Herbert Carson Branum, v. City of Maynardville, Paul Bowman, Bill P. Graves, Russell Gillenwater, Len Padgett, and H.E. Richardson
03A01-9604-CH-00127
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Houston M. Goddard
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor Billy Joe White

Plaintiff Herbert Carson Branum appeals dismissal of his suit against the City of Maynardville and its Commissioners, seeing reinstatement to his position as Water Commissioner and damages for his wrongful discharge, both compensatory and exemplary. He also seeks an order enjoining the Defendants "from any further ultra vires acts against the Plaintiff" based upon his contention that they had violated certain of our State Statutes.

State of Tennessee vs. Andrew R. Ewing
02C01-9604-CR-00119
Authoring Judge: Judge Paul G. Summers
Trial Court Judge: Judge W. Fred Axley

The appellant, Andrew R. Ewing, and his co-defendant, Derrick C. Brooks, were tried jointly by a jury for first degree murder. Ewing and Brooks were found guilty of felony murder for committing a murder during the perpetration of an aggravated burglary. Both men were sentenced to life in prison. Because Derrick C. Brooks’ appeal has been severed from Andrew R. Ewing’s appeal, we will address only the issues presented by Andrew Ewing in this opinion.

State of Tennessee vs. Steven E. Baker
01C01-9608-CR-00349
Authoring Judge: Judge Gary R. Wade
Trial Court Judge: Judge Seth W. Norman

The defendant, Steven Eugene Baker, pled guilty to one count of especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor and two counts of sexual battery. The trial court imposed concurrent, Range I sentences of nine years and one year, respectively. In this appeal of right, the defendant challenges the length of the sentence and the trial court's denial of alternative sentencing.

State of Tennessee vs. Woody Dozier
02C01-9610-CC-00357
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge J. Steven Stafford

The appellant, Woody J. Dozier, appeals his jury convictions for the crimes of aggravated kidnapping and aggravated rape. Following these convictions, the Circuit Court of Dyer County sentenced the appellant to concurrent sentences of eight years for the aggravated kidnapping conviction and fifteen years for the aggravated rape conviction. On appeal, the appellant raises the following issues:

I. Whether the Chancellor, sitting by interchange, had jurisdiction to try the case;
II. Whether the appellant is entitled to a new trial because ofalleged juror misconduct; and
III. Whether the evidence is sufficient to sustain his convictions foraggravated rape and aggravated kidnapping.

After reviewing the record before us, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Paul Farnsworth, A/K/A Ronnie Bradfield, v. Richard Kenya, et al.
02A01-9707-CV-00145
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer

The plaintiff, Paul Farnsworth a/k/a Ronnie Bradfield, sued defendants Richard Kenya,1 Stephen Dotson and two John Doe defendants. The complaint alleges that Plaintiff is an inmate at the Lake County Regional Correctional Facility (LCRCF), Richard Kenyon is identified as an employee and Stephen Dotson as the associate warden at LCRCF. The complaint alleges that Plaintiff was given permission to marry while incarcerated, wedding plans were formulated but, within less than 24 hours prior to the wedding, he was advised that the wedding was cancelled.

City of Memphis v. The Civil Service Commission of the City of Memphis and Stanley Shotwell
02A01-9512-CH-00289
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly Kirby Lillard

This case involves a chancery court review of a decision by a civil service commission. The
commission had ordered the reinstatement of a police officer. The chancery court reversed the
commission’s decision, upholding the termination of the officer’s employment. We affirm the
decision of the chancery court.

State of Tennessee v. Bobby Ed Begley
01S01-9607-CR-00134
Authoring Judge: Justice Adolpho A. Birch, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge J. Wyatt Randall, Jr.

We granted the defendant’s application for permission to appeal in order to determine whether the trial court abused its discretion1 in admitting testimony concerning the results of a certain method of DNA analysis. While we have previously considered the admission of the results of DNA analysis using the “restriction fragment length polymorphism” (RFLP) method, we address for the first time the admission of testimony regarding DNA analysis using the “polymerase chain reaction” (PCR) method. PCR is to be distinguished from RFLP, the method more statistically precise and firmly established in both the scientific and legal community. After a jury-out hearing, the trial court admitted expert testimony about the results of the PCR analysis performed on the defendant’s clothing, and the Court of Criminal Appeals upheld the trial court’s determination.

State of Tennessee v. Roger Dale Hill, Sr.
01S01-9701-CC-00005
Authoring Judge: Justice Adolpho A. Birch, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge James L. Weatherford

We accepted the State’s application for review in this cause in order to determine the validity of an indictment which charged aggravated rape.1 The Court of Criminal Appeals held the indictment void and the subsequent conviction invalid because the language of the indictment failed to allege a culpable mental state.

State of Tennessee v. Larry Wayne Stokes
01S01-9701-CC-00006
Authoring Judge: Justice Adolpho A. Birch, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge Henry Denmark Bell

 Larry Wayne Stokes, the appellant, was convicted in the Circuit Court of Williamson County of rape of a child, in violation of Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-522 (Supp. 1995). He currently serves a fifteen-year sentence in the Department of Correction.

Cody Glasner, a minor, by next friend and parents, Deryl and Polly Glasner, and Deryl and Polly Glasner individually, v. John Howick, M.D., Humana of Tennessee Inc., John A Shull, M.D., Jane L. Rohrer, M.D. and William D. Crawley, M.D.
03A01-9612-CV-00401
Authoring Judge: Senior Judge William H. Inman
Trial Court Judge: Judge Robert M. Summitt

This is a medical malpractice action brought by Deryl and Polly Glasner individually and as parents and next friend of Cody Glasner, who was born October 6, 1991.1 As winnowed by pleadings, the surviving claim is on behalf of Cody, who was born brain dead. The parents of Cody conceded that their individual claims were time-barred.  This condition is known as a prolapsed cord. His resuscitation is alleged to have been contrary to the prevailing standard of care in this jurisdiction, since he had no reasonable prospect for a qualitative life.

First Tennessee Bank National Association, v. C.T. Resorts Company, Inc., C. Gary Triggs, and James C. Childers
03A01-9704-CH-00134
Authoring Judge: Judge Herschel Pickens Franks
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor Sharon Bell

This appeal is from a summary judgment granted to plaintiff against defendants by the Trial Judge. Essentially, defendants insist that the record contains evidence of misrepresentations of the value of the property by plaintiff’s agents, which was 1Triggs’ and Childers’ earlier affidavits apparently claim that Stooksbury showed them both Smith appraisals. Their later affidavits, however, refer only to the second Smith appraisal. 2 purchased by defendants, and that these representations are actionable under their counter-claims.

State of Tennessee Department of Children's Services v. Yvonne Bardin - Concurring
03A01-9705-JV-00152
Authoring Judge: Judge William H. Inman
Trial Court Judge: Judge Suzanne Bailey

The parental rights of Yvonne Bardin were terminated by the Juvenile Court of Hamilton County and she appeals. Four (4) children are involved. The issue presented for review is whether the evidence is clear and convincing. We find that it is and affirm.

Kenneth F. Taggart and wife, Toni Corwin, v. Bart Richards and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee
03A01-9707-CV-00262
Authoring Judge: Judge Herschel Pickens Franks
Trial Court Judge: Judge Richard E. Ladd

This is an action for damages for personal injuries allegedly occurring on April 9, 1993 in the early evening, when the vehicle operated by the plaintiff was struck by a vehicle operated by the defendant. Upon trial, a jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff establishing damages at $8,445.00 and further determined that defendant was 51% at fault for the accident. The Trial Judge approved the verdict and plaintiffs have appealed.

Volunteer Beer, Inc. vs. Johnson, Jr.
01A01-9703-CH-00126
Trial Court Judge: Robert S. Brandt

State Dept. of Children Svcs vs. Manier
01A01-9703-JV-00116
Trial Court Judge: John B. Melton

Shofner vs. Red Food Stores (TN)
01A01-9609-CV-00437
Trial Court Judge: Lee Russell

Christopher v. Sockwell
01S01-9703-CV-00047
Authoring Judge: Joe C. Loser, Jr., Special Judge
Trial Court Judge: Hon. James E. Walton,
This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. section 5-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting of findings of fact and conclusions of law. At the trial, the only issue was the extent of the claimant's permanent partial disability. In this appeal, the employer's insurer, Argonaut, contends the trial judge (1) erred in accepting the opinion testimony of an examining physician over that of the treating physician and (2) erred in using a multiplier of 4.9 times the medical impairment to determine the claimant's permanent partial disability. As discussed below, the panel has found no reversible error but concluded the award of permanent partial disability benefits should be modified. The employee or claimant, Atkins, is forty-four years old with a college degree in social science work. He has worked as an instructor and hearing officer with the state of Tennessee, as a supervisor with the United States Department of Commerce, as a machine operator and as a forklift operator. On April 18, 1994, Atkins stepped off a forklift and fell, injuring his back and bruising his right side from his shoulder to his foot. He was referred to Dr. David McCord, who performed disc surgery at L4-5 on May 23, 1994. When the claimant's condition did not improve, the doctor performed fusion surgery. At the time of the trial on August 31, 1996, the fusion had not healed and the claimant had not been released by Dr. McCord to return to work. The doctor assessed the claimant's permanent impairment at fifteen percent to the whole body. At the claimant's request, Dr. David W. Gaw conducted a physical examination of the claimant and assessed his permanent impairment at eighteen percent to the whole body. At the insurer's request, Dr. Michael James McNamara conducted a physical examination and assessed his permanent impairment at ten percent to the whole body. From the testimony of the claimant, which the trial judge found to be credible, and the other evidence, the trial judge found the opinion testimony of Dr. Gaw to be "the most convincing." He then multiplied the eighteen percent impairment by 4.9, after stating, "I agree with counsel that the multipliers 5 and 6 are out," and awarded permanent partial disability benefits based on 88.2% to the body as a whole. Appellate review is de novo upon the record of the trial court, accompanied by a presumption of correctness of the findings of fact, unless the preponderance of the evidence is otherwise. Tenn. Code Ann. section 5-6- 225(e)(2). This tribunal is required to conduct an independent examination of the record to determine where the preponderance of the evidence lies.

Roxie Moorehead v. Lincoln & Donalson Care Center
01S01-9703-CV-00049
Authoring Judge: William H. Inman, Senior Judge
Trial Court Judge: Hon. Lee Russell,
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 issue is this case is whether the replacement of the plaintiff's right knee was causally related to a compensable accident within the purview of applicable law. The trial judge found the issue in favor of the plaintiff and awarded benefits based upon a determination that she had an 85 percent permanent partial disability to her right leg. The employer appeals, insisting that the judgment is contrary to the preponderance of the evidence. 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. CODE ANN. _ 5-6-225(e)(2); Stone v. City of McMinnville, 896 S.W.2d 584 (Tenn. 1991). The plaintiff is a 62 year old woman of limited education and skills. She was employed as a nursing technician1 at the Care Center where she began work in 1991. On April 17, 1994, a patient whom she was attending kicked her right knee, which caused momentary pain. She continued to work for three weeks during which time her knee became stiff and painful. She was seen by Dr. Michael Siaw, an orthopedic specialist who recommended conservative treatment. She did not respond, and Dr. Siaw scheduled her for a MRI which revealed an oblique tear of the lateral meniscus. Dr. Siaw believed this injury was consonant with the history the plaintiff gave him of having been kicked on the knee by a patient at the nursing home. Eventually, it became necessary to correct the tear arthroscopically. This procedure was performed on July 5, 1994, and successfully so, although pre- existing osteoarthritis continued to cause the plaintiff considerable pain. The plaintiff returned to work, and the arthritic condition worsened, according to her. Dr. Siaw saw her on June 21, 1996 and discovered that she had a total knee replacement 1 Being a nursing technician involves lifting, bathing, feeding, and dressing patients. 2

03C01-9405-CR-00161
03C01-9405-CR-00161
Trial Court Judge: R. Steven Bebb

State vs. Greene
03C01-9608-CC-00316

Miller vs. State
03C01-9608-CC-00323
Trial Court Judge: James B. Scott, Jr.

State vs. Harris
03C01-9611-CR-00428

03C01-9612-CR-00453
03C01-9612-CR-00453

Courtner vs. State
03C01-9701-CR-00005

McBee/Dunlap vs. State
03C01-9509-CR-00276