APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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State of Tennessee v. Anthony H. Dean

W2000-01156-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant was convicted of aggravated rape and sentenced to forty years as a violent offender. He timely appealed, alleging, inter alia, that the trial court erred in not suppressing a confession obtained, following his warrantless arrest, after he had been jailed for five days without a determination of probable cause; in allowing DNA results into evidence; and in permitting a forensic nurse examiner to testify as a keeper of the sexual assault resource center records. Based upon our review, we conclude that testimony regarding the records of the Memphis Sexual Assault Resource Center was properly admitted as business records testimony and that the DNA evidence was properly admitted, as well. We conclude that the defendant's confinement violated his Fourth Amendment rights and that his confession should have been suppressed. However, this error was harmless in light of the other evidence. Accordingly, we affirm the conviction.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge James C. Beasley, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/28/01
Jack Jones v. Melvin Johnson

M2002-01286-COA-R3-CV
This suit arose from the deliberate destruction of a walnut tree on the plaintiffs' property. The trial court awarded the plaintiffs $5,500 in damages. The defendant argues on appeal that the court used the wrong measure to calculate damages, and that the judgment should not have exceeded $1,000. We affirm the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Carol L. Soloman
Davidson County Court of Appeals 09/28/01
Earl Van Winkle, et al vs. City of LaVergne

M2000-01784-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves the disputed ownership of water lines. The City of LaVergne appeals the trial court's ruling that the city was the owner of the water lines and responsible for their continued maintenance and repair. LaVergne also appeals the trial court's award of $3037.31 to the Van Winkles. For the reasons set forth below, we affirm the ruling of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Robert E. Corlew, III
Rutherford County Court of Appeals 09/27/01
Janice Newman v. Snap-On Incorporated

E2000-02531-WC-R3-CV
The plaintiff alleges that she injured her low back during the course of her employment on June 24, 1998 which resulted in a surgical correction followed by permanent impairment. The defendant raised the issue of causation, alleging that the plaintiff's condition was the result of degenerative disc disease, not work-related. The trial court found that the plaintiff suffered a compensable injury as alleged, as a result of which she sustained a 9 percent impairment, entitling her to an award of 22 _ percent. Affirmed
Authoring Judge: William H. Inman, Sr. J.
Originating Judge:Thomas J. Seeley, Jr, Judge
Knox County Workers Compensation Panel 09/27/01
Ida Perry v. Copeland Electric Corporation,

W2000-02022-SC-WCM-CV
In this appeal, the appellant insists (1) the trial court erred in granting the plaintiff's motion to amend her complaint, (2) the trial court erred in finding that the plaintiff sustained an injury arising out of and in the course and scope of her employment, (3) the trial court erred in finding that the plaintiff suffered any permanent partial disability related to any alleged injury and (4) the trial court erred in finding that the claim is not time barred. As discussed below, the panel has concluded the judgment should be affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Joe C. Loser, Jr., Sp. J.
Originating Judge:George R. Ellis, Chancellor
Perry County Workers Compensation Panel 09/27/01
State of Tennessee v. Jody Sweat

E2000-02472-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Jody Sweat, indicted for attempted first degree murder and aggravated assault, was convicted of attempted second degree murder and aggravated assault. The trial court imposed concurrent sentences of 11 and four years, respectively. In this appeal of right, the defendant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence for attempted second degree murder; argues that the trial court improperly instructed the jury on attempted second degree murder as a lesser included offense; contends that the state was guilty of prosecutorial misconduct during closing argument; and submits that the jury was allowed to consider exhibits never offered into evidence. The judgments are affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:Judge Rex Henry Ogle
Sevier County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/26/01
Johnny Jenkins v. Kemper Insurance Co.

E2001-00154-WC-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Sr. Judge John K. Byers
Originating Judge:James B. Scott, Jr.
Anderson County Court of Appeals 09/26/01
Kenneth Hughes, et ux. v. Estate of Elizabeth Haynes

M2002-01896-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves a claim filed against an estate for recovery for personal services rendered by claimants, husband and wife, to the decedent. The probate court granted the claim. Estate appeals. We reverse.
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Floyd Don Davis
Franklin County Court of Appeals 09/26/01
State of Tennessee v. Troy Wayne Davis

E2000-03050-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Troy Wayne Davis, was convicted of aggravated assault. The trial court imposed a sentence of three years, to be served consecutively to a robbery sentence for which the defendant was on probation at the time of the aggravated assault. The single issue presented for review is whether the evidence is sufficient. The judgment is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:Judge Mary Beth Leibowitz
Knox County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/26/01
Eddie Cooley v. Joe May

M2001-01162-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves a state prisoner's efforts to obtain an accounting for the sentence credits he earned while incarcerated in the Sequatchie County Jail. After the prisoner discovered that the Tennessee Department of Correction had received no information from the Sheriff of Sequatchie County regarding his sentence credits, he filed a petition for writ of mandamus in the Circuit Court for Sequatchie County seeking to compel the sheriff to calculate his sentence credits and forward the information to the Department. The sheriff filed a pro se response asserting that the prisoner forfeited any sentence credits he may have earned by violating his parole. Thereafter, the District Attorney General for the Twelfth Judicial District moved to dismiss the prisoner's petition for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. The trial court granted the motion and dismissed the petition. The prisoner has now appealed. We have determined that the trial court erred by concluding that it lacked subject matter jurisdiction to consider the prisoner's petition. Accordingly, we reverse and remand the case for further proceedings.
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Buddy D. Perry
Sequatchie County Court of Appeals 09/26/01
State of Tennessee v. Grady Paul Gatlin - Concurring and Dissenting

M2000-02356-CCA-R3-CD

I must respectfully depart from the lead opinion in this case. I cannot conclude that the misdemeanor offense of casually exchanging a controlled substance is a lesser-included offense of felony possession with the intent to sell or deliver. Compare Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-417(a)(4) (1997) with Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-418(a) (1997).

Authoring Judge: Judge James Curwood Witt, Jr.
Marshall County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/25/01
State of Tennessee v. Grady Paul Gatlin - Dissenting

M2000-02356-CCA-R3-CD

I, like Judge Witt, respectfully disagree with Judge Welles’ conclusion that the trial court committed reversible error by failing to charge “casual exchange” as a lesser-included offense of possession with intent to sell. However, I also respectfully disagree with Judge Witt’s conclusion that the failure to give the casual exchange inference instruction was plain error. I would affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Originating Judge:Judge W. Charles Lee
Marshall County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/25/01
Dept.of Children's Svcs. vs. D.R., et al

E2000-01381-COA-R3-CV
These parents of three minor children ("Children") were arrested in April 1998, while the Children were with them, for possession of a firearm, drug possession, and public intoxication. The State of Tennessee, Department of Children's Services ("DCS"), filed a Petition for Temporary Custody of the Children which was granted. Thereafter, DCS entered Plans of Care with the Juvenile Court with which the parents, D.R. ("Mother") and L.M.R. ("Father"), had agreed. The Children remained in foster care for eighteen months during which time the parents were to work toward completing the goals set forth in the Plans of Care so they could be reunited with the Children. In August 1999, DCS filed a Petition to Terminate Parental Rights. The Juvenile Court Referee heard this petition in October 1999, and granted it. The Juvenile Court Referee's Termination of Parental Rights and Final Decree of Guardianship was entered in April 2000 and confirmed by the Juvenile Court Judge in June 2001. Both Mother and Father appeal. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:William Terry Denton
Blount County Court of Appeals 09/25/01
State of Tennessee v. Grady Paul Gatlin

M2000-02356-CCA-R3-CD

The Defendant, Grady Paul Gatlin, was convicted by a jury of possession with intent to sell a schedule IV controlled substance, possession with intent to sell a schedule II controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and conspiracy to possess with intent to sell a schedule II
controlled substance. In this appeal as of right, the Defendant argues (1) that the evidence introduced at trial was insufficient to prove that the Defendant intended to sell controlled substances and (2) that it was plain error for the trial court to fail to instruct the jury on the lesser included offense of casual exchange. We reverse the Defendant’s convictions for possession with intent to sell a controlled substance and also his conviction for conspiracy to possess with intent to sell a controlled substance.  The Defendant’s conviction for possession of drug paraphernalia remains unaffected.

Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Judge W. Charles Lee
Marshall County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/25/01
Mary Ellen Barnes v. Yasuda Fire and Marine Insurance

W2000-02559-SC-WCM-CV
In this appeal, the employee insists the evidence preponderates against the denial of workers' compensation benefits and asks this tribunal to determine the extent of her vocational impairment. As discussed below, the panel has concluded the judgment of dismissal should be reversed, the conditional award of permanent partial disability benefits based on 3 percent to the body as a whole affirmed, and the cause remanded with instructions.
Authoring Judge: Joe C. Loser, Jr., Sp. J.
Originating Judge:Kay S. Robilio, Judge
Shelby County Workers Compensation Panel 09/24/01
X2010-0000-XX-X00-XX

X2010-0000-XX-X00-XX
Supreme Court 09/24/01
Dawn A. Dugan v. Elliott R. Myers (Deceased),

E2001-00281-COA-R3-JV
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:John L. Kiener
Washington County Court of Appeals 09/24/01
State of Tennessee v. Thomas E. Cowan, Jr.

E2000-02705-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Thomas E. Cowan, Jr., was found guilty of contempt. The trial court imposed a jail sentence of 10 days, six of which were suspended. In this appeal of right, the defendant argues that the evidence was insufficient; that the trial judge should not have acted as a witness; and that the sentence was excessive. Because the evidence was insufficient, the judgment is reversed and the cause dismissed.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:Judge Lynn W. Brown
Carter County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/24/01
Dawn A. Dugan v. Elliott R. Myers (Deceased), Et Al.

E2001-00281-COA-R3-JV
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:John L. Kiener
Washington County Court of Appeals 09/24/01
State of Tennessee v. Neil Friedman

E2000-02877-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Neil Friedman, was convicted of driving under the influence, third offense, and driving on a revoked license. The trial court imposed a sentence of 11 months and 29 days, six months of which was to be served in the county jail, for driving under the influence. A consecutive sentence of six months, 30 days of which was to be served, was imposed for driving on a revoked license. This court affirmed the judgment on direct appeal. State v. Neil M. Friedman, No. 03C01-9704-CR-00140 (Tenn. Crim. App., at Knoxville, Apr. 14, 1998). The application for permission to appeal to the supreme court was denied December 21, 1998. In a hearing conducted on the following day, the trial court reduced the DUI sentence to 120 days, which the defendant has since served, followed by seven months and 29 days of probation. Over one year later, the trial court revoked the probation and ordered service of the remainder of the sentence. In this appeal, the defendant contends that the trial court no longer had authority to revoke the probation. Because the sentence had been fully served and the probationary term had ended when the probation revocation warrant was issued, the judgment must be reversed and the cause dismissed.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:Judge Lynn W. Brown
Carter County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/24/01
State of Tennessee v. Thomas L. Jones

W2000-01028-CCA-R3-CD

The appellant was convicted by a jury in the Shelby County Criminal Court of second degree murder and was sentenced as a violent offender to twenty-one years incarceration in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the appellant raises the following issues for our review: (1) whether the evidence was sufficient to convict the appellant of second degree murder; and (2) whether the trial court erred by refusing to grant a mistrial because of improper jury instructions characterizing the appellant's statement as a confession. 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 John P. Colton, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/24/01
Lori Castle vs. Jeffrey Baker

E2000-02772-COA-R3-CV
These parties were divorced in May 1992. Custody of their daughter, Brittany, then 5 years old, was awarded to Mother pursuant to an Marital Dissolution Agreement [MDA] which obligated Father to pay $575.00 monthly support. About three months after the divorce was granted, the custodial care of Brittany was transferred to Father, by agreement of the parties and without recourse to the Court. In June 1998, Mother sought contempt liability against Father alleging that he was in arrears with his child support obligation in the amount of $40,800.00: at trial, the amount was stipulated to be $36,800.00. Father responded by filing a petition for change of custody, alleging that Brittany had resided with him for several years, a material change in circumstances. He also sought forgiveness of the arrearage. The Trial Court found a change in circumstances and awarded custody of Brittany to her father who was also credited with the monetary value of the necessities he furnished Brittany from August 1992 through February 1997. Mother appeals. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:John S. Mclellan, III
Sullivan County Court of Appeals 09/21/01
State of Tennessee v. Marvin W. Hill, Jr.

E2000-02789-CCA-R3-CD

In July 1999, the Defendant pled guilty to evading arrest and possession of marijuana, both Class A misdemeanors, and received concurrent sentences of eleven months and twenty-nine days supervised probation. In December 1999, the Defendant was indicted for assault and aggravated criminal trespass, both of which are also Class A misdemeanors. In January 2000, a violation of probation warrant was issued against the Defendant, alleging that he had violated his probation in the first two cases. In March 2000, the Defendant pled guilty to the assault and aggravated criminal trespass charges, and a combined sentencing hearing and probation violation hearing was held by the trial court. The trial court revoked the Defendant's probation in the first two cases and imposed concurrent sentences of eleven months and twenty-nine days incarceration. The court also imposed sentences of eleven months and twenty-nine days incarceration in the second two cases, to run concurrently with each other but consecutively to the sentences imposed in the first two cases. On appeal, the Defendant argues that the trial court erred in imposing sentences of incarceration in each case. Because our review of the record reveals that the sentences were proper, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.
Blount County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/21/01
Ben Doubleday vs. Larry Hargrove

M2000-02648-COA-R3-CV
This is an action to recover the balance due on a contract for the sale of timber. The purchaser's defense was impossibility of performance, because the seller had allegedly destroyed access. The seller testified that the purchaser cut and removed 95 percent of the timber, while the purchaser said he removed only about 40 percent owing to lack of access. The trial judge awarded the seller a judgment for the balance owing less some off-sets not relevant here. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Sr. Judge William H. Inman
Originating Judge:Tamra L. Smith
Bedford County Court of Appeals 09/21/01
State of Tennessee v. Matthew Patrick Frontera, a/k/a Matthew Anthony Frontera, a/k/a Patrick Matthew Foster, a/k/a Derrick Joshua Foster

M2000-02747-CCA-R3-CD

The Defendant, Matthew Patrick Frontera, pleaded guilty to criminal impersonation, a Class B misdemeanor. Sentencing was left to the discretion of the trial court. As part of his plea agreement, the Defendant attempted to reserve the right to appeal a certified question of law relating to the legality of his stop, detention and questioning by police officers. In this appeal, the Defendant asserts that the trial court erred by refusing to suppress the evidence obtained against him due to an unlawful stop and detention. He also argues that the trial court erred by sentencing him to serve six months in the county jail with release eligibility at seventy-five percent. Because the Defendant failed to properly reserve his issue concerning his stop and detention, we are unable to reach the merits of that issue. We affirm the sentence imposed by the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Judge Donald P. Harris
Williamson County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/21/01