APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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State of Tennessee v. James Corey Edmiston

M2002-00059-CCA-R3-CD

A jury convicted the Defendant, James Corey Edmiston, of attempted second degree murder, especially aggravated robbery, especially aggravated burglary, aggravated assault, vandalism and resisting arrest. The trial court merged the aggravated assault conviction into the attempted murder conviction. The court sentenced the Defendant as a Range I offender to ten years for the attempted murder; twenty-four years for the especially aggravated robbery; ten years for the especially aggravated burglary; and eleven months, twenty-nine days for each of the two misdemeanor convictions. The trial court ordered the felony sentences to run consecutively to each other, with the misdemeanor sentences to run concurrently with the attempted murder sentence, for an effective sentence of forty-four years. The Defendant now appeals, challenging the sufficiency of the evidence for the attempted second degree murder conviction, and the trial court's imposition of consecutive sentences. We affirm the trial court's judgment.

Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Judge W. Charles Lee
Marshall County Court of Criminal Appeals 11/15/02
State of Tennessee v. James Dewey Jensen, Jr.

E2002-00712-CCA-R3-CD

A Hamilton County jury convicted the defendant, James Dewey Jensen, Jr., of a seventh offense of driving under the influence, theft of identity, and violation of the Motor Vehicle Habitual Offenders Act. The sole issue presented by the defendant in this appeal is whether the trial court erred in denying the motion to suppress evidence obtained as a result of the vehicle stop. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Originating Judge:Judge Stephen M. Bevil
Hamilton County Court of Criminal Appeals 11/15/02
Nancy Crawford vs. Roger Crawford

E2002-00372-COA-R3-CV
Plaintiff/Appellant Nancy Crawford owns an interest in a parcel of real property located in Hawkins County, Tennessee as tenants in common with the Defendants/Appellees. Appellant Nancy Crawford filed suit seeking a partial partition in kind of the subject property and requesting a tract containing approximately .604 acre be set aside for her. The .604 acre adjoins land owned by Ms. Crawford. The .604 acre contains a barn, which Ms. Crawford and her late husband had maintained, improved, and used since the late 1980's believing it was located on their property. Appellees opposed a partition in kind and requested a partition sale. The Trial Court found it in the manifest best interest of all parties for the property to be sold, rather than partitioned in kind, and ordered a sale. We modify the judgment, affirm as modified, and remand.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Thomas R. Frierson, II
Hawkins County Court of Appeals 11/14/02
Michael Eugene Duff v. State of Tennessee

E2000-03041-CCA-R3-PC
The petitioner, Michael Eugene Duff, appeals the Knox County Criminal Court’s denial of his petition for post-conviction relief from his convictions for two counts of aggravated rape and one count of aggravated kidnapping for which he received three twenty-five-year sentences to be served consecutively. This court affirmed the judgments of conviction on direct appeal. See State v. Michael Eugene Duff, No. 03C01-501-CR-00008, Knox County (Tenn. Crim. App. Feb. 8, 1996), app. denied (Tenn. July 8, 1996). The petitioner claims that he received the ineffective assistance of counsel because his trial attorney (1) failed to call a DNA serologist to testify and (2) failed to present witnesses who could testify about his physical appearance at the time of the offenses. We conclude that the trial court’s findings are insufficient for us to determine whether the petitioner received the ineffective assistance of counsel. We reverse the trial court’s judgment and remand the case in order for the trial court to make findings of fact and conclusions of law consistent with this opinion.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge Mary Beth Leibowitz
Knox County Court of Criminal Appeals 11/14/02
Gweneth J. Freels vs. Evelyn Jones

E2002-00895-COA-R3-CV
Defendant demanded a jury in Answer but the trial judge ruled defendant waived right to a jury trial. On appeal, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Frank V. Williams, III
Morgan County Court of Appeals 11/14/02
Michael Eugene Duff v. State of Tennessee - Order

E2000-03041-CCA-R3-PC
The state has filed a Petition to Rehear relative to our opinion’s apparent imposition of limitations upon the trial court’s reconsideration of the facts upon remand. The state asserts that the trial court should have the ability to determine whether prejudice exists by considering the evidence in toto. The state notes that the trial court has not made any findings regarding prejudice and should not be restricted in its assessment. The petitioner responds that our court’s opinion foreclosed any need for the trial court to assess prejudice generally. He states that we have already concluded that prejudice exists if the trial court finds a particular witness to be credible.
Knox County Court of Criminal Appeals 11/14/02
Kenneth Smith v. State of Tennessee

W2001-02088-CCA-R3-PC

Petitioner, Kenneth Smith, appeals pro se the trial court's dismissal of his Petition for Post-Conviction Relief, which he also filed pro se. The record on appeal does not contain the transcript of the proceedings below. There is nothing in the record to indicate that Petitioner's court-appointed counsel was allowed to withdraw or that Petitioner waived the assistance of counsel on appeal. Pursuant to our holding in Drummer v. State, 6 S.W.3d 520 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1999), the judgment of the trial court is vacated and this case is remanded for the trial court to reinstate the order dismissing the Petition for Post-Conviction Relief. If Petitioner is still indigent, counsel appointed to represent Petitioner at the post-conviction hearing shall continue to represent Petitioner on appeal and the case shall proceed pursuant to the Tennessee Rules of Appellate Procedure.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood
Fayette County Court of Criminal Appeals 11/14/02
State of Tennessee v. Opal Gause

W2002-01225-CCA-R3-CD

Defendant, Opal Gause, entered a guilty plea to two counts of aggravated assault. The trial court sentenced Defendant to two consecutive three-year terms, for an effective sentence of six years. The sentences were suspended, and Defendant was placed on probation for the length of his original sentences. A violation warrant was subsequently issued alleging Defendant had failed to meet the conditions of his probation. Following a hearing, Defendant's probation was revoked, and he was ordered to serve his original sentence with credit for time served pre-trial. Defendant now challenges the revocation of his probation. Following a review of the record, we affirm the decision of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Clayburn L. Peeples
Haywood County Court of Criminal Appeals 11/14/02
Chelsea Pirkle vs. Justin Parker

E2002-01751-COA-R3-CV
The trial court refused to set aside the Default Judgment. On appeal, we vacate and remand.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Dale C. Workman
Knox County Court of Appeals 11/14/02
Sammy Vest vs. Francis Goswitz

E2001-01613-COA-R3-CV
This is a medical malpractice case filed on January 3, 2000, and amended on January 11 of the same year. The suit was by Sammy W. Vest and his adult children, Anglia M. Somner, Cheryl D. Travis, and Danny W. Vest, against Dr. Francis Goswitz and Dr. Helen Vodopick. The suit seeks damages for the Defendants' failure to refer Mr. Vest to a specialist, resulting in an injury to him as well as to his children. The Trial Judge sustained a motion by the Defendants to dismiss the children as parties Plaintiff, and later a motion for summary judgment as to Mr. Vest's suit. He further granted sanctions pursuant to Rule 11.03 against counsel for the Plaintiff. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:James B. Scott, Jr.
Anderson County Court of Appeals 11/14/02
Kevin Wilkins v. State of Tennessee

W2002-00436-CCA-R3-PC

Petitioner, Kevin Wilkins, filed his petition for post-conviction relief in the Shelby County Criminal Court on December 6, 2001. The State filed a response moving the trial court to dismiss the petition because it was filed after the statute of limitations had expired. Without a hearing, the trial court entered an order granting the State's request and dismissed the petition on the basis that it was filed past the one-year limitation set forth in Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-30-202. Petitioner filed a timely notice of appeal. We reverse the judgment of the trial court and remand this case for a hearing.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge John P. Colton, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 11/14/02
Alica Rakestraw vs. Gregory Rakestraw

E2002-01151-COA-R3-CV
The sole issue in this divorce case is whether the Trial Court reached the correct decision regarding custody of the parties' child. The Court granted primary custodial care of the parties' daughter, Kendra Paige Rakestraw, then 10 years old, to Gregory Keith Rakestraw ("Father"). Alica Delane Rakestraw ("Mother") argues on appeal that the evidence preponderates against the Court's exercise of discretion in rendering its custody decision, and that the Court erred in denying her motion to alter or amend the judgment and her motion for a new trial. We affirm the judgment of the Trial Court in all respects.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Jerri S. Bryant
Bradley County Court of Appeals 11/14/02
State of Tennessee v. Howard Duty, Jr.

E2001-03008-CCA-R3-CD

A Sullivan County Criminal Court jury convicted the defendant, Howard Duty, Jr., of stalking, a Class A misdemeanor, and the trial court sentenced him to eleven months, twenty-nine days at seventy-five percent and imposed a one thousand dollar fine. The defendant appeals, claiming (1) that the evidence is insufficient to support his conviction, (2) that his sentence is excessive, and (3) that he should have received an alternative sentence. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge R. Jerry Beck
Sullivan County Court of Criminal Appeals 11/13/02
Marisa Lovin vs. Charles Nave

E2002-00686-COA-R3-CV
Marisa R. Lovin ("Plaintiff") was involved in a one car accident on her way home from Dr. Charles E. Nave's ("Defendant") dental office. Although Plaintiff has no memory of the accident itself, she claims she suffered an adverse reaction to an anesthetic agent administered by Defendant, which caused the car accident. Plaintiff sued Defendant for dental malpractice claiming Defendant failed to warn her about potential side effects of the anesthesia and did not properly manage her treatment after administering the anesthetic agent. The Trial Court granted Defendant summary judgment. Plaintiff appeals. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Ben W. Hooper, II
Sevier County Court of Appeals 11/13/02
The Rogers Group vs. Anderson County

E2002-00409-COA-R9-CV
After case was tried, the Trial Judge recused and another Judge was designated who granted a new trial on all issues. On appeal, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Telford E. Forgerty, Jr.
Anderson County Court of Appeals 11/13/02
State of Tennessee v. William Jerry Neal, aka William Jay Neal

M2001-02364-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, William Jerry Neal, also known as William Jay Neal, appeals his jury convictions for especially aggravated burglary, a Class B felony, and vandalism under $500, a Class A misdemeanor, resulting in concurrent sentences of eleven years, three months and eleven months, twenty-nine days, respectively. On appeal, the defendant argues: (1) the evidence was insufficient to establish serious bodily injury, as required for a conviction for especially aggravated burglary; and (2) the trial court erred by failing to grant a new trial after learning that one of the jurors had once been incarcerated with the defendant. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge W. Charles Lee
Bedford County Court of Criminal Appeals 11/13/02
Carrol Preston Flannary v. Joyce Ann Flannary

E2002-00869-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Ben K. Wexler
Hawkins County Court of Appeals 11/13/02
State of Tennessee v. George William King

M2001-02026-CCA-R3-CD

Defendant, George William King, has appealed the sentence imposed upon him by the trial court after he pled guilty to one count of statutory rape. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Steve R. Dozier
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 11/13/02
Carrol Preston Flannary v. Joyce Ann Flannary

E2002-00869-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Hawkins County Court of Appeals 11/13/02
State of Tennessee v. Shaun Lamont Hereford

E2002-01222-CCA-R3-PC

The petitioner, Shaun Lamont Hereford, appeals the Hamilton County Criminal Court's dismissal of his petition for post-conviction relief, in which he alleged void convictions, misrepresentation by his trial attorney, and that he was entitled to DNA analysis of physical evidence. Discerning no error in the trial court's dismissal of the petition without an evidentiary hearing, we affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Douglas A. Meyer
Hamilton County Court of Criminal Appeals 11/13/02
Connie Lee Arnold v. State of Tennessee

E2001-02526-CCA-R3-PC
The petitioner was convicted of child rape and especially aggravated exploitation of a minor and sentenced to consecutive sentences of twenty-five years and twelve years, respectively. Following the affirmance of his convictions and sentences on direct appeal, he filed a pro se petition for post-conviction relief. Concluding that the claims consisted of conclusory allegations without necessary supporting facts, the post-conviction court dismissed the petition without affording the petitioner the opportunity to amend the petition. The petitioner timely appealed. Following our review, we affirm the dismissal of the petition.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge Robert E. Cupp
Carter County Court of Criminal Appeals 11/13/02
Troy Buckles vs. Shira Riggs

E2002-00649-COA-R3-CV
Shira Dawn McKay Buckles Riggs ("Mother") and Troy Dale Buckles ("Father") were divorced in 1994. Mother was awarded custody of the parties' minor son. In 2001, Father first sought increased visitation and then custody. Mother claimed Father was in arrears in his child support payments. After a trial, the trial court concluded there had been no material change in circumstances and custody should, therefore, remain with Mother. The trial court determined Father was in arrears in his child support payments in the amount of $13,894. The trial court also prohibited both parties from drinking alcohol "while in possession of the child." Father appeals. We modify the judgment to require the parties to undergo counseling, and affirm as modified.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Thomas R. Frierson, II
Hawkins County Court of Appeals 11/13/02
State of Tennessee v. John Briggs

E2001-01933-CCA-R3-CD

The appellant, John Briggs, a pharmacist, pled guilty in the Sullivan County Criminal Court to sixteen counts of unlawfully dispensing a controlled substance. The trial court sentenced the appellant to a total effective sentence of twenty years incarceration in the Tennessee Department of Correction, with all but eight years to be served on probation. On appeal, the appellant argues that the trial court erred in denying full probation. 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 R. Jerry Beck
Sullivan County Court of Criminal Appeals 11/13/02
Connie Lee Arnold v. State of Tennessee - Dissenting

E2001-02526-CCA-R3-PC
I respectfully dissent. I believe the pro se petition sufficiently complies with the 1995 Post-Conviction Procedure Act and states a colorable claim for relief.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge Robert E. Cupp
Carter County Court of Criminal Appeals 11/13/02
State of Tennessee v. Kenneth R. Laws

E2001-00375-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant was charged with aggravated child abuse, a Class A felony. Pursuant to a plea agreement, the Defendant entered a "best interest" plea to abuse of a child under six years of age, a Class D felony, and the trial court sentenced the Defendant to a three-year term with the manner of service of the sentence to be determined following a sentencing hearing. Following a hearing, the trial court ordered the Defendant to serve the three-year sentence in the Tennessee Department of Correction. The Defendant now appeals, arguing that the trial court abused its discretion in denying judicial diversion and erred in denying alternative sentencing. We conclude that the record supports the trial court's denial of judicial diversion and alternative sentencing. Therefore, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Robert E. Cupp
Washington County Court of Criminal Appeals 11/13/02