Dept of Children's Srvcs. vs. A.W.S. & E.S. In Re: R.T.S.
E2002-02227-COA-R3-JV
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Trial Court Judge: William T. Denton
The State of Tennessee, Department of Children's Services ("DCS") filed a petition seeking to terminate the parental rights of A.W.S. ("Mother") and E.S. ("Father"), the biological parents of the minor child, R.T.S. ("the Child"). The Juvenile Court granted DCS' petition to terminate Mother's and Father's parental rights. Both Mother and Father appeal. We affirm.

Edward Caksackkar v. Goodyear Tire
W2002-02368-SC-WCM-CV
Authoring Judge: Arnold B. Goldin, Sp.J.
Trial Court Judge: William B. Acree, Circuit Judge
The trial court found that the plaintiff was permanently and totally disabled. The parties do not contest this finding. The appellant, Second Injury Fund, argues, however, that the trial court erred in its apportionment of liability between the Fund and the employer when it held that only 25% permanent vocational impairment should be apportioned to the employer and 75% apportioned to the Fund as a result of the plaintiff's last back injury. For the reasons discussed below, the Panel has concluded that the judgment of the trial court should be modified so that 75% permanent vocational impairment is apportioned to the employer and 25% apportioned to the Fund.

Ronald Paul v. State
M2003-01244-COA-R9-CV
Appellant, a state prison inmate, filed a claim with the Tennessee Claims Commission against the State of Tennessee for the alleged malpractice of Dr. Paul Somers, a physician acting under contract with the Department of Corrections, to provide medical care for inmates. The Commission granted summary judgment on the basis that Dr. Somers was not a "state employee" within the meaning of Tennessee Code Annotated section 8-42-101(a)(3). We affirm the action of the Commission.

State of Tennessee v. Treacy F. Lewis
M2002-01694-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Trial Court Judge: Judge Robert E. Burch

Defendant, Treacy F. Lewis, entered a plea of nolo contendre to the offense of murder in the second degree. Following a sentencing hearing, the trial court sentenced Defendant to twenty-three years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. Defendant appeals the length of her sentence, arguing that the trial court misapplied enhancement factor (4), the victim was particularly vulnerable because of age and physical disabilities, and failed to give sufficient consideration to the applicable mitigating factors. Defendant does not challenge the application of enhancement factor (9), based upon the use of a gun in the commission of the offense. Based on a review of the record, we conclude that the trial court improperly applied enhancement factor (4) in its sentencing determinations. Accordingly, we modify the judgment of the trial court to reduce the sentence to twenty-two years.

03-03-026-CC
03-03-026-CC
Trial Court Judge: A. Andrew Jackson

Carrol Preston Flannary v. Joyce Ann Flannary
E2002-00869-SC-R11-CV
Authoring Judge: Justice Janice M. Holder
Trial Court Judge: Judge Ben K. Wexler

We granted permission to appeal to determine whether the trial court erred in dividing as marital property funds that were missing at the time the divorce complaint was filed. We hold that the missing funds are not marital property that can be divided between the parties. However, we also conclude that the trial court may properly consider Husband's careless handling of those funds in distributing property that does constitute marital property. Therefore, we affirm the judgment of the Court of Appeals as modified, and we remand the case to the trial court for reconsideration of its property division and alimony award.

Victor Salazar v. Concrete Form Erectors, Inc.,
M2002-03040-WC-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Joe C. Loser, Jr., Sp. J.
Trial Court Judge: Irvin H. Kilcrease, Chancellor
In this appeal, the employer insists the trial court erred in (1) finding that the claim is not barred by the employee's willful and intentional failure to follow established policy requiring the use of a safety appliance, (2) finding that the employee has a 39 percent medical impairment and awarding permanent partial disability benefits based on 78 percent to the body as a whole. As discussed below, the panel has concluded the evidence fails to preponderate against the findings of the trial court.

Helen Louise Henson v. Factory & Steel Transportation,
M2002-02761-WC-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Joe C. Loser, Jr., Sp. J.
Trial Court Judge: Allen Wallace, Judge
In this appeal, Tennessee Insurance Guaranty Association insists the trial court erred in determining (1) the employee was permanently and totally disabled, (2) the last injurious injury rule did not apply and (3) the employee's permanent and total disability benefits accrued beginning March 14, 21. The employee insists the preponderance of the evidence supports the findings of the trial court. As discussed below, the panel has concluded the judgment should be modified with respect to the date of injury.

In the Matter of: D.L.(P.)C.,et al
M2003-00088-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Trial Court Judge: Muriel Robinson
Mother appeals the trial court's award of custody of her four minor children to the Tennessee Department of Children's Services based on a finding of dependency and neglect. We affirm.

Jennifer Biscan v. Franklin Brown
M2001-02766-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Trial Court Judge: Carol L. Soloman
After attending a party where alcohol was present, a minor intoxicated driver and minor guest passenger were involved in an automobile accident in which the passenger suffered serious injury. The passenger sued the driver and the adult host of the party. The jury awarded the minor guest passenger damages and allocated fault 70% to the minor intoxicated driver, 15% to the adult party host, and 15% to the minor guest passenger. The driver and the host appeal various rulings of the trial court. We affirm.

Morristown Surgery v. Tennessee Health Facilities Commission
M2002-02872-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Trial Court Judge: Ellen Hobbs Lyle
This appeal under the Administrative Procedures Act challenges a chancery court order affirming the dismissal of the Appellant's Petition for Contested Case Review. We affirm.

Cecil Jacobs v. Edwin Underhill
M2002-02866-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Trial Court Judge: Timothy L. Easter
The appellants challenge the trial court's Order commanding them to remove a portion of their patio and garage and any portion of their residence constructed since 1999 which encroaches on the appellees' property. We affirm.

Milburn L. Edwards v. State of Tennessee
M2002-02124-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Trial Court Judge: Judge J. Randall Wyatt, Jr.

Petitioner, Milburn L. Edwards, filed a petition for post-conviction relief, which was subsequently amended. Following an evidentiary hearing, the petition for post-conviction relief was dismissed. On appeal, Petitioner argues (1) that the post-conviction court erred in not stating its findings of fact and conclusions of law in its order denying Petitioner post-conviction relief; (2) that Petitioner received ineffective assistance of counsel at trial and on appeal; and (3) that Petitioner was not afforded a full and fair evidentiary hearing. After a thorough review of the record, we find no error and affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Jerry Lee Cowan v. State of Tennessee
E2003-00652-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.

The petitioner, Jerry Lee Cowan, seeks appellate review of the Blount County Circuit Court's denial of his motion to reopen his 1992 post-conviction relief petition. Finding no merit in the appeal, we affirm the lower court's judgment.

Carl E. Saine v. State of Tennessee
W2002-03006-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Trial Court Judge: Judge W. Fred Axley

On September 1, 1977, the petitioner, Carl E. Saine, was convicted by a jury in the Shelby County Criminal Court of one count of rape and one count of assault with the intent to commit murder in the first degree. He was sentenced to ninety-five years imprisonment for his rape conviction and to not less than six years nor more than twenty-one years imprisonment for his assault conviction. Subsequently, the petitioner filed to compel testing of evidence under the Post-Conviction DNA Analysis Act of 2001. The post-conviction court denied the petition and the petitioner timely appealed. Upon review of the record and the parties’ briefs, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

State of Tennessee v. Titus Champion
W2002-02829-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Trial Court Judge: Judge Clayburn L. Peeples

The appellant, Titus Champion, was convicted of robbery pursuant to a bench trial in the Gibson County Circuit Court. The trial court sentenced the appellant as a Range II multiple offender to six years incarceration in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the appellant contends that the State did not prove the element of violence as was alleged in the indictment charging the appellant with robbery. Finding the appellant’s argument to have merit, we modify his conviction for robbery to a conviction for theft under $500 and remand to the trial court for sentencing.

State of Tennessee v. Hoyle Orr
E2002-03061-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Trial Court Judge: Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.

The defendant, Hoyle Orr, appeals as of right from his convictions following a bench trial in the Blount County Circuit Court for driving under the influence (DUI), third offense, a Class A misdemeanor, and driving on a revoked license, a Class B misdemeanor. The defendant received concurrent sentences of eleven months, twenty-nine days for the DUI and six months for driving on a revoked license and was ordered to serve seven months of his sentence in the county jail, the remainder on probation. He was fined one thousand, one hundred dollars and his license was revoked for three years. The defendant contends that (1) the evidence is insufficient to support his conviction for DUI, and (2) the trial court erred by sentencing him to more than the statutory minimum amounts of confinement for the convictions. We affirm the judgments of conviction.

Jason Michael Crim v. State of Tennessee
M2002-03013-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R Wade
Trial Court Judge: Judge John H. Gasaway, III

The petitioner, Jason Michael Crim, appeals the trial court's denial of his application for post-conviction relief. The single issue presented for review is whether the petitioner was denied the effective assistance of counsel. The judgment is affirmed.

State of Tennessee v. Steven A. Norvell
M2002-01866-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Trial Court Judge: Judge Frank G. Clement, Jr.

The defendant, Steven A. Norvell, was convicted by a Davidson County Criminal Court jury of driving under the influence (DUI), third offense, a Class A misdemeanor. The trial court sentenced him to eleven months, twenty-nine days to be served as one hundred forty days in jail and the remainder on probation. In addition, the trial court ordered that he participate in an alcohol evaluation and treatment program, suspended his driving privileges for three years, and imposed a one thousand one hundred dollar fine. The defendant contends that the evidence is insufficient to support his conviction because the state offered no proof that the result of his breathalyzer test was accurate. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Andrew Levi Jefferson v. State of Tennessee
M2002-01604-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge Steve R. Dozier

The petitioner, Andrew Levi Jefferson, appeals from the Davidson County Criminal Court's denial of post-conviction and habeas corpus relief. In his amended, combined petitions for relief, the petitioner challenges his 2001, guilty-pleaded convictions of second degree murder and attempt to commit especially aggravated robbery. On appeal, the petitioner claims post-conviction relief because his trial counsel were ineffective in failing to defeat the transfer of the petitioner's case from juvenile court to criminal court, in preventing the petitioner from testifying at the transfer hearing, by failing to investigate and discover the petitioner's mental status, and in failing to present a critical issue in pretrial motions. Also, the petitioner claims that his guilty pleas were involuntary and unknowing and that he was denied due process because he was not allowed to testify in the juvenile court transfer hearing. In his joined claim for habeas corpus relief, the petitioner claims that, because of errors in the transfer from juvenile court, the criminal court lacked jurisdiction to adjudicate his case. Based upon our review, we find no reversible error and affirm the actions of the post-conviction court.

Dept.of Child.Services vs. G.C.
E2003-01532-COA-R3-CV
Trial Court Judge: Suzanne Bailey
The trial court terminated the parental rights of G.C. ("Mother") with respect to her minor children, I.A.J.C. (DOB: April 3, 1999), M.L.K.L.II (DOB: July 31, 2000), and J.E.L. (DOB: July 22, 2002). Mother appeals, arguing that the evidence preponderates against the trial court's finding, by clear and convincing evidence, that statutory grounds exist for termination. We affirm.

Bridgecourt Apartments vs. Carmen Ellerbe
E2003-01298-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Trial Court Judge: Daryl R. Fansler
Plaintiff paid off mortgage on apartments and then sued for an accounting, alleging overpayment. The Trial Court invoked the voluntary payment rule and dismissed the case. On appeal, we affirm.

Frank Robert Bigsby v. State of Tennessee - Dissenting
M2002-02260-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R. Wade
Trial Court Judge: Judge James K. Clayton, Jr.
I write separately because I believe that in this instance the post-conviction court's failure to make specific findings of fact does not preclude appellate review. Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-30-211 provides, in pertinent part, as follows:(b) Upon the final disposition of every petition, the court shall enter a final order, and except where proceedings for delayed appeal are allowed, shall set forth in the order or a written memorandum of the case all grounds presented, and shall state the findings of fact and conclusions of law with regard to each such ground.

Frank Robert Bigsby v. State of Tennessee
M2002-02260-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge James K. Clayton, Jr.
The Appellant, Frank Robert Bigsby, appeals the Rutherford County Circuit Court’s dismissal of his petition for post-conviction relief. The sole issue in this appeal is whether Bigsby was denied the effective assistance of counsel. We are precluded, however, from reviewing this issue based upon the post-conviction court’s failure to make discernable findings of fact and conclusions of law, as required by Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-30-111(b) (2003). Accordingly, this case is remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

State of Tennessee v. Mark Maynard
M2002-02466-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge Michael R. Jones

The defendant, Mark Steve Maynard, appeals from the Montgomery County Circuit Court's ruling on a probation violation warrant. On September 11, 2002, the court revoked the defendant's October 20, 2000 probation that had resulted from four felony bad check convictions. The court ordered the defendant to serve his original effective sentence of eight years in the Department of Correction. Although the defendant admitted that he had violated his probation, he challenges the trial court's decision to require him to serve the original sentences in incarceration. Discerning no error in the lower court's judgment, we affirm.