Joann Gail Rosa v. State of Tennessee
E2002-00437-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Trial Court Judge: Judge Richard R. Baumgartner

The petitioner appeals the dismissal of her petition for post-conviction relief from her conviction for first degree murder, arguing that the post-conviction court erred in finding that she received effective assistance of trial counsel. After a thorough review of the record, we conclude that the petitioner failed to demonstrate either a deficiency in counsel's performance or a resulting prejudice to her case. Accordingly, we affirm the dismissal of the petition.

Narrowly Tailored To Withstand Strict Scrutiny Under United States v. O'Brien, 391 U.S. 367 (1968).
02273-COA-R3-CV
Trial Court Judge: Michael R. Jones

William Roger Shelton v. ADS Environmental Services, et al
M2002-00186-SC-R9-CV
Authoring Judge: Justice Adolpho A. Birch, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Robert E. Corlew, III
This workers' compensation case is before this court on interlocutory appeal pursuant to Rule 9 of the Tennessee Rules of Appellate Procedure. We granted interlocutory appeal in this case, as well as in the companion case of McCall v. National Health Corp., to determine whether the trial court has the authority to initiate temporary workers' compensation benefits prior to trial. In accordance with the reasoning and holding in McCall, we find that the trial court has this authority.

State of Tennessee v. Cindy Gentry
M2002-00415-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Trial Court Judge: Judge Robert E. Burch

The defendant was convicted of aggravated assault, a Class C felony, and was sentenced by the trial court as a Range I, standard offender to three years in the Department of Correction, with the sentence to be suspended and the defendant placed on probation after one year in the county workhouse. She raises two issues on appeal: (1) whether the evidence was sufficient to support her conviction; and (2) whether the trial court erred in ordering that she serve one year of her sentence in the county workhouse. Based on our review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

State of Tennessee v. Mario C. Estrada
M2002-00585-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge Robert L. Jones

The Appellant, Mario C. Estrada, appeals the sentencing decision of the Maury County Circuit Court imposing a sentence of twelve years incarceration in the Department of Correction. The sentence arose from guilty pleas by Estrada to one count of arson, eight counts of aggravated assault, and one count of possession of a prohibited weapon. The indictment returned against Estrada charged him with one count of aggravated arson, eight counts of attempted first degree murder, and one count of possession of a prohibited weapon. In this appeal, Estrada raises the issue of whether the trial court erred by ordering that his sentence be served in total confinement. After review, we find that plain error dictates that the convictions be vacated and the case remanded for further proceedings because aggravated assault is not a lesser included offense of attempted first degree murder.

Michael Lynn Walton v. State of Tennessee
M2002-00586-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Trial Court Judge: Judge Seth W. Norman
Petitioner, Michael Lynn Walton, appeals the trial court's denial of relief under his post-conviction petition. Petitioner alleged he received ineffective assistance of counsel at trial based on counsel’s failure (1) to adequately advise Petitioner of the consequences of proceeding to trial; (2) to adequately cross-examine the victim; (3) to require the State to elect which offenses it was relying upon to support Petitioner’s convictions; and (4) to appeal the State’s failure to make an election.  Based upon a thorough review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court denying Petitioner’s claim for relief based on counsel’s failure to adequately advise Petitioner about the potential consequences resulting from two rape convictions and failure to specifically address the victim’s inconsistent statements at the second trial. However, we disagree with the post-conviction court’s finding that counsel’s failure to require an election of offenses was not deficient conduct and that Petitioner was not prejudiced by such conduct. Accordingly, the judgment is reversed, Petitioner is granted post-conviction relief, and the case is remanded to the trial court for retrial on the two counts of rape.

Wylie B. Dowlen v. Gary Matthews
M2001-03160-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Stella L. Hargrove
Trial Court Judge: John H. Gasaway, III
This appeal arises from a police officer's lawsuit against a Clarksville resident for assault, defamation, and intentional infliction of emotional distress after the officer responded to a noise complaint at the resident's home. The trial judge directed a verdict for the defendant. We affirm the trial court.

Regionol L. Waters v. State of Tennessee
M2002-01712-CCA-R3-CO
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Trial Court Judge: Judge Steve R. Dozier

The petitioner, Reginol L. Walters, was convicted of aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, and two counts of aggravated rape and, while his direct appeal was pending, filed a petition pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-30-403 requesting forensic analysis of DNA evidence. The post-conviction court dismissed the petition, as well as a petition to reconsider, concluding that the petitioner could not proceed with his petition while his direct appeal was pending. Following our review, we conclude that the applicable statute does not prohibit the petitioner from proceeding simultaneously with a direct appeal and a petition for analysis of DNA evidence. Accordingly, we reverse the order of the post-conviction court and remand for consideration of the petition.

Michael Anthony Scruggs v. State of Tennessee
M2002-00875-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R Wade
Trial Court Judge: Judge Timothy L. Easter

The petitioner, Michael Anthony Scruggs, pled guilty to forgery and theft under $500. The trial court ordered concurrent sentences of six years for the forgery and eleven months, twenty-nine days, for the theft. No appeal was taken. Later, the petitioner filed a petition for post-conviction relief alleging ineffective assistance of counsel. After a hearing, the post-conviction court denied relief, finding that the petitioner had failed to prove that his appointed counsel fell below the required level of competency. The judgment of the post-conviction court is affirmed.

Sharon R. Hurt v. State of Tennessee
M2002-00900-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Trial Court Judge: Judge Seth W. Norman

Petitioner, Sharon R. Hurt, was convicted by a jury of first degree murder and conspiracy to commit first degree murder. The trial court sentenced Petitioner to serve consecutive sentences of life imprisonment and twenty-four years. On direct appeal, this court affirmed Petitioner's convictions and sentences. State v. James Murray, Marcie Murray and Sharon R. Hurt, No. 01C01-9702-CR-00066, 1998 Tenn. Crim. App. LEXIS 1323, 1998 WL 934578 (Tenn. Crim. App., filed at Nashville, Dec. 30, 1998), perm. to app. denied (Tenn., June 28, 1999). On September 4, 2001, Petitioner filed a petition for post-conviction relief, in which she alleged the existence of new scientific evidence establishing her actual innocence. The State sought to dismiss the petition. The trial court dismissed the petition, finding that Petitioner failed to show the existence of new scientific evidence, and the petition was therefore barred by the statute of limitations. After a review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

State of Tennessee v. Raymond Nicholus Wallace - Order
W2001-02598-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry L. Smith

On August 27, 2001, pursuant to a bench trial, the Circuit Court of Tipton County found the defendant, Raymond N. Wallace, guilty of driving under the influence, second offense. For this offense, he received an effective sentence of eleven months, twenty-nine (29) days, suspended on the service of forty-five (45) days. The court fined the defendant $600.00 and suspended his license to drive for two years. The defendant contends that the evidence presented at his trial was insufficient to support the conviction for driving under the influence of intoxicating beverages. After a thorough review of the record before this Court, we affirm the trial court’s judgment pursuant to Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals Rule 20.

State of Tennessee v. Jason R. Garner
W1999-01679-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge Carolyn Wade Blackett

The Appellant, Jason R. Garner, appeals his conviction by a Shelby County jury of second degree murder and especially aggravated robbery. The convictions arose from Garner's involvement in the robbery and shooting of Charles Bledsoe. Garner received consecutive sentences of twenty years for second degree murder and twenty years for especially aggravated robbery. On appeal, Garner argues that: (1) the evidence was insufficient to sustain his convictions; (2) the convictions are "irreconcilable;" (3) the trial court erred by allowing the State to file untimely notice of sentence enhancements; (4) the trial court erred by failing to submit an instruction with regard to accomplice testimony to the jury; and (5) his sentences were excessive and the imposition of consecutive sentences was error. After review, we find these issues without merit. Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

Carolyn Mitchell Brown vs. John Hilyee Watson, Jr.
E2004-01229-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Trial Court Judge: Daryl R. Fansler
The Trial Court annulled Brown's marriage at the insistence of her conservator. On appeal, we affirm.

Elizabeth Ann Croley v. Levi Strauss & Co.
M2001-01481-WC-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: James L. Weatherford, Sr.J.
Trial Court Judge: Jeffrey S. Bivins, Chancellor
This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated _ 5-6- 225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. In this case, the employee slipped and fell on a wet floor as she was entering the workplace. The chancellor, who had presided over the trial in this matter, left office before rendering a decision. The employee contends that the chancellor did not have jurisdiction to decide the case because the 6 day time period provided under Tennessee Code Annotated _ 17-1-34(b) for judges who have vacated office to conclude pending cases had expired prior to the entry of an order by the Chief Justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court ordering the former chancellor to conclude the case. The employee also contends that the trial court erred: 1) in finding that the plaintiff failed to prove that her work-related accident caused a permanent right shoulder injury; and 2) by designating a faxed copy of an order as the original. We hold that the evidence does not preponderate against the trial court's finding as to causation. We also find that the trial court did have proper jurisdiction in this case and did not err in designating a faxed copy of an order as the original when the original order was lost. Accordingly, the panel has concluded that the judgment of the trial court should be affirmed. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e)(1999) Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Chancery Court Affirmed. JAMES L. WEATHERFORD, SR.J., in which JANICE M. HOLDER, J. and JOE C. LOSER, JR., SP.J., joined. Wm. Landis Turner, Hohenwald, Tennessee, for the appellant, Elizabeth Ann Croley. Patrick Alan Ruth, Nashville, Tennessee, for the appellee, Levi Strauss & Co. MEMORANDUM OPINION Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Croley was 62 years old at the time of trial. She completed the 8th grade in school and had no vocational training. She is married with grown children and has legal custody of a grandchild. She had not worked outside the home for 8 or 9 years prior to starting work for Levi Strauss on March 22, 1993, where she operated a machine that placed rivets on blue jeans. On September 9, 1993, Mrs. Croley slipped and fell on a wet floor as she was entering the Levi Strauss plant. According to Mrs. Croley, she reported to the nurses' station where she told the plant nurse her shoulder, elbow, and neck were hurting. She signed an Employee Report of Injury form indicating primary injuries to her right elbow and hip with secondary injuries to her back and neck. She did not indicate an injury to the shoulder on the form. She chose Dr. Jeffrey T. Adams, orthopedist, from a panel of three physicians offered by Levi Strauss. Later that same day, Dr. Adams examined her and found neck pain and tenderness in her lower back. She had a normal neurologic exam of her upper and lower extremities. When asked whether there was any concern about Mrs. Croley's shoulder in the course of his examination, Dr. Adams responded: "No, she had full motion of her shoulders at that time. She really _ her main complaint was in her neck and in her lower back, [those were] her two areas of peak complaints." Dr. Adams prescribed muscle relaxers, physical therapy and placed her on work restrictions. Mrs. Croley continued working for Levi Strauss until November 7, 1993, when she took sick leave for unrelated medical problems. On April 28, 1994, Levi Strauss terminated her employment when she did not return to work after being released to return to work by her gynecologist. Dr. Adams treated Mrs. Croley until September 8, 1994. During that time she underwent a Functional Capacity Evaluation which indicated symptom magnification, MRIs, an EMG conduction study and a psychological evaluation. According to Dr. Adams, she initially started getting better and then "her symptoms suddenly changed gear and got progressively worse and markedly magnified." He concluded based on these tests that there was a psychological component that carried her symptoms to this point. Dr. Adams stated that the only reference to shoulder pain during his treatment of Mrs. Croley did not involve the shoulder joint, but referred to the back of the neck and shoulder blade. In Dr. Adams' opinion, Mrs. Croley did not sustain a rotator cuff tear or other significant shoulder trauma from the September 9, 1993 fall: No. She had no signs of a rotator cuff tear. I saw her hours after her injury, and she could pick her arm up all the way over her head (indicating). With a complete rotator cuff tear, you are extremely -2-

Emmerick vs. Mountain Valley Chapel Business Trust
E2002-01453-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: O. Duane Slone
The trial court dismissed the complaint of Marc D. Emmerick ("the plaintiff") and awarded one of the defendants, Mountain Valley Chapel Business Trust, a judgment on its counterclaim against the plaintiff for $1,416. The plaintiff appeals. We affirm.

Rick Williams vs. Angela Williams
E2002-01995-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Trial Court Judge: James W. Mckenzie
The Trial Court in this divorce action, granted the parties a divorce and divided marital property. The husband appeals, seeking additional marital property. We affirm.

James Kyzer vs. Patty Blackburn
E2002-02254-COA-R3-JV
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Trial Court Judge: C. Van Deacon
This is a custody dispute between James Christopher Kyzer, the father of Haleigh Sharee Kyzer, d.o.b. 10/6/93, and the child's maternal grandmother, Patti Blackburn, which arose after Haleigh's mother, the ex-wife of Mr. Kyzer, was killed in an automobile accident. The Trial Judge awarded custody to the father upon his finding that "there has been no showing of substantial risk of harm to the child." We affirm.

State of Tennessee v. Dwayne Nelvis Slocum
W2002-01980-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Trial Court Judge: Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood

The defendant appeals his effective ten-year community corrections sentence with a requirement of 160 days of jail time after pleading guilty to violating a habitual motor vehicle offender order, driving under the influence - 4th offense, and resisting arrest. The defendant filed no transcripts of the guilty plea submission hearing or sentencing hearing. These hearings are essential for appellate review. Therefore, we must presume that the trial court is correct. We affirm the judgments of the trial court.

State of Tennessee v. Eric Gene Island
W2002-00816-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Trial Court Judge: Judge William B. Acree

An Obion County jury convicted the defendant, Eric Gene Island, of attempt to commit robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery. The trial court sentenced him to concurrent sentences of four years for each conviction. On direct appeal, the defendant contends: (1) trial counsel was ineffective in failing to investigate the case and secure witnesses; and (2) he was denied his right to testify at trial. Upon reviewing the record, we conclude the failure to conduct a Momon hearing to determine whether the defendant personally waived his right to testify was plain error. Therefore, we remand the case to the trial court for a full hearing on the issue.

Charlotte McCall v. National Health
M2001-03166-SC-R9-CV
Authoring Judge: Justice Adolpho A. Birch, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Robert E. Corlew, III
We granted interlocutory appeal in this workers' compensation case, and in the companion case of Shelton v. ADS Environmental Services, pursuant to Rule 9 of the Tennessee Rules of Appellate Procedure. These cases present the following issues: whether the trial court has the authority to initiate temporary benefits pre-trial and, assuming the trial court has this authority, whether it must hold a full evidentiary hearing prior to initiating temporary benefits. After careful examination of the workers' compensation statutes and the applicable case law, we hold that the trial court has the power to initiate temporary workers' compensation benefits prior to trial and that it may do so without first holding a full evidentiary hearing.

Dennis J. Hughes v. State of Tennessee
M2001-02454-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge Walter C. Kurtz

Dennis J. Hughes appeals the Davidson County Criminal Court's denial of his petition for post-conviction relief. He claims on appeal that the lower court erred in (1) denying his claim that his constitutional rights were abridged by the state's failure to disclose evidence against him prior to trial as part of the bill of particulars, and (2) ruling that he could not impeach the prosecutor from the conviction proceedings with the prosecutor's own alleged prior bad acts. Because we are unpersuaded of reversible error, we affirm the post-conviction court's denial of relief.

State of Tennessee v. James Mario Starnes
M2002-01450-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge W. Charles Lee

The Appellant, James Mario Starnes, was indicted by the Bedford County Grand Jury for first degree murder and especially aggravated robbery. Starnes pled guilty to attempted second degree murder and especially aggravated robbery. Following a sentencing hearing, Starnes received concurrent sentences of ten years, nine months for attempted second degree murder and twenty-five years for especially aggravated robbery. Starnes now appeals his especially aggravated robbery conviction, contending that the evidence is insufficient to establish his guilt for that offense. Because the error complained of was waived as a matter of law by Starnes’ plea of guilty, this issue is not reviewable upon direct appeal. Accordingly, this appeal is dismissed. 

State of Tennessee v. Melissa Ann Brewer
M2002-01982-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Trial Court Judge: Judge John W. Rollins

The defendant appeals her sentence of three years imprisonment for the sale of less than .5 grams of cocaine, a Class C felony. The defendant argues she is a favorable candidate for alternative sentencing. The record supports the defendant's assertion that she is entitled to an alternative sentence. The defendant is sentenced to three years in split confinement, with thirty (30) days incarceration and the remainder on supervised probation. We remand this judgment to determine if the defendant continues to hold full-time employment. If the defendant is employed full-time, she is to serve her thirty (30) days in periodic confinement.

Charles Head v. James Gibson
M1999-00656-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Trial Court Judge: Walter C. Kurtz
This is an appeal from a judgment granting a motion for summary judgment in favor of State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. that the uninsured motorist coverage offered to the plaintiffs was not implicated under the circumstances of this litigation. We affirm.

Carlos Castillion vs. Sarah Castillion
E2002-01310-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Trial Court Judge: Samuel H. Payne
In this divorce case, the husband questions on appeal the valuation of marital property and distribution made by the Trial Court. We affirm the Trial Court.