APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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Jerry Lynn Wright v. State of Tennessee

E2003-01216-CCA-R3-PC

The petitioner, Jerry Lynn Wright, appeals the dismissal of his petition for post-conviction relief, alleging that the post-conviction court erred in finding that his guilty plea was knowing and voluntary and that he received effective assistance of counsel. Upon review of the record and the parties' briefs, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Ray L. Jenkins
Knox County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/27/04
Joanna Swiger v. Nashville Union Stockyard

M2002-02971-WC-R3-CV
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 issues involved in this appeal are whether the plaintiff, Joanna Swiger, had waived her right to seek reconsideration pursuant to TENN. CODE ANN. _ 5-6-241(a)(2), and whether Ms. Swiger made a reasonable attempt to return to work. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e) (1999) Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Chancery Court is Affirmed JOHN K. BYERS, SR. J., in which ADOLPHO A BIRCH, J. and ALLEN W. WALLACE, SR. J., joined. W. I. Howell Acuff, of Cookeville, Tennessee, for the appellant, Joanna Swiger. David J. Deming, of Nashville, Tennessee, for the appellee, Nashville Union Stockyard Restaurant. MEMORANDUM OPINION 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 548, 55 (Tenn. 1995). The application of this standard requires this Court to weigh in more depth the factual findings and conclusions of the trial courts in workers' compensation cases. See Corcoran v. Foster Auto GMC, Inc., 746 S.W.2d 452, 456 (Tenn. 1998). The trial court in this case held that Ms. Swiger had knowingly and voluntarily waived her right to reconsideration of her vocational disability, and the court further held that Ms. Swiger did not make a reasonable attempt to return to work after the injury, and was therefore not entitled to seek reconsideration. We do not find that the evidence preponderates against these findings, and therefore affirm the ruling of the trial court. Facts/Medical Evidence Ms. Swiger injured herself in August 1995 when she slipped in a cooler while working for the Stockyard Restaurant. She settled her workers' compensation claim for 24 percent permanent partial disability to the body as a whole, and in June 1996, Ms. Swiger signed an order approving the settlement that she had reached. Although she was unrepresented at the time, Ms. Swiger had discussed with the judge the issue of waiving her right to reconsideration of her vocational disability, which was a part of the settlement. After her injury, Ms. Swiger had restrictions that would not allow her to continue working as a server at the restaurant. Paulene Krebs, the nurse case manager, testified that a server's position was the only job ever identified to her that was available to Ms.Swiger, and that she tried repeatedly to work with the restaurant to find Ms. Swiger another position. Andrew Penland, the controller at the restaurant, contends that the restaurant tried to return Ms. Swiger to work a number of times by offering Ms. Swiger a number of positions that would be suitable for her, such as a hostess or answering the telephone, but that Ms. Swiger turned down each offer. Michael Baker, a manager at the restaurant, testified that the restaurant tried to return Ms. Swiger to work several times, and actually still considered Ms. Swiger an employee of the restaurant at the time of the settlement. Mr. Baker also testified that Ms. Swiger had expressed interest in returning to work by picking up a uniform, but that she failed to attend two scheduled orientations. Mr. Baker further testified that he phoned Ms. Swiger after these missed orientations, however Ms. Swiger simply stated that she would not work there. Dr. Walter Bell was Ms. Swiger's treating physician. Dr. Bell testified that Ms Swiger had injured her lower rib cage and upper abdominal wall area of her right side when she slipped in the cooler at work. Dr. Bell placed Ms. Swiger on work restrictions of not performing any repetitive activity that produces pain and Ms. Swiger could not lift more than 25 pounds. Dr. Bell also advised Ms. Swiger to use common sense in her restrictions and not do anything that seemed to cause pain. Dr. Bell was of the opinion that Ms. Swiger could not perform the position of a server, but that she could perform nearly any other position at the restaurant. Discussion The first issue for consideration in this case is whether Ms. Swiger knowingly and voluntarily waived her right to reconsideration pursuant to TENN. CODE ANN. _ 5-6-241(a) (2), which provides that an employee may seek reconsideration of vocational disability if the employee is no longer -2-
Authoring Judge: John K. Byers, Sr. J.
Originating Judge:Irvin H. Kilcrease, Chancellor
Union County Workers Compensation Panel 01/27/04
Dennis Lee Beedle v. Stephanie J. Beedle

M2003-00755-COA-R3-CV

In this divorce appeal the Husband challenges the distribution of the only significant marital asset, the Husband's retirement benefit. The trial court divided that benefit by ordering the Husband to pay $530.82 of each monthly payment to the Wife. We affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Judge Samuel E. Benningfield, Jr.
White County Court of Appeals 01/27/04
Darrell Watkins, pro se, State of Tennessee

W2003-00995-CCA-R3-HC

The Petitioner, Darrell Watkins, appeals the trial court's denial of his petition for habeas corpus relief. The State has filed a motion requesting that this Court affirm the trial court's denial of relief pursuant to Rule 20, Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals. The Petitioner fails to assert a ground entitling him to habeas corpus relief. Accordingly, the State's motion is granted and the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Originating Judge:Judge Joseph B. Dailey
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/26/04
B & S Enterprises v. William Rowland, Jr.,Individually, William Rowland, Sr., Individually, and William Rowland, Jr. and William Rowland, Sr. D/B/A/ USA Windows

E2003-00458-COA-R3-CV

The Trial Judge refused to onerate an individual associated with defendant corporation with an obligation of the corporation which had been discharged in bankruptcy. On appeal, we affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Chancellor G. Richard Johnson
Washington County Court of Appeals 01/26/04
Corey Johnson, pro se., v. Tony Parker, Warden

W2003-02375-CCA-R3-HC

The Petitioner, Corey Johnson, appeals the trial court's denial of his petition for habeas corpus relief. The State has filed a motion requesting that this Court affirm the trial court's denial of relief pursuant to Rule 20, Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals. Petitioner has failed to allege any ground that would render the judgment of conviction void. Accordingly, we grant the State's motion and affirm the judgment of the lower court.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge R. Lee Moore Jr.
Lake County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/26/04
Joseph Thompson v. Keith Wilson, Ted Como, Becky Campbell and Michelle Wilder

E2003-00885-COA-R3-CV

Plaintiff's action for libel against defendants was dismissed on grounds the action was time-barred. We affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Presiding Judge John S. McLellan, III
Knox County Court of Appeals 01/26/04
State of Tennessee v. Rodney Laron Covington

M2002-02714-CCA-R3-CD

The Appellant, Rodney Laron Covington, was convicted by a Davidson County jury of one count of rape of a child and two counts of aggravated sexual battery. Covington received a twenty-year sentence for rape of a child and ten-year sentences for each aggravated sexual battery conviction. The sentences were ordered to be served concurrently. On appeal, he presents three issues for our review: (1) whether testimony by a nurse practitioner violated the holding of State v. Ballard, 855 S.W.2d 557 (Tenn. 1993); (2) whether the State's recitation of the facts supporting the charge of rape of a child was "specific enough to ensure that the jury would reach a unanimous decision" and "sufficiently corresponded to the State's proof;" and (3) whether the proof established that the offense of rape of a child occurred after July 1, 1992, as required for 100% service of the sentence imposed under Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-13-523(b). After review of the record, we find no reversible error. Accordingly, the judgments of the trial court are affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Judge Steve R. Dozier
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/23/04
Shamain Johnson v. State of Tennessee

M2003-00470-CCA-R3-CO

The Defendant, Shamain Johnson, appeals from the trial court's denial of his petition for writ of habeas corpus. Finding that denial of the petition was appropriate, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Judge Cheryl A. Blackburn
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/23/04
David T. Sears, et al., v. Charles Gregory, et al.

M2002-02771-COA-R3-CV

Plaintiff homeowners sued Defendant pest control operators for negligent misrepresentation and breach of warranty relative to the issuance by the Defendants of a wood destroying insect infestation inspection report pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated section 62-21-201 to 206. The trial court granted summary judgment to Defendants. Because civil liability is limited by section 62-21-202 and Plaintiffs allege no damages caused by the presence of wood-destroying insects, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
 

Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Judge Barbara N. Haynes
Davidson County Court of Appeals 01/23/04
State of Tennessee v. Christopher Robert Smith

M2002-03128-CCA-R3-CD

The Appellant, Christopher Robert Smith, was convicted by a Davidson County jury of possession with intent to deliver over 300 grams of cocaine, a class A felony. Following this conviction, he was sentenced to twenty-one years imprisonment. Smith appeals, arguing that (1) the trial court erred by denying his motion to suppress and (2) the trial court improperly admitted evidence of prior criminal conduct. After a review of the record, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Judge Steve R. Dozier
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/23/04
Anthony Darrell Hines v. State of Tennessee

M2002-01352-CCA-R3-PD

The petitioner, Anthony Darrell Hines, convicted of first degree felony murder and sentenced to death for a 1985 homicide, appeals from the denial of his petition for post-conviction relief, alleging that counsel were ineffective at his 1986 trial and 1989 resentencing hearing, that women were excluded from both juries, and that imposition of the death penalty violates his rights under the federal and state constitutions. The post-conviction court denied the petition after an evidentiary hearing. Following our review, we affirm the denial.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge Robert E. Burch
Cheatham County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/23/04
David T.Sears, et al., v. Charles Gregory, et al. - Dissenting

M2002-02771-COA-R3-CV

The narrow question presented by this appeal is whether Tennessee recognizes the tort of negligent misrepresentation by nondisclosure. While the Sears family’s complaint faces a daunting battle on other fronts, I would not extinguish it at this stage of the proceeding by holding as a matter of law that a professional person cannot supply the false information required by Restatement (Second) of Torts § 552 (1977) by silence.

 

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Barbara N. Haynes
Davidson County Court of Appeals 01/23/04
State of Tennessee v Robert Benjamin Bowen

M2003-00513-CCA-R3-CO

Upon his plea of guilty, the Defendant was convicted of DUI. In this appeal, he attempts to present two certified questions of law pursuant to Tennessee Rule of Criminal Procedure 37(b)(2)(i). Because we conclude that this appeal does not properly present certified questions of law, we dismiss the appeal.

Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Judge Seth W. Norman
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/23/04
State of Tennessee v. Jason White

E2002-02736-CCA-R3-CD

Following a bench trial appellant, Jason White, was found guilty of D.U.I. Second Offense in violation of T.C.A. 55-11-401. He was sentenced to eleven months and twenty-nine days with incarceration for forty-five days followed by probation for the balance of the sentence. The appellant appeals, contending that the evidence was not sufficient for a D.U.I. Second Offense conviction. After a review of the record we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry L. Smith
Originating Judge:Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.
Blount County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/23/04
State of Tennessee v. Emery Wells

M2003-00795-CCA-R3-CD

The Appellant, Emery Wells, pled guilty to two counts of aggravated assault and was sentenced to an effective eight-year sentence, with the sentence being suspended after service of ninety days in jail. A probation violation warrant was subsequently issued alleging violation of the following conditions: (1) failure to report to his probation officer; (2) failure to obey the laws of this state; and (3) failure to report a new arrest. Following a hearing, the trial court revoked Wells' suspended sentence and ordered his eight-year sentence to be served with community corrections, after service of an additional ninety-day period of jail confinement. Wells concedes that the violations occurred, but he argues that the revocation did not "aid the interest of both the public and the [Appellant]," as it will likely result in the loss of his employment.

Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Judge L. Craig Johnson
Coffee County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/23/04
State of Tennessee v. Dywand Carlos Pettway

M2003-00238-CCA-R3-CD

A Bedford County Circuit Court jury convicted the defendant, Dywand Carlos Pettway, of aggravated robbery, a Class B felony, and possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, a Class A misdemeanor. The trial court sentenced him as a Range II offender to twenty years in the Department of Correction for the aggravated robbery conviction and eleven months, twenty-nine days for the possession of a Schedule II controlled substance conviction, to be served consecutively. In this appeal, the defendant claims (1) that the evidence is insufficient to support his aggravated robbery conviction and (2) that his sentences are excessive. We affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge W. Charles Lee
Bedford County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/23/04
State of Tennessee v. John Crawley, Sr.

M2003-01289-CCA-R3-CD

The Defendant, John Crawley, Sr., pled guilty to driving under the influence, first offense. As part of his plea agreement, he expressly reserved with the consent of the trial court and the State the right to appeal a certified question of law pursuant to Tennessee Rule of Criminal Procedure 37(b)(2)(i). The certified question of law stems from the trial court's denial of the Defendant's motion to suppress all evidence obtained as a result of a police officer stopping the Defendant's automobile. Because we find that the police officer did not have reasonable suspicion to stop the Defendant, we reverse the trial court's denial of the motion to suppress. This case is remanded for entry of an order of dismissal.

Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Judge Robert L. Holloway
Maury County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/23/04
Christy Renee Osborn v. Justin Chandler Marr

M2001-02890-SC-R11-CV

We granted this appeal to determine whether Tennessee Code Annotated section 36-1-113(g)(6), which provides for the termination of parental rights when a parent is imprisoned for at least ten years due to a criminal act and the child is under the age of eight when the sentence is imposed, also requires a showing of substantial harm to the child before a parent's rights may be terminated. Because we hold that a parent does not have standing to file a petition pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated section 36-1-113(g)(6), we lack subject matter jurisdiction to hear the merits of the appeal. Accordingly, we dismiss this case and vacate the judgments of the lower courts.

Authoring Judge: Justice Janice M. Holder
Originating Judge:Judge Russell Heldman
Williamson County Supreme Court 01/23/04
Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee v. Basil Marceaux

M2003-00876-COA-R3-CV

Because the record confirms that the appellant did not perfect an appeal from an adverse decision of the general sessions court within ten days of that decision, we affirm the trial court's dismissal of the late attempted appeal.

Authoring Judge: Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Judge Carol L. Soloman
Davidson County Court of Appeals 01/23/04
State of Tennessee v. David I. Tucker

M2002-02602-CCA-R3-CD

The Appellant, David I. Tucker, appeals the dismissal of his petition requesting DNA analysis pursuant to the Post-Conviction DNA Analysis Act. After review, we find no error and affirm the judgment of the Cannon County Circuit Court.

Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Judge Don Ash
Cannon County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/23/04
State of Tennessee v. Martin Stuart Hammock

M2002-01326-CCA-R3-CD

Defendant, Martin Stuart Hammock, was originally convicted of first degree murder following a jury trial. On appeal, this Court found that there was insufficient evidence of premeditation to support a conviction for first degree murder. Accordingly, we modified the judgment to reflect a conviction of second degree murder and remanded the case to the trial court for re-sentencing. State v. Martin Stuart Hammock, No. M2000-00334-CCA-R3-CD, 2001 Tenn. Crim. App. LEXIS 824, (Tenn. Crim. App. at Nashville, Oct. 12, 2001), no perm. to app. filed. Following a new sentencing hearing, the trial court sentenced Defendant to serve twenty-five years. Defendant appeals. After a review of the record, the briefs, and the applicable law, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Carol L. Soloman
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/23/04
State of Tennessee v. Walter Ray Smith, Jr.

M2003-01291-CCA-R3-CD

The Defendant, Walter R. Smith, Jr., was convicted by a jury of five counts of child rape. Following a sentencing hearing, the trial court imposed an effective sentence of forty years. In this direct appeal, the Defendant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence and his sentences. We affirm the Defendant's five convictions for child rape. The trial judge erred by failing to state on the record the facts that support the imposition of consecutive sentences. However, the record clearly shows that consecutive sentencing was proper. Therefore, we affirm the Defendant's sentences.

Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Judge James K. Clayton, Jr.
Rutherford County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/23/04
State of Tennessee v. Octavian Reeves

W2002-01313-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant appeals his conviction for second degree murder and the sentence of twenty-five years. After review, we conclude that the restrictions placed on the defendant's cross examination of the witness were within the discretion of the trial court. Further, we affirm the conviction and sentence imposed.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Roger A. Page
Madison County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/22/04
Alonzo Leonardo Gayden v. State of Tennessee

M2003-00165-CCA-R3-PC

The petitioner, Alonzo Leonardo Gayden, appeals from the Rutherford County Circuit Court's denying him post-conviction relief from his 2001 conviction for theft of property valued at $1,000 or more, a Class D felony. He contends that he received the ineffective assistance of counsel. We affirm the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge James K. Clayton, Jr.
Rutherford County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/22/04