Dennis T. Crouse v. Charlane Allen Crouse
02A01-9712-CV-00312
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge W. Frank Crawford
Trial Court Judge: Judge Kay S. Robilio

This dispute concerns an award of alimony and attorney’s fees. Appellant, Dennis T. Crouse (Husband), appeals from the trial court’s order granting alimony in futuro and attorney’s fees to Appellee, Charlane Allen Crouse (Wife).

Shelby Court of Appeals

State of Tennessee v. Lorenzo Pfeifer
02A01-9811-CC-00307
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge W. Frank Crawford
Trial Court Judge: Judge William B. Acree

This appeal involves a juvenile delinquency proceeding. Appellant, Lorenzo Carlos Pfeifer, appeals from the order of the Circuit Court in Obion County which found him a delinquent child because he was guilty of the offense of aggravated burglary and theft of property over $1,000.00. Appellant was committed to the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services for an indeterminate term. The only issue presented for review is whether the evidence is sufficient to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Pfeifer committed the offense of aggravated burglary and theft of property over $1,000.00.

Obion Court of Appeals

Chase Cavett Services, Inc., v. Brandon Apparel Group, Inc.
02A01-9803-CH-00055
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor Floyd Peete, Jr.

Plaintiff Chase Cavett Services, Inc. (Chase) appeals an order of the chancery court granting a motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction filed by Defendant Brandon Apparel Group, Inc. (Brandon). Because we find that the chancery court may exercise personal jurisdiction over Brandon, we reverse the ruling of the chancellor.

Shelby Court of Appeals

Edmund George Zagorski v. State of Tennessee
01S01-9711-CC-00240
Authoring Judge: Justice William M. Barker
Trial Court Judge: Judge Jane W. Wheatcraft

We granted this post-conviction appeal to determine whether there is ineffective assistance of counsel where, at the express instruction of a competent and fully informed defendant, defense counsel does not investigate or present mitigating evidence at the sentencing phase of a capital trial. For the reasons provided herein, we hold that there is not.

Davidson Supreme Court

Billy R. Phillips v. Tennessee Technological University, State of Tennessee
01S01-9708-BC-00173
Authoring Judge: Justice Janice M. Holder
Trial Court Judge: Commissioner W.R. Baker

We granted this appeal to address whether the State may be liable for discretionary costs pursuant to Tenn. R. Civ. P. 54.04(2) in a workers' compensation case. We hold that the State may only be taxed for costs expressly permitted by either the Tennessee claims commission statute or the Workers' Compensation Act.

Supreme Court

Billy R. Phillips v. State of Tennessee v. Tennessee Technological University, State of Tennessee
01S01-9708-BC-00173
Authoring Judge: Justice Janice M. Holder
Trial Court Judge: Commissioner W.R. Baker

We granted this appeal to address whether the State may be liable for discretionary costs pursuant to Tenn. R. Civ. P. 54.04(2) in a workers' compensation case. We hold that the State may only be taxed for costs expressly permitted by either the Tennessee claims commission statute or the Workers' Compensation Act.

Davidson Supreme Court

Fay Thomas Nutt v. Champion International Corporation
01S01-9705-CH-00114
Authoring Judge: Justice Janice M. Holder
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor Jim T. Hamilton

We granted this appeal to determine whether an employer is entitled to an offset of long-term disability payments against a workers’ compensation award for permanent total disability. A 1996 amendment to Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-114 permits offsets against workers’ compensation benefits for payments made to an employee under an employer-funded disability plan. The plaintiff’s injury pre-dated the effective date of the statute. We hold that the amendment is not retroactive and the employer is not entitled to an offset in this case.
 

Davidson Supreme Court

Fay Thomas Nutt v. Champion International Corporation
01S01-9705-CH-00114

This cause came on to be heard upon the record on appeal from the Special Worker’s Compensation Appeals Panel, and the briefs and argument of counsel; and upon consideration thereof, this Court is of the opinion that the 1996 amendment to Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-114 of the Workers’ Compensation Act is not retroactive and the employer is not entitled to an offset against the worker’s compensation award in this case.

Wayne Supreme Court

Baptist Hospital, et al., v. Tennessee Department of Health and Department of Finance and Administration
01S01-9711-BC-00249
Authoring Judge: Justice Janice M. Holder
Trial Court Judge: Commissioner W. R. Baker

We granted this appeal to determine whether the Tennessee claims commission has subject matter jurisdiction over the plaintiffs’ challenge to certain Medicaid reimbursements paid to them by the State. Upon review, we hold that the Tennessee claims commission lacks subject matter jurisdiction over this case. Because the plaintiffs’ challenge is based upon an assertion that a state Medicaid regulation is invalid under federal law, the Tennessee Department of Health was the agency with subject matter jurisdiction over this case pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-5-223 of the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act ("UAPA").

Davidson Supreme Court

Baptist Hospital v. Tennessee Departments of Health and Finance and Administration
01S01-9711-BC-00249
Authoring Judge: Justice Janice M. Holder
Trial Court Judge: Commissioner W. R. Baker

We granted this appeal to determine whether the Tennessee claims commission has subject matter jurisdiction over the plaintiffs’ challenge to certain Medicaid reimbursements paid to them by the State. Upon review, we hold that the Tennessee claims commission lacks subject matter jurisdiction over this case. Because the plaintiffs’ challenge is based upon an assertion that a state Medicaid regulation is invalid under federal law, the Tennessee Department of Health was the agency with subject matter jurisdiction over this case pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-5-223 of the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act ("UAPA").

Davidson Supreme Court

State of Tennessee v. Darrell Wentzel
01C01-9705-CC-00193
Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry L. Smith
Trial Court Judge: Judge Donald P. Harris

On December 6, 1996, a W illiamson County jury convicted Appellant, Darrell Wentzel, of two counts of aggravated robbery, one count of aggravated burglary, and one count of aggravated kidnapping. After a sentencing hearing on January 31, 1997, Appellant was sentenced to twelve years for each count of aggravated robbery, twelve years for aggravated kidnapping, and six years for aggravated burglary, with all sentenc es to be served concurrently. On February 18, 1997, Appellant filed a motion for judgment of acquittal or, in the alternative, a motion for a new trial, claiming that the evidence was insufficient for a conviction, that the aggravating kidnapping conviction should be dismissed because it was incidental to the robbery, that several of the trial court’s evidentiary rulings were erroneous, and that the trial court had misapplied enhancement factors to arrive at maximum sentences on all four convictions.  The trial court denied the motion. Appellant challenges both his convictions and his sentence, raising the following issues:

1) whether the trial court comm itted plain error by adm itting the in-court identification of the Appellant by Mary Ethel Veach;

2) whether there was sufficient evidence to corroborate the accomplice testimony of Edward Mitchem;

3) whether Appellant’s convictions for two counts of aggravated robbery constituted dou ble jeopardy;

4) whether the trial court correctly rejected Appellant’s argument that he could not be convicted of aggravated kidnapping because it was only incidental to the robbery;

5) whether the trial court correctly sentenced the Appellant.

After a review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Williamson Court of Criminal Appeals

Steve Makris v. Bob Kapos
02A01-9712-CH-00318
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Highers
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor C. Neal Small

Steve Makris appeals the trial court’s denial of his claim for accrued and unpaid salaries in this partnership accounting and dissolution case. For the reasons stated hereafter, we reverse the trial court’s judgment.
 

Shelby Court of Appeals

Stephen P. Kopels v. Katherine Annette Bryant
01A01-9711-CV-00646
Authoring Judge: Senior Judge William H. Inman
Trial Court Judge: Judge Muriel Robinson

This is a domestic relations case. The appellant complains of the award of the residence to the appellee, and the award of the attorney’s fees. Our 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 finding, unless the preponderance of the evidence is otherwise. TENN. R. APP. P., RULE 13(d); Campbell v. Florida Steel Corp., 919 S.W.2d 26 (Tenn. 1996). Where there is no conflict in the evidence as to any material fact, the question on appeal is one of law, and the scope of review is de novo with no presumption of correctness accompanying a chancellor's conclusions of law. Union Carbide Corp. v. Huddleston, 854 S.W.2d 87 (Tenn. 1993).

Court of Appeals

Gehl Corporation, v. Ruth E. Johnson, Commissioner of Revenue for the State of Tennessee
01A01-9803-CH-00165
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle

Gehl Corporation filed suit in the Chancery Court of Davidson County to contest an assessment by the Commissioner of Revenue of the "Amusement Tax" imposed by Tennessee Code Annotated section 67-6-212(a)(2).

Davidson Court of Appeals

Patsy Lorean Johnson v. James Larry Johnson
02A01-9703-CH-00069
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly Kirby Lillard
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor D. J. Alissandratos

This is a divorce case. In the original divorce, years ago, the wife was awarded shares of stock from the husband’s p ension fund. Subs equently, the pension fund was distributed to the husband, with no monies going to the wife. In this action, the trial court awarded the wife a judgment for the value o f the stock at the time of the trial co urt’s order. The husband appeals. We affirm.

Shelby Court of Appeals

Todd Harmon v. Janet Harmon
02A01-9709-CH-00212
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Highers
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor John Walton West

Megan Harmon (“Megan” or “Appellant”), minor child born during the marriage of Plaintiff/Appellee, Todd Harmon (“Mr. Harmon” or “Appellee”) and Defendant Janet Harmon (“Mrs. Harmon”), by and through her Guardian Ad Litem (G.A.L.), appeals the decision of the trial court which found that Appellee was not the biological father of Appellant, and incorporated into the decree of divorce the marital dissolution agreement in which the parties agreed Appellee would have no further obligation to the child.

Carroll Court of Appeals

Ann S. Wing v. James E. Wing - Concurring
01A01-9712-CC-00752
Authoring Judge: Judge William H. Inman
Trial Court Judge: Judge Marietta M. Shipley

This is a domestic relations dispute involving money only. The trial court held that a certificate of deposit and one investment account were the separate property of Husband and declined to award Wife alimony or the total amount of her attorney fees. She appeals and presents these issues for review.

Davidson Court of Appeals

Billy Flowers and Amy Flowers v. Charles R. Horner and Reba M. Horner - Concurring
01A01-9806-CH-00315
Authoring Judge: Judge William H. Inman
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor Donald P. Harris

This controversy may, perhaps, be described as a boundary dispute. The development of Riverview Estates Subdivision began in 1971 with the recordation of a plat which provided for a cul-de-sac fifty feet in width centered on the West boundary of Lot 23.

Hickman Court of Appeals

State of Tennessee , Department of Children's Services, v. Tamra Leeann Viar, and John Fitzgerald Gross, the unknown father of Katelyn Nicole Viar, In the Matter Of: Katelyn Nicole Viarelyn Nicole Viar
01A01-9806-JV-00275
Authoring Judge: Senior Judge William H. Inman
Trial Court Judge: Judge John B. Melton, III

The parental relationship between Tamra Viar and her daughter, Katelyn, was terminated by the Juvenile Court, the propriety of which she presents for review. Our 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 finding, unless the preponderance of the evidence is otherwise.

Cannon Court of Appeals

State of Tennessee vs. Troy R. Walls
01C01-9802-CC-00080
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Trial Court Judge: Judge J. S. Daniel

A Rutherford County grand jury indicted defendant for aggravated rape, two counts of aggravated sexual battery, and rape of a child for incidents involving his young female cousin. A negotiated plea agreement allowed defendant to plead to one count of rape, a Class B felony, and one count of incest, a Class C felony. The agreed upon sentences were eight years for rape and three years for incest to be served consecutively as a Range I, standard offender. The sole issue on appeal is the trial court’s denial of alternative sentencing. However, plain error dictates that the convictions be VACATED and the case REMANDED for further proceedings. The defendant pled guilty to incest which is neither a lesser included nor a lesser grade of child rape; nor do the acts of the defendant constitute the crime of incest.

Rutherford Court of Criminal Appeals

IN RE: Estate of Louise C. Davis, Deceased; Sarah Foster Kelley v. Sarah Hill Martin - Concurring
01-A-01-9803-PB-00157
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor Frank G. Clement

This appeal involves the validity of certain transactions entered into by the holder of a power of attorney. The trial court set aside the transactions finding that the attorney in fact had failed to rebut the presumption of undue influence which arose in light of these self-benefitting transactions. We affirm the decision of the trial court.

Davidson Court of Appeals

State of Tennessee vs. Tony Randall Arnold
02C01-9803-CC-00066
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Trial Court Judge: Judge Juilian P. Guinn

The defendant, Tony Randall Arnold, appeals as of right his conviction by a Benton County jury of simple assault, a Class B misdemeanor. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-101(a)(3). The trial court sentenced the defendant to six (6) months in jail to be served at 75%. The sole issue for appeal is whether the trial court properly sentenced the defendant.

Benton Court of Criminal Appeals

County of Benton, v. H&W Environmental Services and Waste Managment Inc. of Tennessee
02A01-9802-CH-00040
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Highers
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor Walton West

Benton County appeals the trial court’s order granting summary judgment to H & W Environmental Services, Inc. (H&W) and Waste Management, Inc. of Tennessee (Waste Management) and denying summary judgment to Benton County. For the reasons stated hereafter, we affirm the trial court’s grant of summary judgment.

Benton Court of Appeals

Jeri St. John D/B/A Jeri's v. Beer Permit Board, a Division of Henry County
02A01-9804-CH-00095
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. HIghers
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor John Walton West

Plaintiff, Jeri St. John (“St. John” or “Appellant”) appeals the trial court’s judgment 2 in favor of Defendant, Beer Permit Board (“Beer Board” or “Appellee”) denying St. John a beer permit for her business “Jeri’s” n/k/a “The Foxy Lady.”

Henry Court of Appeals

Mary M. Pawlakos v. Laurie Watson Pawlakos
01A01-9708-CH-00443
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Highers
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor Allen W. Wallace

Respondent Laurie Watson Pawlakos (the Wife) appeals the trial court’s order requiring her to return certain funds to the estate of her deceased husband, John T. Pawlakos (the Decedent). For the reasons hereinafter stated, we affirm in part and reverse in part the trial court’s judgment.

Stewart Court of Appeals