| Timmy Herndon, Pro Se V. Glen Turner, Warden, Paul Summers, State Attorney General, And Elizabeth Rice
W2003-00839-CCA-R3-CO
The Petitioner, Timmy Herndon, 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. Because Petitioner has failed to allege a ground for relief which would render the judgment void, we grant the State's motion and affirm the judgment of the lower court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Originating Judge:Judge Jon K. Blackwood |
Hardeman County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 12/31/03 | |
| Eric Biggs v. State of Tennessee
W2002-00859-CCA-R3-PC
Eric Biggs appeals the Shelby County Criminal Court's denial of his petition for post-conviction relief. Biggs is presently serving an effective 45-year sentence for fourteen robbery-related offenses to which he pleaded guilty. In his post-conviction attack, he claims that he was not afforded the effective assistance of counsel in the conviction proceedings and that as a result, his guilty pleas were not knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently entered. The petitioner also makes a second claim that his guilty pleas were not knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently entered because he believed that his sentencing range would increase with each subsequent conviction.
Authoring Judge: Judge James Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge James C. Beasley, Jr. |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 12/31/03 | |
| Welister L. White, Pro Se v. State of Tennessee
W2003-00888-CCA-R3-PC
This matter is before the Court upon the State’s motion to affirm the judgment of the trial court by order pursuant to Rule 20, Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals. Petitioner seeks review of the lower court’s dismissal of his motion in arrest of judgment. Finding that the instant petition is not proper as either a motion in arrest of judgment, petition for post-conviction relief, or application for writ of habeas corpus relief, we affirm the dismissal of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge Joseph B. Dailey |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 12/31/03 | |
| State of Tennessee v. Christopher Paul Wilson
E2003-00344-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Christopher Paul Wilson, pled guilty to one count of reckless vehicular homicide, a Class C felony, and three counts of reckless aggravated assault, Class D felonies. Pursuant to the plea agreement, the trial court sentenced him as a Range I, standard offender to concurrent terms of six years for the reckless vehicular homicide conviction and two years for each of the reckless aggravated assault convictions, for an effective sentence of six years. On appeal, the defendant argues that the trial court erred in denying alternative sentencing. Following our review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge Robert E. Cupp |
Washington County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 12/31/03 | |
| James Oliver Ross, Pro Se v. State of Tennessee
W2003-00843-CCA-R3-HC
The Petitioner, James Oliver Ross, 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 cognizable claim for which habeas corpus relief may be granted. Accordingly, the State's motion is granted and the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Judge Roy B. Morgan, Jr. |
Madison County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 12/31/03 | |
| Mary Watkins v. Bryan Watkins
M2002-01777-COA-R3-CV
This is an appeal from an order denying a Tenn. R. Civ. P. 60.02 motion to set aside a default judgment entered in favor of Wife in her divorce from Husband. For the following reasons, we vacate the order of the trial court and remand for further proceedings.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Royce Taylor |
Rutherford County | Court of Appeals | 12/30/03 | |
| Nashville & Davidson County v. Margaret Hudson
M2002-02847-COA-R3-CV
This case involves an appeal from the trial court's grant of Appellee's motion for summary judgment. Appellee filed suit seeking to enjoin Appellant to remove vinyl siding that she had installed on her house in violation of a historic zoning ordinance. Appellant counter-complained alleging that the ordinance was void and unenforceable on grounds that the ordinance was unconstitutional and never properly adopted. Appellee subsequently moved for summary judgment which the trial court granted. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Irvin H. Kilcrease, Jr. |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 12/30/03 | |
| State of Tennessee v. Billy M. Higgins
W2003-00310-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Billy M. Higgins, appeals the revocation of his probation, arguing that the trial court abused its discretion in revoking his probation for failure to complete a drug rehabilitation program. Following our review, we affirm the order of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge C. Creed McGinley |
Hardin County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 12/30/03 | |
| Meaji Nisley Lockmiller v. Mark Lockmiller
E2002-02586-COA-R3-CV
In this divorce case, the parties contested, among other things, the issues of divorce and the custody of their minor children, Victoria Grace Lockmiller (DOB: August 27, 1994) and James Roman Lockmiller (DOB: November 24, 1998). Expressing its belief that Mark Douglas Lockmiller ("Father") would not tell "a knowing untruth," the trial court granted him a divorce from Meaji Lynn Nisley Lockmiller ("Mother") on the ground of inappropriate marital conduct and designated him as the primary residential parent of the parties' children. Wife appeals, contending that the evidence preponderates against the trial court's award of primary custody to Father. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:John B. Hagler, Jr. |
McMinn County | Court of Appeals | 12/30/03 | |
| Eleonora Kogan. v. Tennessee Board of Dentistry
M2003-00291-COA-R3-CV
In this case we are asked to determine the type of notice required to be given a defendant in a contested case hearing before a state administrative agency. We determine that Tennessee Compilation of Administrative Rules and Regulations 13604-1-.06 applies and requires personal service, return receipt mail, or, in the event of evading service, personal service with a person at the parties' dwelling place. In the case at bar, service of notice of the new trial date was made through regular mail only. This method of service is insufficient. The decision of the Board of Dentistry is vacated, and the case is remanded.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Irvin H. Kilcrease, Jr. |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 12/30/03 | |
| Inez Seals and Terry Hurd v. Life Investors Insurance
M2002-01753-COA-R3-CV
This is a case involving the reformation of a settlement agreement terminating claims on two policies between plaintiffs and the defendant insurance company. The trial court refused to reform the settlement agreement and denied defendants their attorney's fees. For the following reasons, we affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand this case for further proceedings.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:John W. Rollins |
Sequatchie County | Court of Appeals | 12/30/03 | |
| State of Tennessee v. Charles Johnston
E2002-02028-CCA-R3-CD
Charles Johnston appeals from his Carter County Criminal Court conviction of contempt of court. He claims that the evidence does not sufficiently support the conviction, that his due process rights were violated in the conviction proceedings, that the court erroneously admitted an audiotape of prior proceedings in the general sessions court, that he was sentenced too harshly and unfairly denied judicial diversion, and that the lower court abused its discretion in setting his appeal bond. Because we discern no reversible error, we affirm the defendant's conviction and sentence.
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Lynn W. Brown |
Carter County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 12/30/03 | |
| In Re: D.D.K., D.M.M., and T.J.M., Jr.
M2003-01016-COA-R3-PT
This appeal involves a petition filed by the Department of Children's Services to terminate the parental rights of Father to his two minor children. The trial court granted the petition and Father appeals the decision. Because we find the petition was improperly granted, we vacate and remand.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:L. Raymond Grimes |
Montgomery County | Court of Appeals | 12/30/03 | |
| State of Tennessee v. Kevin Lamont Hutchison
M2001-03174-CCA-R3-CD
The appellant, Kevin Lamont Hutchison, was convicted by a jury in the Montgomery County Circuit Court of aggravated robbery. The trial court sentenced the appellant to seventeen years imprisonment in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the appellant contends that the evidence was not sufficient to support his conviction. Upon review of the record and the parties' briefs, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Michael R. Jones |
Montgomery County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 12/30/03 | |
| State of Tennessee v. Nesha Newsome
W2002-01306-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant was convicted of especially aggravated kidnapping, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, and robbery. The defendant contends on appeal that the trial court erred in (1) not properly transferring the case from juvenile court, (2) denying her request for a continuance, (3) admitting a tape recorded statement by the defendant, (4) admitting certain photographs of the victim, (5) refusing to allow expert testimony regarding the defendant's mental condition, (6) refusing to allow evidence of a co-defendant's subsequent crimes, (7) failing to instruct the jury on certain lesser included offenses, and (8) sentencing. We conclude that the trial court erred in applying enhancement factors six and ten. The trial court also erred in not applying the mitigating factor (victim released alive) to the especially aggravated kidnapping conviction. The sentence is reduced for (1) aggravated robbery from ten years to nine years, (2) aggravated kidnapping from ten years to nine years, and (3) especially aggravated kidnapping from twenty-one years to twenty years. We reverse the trial court's determination that the sentences should be served consecutively. We remand to the trial court to amend the judgment for case number 01-00564 to reflect that the defendant was a standard violent offender rather than a repeat violent offender. We affirm the judgments of the trial court in all other respects.
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Joseph B. Dailey |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 12/30/03 | |
| Susan Taylor v. Square D Company
M2002-01620-COA-R3-CV
Disobeying the direct orders of his supervisor, an electrician began work on a substation without following the proper safety procedures. He was electrocuted and perished almost instantly. The widow of the electrician brought suit against the manufacturer of the substation, alleging that the manufacturer was negligent and had defectively designed an unreasonably dangerous product. The trial court granted summary judgment for the manufacturer. Because there are no material factual disputes, and the negligence of the electrician was clearly greater than that of the manufacturer, we affirm the decision of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Robert E. Corlew, III |
Rutherford County | Court of Appeals | 12/30/03 | |
| State of Tennessee v. Julius L. Jones
W2002-02336-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant was convicted of facilitation of felony murder, a Class A felony, and sentenced to twenty-three years. The defendant contends on appeal that the trial court erred in 1) allowing testimony by Dozier that the defendant told her the victim had been involved in the robbery because the statement was inadmissible hearsay, and 2) refusing to admit the prior written statement of Dozier into evidence under Tennessee Rule of Evidence 613(b). We remand for correction of the judgment form to reflect the correct felony classifications. The judgment of the trial court is affirmed in all other respects.
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge W. Fred Axley |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 12/30/03 | |
| State of Tennessee v. Andre Anthony
W2002-01377-CCA-R3-CD
Following a jury trial, Defendant, Andre Anthony, was convicted of two counts of forgery over five hundred dollars, one count of forgery over one thousand dollars, one count of criminal attempt to commit first degree murder, and one count of especially aggravated robbery. In his appeal, Defendant argues that (1) the evidence was insufficient to find him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of attempt to commit first degree murder and especially aggravated robbery; (2) the trial court erred in denying Defendant's motion to suppress evidence obtained through an inventory search of Defendant's vehicle; (3) the trial court erred in failing to instruct the jury that "serious bodily injury" is an element of the offense of especially aggravated robbery; and (4) the trial court erred in ordering Defendant's sentences for attempt to commit first degree murder and especially aggravated robbery to be served consecutively. After a thorough review of the record, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Chris B. Craft |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 12/30/03 | |
| State of Tennessee v. Jerome Comer
M2003-00733-CCA-R3-CD
A Franklin County jury convicted the Defendant of one count of Sale of a Schedule II Controlled Substance, cocaine, and one count of Delivery of a Controlled Substance, also cocaine. The trial court merged the convictions and sentenced the Defendant to eight years in prison. The Defendant appeals, contending: (1) there was insufficient evidence to support his convictions; and (2) that the trial court imposed an excessive sentence. After reviewing the record, we conclude that sufficient evidence was presented to support the Defendant's convictions and the trial court did not err in sentencing the Defendant. Accordingly, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Buddy D. Perry |
Franklin County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 12/30/03 | |
| Lynn Blevins v. Lester Blevins
M2002-02583-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from Wife's complaint for divorce. Based on Husband's failure to file an answer, Wife filed a motion for default and notice of hearing. Husband attended the hearing pro se and was afforded the opportunity to continue the hearing to retain legal counsel but declined to do so. After receiving testimony, the trial court awarded Wife a divorce, divided marital property and awarded Wife rehabilitative alimony for 60 months. Husband appeals, asserting that the trial court's division of marital property was not fair and equitable and that Wife did not provide proof sufficient to establish a proper basis for an award of rehabilitative alimony. We reverse and modify in part the division of marital property and indebtedness and reclassify the alimony from rehabilitative to in solido. In all other respects, we affirm the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Frank Clement, Jr.
Originating Judge:Tom E. Gray |
Sumner County | Court of Appeals | 12/30/03 | |
| Irby C. Simpkins v. Peaches G. Blank
M2002-02383-COA-R3-CV
This case involves an appeal from a grant of summary judgment equitably dividing a tax refund of the parties and refusing to reopen the parties' marital dissolution agreement. In addition, appellant contends the trial court erred by awarding attorney's fees to appellee for issues relating to child support litigated below. For the following reasons, this Court affirms the decision of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Walter C. Kurtz |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 12/30/03 | |
| State of Tennessee v. Vernica Shabree Ward
M2002-01816-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant, Vernica Shabree Ward, appeals her conviction for second degree murder following a jury trial in the Davidson County Criminal Court. The victim was her daughter Stephanie Ward. Defendant was sentenced to twenty-five years in confinement. In this appeal as of right, Defendant presents eight issues for our review: (1) whether the trial court erred by allowing expert testimony by two witnesses based in part upon the deaths of two other children in addition to the victim in this case; (2) whether the trial court abused its discretion by allowing an expert to testify as to Defendant’s prior attempts to seek medical treatment for Stephanie and that Defendant had other living children; (3) whether the trial court erred by ruling that testimony regarding the statistical improbability of three unexplained infant deaths in the custody of the same caregiver would be admissible by the State as rebuttal proof if Defendant raised the issue of accident or mistake; (4) whether the trial court erred by allowing Dr. Case to testify despite the fact that defense counsel was unable to meet with Dr. Case prior to trial; (5) whether the testimony of the two medical experts at trial was cumulative; (6) whether the trial court properly denied Defendant’s request for a mistrial based on the State’s closing argument; (7) whether the evidence was sufficient to convict Defendant of second degree murder; and (8) whether the trial court properly sentenced Defendant to twenty-five years imprisonment. After a careful review of the record, we reverse the judgment of the trial court and remand for a new trial.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Cheryl A. Blackburn |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 12/30/03 | |
| State of Tennessee v. Jesse Tuggle
M2002-02426-CCA-R3-CD
The appellant, Jesse Tuggle, was convicted by a jury in the Williamson County Circuit Court of one count of forgery, one count of theft of property valued under $500, and one count of criminal impersonation. The trial court sentenced the appellant to one and one-half years of imprisonment in the Tennessee Department of Correction for the forgery conviction, eleven months and twenty-nine days imprisonment for the theft conviction, and six months imprisonment for the criminal impersonation conviction. The trial court further ordered the sentences to be served concurrently. On appeal, the appellant contests the sufficiency of the evidence supporting his forgery conviction and argues that the trial court erred in denying alternative sentencing. Upon review of the record and the parties' briefs, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Timothy L. Easter |
Williamson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 12/30/03 | |
| Donald Britt v. Roxanne Howell
M2002-03070-COA-R3-CV
The parties are adjacent commercial landowners of two story buildings with the second floors of their buildings being serviced by a common stairway between the two properties. The dispute involves use of the stairway and storage closets under and over the stairwell. The trial court held that the stairway was a common stairway, owned in equal undivided interests by the parties as was the upper floor storage area. The trial court further held that the lower floor storage area belonged exclusively to Appellees. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Robert L. Jones |
Maury County | Court of Appeals | 12/30/03 | |
| State of Tennessee v. Jermaine Reshawn Scott, Anthony Ray Tharpe, and Felicia Ann Taylor
W2002-01812-CCA-R3-CD
Each of the defendants in this case was convicted of drug charges following the search of their home. They contend that the search warrant was invalid because of material misrepresentations and lack of probable cause. They also contend the trial court erred in sentencing each of them. After careful review of the record, we conclude the trial court did not err in failing to suppress the evidence obtained as a result of the search warrant, and we affirm each defendant’s conviction. After de novo review of the trial court’s sentencing determinations, we modify the sentences of defendants Scott and Tharpe. The sentence of Felicia Ann Taylor is affirmed. Accordingly, the case is remanded for entry of corrected judgments of conviction consistent with this opinion.
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Julian P. Guinn |
Henry County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 12/30/03 |