APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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State of Tennessee v. Timothy Tillery

E2000-01996-CCA-R3-CD

The Defendant, Timothy Tillery, appeals as of right from the revocation of his probation. On appeal, he argues (1) that the trial court erred by refusing to dismiss the probation revocation proceeding because his right to a speedy trial was violated and (2) that the trial court erred by revoking his probation. We find no error; thus, 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 08/16/01
State of Tennessee v. Edwin Milton Socall

M1999-02727-CCA-R3-CD

The appellant, Edwin Milton Socall, was indicted by a Montgomery County Grand Jury for driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, violation of the implied consent law, and driving on a revoked license (DORL). Following a bench trial, Socall was found guilty of first offense DUI and second offense DORL. He was sentenced to eleven months, twenty-nine days, with all but thirty days suspended, for DUI, and eleven months, twenty-nine days, all suspended, for DORL, second offense. At the bench trial, Socall was represented by retained counsel; however, no court reporter was employed to transcribe the proceedings.

Following his conviction, Socall requested that he be found indigent for purposes of appeal and requested appointed appellate counsel. The trial court granted his request and appointed the public defender's office. Because the proceedings below were not transcribed, a statement of evidence pursuant to Tenn. R. App. P. 24(c) was prepared. On appeal, three issues are presented for our review: (1) Whether "the failure to preserve evidence through the use of a court reporter or tape recording" deprived Socall of an effective appeal; (2) whether the evidence was sufficient to support the convictions of first offense DUI and second offense DORL; and (3) whether the trial court erred by ordering Socall to serve thirty days in confinement. After review, we find issue (1) is without merit and issue (3) is waived. Moreover, we hold the evidence is sufficient to support Socall's convictions for DUI and DORL, second offense. Accordingly, the judgment is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Montgomery County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/16/01
State of Tennessee v. Anthony Carpenter

W2000-01229-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Anthony Carpenter, was convicted by a jury of second degree murder. In this appeal as of right, he asserts that the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction and that the trial court erred by sentencing him to twenty-three years incarceration. We find no error; thus, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Chris B. Craft
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/16/01
State of Tennessee v. Timothy Tillery - Concurring

E2000-01996-CCA-R3-CD

I concur in the results reached in the majority opinion, but I disagree with its view of when the defendant’s speedy trial right began and with its view of the due process analysis, which indicates that the burden of proving the state’s improper intent is on the defendant. On the other hand, I do not believe that the record justifies our awarding the defendant the relief he seeks.

Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.
Blount County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/16/01
State of Tennessee v. Galen Dean Eidson

M2000-02390-CCA-R3-CD

The appellant, Galen Dean Eidson, was indicted by a Sumner County Grand Jury for second degree murder. Pursuant to the terms of a plea agreement, Eidson pled guilty to the reduced offense of reckless homicide. Following a sentencing hearing, the trial court sentenced Eidson to four years confinement in the Department of Correction. On appeal, Eidson raises the following sentencing issues for our review: (1) Whether the length of the sentence imposed by the trial court was excessive; and (2) whether the trial court erred in sentencing him to total confinement in the Department of Correction. Upon de novo review, we find that a total confinement sentence of four years is justified in this case. Accordingly, the judgment of the Sumner County Criminal Court is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Judge Jane W. Wheatcraft
Sumner County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/16/01
Michael Shane Hyder v. Allen Bargery, Warden

W2000-01533-CCA-R3-CD

The state has appealed from the judgment of the Circuit Court of Hardeman County granting the petitioner habeas corpus relief and finding that his two consecutive three-year sentences had expired. The state asserts that the sentences have not expired and that the petitioner is not entitled to be released from prison. Because the state has not filed an adequate record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Special Judge Cornelia A. Clark
Originating Judge:Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood
Hardeman County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/16/01
Henry Witt, et ux vs. Tennessee Farmers Mutual Insurance

E2001-00401-COA-R3-CV
The trial court refused to grant plaintiffs relief from a judgment pursuant to Tenn. R. Civ. P. 59 or 60. Defendant has appealed. We affirm the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Jerri S. Bryant
Bradley County Court of Appeals 08/15/01
Randy Dale Story v. Chastity Dawn (Batts) Shelton

01-95-004-M

Originating Judge:A. Andrew Jackson
Dickson County Court of Appeals 08/15/01
Joe Grant vs. Service Transport

W2000-02688-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from a negligence claim filed by the appellee against the appellant in the Circuit Court of Shelby County. The appellant filed a motion for summary judgment or, in the alternative, to dismiss for failure to state a claim. The trial court denied the appellant's motion. The appellant filed a motion for permission to file an interlocutory appeal. The appellee filed an order of voluntary dismissal before the appellant's motion for permission to file an interlocutory appeal could be heard. The appellant appeals, arguing that the order of voluntary dismissal deprived it of the right to seek appellate review of the trial court's denial of its motion for summary judgment or, in the alternative, to dismiss for failure to state a claim. For the reasons stated herein, we affirm the trial court's decision.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Rita L. Stotts
Shelby County Court of Appeals 08/15/01
Clear Fork Mining Company vs. Willie Marlow, et al & Willie Marlow, et al vs. Carl Kinkg, et al

E2000-01196-COA-R3-CV
In the case presently on appeal Willie Marlow, et al., seek a court determination that he is the owner of certain real estate located in Campbell County. The trial court, on motion of Jim King, found the parties had reached an agreement as to the controversy in accordance with his insistence. The trial court thereupon entered a judgment in favor of Mr. King. Mr. Marlow appeals contending enforcement of the agreement violates the Statute of Frauds and such a resolution was barred by the six-year Statute of Limitations. We affirm
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Billy Joe White
Campbell County Court of Appeals 08/15/01
State of Tennessee v. Shane Wendell Yankee

E2000-01922-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Shane Wendell Yankee, appeals the trial court's summary dismissal of his motion to correct an illegal judgment. The issues presented for review are whether the appeal is permissible under Rule 3 of the Tennessee Rules of Appellate Procedure and, if so, whether the denial of relief was proper. The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:Judge James E. Beckner
Hawkins County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/15/01
State of Tennessee v. Doyle W. Pugh

E2000-02488-CCA-R3-CD

Pursuant to a plea agreement, the defendant pled guilty to two misdemeanor counts of fraudulent use of a credit card and was placed on judicial diversion. Thereafter, a warrant was filed in which the defendant's probation officer alleged that the defendant failed to report as directed and failed to pay fines and court costs in a timely manner. After a hearing on the warrant, the trial court revoked the defendant's judicial diversion and entered a judgment against the defendant, requiring him to serve eleven months and twenty-nine days on each count, with the sentences to run concurrently. The defendant now appeals, arguing that the trial court abused its discretion by sentencing the defendant to eleven months and twenty-nine days incarceration rather than eleven months and twenty-nine days probation. Finding no error, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Lillie Ann Sells
Cumberland County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/15/01
State of Tennessee v. Paul R. Pearcy

W2000-02867-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant pled guilty to the Class E felony offense of possession of three and one-half pounds of marijuana with intent to manufacture, deliver or sell, and to the Class A misdemeanor of possession of unlawful drug paraphernalia. He now appeals his two-year sentence to the Department of Correction. The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Judge Cornelia A. Clark
Originating Judge:Judge C. Creed McGinley
Decatur County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/14/01
State of Tennessee v. Harry M. Nimmons

E2000-02396-CCA-R3-CD

The state appeals from the Knox County Criminal Court's dismissal of a three-count presentment against the defendant, Harry M. Nimmons. The trial court premised its dismissal of the presentment upon the lack of a preliminary hearing prior to return of the presentment, although the court found that the lack of a preliminary hearing was not attributable to bad faith by the state. Because there was no showing of bad faith by the state, we reverse the trial court's order and reinstate the presentment against the defendant.

Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Richard R. Baumgartner
Knox County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/14/01
State of Tennessee v. Donald Paul Presley

E2000-00592-CCA-R3-CD

The appellant, Donald Paul Presley, pled guilty in the Anderson County Criminal Court to voluntary manslaughter, a class C felony. Pursuant to a plea agreement, the trial court sentenced the appellant as a Range I standard offender to four years incarceration in the Tennessee Department of Correction. Moreover, following a sentencing hearing, the trial court ordered that the appellant serve his entire sentence in confinement. The appellant now appeals the trial court's denial of any form of alternative sentencing. Following a 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 James B. Scott, Jr.
Anderson County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/14/01
Raymond G. Prince, P.C. vs. Manfred Polk

M2000-01859-COA-R3-CV
This matter originated from a default judgment granted in general sessions court against Appellant/Defendant, Manfred Polk, for payment of attorney's fees. Appellant filed a Rule 60.02 Motion to Vacate the default judgment, which was denied; an appeal to the circuit court, which was dismissed for failure to set; followed by a Motion to Reinstate and Motion to Set, which were denied. Defendant now appeals the denial of the Motion to Reinstate and Motion to Set claiming a violation of due process and abuse of discretion on the part of the circuit court. We affirm the circuit court's dismissal of these motions.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Barbara N. Haynes
Davidson County Court of Appeals 08/14/01
Kevin Sanders, et al vs. Lincoln County, et al

M2000-01386-COA-R3-CV
This case questions the defendants' decision to remove Gill Road and Endsley Road from the county road list, thereby exempting landowners on these roads from the stock gap removal policy of the county affecting public roads. Plaintiff claims such action violates constitutional equal protection rights. The jury returned a verdict in favor of the defendants. The plaintiffs assert that the jury's verdict is contrary to the weight of the evidence and that the trial court erred by submitting an incomplete and misleading verdict form to the jury. The trial court approved the jury verdict for the defendant and we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Lee Russell
Lincoln County Court of Appeals 08/14/01
State of Tennessee v. Courtney Anderson

W2000-02071-CCA-R3-CD

The appellant, Courtney Anderson, was indicted by a Shelby County Grand Jury on multiple counts of theft of property, forgery, and one count of misdemeanor possession of a handgun. Under the terms of a plea agreement, Anderson pled guilty to a reduced number of the charged offenses and was sentenced to an extended term in the Department of Correction. The resulting convictions reflect Class C, D and E grade felony offenses. The trial court found Anderson to be a career offender for all convictions and ordered consecutive sentences. In this appeal, Anderson contends that the effective sentence imposed by the trial court is excessive. After review, we find that Anderson's designation as a career offender for the Class C felony convictions was in error. Furthermore, we are unable to reconcile the effective sentence pronounced by the trial court with the sentences reflected by the judgment of conviction documents presented on appeal. Accordingly, we remand for clarification or correction of the sentence imposed and for resentencing on the Class C felony convictions.

Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Judge Joseph B. Dailey
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/13/01
State of Tennessee v. Kevin Jermaine Morris

W2000-02166-CCA-R3-CD

The State sought revocation of the defendant’s probation for his allegedly failing to report to his probation officer within seventy-two hours of his release from jail, failing to provide proof of employment, failing to complete required community service work, failing to provide a DNA sample, and failing to pay probation fees. After a hearing, the trial court revoked the probation, finding that the defendant had violated four of its conditions. On appeal to this court, the defendant presents the sole issue of whether the trial court erred in revoking his probation. Based upon our review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court. However, we remand for entry of a corrected judgment.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge Roy B. Morgan, Jr.
Madison County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/13/01
Rhonda Lyn Vaughan vs. Joseph Clyde Vaughan

M2000-00623-COA-R3-CV
This is a divorce case in which alimony is in dispute. The trial court awarded alimony in futuro to the wife in the amount of $750 per month until her death or remarriage, and ordered the husband to purchase a $100,000 life insurance policy for the benefit of the wife. The trial court also ordered the husband to pay $1,500 of the wife's attorney's fees. The husband appeals, arguing that alimony in futuro was inappropriate because the wife is self-sufficient with her income as a nanny. In the alternative, the husband argues that rehabilitative alimony is more appropriate. We affirm the judgment of the trial court in all respects.
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Jeffrey S. Bivins
Williamson County Court of Appeals 08/13/01
J. Howard Gregg vs. Jack Johnson

E2000-02685-COA-R3-CV
J. Howard Gregg ("Plaintiff"), sued his former business partner, Jack Johnson ("Defendant"), essentially alleging that Defendant breached an agreement to pay a debt originally incurred by their former partnership, Jack Johnson Motors. Plaintiff also alleged that Defendant owed him money as part of their partnership ("Partnership") dissolution agreement. Neither the Partnership agreement nor the dissolution agreement was written. Defendant raises as defenses the statute of limitations and the statute of frauds. The trial court held in favor of Plaintiff. Defendant appeals. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Jerri S. Bryant
Bradley County Court of Appeals 08/13/01
State of Tennessee v. Kevin Jermaine Morris - Concurring

W2000-02166-CCA-R3-CD

This appeal comes to us after multiple hearings in the trial court, and again in our court, on the issue of whether the Appellant's term of probation had expired at the time the alleged probation violations occurred. This issue, which has consumed considerable time of both courts, could have been resolved in less than one minute, if the State's probation officer would have checked with her office and obtained this readily available information on-line. This check would have confirmed that the Appellant's two-year sentence expired before the record in this case was filed on appeal. Because the Appellant completed this sentence on October 17, 2000, the issue of whether continued confinement is warranted based upon violations of conditions of probation is now moot and the appeal should be dismissed. See State v. Edward Shane Rust, No. 01C01-9707-CC-00258 (Tenn. Crim. App. at Nashville, July 1, 1998); see also State of Tennessee ex rel. Raymond Lewis v. State, 347 S.W.2d 47 (Tenn. 1961).

Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Judge Roy B. Morgan, Jr.
Madison County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/13/01
State of Tennessee v. Harold J. Douglas

W2000-01090-CCA-R3-CD

The appellant, Harold J. Douglas, was indicted by a Shelby County Grand jury on one count of second degree murder. Following a jury trial, Douglas was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to fourteen years in the Department of Correction. On appeal, Douglas raises one issue for our review: Whether the evidence presented at trial was sufficient to find him guilty of voluntary manslaughter. Finding the evidence legally sufficient to support the verdict, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Judge Joseph B. Dailey
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/13/01
State of Tennessee v. Antonio Bonds

W2000-01242-CCA-R3-CD

The appellant, Antonio Bonds, was indicted by a Shelby County Grand Jury on one count of premeditated first-degree murder. On September 30, 1999, a jury found Bonds guilty of the indicted offense and he was sentenced to life imprisonment. On appeal, Bonds raises one issue for our review: Whether "the evidence of [his] identity as the culprit is sufficient to support the verdict beyond a reasonable doubt." After review, we find the evidence legally sufficient to support the verdict of first-degree murder. Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Judge W. Fred Axley
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/13/01
Olalee Herron McClaran vs. Don M. McClaran

M2000-01666-COA-R3-CV
Plaintiff Olalee Herron McClaran sues her son, Defendant Don M. McClaran, seeking compensatory and punitive damages for his mishandling of funds coming into his hands as her attorney in fact in connection with the sale of certain real estate. The jury awarded both compensatory and punitive damages, resulting in this appeal wherein Mr. McClaran complains of the exclusion of evidence, the trial court's directing a verdict as to two claims in his counter-complaint, the seating of a six-person, rather than a 12-person jury, and the excessiveness of the punitive damage award. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Don R. Ash
Rutherford County Court of Appeals 08/13/01