Loreta MCCollum, et al vs. James Connatser
E2000-02561-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: W. Dale Young
On May 9, 1997, Alleen C. McCroskey ("the decedent") passed away, leaving two children, Loretta C. McCollum and James W. Connatser, Jr. McCollum, individually and as administratrix of the decedent's estate, filed suit against her brother, claiming that Connatser, as a result of undue influence on the decedent and/or conversion, wrongfully obtained monies that now rightfully belong to the decedent's estate. The trial court granted Connatser summary judgment, and McCollum appealed. We vacate the grant of summary judgment and remand for further proceedings.

Steven Hull vs. Susan Hull and Garth Eddy
E2000-02696-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Trial Court Judge: O. Duane Slone
In this action to recover proceeds on life insurance policies required by a divorce decree for the children, the Trial Judge held the children were entitled to the proceeds, rather than the beneficiary named in the policies. We affirm.

James Crawford vs. Ray Thomason, et al
M1998-00926-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Robert E. Corlew, III
This appeal stems from a hostile work environment claim involving the Department of Streets and Signs of the City of Murfreesboro. After enduring approximately three years of racial harassment by his immediate supervisors, an employee of the Department of Streets and Signs filed suit in the Chancery Court for Rutherford County against the City of Murfreesboro, the city manager, and his two supervisors seeking damages and injunctive relief under the Tennessee Human Rights Act. The City moved for summary judgment, pointing out that the offending supervisors had been terminated less than one month after the employee brought their conduct to the attention of the public works director. The trial court granted the summary judgment and dismissed the complaint. The employee has appealed. After reviewing the record in light of the principles announced in Parker v. Warren County Util. Dist., 2 S.W.3d 170 (Tenn. 1999), we have determined that the City is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law. Accordingly, we affirm the summary judgment.

Doris Tipton vs. Elizabeth Quinn
M1998-00951-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Trial Court Judge: Tom E. Gray
This is a breach of contract case involving agreements for Defendant to board and breed Plaintiff's horses for a share of the resulting foals. Shortly after the parties entered into an oral agreement, Defendant memorialized the agreement in a handwritten note. The agreement was subsequently reduced to more detailed writings by Plaintiff, which both parties signed. Plaintiff later claimed that Defendant breached portions of the agreement which required her to timely breed the mares, provide insurance, adequately care for and maintain the horses, provide adequate veterinary care for the horses, allow inspection of the horses, and halter-break foals. Defendant claimed that the agreement prepared by Plaintiff did not reflect the parties' original oral contract. The trial court granted Plaintiff partial summary judgment on the portion of her breach of contract claim alleging that Defendant failed to obtain insurance. After a bench trial, the court awarded Plaintiff compensatory damages for breach of contract as well as attorney's fees. Defendant appeals those decisions. We affirm as modified.

Michael Dawn Frisbey v. Dorothy Marie Frisbey
M1999-00717-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Trial Court Judge: Robert E. Corlew, III

Keith Pfister vs. Tammy Searle (Moretti)
M2000-01921-COA-R3-JV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Trial Court Judge: Lonnie R. Hoover
The appellant appeals from the trial court's judgment finding her in criminal and civil contempt for violation of an order establishing visitation for the father of her child. Because the appellant was not provided the notice required for criminal contempt, we vacate that holding; because the appellant complied with the court's order to produce her child, thereby purging her civil contempt, that judgment is now moot, and we decline to address it.

State of Tennessee v. Timothy McKinney
W1999-00844-CCA-R3-DD
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge Joseph B. Dailey

We affirm the defendant’s convictions of first degree murder and attempted second degree murder and the death sentence imposed on the murder charge, despite the defendant’s claims that: (1) the trial court erroneously disallowed expert testimony on the reliability of eyewitness identification; (2) the jury’s capital sentencing verdict was infirm; (3) the trial court erroneously allowed the impeachment of a defense character witness during the penalty phase of the trial; (4) the trial court erred in allowing victim impact evidence that related to the impact of the victim’s death on persons or institutions other than the victim’s family; (5) the trial court erroneously limited the defendant’s argument to the jury during the penalty phase; (6) cumulative errors require reversal of the death sentence; (7) the Tennessee death penalty statute is, for various reasons, unconstitutional. We find no error and hold that the death penalty in this case was proportionate to the death penalty imposed in similar cases, the sentence was not arbitrarily imposed, and the evidence supports the jury’s finding of a statutory aggravating circumstance and its finding that the aggravating circumstance outweighs any mitigating circumstances. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-206(c)(1) (1997).

State of Tennessee v. Donald Johnson, Jr.
W2000-00875-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Trial Court Judge: Judge Bernie Weinman

Defendant was convicted by a Shelby County jury of felony murder and received a life sentence. In this appeal, defendant alleges: (1) the trial court erred in failing to suppress both his oral and written statements given to authorities; and (2) the state improperly exercised its peremptory challenges based upon race and gender. Upon our review, we are unable to resolve the suppression issue due to inadequate findings of fact and, therefore, remand for further findings regarding the oral and written statements. We conclude the trial court correctly ruled that there were legitimate race and gender-neutral reasons for the peremptory challenges. The judgment of the trial court is vacated, and the case is remanded for further findings and/or proceedings.

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Trial Court Judge: Dale C. Workman

Robert M. Sneed v. State of Tennessee
E2000-02213-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Trial Court Judge: Judge R. Jerry Beck

The Defendant was convicted of DUI, second offense, and driving on a revoked license, second offense. His convictions were affirmed on direct appeal, and he subsequently filed for post-conviction relief, which was denied. In this appeal, the Defendant contends that the post-conviction court erred in denying his request for post-conviction relief, arguing that he was denied the effective assistance of counsel at trial; that he was denied a fair trial because the trial judge refused to recuse himself; and that the post-conviction court erred in refusing to admit certain evidence. We affirm the denial of the Defendant's request for post-conviction relief.

Karen Stempa, et al vs. Walgreen Co., et al
E2000-02223-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Trial Court Judge: Dale C. Workman

Susan Weissfeld vs. Steven Weissfeld
E2000-02233-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Trial Court Judge: Bill Swann
In this divorce action the Trial Court divided marital property, set child support, and granted wife limited rehabilitative alimony. Wife appealed. We affirm, as modified.

City of Knoxville, et al vs. Robert J. Taylor, et al
E2000-02329-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Trial Court Judge: Sharon J. Bell
This is an appeal from a judgment entered in the Chancery Court for Knox County imposing certain punishment as to two members of the Knoxville Police Force, Officer Robert J. Taylor and his father, Sergeant Dick Taylor. The Administrative Hearing Officer at the initial hearing found no misconduct on the part of the Taylors which would justify any penalty. The Taylors appeal contending the Chancellor was in error and there was substantial and material evidence to support the Hearing Officer's determination. As to Sergeant Taylor we reverse the Chancellor's determination and as to Officer Taylor we affirm.

State of Tennessee v. Norman B. Thompson
E2000-01017-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Trial Court Judge: Judge Ray L. Jenkins

The Defendant, Norman B. Thompson, appeals as of right from the revocation of his probation. We find no abuse of discretion in the revocation; thus, we affirm the judgment of the trial court revoking the Defendant’s probation.

Lisa Venable vs. Boyd Venable
E2000-01543-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Sr. Judge William H. Inman
Trial Court Judge: Richard E. Ladd
This divorce action was filed November 12, 1998. All issues involving money were contested: marital assets, debts, child support, attorney fees, costs.

2000-02223-COA-R3-CV
2000-02223-COA-R3-CV
Trial Court Judge: Dale C. Workman

Estate of Velma Russell vs. Knox County
E2000-02692-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Trial Court Judge: Harold Wimberly
The Estate of Velma Monroe Russell, which was substituted as a party Plaintiff after the death of Mrs. Russell after the suit was filed but prior to trial, sues Knox County for injuries to her as a result of an automobile accident at a four-way-stop intersection. The Trial Court found the County was guilty of no negligence proximately causing the accident and the injuries to Mrs. Russell. We affirm.

State, ex rel, Purlie Page, vs Ricardo Trabal
E2000-02738-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Trial Court Judge: Bill Swann
This action to establish paternity was dismissed by the Trial Court on the grounds of estoppel and laches. We reinstate the action and remand.

E2000-01331-C0A-R3-CV
E2000-01331-C0A-R3-CV
Trial Court Judge: Sharon J. Bell

Milburn L. Edwards v. State of Tennessee
W2000-00043-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Trial Court Judge: Judge Arthur T. Bennett

In 1982, the Petitioner pled guilty in Shelby County to two counts of rape, three counts of robbery, one count of robbery with a deadly weapon, four counts of burglary, one count of attempted burglary, one count of first degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct, and one count of a crime against nature. The Petitioner received an effective sentence of ten years. In 1991, the Petitioner was convicted in Davidson County of twenty-one counts of rape, one count of aggravated rape, two counts of first-degree burglary, one count of second-degree burglary, two counts of aggravated burglary, one count of robbery, and one count of assault with intent to commit rape. In 1997, the Petitioner filed a post-conviction petition challenging his 1982 convictions and sentence. Following an evidentiary hearing, the trial court concluded that the Petitioner's petition for post-conviction relief was barred by the statute of limitations. The Petitioner now appeals the trial court's ruling. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

State of Tennessee v. Tyrone Pierce
W2000-00571-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Trial Court Judge: Judge Bernie Weinman

The defendant pled guilty to criminal attempt to commit aggravated sexual battery, a Class C felony. Pursuant to a plea agreement he agreed to a three-year sentence as a Range I Standard Offender, with the manner of service to be determined after a hearing by the trial court. The trial court sentenced the defendant to serve 270 days in the workhouse on weekends ("day for day") from 7:00 p.m. on Fridays to 7:00 p.m. on Sundays and five years probation with a 10:00 p.m. curfew on weekdays. The defendant contends he should have received full probation or some other less restrictive form of alternative sentencing. We affirm the trial court's denial of full probation but modify the time of service in the workhouse on weekends to 104 days.

Craig Tatman vsl. Fort Sanders Medical Center
E2000-02163-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Trial Court Judge: Wheeler A. Rosenbalm
Craig Tatman ("Plaintiff"), a devout Jehovah's Witness, underwent heart surgery at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center ("Defendant"). Prior to the surgery, the attending physician and Defendant were specifically informed that Plaintiff was not to receive any blood or blood products. While Plaintiff was recovering from the surgery, he experienced a dramatic decrease in blood pressure. The attending critical care nurse forgot that Plaintiff was a Jehovah's Witness and administered Protenate, a protein fraction derived from human plasma. This was contrary to Plaintiff's religious tenets. At trial, Defendant admitted that a medical battery had taken place. The only issue presented to the jury was compensatory damages resulting from the medical battery. No jury instruction was requested or given regarding nominal damages. The jury awarded no compensatory damages. Plaintiff filed a motion requesting an additur or a new trial. Plaintiff's motion was denied, and Plaintiff appeals. We affirm.

Kristin Huntley vs. William Huntley
E2000-01718-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Trial Court Judge: W. Neil Thomas, III
In this child support modification action, the Trial Court held that a significant variance existed between William Sidney Huntley's ("Defendant") child support obligation set by the parties' Marital Dissolution Agreement ("MDA") and the amount mandated by the Child Support Guidelines ("Guidelines"). The Trial Court ordered an increase in child support consistent with the Guidelines. Because the Guidelines' flat percentage amount of child support totaled approximately $6,600 per month, the Trial Court ordered it be divided between child support payments of $3,100 and payments to a non-educational trust ("Trust") in the amount of $3,500. Defendant appeals and primarily contends that his child support obligation should not be increased to the Guidelines' flat percentage amount because that amount exceeds a reasonable amount of child support and because the MDA controls his child support obligation despite any increases in his income. Kristin B. Huntley ("Plaintiff") also raises issues on appeal, primarily regarding the Trust. We affirm.

Deborah Davis vs. Jerry Davis
E1999-02737-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Trial Court Judge: Samuel H. Payne
This appeal from the Hamilton County Circuit Court questions whether the Trial Court erred in failing to approve Ms. Davis's Statement of the Evidence, in retroactively modifying child support, in determining the amount of Mr. Davis's mortgage obligation to Ms. Davis, and in determining the amount of attorney's fees Mr. Davis was ordered to pay Ms. Davis. We affirm the judgment of the Trial Court as modified and remand with directions.