby Court of Criminal Appeals

Adrian Lenox v. State of Tennessee
M2003-00482-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Trial Court Judge: Judge Steve R. Dozier

The petitioner appeals the post-conviction court's denial of his petition for post-conviction relief, in which he alleged ineffective assistance of counsel. We conclude that the petitioner has failed to establish that he received ineffective assistance of counsel. We affirm the denial of post-conviction relief

Davidson Court of Criminal Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Eric Pendleton
M2003-01762-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Trial Court Judge: Judge J. Randall Wyatt, Jr.

The petitioner was convicted of first degree murder and aggravated assault on July 29, 1987. On January 22, 2003, the petitioner filed a pro se petition for writ of error coram nobis. On May 14, 2003, the State filed a motion to dismiss the petition without a hearing, and this motion was granted on May 15, 2003. We conclude that the trial court did not err in finding that the petition is time barred, and the petitioner has not advanced any grounds for which the statute of limitations should be tolled.

Davidson Court of Criminal Appeals