APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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State of Tennessee v. Frank R. Clark

M2000-00862-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant was convicted in a jury trial of driving under the influence (DUI), third offense, and of driving on a revoked license. In this appeal, the defendant contends (1) that the stop of his truck was an unreasonable seizure, (2) that the state failed to lay a proper foundation for admission of his breath test results, (3) that the breath test was invalid because it was given when he had tobacco in his mouth, and (4) that his DUI sentence to confinement to be served at one hundred percent is legally impermissible. We affirm the convictions, but we conclude that the defendant is entitled to good conduct credits. Because of discrepancies between the sentencing transcript and the judgments of conviction, we remand the case for review of the sentences and entry of corrected judgments, if necessary.

Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge Charles D. Haston, Sr.
Warren County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/25/01
Warbington Construction, Inc. vs. Franklin Landmark, LLC

M2000-00676-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves the vacating of an arbitration award by the court below. The trial court applied nonstatutory grounds to vacate the decision of the arbitrator. Because we decline to adopt the nonstatutory grounds for judicial review of an arbitration award under the Federal Arbitration Act, we reverse.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Irvin H. Kilcrease, Jr.
Davidson County Court of Appeals 07/25/01
State of Tennessee v. Allan Preston Brooks

M2000-00909-CCA-R3-PC

The appellant, Allan Brooks, appeals from the trial court's denial of his petition for post-conviction relief. The appellant claims that he was denied effective assistance of counsel due to trial counsel's failure to (1) demand a sequestered jury, (2) object to a display used by the prosecution during cross-examination of the appellant, (3) object to the mention of the appellant's first trial, and (4) seek an interlocutory appeal of the trial court's ruling regarding the testimony of Josh Peyton, the victim's six year old son. We find that the appellant received effective assistance of counsel and that his claims to the contrary are without merit. The decision of the trial court is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry L. Smith
Originating Judge:Judge Walter C. Kurtz
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/25/01
Clifton D. Wallen v. State of Tennessee

E2000-02052-CCA-R3-PC

The summary dismissal of the petition for post-conviction relief is affirmed because the petitioner failed to adequately allege ineffective assistance of counsel based upon conflict of interests and the claim of incompetency to stand trial is waived.

Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge James E. Beckner
Hawkins County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/25/01
Thomas Paul Gagne, Jr. v. State of Tennessee

E2000-03073-CCA-R3-PC

Thomas Paul Gagne, Jr. appeals the denial of his petition for post-conviction relief in which he alleged he received the ineffective assistance of counsel in his conviction proceedings, which ultimately caused him to plead guilty rather than take his case to trial. Gagne is serving an effective term of two consecutive life sentences consecutively to a prior twelve-year sentence. His petition involves his convictions upon guilty pleas for crimes of larceny, theft, aggravated burglary and two counts of felony murder. Following an evidentiary hearing, the lower court ruled that Gagne failed to establish his ineffective assistance claim. We hold that he has failed to demonstrate the error of that ruling, and we therefore affirm the lower court's dismissal of the petition.

Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Ray L. Jenkins
Knox County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/25/01
State of Tennessee v. Samuel K. Robinson

M1999-00559-CCA-MR3-PC

The appellant appeals from the dismissal of his post-conviction petition wherein he attacks the validity of a probation revocation proceeding. After a review of the record we affirm the decision of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry L. Smith
Originating Judge:Judge Robert L. Jones
Giles County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/25/01
Dennis Plemons, et al vs. Larry Moses, et al

E2000-02781-COA-R3-CV
Dennis Plemons ("Plaintiff") leased the Crossroads Market to Larry Moses ("Defendant") pursuant to a five-year lease. Prior to the expiration of the lease, Plaintiff found new tenants willing to pay significantly more to lease the property. Plaintiff informed Defendant about the new potential tenants and gave Defendant the opportunity to continue leasing the property if he would pay this higher rent. Defendant declined to lease the property for this increased amount. Plaintiff allowed Defendant to continue leasing the property until the new tenants were ready to assume possession of the property. When the new tenants were ready to assume possession, Defendant refused to vacate the premises claiming that he was a holdover tenant and entitled to possession of the property under a year-to-year tenancy after the expiration of the lease. The Circuit Court held that a new month-to- month tenancy had been created and, therefore, Plaintiff was entitled to possession. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:John B. Hagler, Jr.
Monroe County Court of Appeals 07/24/01
State of Tennessee v. John Wayman Orr

E2000-00931-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, John Waymann Orr, appeals from his probation revocation which resulted primarily from his conviction for public intoxication and alcohol abuse. He contends that with his alcohol abuse and mental health problems, he should be receiving treatment and should not be confined in jail. We affirm the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.
Blount County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/24/01
Gatlinburg Airport Authority, Inc. vs. Ross B. Summitt, et al

E2000-02646-COA-R3-CV
An electrical transmission line owned and maintained by TVA is located about 1000 feet from the eastern end of the runway at the airport owned and operated by the Gatlinburg Airport Authority [GAA]. The transmission line was constructed before the Airport was established. The two have coexisted without mishap, and no official publication, State or Federal, warns of any danger to aircraft posed by the transmission line. However, because of the transmission line, 360 feet of the runway cannot be used by aircraft landing or taking off. The GAA, after 35 years, concluded that the transmission line was an airport hazard. TVA is immune from suit, but agreed to relocate its transmission line if GAA would acquire the necessary easement over lands of the defendants. The trial court dismissed the eminent domain action, holding that (1) the plaintiffs should seek relief against TVA if the transmission line is hazardous, (2) the line is not hazardous, (3) there is no necessity to remove the line, (4) the attempted condemnation is arbitrary and capricious. The judgment is vacated.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:W. Dale Young
Sevier County Court of Appeals 07/24/01
State of Tennessee v. Vincent Thomas Gallo

E2000-03025-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant was convicted upon his guilty pleas to three counts of unlawfully photographing individuals in violation of their privacy, a Class A misdemeanor, and received concurrent eleven-month-twenty-nine-day sentences to be served in confinement in the county jail. The defendant appeals the trial court's denying him probation of any type. We affirm the denial of probation, but we remand the case for entry of corrected judgments.

Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge O. Duane Slone
Jefferson County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/24/01
Patricia Williams vs. Canada Life vs. James Williams/Deborah Elg

W2000-03096-COA-R3-CV
The plaintiff's husband died from a single gunshot wound to his chest which occurred while the two were alone in their home. By whose hand he died was the sole issue at both the trial and on appeal. If the plaintiff's husband shot himself, as she claims, she receives the proceeds from an insurance policy on his life. However, if she shot and killed her husband, as his adult children assert, they receive the insurance proceeds. Following the trial, the chancery court concluded that the death occurred as the result of a suicide. The defendants appealed, arguing that the presumption against suicide compels the conclusion that their father was shot to death by the plaintiff, their stepmother. Based upon our review, we affirm the judgment of the chancery court that the death occurred as the result of a suicide.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:J. Steven Stafford
Dyer County Court of Appeals 07/24/01
Tracy Lamar Belle, Sr. v. State of Tennessee

E2000-02787-CCA-R3-PC

The petitioner, Tracy Lamar Belle, Sr., appeals the denial of post-conviction relief contending that his right to due process has been violated by the application of the statute of limitations. Because the notice of appeal was not timely filed and because "the interest of justice" does not require the waiver of a timely notice, this appeal is dismissed. See Tenn. R. App. P. 4(a).

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:Judge Douglas A. Meyer
Hamilton County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/23/01
E2000-01823-COA-R3-CV

E2000-01823-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:John L. Kiener
Washington County Court of Appeals 07/23/01
Karen Garrett Humphries vs. David Alison Humphries

E2000-02912-COA-R3-CV
In this divorce case, the trial court classified the parties' property, following which it divided the marital property, but declined to order spousal support. The husband appeals, arguing (1) that the trial court erred in classifying the increase in value of his separate property as marital property; (2) that the division of the marital property was not equitable; and (3) that the trial court erred in assigning, without classifying, the wife's credit card debt to the husband. By way of a separate issue, the wife argues that she is entitled to an award of alimony. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Jean A. Stanley
Washington County Court of Appeals 07/23/01
William P. Livingston, Jr. vs. Mike Hayes, et al

E2000-01619-COA-R3-CV
In this appeal from the Circuit Court for Hamblen County, the Plaintiff/Appellant, William P. Livingston, Jr., questions whether the Trial Court erred in entering a summary judgment dismissing his action for libel against the Defendants/Appellees, Mike Hayes, et al. We affirm the judgment of the Trial Court and remand for collection of costs below. We adjudge costs of the appeal against Mr. Livingston and his surety.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Richard E. Ladd
Hamblen County Court of Appeals 07/23/01
State of Tennessee v. Larry D. Upshaw

E2000-02262-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Larry D. Upshaw, was convicted of second degree murder. The trial court imposed a sentence of 38 years in the Department of Correction. The sole issue on appeal is whether the evidence was sufficient to support his conviction for second degree murder. The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:Judge Ray L. Jenkins
Knox County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/23/01
State of Tennessee v. Anthony Reid

E2000-02619-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Anthony Reid, was convicted by a Bradley County jury of first degree felony murder and especially aggravated robbery, Class A felonies, aggravated robbery, a Class B felony, attempted aggravated robbery, a Class C felony, and evading arrest, a Class E felony. Thereafter, the trial court sentenced Defendant to life imprisonment for his first degree murder conviction, twenty-five years for his especially aggravated robbery conviction, ten years for his aggravated robbery conviction, six years for his attempted aggravated robbery conviction, and two years for evading arrest. The trial court further ordered Defendant's sentence for life imprisonment to be served consecutively to his other four sentences, which were ordered to be served concurrently with each other, for an effective sentence of life plus twenty-five years. On appeal, Defendant contends that his convictions cannot stand because the State failed to comply with the mandatory procedures concerning proper presentation and filing of the indictment in his case as required by statute, and the trial court erred by refusing Defendant's request for a mistrial after the State improperly solicited testimony concerning the fact that Defendant invoked his right to remain silent upon arrest. Defendant also alleges that the trial court erred by imposing consecutive sentences. Following a review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Carroll L. Ross
Bradley County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/20/01
State of Tennessee v. James Hill Jr.

W2000-02194-CCA-R3-CD

A Fayette County jury convicted the defendant of attempted aggravated robbery. The trial court sentenced the defendant to the maximum term of 15 years as a Range III persistent offender. In this appeal, the defendant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence and the length of his sentence. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Originating Judge:Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood
Fayette County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/20/01
State of Tennessee v. Jerry Floyd Caldwell

M1999-02363-CCA-R3-CD

After trial, a Putnam County jury found Defendant guilty of the unlawful possession of a controlled substance, to wit: cocaine over .5 grams, for resale, driving under the influence of an intoxicant, the unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, and evading arrest. Further, the jury determined Defendant should pay fines of $100,000, $2,500, $2,500, and $1,500 for each respective offense. Subject to a sentencing agreement, the trial court imposed a sentence of nine (9) years on the cocaine offense and 11 months and 29 days for each misdemeanor. The trial court ordered the sentences to be served concurrently and imposed judgment for the fines in accordance with the verdict of the jury. Defendant presents two appellate issues: (1) Whether there is sufficient evidence to convict Defendant of sale of cocaine over 0.5 grams, driving under the influence and possession of drug paraphernalia?; and (2) Whether Defendant's fines are excessive? After a review of the entire record, briefs of the parties and applicable law, we affirm the trial court's judgment

Authoring Judge: Judge L. Terry Lafferty
Originating Judge:Judge Leon C. Burns, Jr.
Putnam County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/20/01
David Melvin York, et ux vs. Vulcan Materials CO. vs. Transcontinental Insurance Company

E2000-02528-COA-R3-CV
Contractor sought recovery from subcontractor's insurance carrier for moneys paid to a third party who had sued contractor and subcontractor in tort. The Trial Court ordered recovery under the policy. Insurance Company appealed. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:W. Neil Thomas, III
Hamilton County Court of Appeals 07/20/01
State of Tennessee v. Augusto Oviedo

W2000-01003-CCA-R3-CD

The appellant, Augusto Oviedo, was convicted by a jury in the Shelby County Criminal Court of robbery and was sentenced as a Range III persistent offender to fifteen years incarceration in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the appellant raises the following issues for our review: (1) whether the evidence in this case is sufficient to sustain his conviction, and (2) whether the trial court failed to fully consider all mitigating factors when it sentenced the appellant to the maximum in the range for the crime. 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 Joseph B. Dailey
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/20/01
State of Tennessee v. Timmy Herndon

W2000-01228-CCA-MR3-CD

The defendant was convicted of aggravated robbery, a Class B felony. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-402. The defendant was sentenced to a fifteen-year sentence at the Tennessee Department of Correction as a Range II offender. The defendant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to support his conviction. After a thorough review of the record, we conclude that the evidence presented at the defendant’s trial was sufficient to support his conviction. The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge James C. Beasley, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/20/01
Sharon Faye Brown Hartman v. Leonard Lee Hartman

E2000-1927-COA-R3-CV

Originating Judge:Thomas R. Frierson, II
Greene County Court of Appeals 07/20/01
State of Tennessee v. Jeremy Michael Shelton

W2000-00457-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Jeremy Michael Shelton, was convicted of theft of property over $10,000. The trial court imposed a three-year sentence. One year is to be served in continuous confinement and the remaining two years are to be served in Community Corrections. In this appeal of right, the defendant argues that the evidence was insufficient and that the sentence is excessive. The conviction is affirmed. The judgment is modified, however, to reflect that the confinement portion of the split sentence is to be served in the local jail.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:Judge Julian P. Guinn
Henry County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/20/01
State of Tennessee v. Janice Floyd

W2000-02236-CCA-R3-CD

The appellant was found not guilty by reason of insanity on two counts of second degree murder pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-13-210, and on one count of aggravated arson pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-14-302. After the court found the appellant not guilty by reason of insanity, the appellant was committed to Western Mental Health Institute for diagnosis and evaluation pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated section 33-7-303. At the conclusion of the appellant's diagnosis and evaluation, the doctors conducting the evaluation determined that the appellant was not committable under the Tennessee Code Annotated and refused to sign certificates of certification for the appellant to be involuntarily committed. At the end of the initial sixty (60) day diagnosis and evaluation period, the doctors at Western Mental Health Institute sought to have the appellant released into a mandatory outpatient treatment program. A hearing was conducted after the ninety (90) day mandatory release date, and the trial court ordered that the appellant be returned to Western Mental Health Institute. The appellant brought this appeal asserting that the trial court erred in ordering her continued detention after the expiration of the maximum ninety (90) day commitment period, and that such detention violates her rights. The state in its brief concedes error. After a thorough review of the issue presented in this case, we agree with the appellant and the state that the trial court erred. This case is remanded to the trial court for further action consistent with the instruction set forth herein.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Donald H. Allen
Chester County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/20/01