H&R Block Eastern Tax Services, Inc., v. Kameron Bates, D/B/A Bates Income Tax Service, et al.
M2001-02589-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge W. Frank Crawford
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor Vernon Neal

Plaintiff, provider of a tax preparation service, sued defendants, a tax preparation service and individual former employees of plaintiff, for damages and injunctive relief resulting from procurement of breach of contract by defendant tax preparation service and for breach of noncompetition contracts by former employees. The trial court found that the plaintiff had no right to relief from the defendants and entered judgment for all defendants. Plaintiff appeals. We affirm.

Linda S. Reece v. Findlay Industries, Inc. and Harold Edward Tigue, Jr. v.Tokio Marine & Fire Insurance Company, et al.
M2001-01366-SC-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Justice Janice M. Holder
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor Charles D. Haston, Sr.

We granted this appeal to determine the propriety of the trial judge’s actions in the adjudication of these workers’ compensation cases. We hold that the trial judge failed to perform all the duties of the judge’s office prescribed by law in these consolidated cases by improperly delegating his authority to the clerk and master to adjudicate the cases. Accordingly, the judgments of the trial court are reversed, and the cases are remanded to the trial court for proceedings consistent with this opinion. Tenn. R. App. P. 3 Appeal as of Right; Judgments of the Trial Court Reversed;

 

State of Tennessee v. David Saltz
E2001-02422-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Trial Court Judge: Judge Phyllis H. Miller
The defendant pled guilty to three counts of incest and was sentenced as a Range II multiple offender to three concurrent terms of eight years. The defendant appeals the trial court's imposition of various enhancement factors and denial of alternative sentencing. We affirm the trial court's judgment.

Reece Calloway Loudermilk v. State of Tennessee
E2001-03060-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Trial Court Judge: Judge Lynn W. Brown

This is an appeal from the denial of post-conviction relief. Pursuant to an agreed plea entered in October 1992, the defendant pled nolo contendere to three counts of aggravated rape of his niece, one count of aggravated sexual battery of his niece, one count of aggravated rape of his daughter, and one count of aggravated sexual battery of his daughter for an effective 35-year sentence as a Range I standard offender. Both victims were under thirteen years of age. On appeal, the defendant contends he received ineffective assistance of counsel rendering his plea unknowingly and involuntarily entered. After review, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Glad Ys Willis v. Mou Ntain States Health A Llianc E d/b/a
E2001-01404-WC-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Howell N. Peoples, Special Judge
Trial Court Judge: G. Richard Johnson, Chancellor
The employer appeals a finding that the employee is totally disabled. We affirm.

State of Tennessee v. Deundrick Laran Coble
W2001-00039-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry L. Smith
Trial Court Judge: Judge William B. Acree

The appellant was convicted of aggravated assault and sentenced to five years in the Tennessee Department of Correction as a standard Range I offender. In this appeal, he raises two issues. First, he maintains that a prior inconsistent statement was improperly used by the prosecution to impeach the testimony of a prosecution witness. Second, he claims the prosecutor made improper remarks during closing argument. We find neither of these alleged errors requires reversal of this case and thus we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

State of Tennessee v. Larenzo DeShawn Harris
W2001-02626-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Trial Court Judge: Judge C. Creed McGinley

The defendant was convicted of possession of a Schedule II controlled substance with the intent to manufacture, deliver, or sell, a Class B felony; possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance with the intent to manufacture, deliver, or sell, a Class E felony; and possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class A misdemeanor. Following the denial of his motion for a new trial, he filed a timely appeal to this court, challenging the sufficiency of the evidence in support of his convictions. We affirm the defendant's convictions. However, because the jury assessed, and the trial court imposed, a fine for possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance that exceeds the statutory maximum, we remand the case to the trial court for a new jury to be impaneled to assess an appropriate fine in Count 2 and for entry of a corrected judgment as to the possession of drug paraphernalia conviction in Count 3.

State of Tennessee v. John W. Thompkins, II
M2001-02293-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge Donald P. Harris
The defendant pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, evading arrest, vandalism, reckless endangerment, driving on a revoked license (second offense), and unlawful possession of a weapon. The trial court found him to be a dangerous offender deserving of consecutive sentencing and imposed an effective sentence of seven years. On appeal, the defendant contends that consecutive sentencing was inappropriate and excessive in his case. We affirm the trial court's judgments.

State of Tennessee v. Jess R. Amonette
M2001-02952-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge Timothy L. Easter
Jess R. Amonette appeals from the Williamson County Circuit Court's revocation of his probationary sentence. He claims that the lower court exceeded its discretion in revoking probation and ordering him to serve his sentence in confinement. In case number II-100-10, we notice as a matter of plain error that the sentence expired prior to initiation of revocation proceedings. We therefore reverse the revocation order and dismiss revocation proceedings in that case. In case number II-11-100, the record does not reflect the lower court's findings from which we can determine the basis for its ruling, and we therefore remand for further consideration.

Steven Murphy v. State of Tennessee
M2001-00886-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry L. Smith
Trial Court Judge: Judge J. Randall Wyatt, Jr.

In 1996, the petitioner, Steven Murphy, was convicted of first degree murder, especially aggravated robbery, and theft over $1,000. He received a sentence of life imprisonment for first degree murder, 25 years for especially aggravated robbery and four years for the theft. The trial court ordered the petitioner to serve his sentences consecutively, resulting in an effective sentence of life plus 29 years. Following a direct appeal to this Court the petitioner's convictions were affirmed, but his sentence for aggravated robbery was modified to 21 years. State v. Adrian Wilkerson and Steven Murphy, No. 01C01-9610-CR-00419 1998 Tenn. Crim. App. LEXIS 891, at *45 (Tenn. Crim. App., at Nashville Aug. 26, 1998). The Tennessee Supreme Court denied permission to appeal on September 18, 2000. The petitioner filed a post-conviction petition on October 30, 2000, which alleged that his trial attorneys were ineffective thereby depriving him of his rights under the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Following appointment of counsel and a hearing, the trial judge entered an order denying post-conviction relief on March 12, 2001, and the instant appeal followed. After a thorough review of the record we find no error in the trial court's decision. The judgment of the lower court is therefore affirmed.

State of Tennessee v. Calvin Lamont Hannah
M2001-02717-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Trial Court Judge: Judge Jane W. Wheatcraft

The defendant appeals the revocation of his probation. He argues that the trial court erred in ordering him to serve his original sentence. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

State v. Christopher Flake
W2000-01131-SC-R11-CD
Authoring Judge: Justice Frank F. Drowota, III
Trial Court Judge: Bernie Weinman

State v. Christopher Flake
W2000-01131-SC-R11-CD
Authoring Judge: Justice Frank F. Drowota, III
Trial Court Judge: Bernie Weinman

State of Tennessee v. Grover Lee Dunigan
E2002-00108-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Trial Court Judge: Judge Stephen M. Bevil

The defendant was indicted for first degree murder and convicted by a Hamilton County jury of the lesser-included offense of second degree murder. He was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment. In this appeal, the defendant contends (1) the evidence was insufficient to sustain his conviction; and (2) the trial court improperly limited cross-examination of a state witness regarding bias. After review, we affirm.

Larry Williams v. TDOC
M2000-02905-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Trial Court Judge: Irvin H. Kilcrease, Jr.

State of Tennessee v. Tracy Frank Leonard
M2001-00368-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Trial Court Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer

The defendant, Tracy Frank Leonard, was convicted of first degree premeditated murder, felony murder, two counts of especially aggravated kidnapping, rape, and theft over $1,000. The trial court merged the convictions for first degree premeditated murder and felony murder and also merged the convictions for especially aggravated kidnapping into a single conviction. The defendant received a life sentence for the first degree murder, twenty-five years for especially aggravated kidnapping, eight years for rape, and two years for theft over $1,000. The trial court ordered that the sentences for especially aggravated kidnapping and rape be served consecutively to the life sentence and consecutively to each other. The sentence for the theft is to be served concurrent with the sentence for rape. The effective sentence is, therefore, life plus thirty-three years. In this appeal as of right, the defendant alleges (1) that the trial court erred by admitting the testimony of several witnesses; (2) that the evidence is insufficient to support his convictions for especially aggravated kidnapping and rape; (3) that the trial court erred by restricting his right to cross-examination of witnesses; (4) that the trial court erred by failing to grant a new trial based on the State's failure to disclose exculpatory evidence; (5) that the trial court erred by failing to grant a mistrial; (6) that the trial erred in its instructions to the jury; (7) that the trial court misapplied certain enhancement factors to his sentences for especially aggravated kidnapping and rape; and (8) that the cumulative effect of the trial court's errors denied him the right to a fair trial. We affirm the convictions and judgments for first degree murder, especially aggravated kidnapping where the victim suffers serious bodily injury, rape, and theft over $1,000. We conclude the sentences imposed were proper. The defendant's conviction for especially aggravated kidnapping accomplished by the use of a deadly weapon is reversed and remanded for a new trial because of the trial court's failure to instruct the jury as to lesser-included offenses.

Eric Woodruff v. TDOC
M2001-00494-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Trial Court Judge: Carol L. Mccoy
Petitioner, an inmate in the custody of the Tennessee Department of Correction, filed the underlying pro se petition for common law writ of certiorari, seeking review of a prison disciplinary board decision and resulting sanctions that he alleges were made in violation of his constitutional rights to due process and equal protection under the laws. Specifically, Petitioner alleges that the disciplinary board violated Department policies by not providing the Petitioner with an adequate statement of reasons prior to his placement in administrative segregation. The trial court dismissed the suit for failure to state a claim. We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand the case to the trial court with the direction that the trial court issue the writ.

Leslie Smith v. State of Tennessee
M2000-02814-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry L. Smith
Trial Court Judge: Judge J. Randall Wyatt, Jr.

In this appeal from the denial of post-conviction relief the appellant claims that his convictions for second degree murder and theft of property valued under $10,000 are constitutionally void or voidable because his presence in Tennessee to stand trial was secured by what he claims was a conspiracy on the part of the prosecution to deprive him of his rights under the Interstate Compact on Detainers, Tennessee Code Annotated Section 40-31-101. The appellant, who was originally charged in Tennessee with first degree murder which carries a possible punishment of death, was returned to Tennessee from the Alabama penal system by means of extradition documents and an executive agreement between the governors of Tennessee and Alabama. The appellant also claims that the post-conviction court should have issued subpoenas to certain law enforcement officials in Alabama in order to help him substantiate his claims of conspiracy in his transfer from Alabama to Tennessee, and in order to demonstrate his trial attorney's alleged ineffectiveness in litigating this conspiracy theory on direct appeal.

Larry Williams v. TDOC
M2000-02905-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Trial Court Judge: William C. Koch

Eileen Smith v. Robert Smith
M2001-02164-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Trial Court Judge: Jeffrey S. Bivins
This is a divorce case. Acting upon the stipulation of the parties, the trial declared the parties divorced. The court determined that the appreciation of Husband's premarital Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) was marital property. The court also ruled that a bond account that Husband received from his mother and later titled jointly between the parties remained Husband's separate property. Finally, the court addressed marital debt and alimony. Both parties raise issues regarding the trial court's disposition of the case. We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand the case to the trial court.

Estate of Nan Francis, Pat Libby, Admin v. Karl Francis
M2001-02707-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Trial Court Judge: Leonard W. Martin
In this second appeal in this matter, the estate seeks a re-determination of an issue decided previously by the trial court and by this court: distribution of proceeds from a certificate of deposit. Because our prior opinion is the law of the case on this issue, we affirm the trial court's dismissal of the estate's motion for post-appellate relief which sought to modify the prior rulings.

State v. Roger D. Haywood
M2000-01400-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Trial Court Judge: J. Russ Heldman
The Trial Court held that National City Mortgage Company ("National"), which services the mortgage on the property at issue, and its attorneys violated Tenn. R. Civ. P. 11.02 and imposed sanctions against them in this condemnation proceeding. National and its attorneys appeal the Trial Court's Rule 11.02 sanctions. We reverse and remand.

HGI Assoc. vs. Mactronics
W2002-00011-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Trial Court Judge: John R. Mccarroll, Jr.
Plaintiff was awarded a judgment for breach of contract and incidental damages in the amount of $18,356. The breach occurred when Defendant (Seller) was unable to deliver 500 computers which Plaintiff (Buyer) had contracted to purchase. Plaintiff appeals contending that the damages awarded by the trial court were inadequate. We affirm.

State of TN Dept. of Transportation vs. Tommie/Arlene Goodwin
W2002-00391-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Trial Court Judge: Clayburn L. Peeples
This is a condemnation case. The State filed a petition to condemn a portion of property owned by the defendants for the improvement of a highway. The defendants did not challenge the State's right to condemn the property, but they asserted that the amount proffered by the State as payment for the property was inadequate. After a jury trial, the jury returned a verdict of $13,500. The defendants moved for a new trial or, in the alternative, for an additur. The trial court concluded that the jury's verdict did not adequately compensate the defendants for either their financial loss or the loss to their business resulting from the condemnation, so it granted the motion for an additur, suggesting an additur of $12,000. The State accepted the additur under protest and now appeals. We affirm, finding that the trial court's suggested additur did not constitute an impermissible award for lost profits.

Robert Burton Sr. vs. Kent Gearin
W2002-00537-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Trial Court Judge: William B. Acree
The plaintiff, a prisoner, sued the defendant who had been appointed to represent the plaintiff in his petition for post-conviction relief. The prisoner, proceeding pro se, filed a motion asking the trial court to hold this matter in abeyance until his release from prison. The motion was denied. The defendant filed a motion for summary judgment supported by an un-refuted affidavit which was granted. The prisoner appealed the trial court's denial of the motion for abeyance and we affirm.