State of Tennessee v. Evelyn Elissa Duckett
E2000-02273-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant was indicted for robbery and convicted of misdemeanor theft, for which she was sentenced to eleven months and twenty-nine days, and payment of restitution, with the defendant to serve thirty percent of the sentence. She timely appealed, arguing that the entire sentence should have been probated. Based upon our review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr. |
Blount County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 10/09/01 | |
Billy Richard Keith v. Cincinnati Insurance Company,
M2000-02955-WC-R3-CV
This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. _ 50-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. In this appeal, the employer-appellant contends (1) the award of permanent partial disability benefits based on 30 percent to the body as a whole and 20 percent to the leg violates Tenn. Code Ann. _50-6-207(3)(C) and (2) the conditional award of permanent partial disability benefits based on 40 percent to the body as a whole is excessive. As discussed below, the panel has concluded the separate awards to a scheduled member and the body as a whole should be vacated and the conditional award of permanent partial disability benefits based on 40 percent to the body as a whole affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Joe C. Loser, Jr., Sp. J.
Originating Judge:Larry Ross, Judge |
Warren County | Workers Compensation Panel | 10/09/01 | |
Martha Fritts v. Bradley Healthcare and
E2000-00822-WC-R3-CV
This Workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e) for hearing and reporting of findings of fact and conclusions of law. The employer appeals and contends the trial court erred (1) in granting an award because the employee failed to establish causation by medical proof, and (2) in accepting the independent medical examiner's impairment rating. We affirm the judgment of the trial court. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e) (1999) Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Bradley County Circuit Court is Affirmed. HOWELL N. PEOPLES, SP. J., in which WILLIAM M. BARKER, JR., JUSTICE, and JOHN K. BYERS, SR. J., joined. Fred C. Stantum, III, Nashville, Tennessee, for the Appellant Bradley Healthcare & Rehabilitation M. Drew Robinson, Cleveland, Tennessee, for the Appellee Martha Fritts 1 MEMORANDUM OPINION Facts Martha Fritts, a certified nursing assistant, began caring for elderly patients in 1985 and has worked for Bradley Healthcare and Rehabilitation since 199. She testified that she injured her right shoulder on April 3, 1998 while attempting to move a patient. She was treated by Dr. Alan Clifton Odom, who performed arthroscopic surgery upon her right shoulder on December 17, 1998. Dr. Odom testified that she has permanent restrictions on lifting patients and will need assistance with pushing, pulling and lifting patients. Because Dr. Odom does not do impairment ratings, she was referred to Dr. McKinley Snipes Lundy for assignment of a permanent impairment rating. Dr. Lundy assigned a 14 percent permanent impairment to the body as a whole. She returned to work at her pre- injury rate of pay, and continues to perform the pre-injury duties, except she now has help changing patients. Standard of Review Review of the findings of fact made by the trial court is de novo upon the record of the trial court, accompanied by a presumption of the correctness of the findings, unless the preponderance of the evidence is otherwise. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e)(2). Stone v. City of McMinnville, 896 S.W.2d 548, 55 (Tenn. 1995). The application of this standard requires this Court to weigh in more depth the factual findings and conclusions of the trial courts in workers' compensation cases. Corcoran v. Foster Auto GMC, Inc., 746 S.W.2d 452 456 (Tenn. 1988). Discussion Bradley Healthcare and Rehabilitation contends that the proof failed to establish a causal connection to the employment. Causation and permanency of a work injury must be shown in most cases by expert medical evidence. Tindall v. Waring Park Ass'n, 725 S.W.2d 935, 937 (Tenn. 1987). Causation in this case is established through the deposition of McKinley Snipes Lundy, M.D., who wrote: "It is my opinion, based on a reasonable degree of medical certainty, utilizing the AMA Guides to Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, 4th ed. (American Medical Association, Chicago, IL, 1993), that Martha Fritts has 24% permanent impairment to the right upper extremity (which equates to 14% whole person permanent impairment) as a direct result of injuries sustained while performing duties working for her employer on May 1, 1998." (Depo. of Dr. Lundy, Ex. 2) Bradley Healthcare also contends the trial court erred in accepting the independent medical examiner's (Dr. Lundy) impairment rating because the majority of the impairment was based on loss of range of motion measurements which were contradicted by the treating 2
Authoring Judge: Howell N. Peoples, Special Judge
Originating Judge:Lawrence Puckett, Circuit Court Judge |
Knox County | Workers Compensation Panel | 10/09/01 | |
State of Tennessee v. Charles L. Debuty
E2000-03039-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant pled guilty in the Blount County Circuit Court to four charges of theft and one charge of automobile burglary. The court sentenced him to an aggregate sentence of four years, with seven months in jail, and the balance to be served on intensive probation. In this appeal as of right, the defendant argues that the trial court imposed an excessive amount of incarceration. After careful review of the record, we affirm the defendant's sentence but remand for entry of a corrected judgment in No. C-12607.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr. |
Blount County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 10/09/01 | |
Roshaun Colbert v. State of Tennessee
E2001-00426-CCA-R3-PC
The petitioner, Roshaun Colbert, appeals the trial court's denial of his petition for post-conviction relief, claiming that he received the ineffective assistance of counsel. He contends that he pled guilty because his attorney guaranteed him that he would be released from prison after serving only five years of his twenty-year effective sentence. We affirm the trial court's denial of the petition.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge Ray L. Jenkins |
Knox County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 10/09/01 | |
Pero's Steak and Spaghetti House and Louis Inn, v. Elizabeth Jean Hinkle Lee and First American National Bank and First Tennessee Bank National Association
E2001-00254-COA-R3-CV
Plaintiffs action against First Tennessee Bank National Association (“Bank”) was held to be time-barred by the Trial Judge pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. §47-3-118. Plaintiffs have appealed to this Court.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Judge Dale C. Workman |
Knox County | Court of Appeals | 10/08/01 | |
State of Tennessee v. Carl F. Neer
E2000-02791-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Carl F. Neer, pleaded guilty in the Anderson County Criminal Court to a fourth-offense possession of marijuana, a Schedule VI controlled substance, and attempted to appeal a certified question of law. Because we are constrained to conclude that he has not properly presented his certified question, we dismiss the appeal.
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge James B. Scott, Jr. |
Anderson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 10/08/01 | |
State of Tennessee v. John T. Blacksmith
M2000-02294-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, John Blacksmith, appeals his Davidson County Criminal Court jury conviction of second-offense driving while under the influence of an intoxicant (DUI). He claims (1) that the evidence was insufficient to support the jury's conclusion that, while intoxicated, he was in physical control of an operable motor vehicle and (2) that the trial court erred in refusing to grant a mistrial when a state's witness introduced inadmissible evidence that besmirched the defendant's character. We discern no reversible error and affirm the trial court's judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Frank G. Clement, Jr. |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 10/08/01 | |
State of Tennessee v. Robert Earl Johnson
M2000-01647-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Robert Earl Johnson, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. In this appeal, Defendant argues insufficiency of the evidence, improper investigative procedures by the police, errors by the trial court regarding admissibility of evidence and jury instructions, improper comments by the prosecutor during closing argument, sentencing errors, and ineffective assistance of counsel. After a review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge J. Randall Wyatt, Jr. |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 10/08/01 | |
State of Tennessee v. Randall Lloyd Hill
M2000-01731-CCA-R3-CD
On July 18, 1997, the Defendant, Randall Lloyd Hill, was convicted of one count of incest. After a sentencing hearing, the trial court imposed a sentence of five years to be served in the Department of Correction. In this appeal as of right, the Defendant argues that (1) his incest conviction subjected him to double jeopardy, (2) he was convicted solely on uncorroborated accomplice testimony, (3) the trial court erred in allowing inappropriate opinion testimony from a child abuse investigator, and (4) the Defendant was prejudiced by the prosecutor's improper comments regarding the Defendant's decision not to testify. Because we conclude that the prosecutor improperly commented on the Defendant's election not to testify, we reverse the Defendant's conviction and remand the case for a new trial.
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Judge Robert E. Burch |
Cheatham County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 10/08/01 | |
Timothy Dale Rieder v. Patricia Ann Cawley Rieder
M2000-02466-COA-R3-CV
The mother of a seven-year-old daughter asserts that the court awarded custody of the child to the father because the mother is homosexual. We find, however, that the court did not base its award on sexual orientation and that the evidence in the record supports the award of custody to the father. Therefore, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Judge Jeffrey F. Stewart |
Grundy County | Court of Appeals | 10/05/01 | |
Brenda Jane (Thompson) Turnbo v. Joe LarryTurnbo
M2000-02415-COA-R3-CV
A divorce judgment rendered June 5, 1992 required the appellant to pay, inter alia, the sum of $185,000 to his wife "as a fair and equitable division of the marital property." The appellant elected recalcitrance rather than compliance, and failed to pay. He was found in civil contempt in September 2000 and ordered to be confined until he purged himself of contempt. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Senior Judge William H. Inman
Originating Judge:Judge Stella L. Hargrove |
Wayne County | Court of Appeals | 10/05/01 | |
Ahmad Vakili, et al., v. Randy Hawkersmith, et al.
M2000-01402-COA-R3-CV
This case arises from a home construction contract entered into by Appellants and Appellee. Appellants filed a complaint against Appellee in the Chancery Court for Coffee County for breach of contract. Appellee filed an answer and counter-complaint. The trial court found that the contract was a cost-plus contract with no cap or ceiling on the price, and rendered judgment in favor of Appellee for $26,945.10. Appellants appeal. We affirm the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Chancellor John W. Rollins |
Coffee County | Court of Appeals | 10/05/01 | |
Chuck Robertson v. Melvin G. George, et al.
M2000-02661-COA-R3-CV
This lawsuit arises out of a real estate contract. The plaintiff, Chuck Robertson, a residential home builder, contracted to purchase sixteen (16) lots from the defendant, Melvin George. After the parties entered into the contract, the plaintiff discovered that the official flood plain designation had been adjusted to include nine (9) of the lots the plaintiff contracted to purchase and filed suit on the theories of intentional misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation, mutual mistake, unjust enrichment, and violation of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act. The defendants filed a counter-complaint for breach of contract. The parties filed cross-motions for summary judgment. The trial court dismissed the plaintiff's action holding that the mistake was a mistake of law. We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 10/05/01 | |
Theresa Ann Sapp Staples v. Richard Charles Staples
M2000-02838-COA-R3-CV
This is a post-judgment domestic relations case. The principal alleged issue is whether a non-custodial parent may be judicially coerced to exercise visitation privileges. The appealed Order is not imperative and the asserted issue is not a genuine one. Because the judgment is marginally ambiguous we modify it to incorporate a measure of fairness.
Authoring Judge: Senior Judge William H. Inman
Originating Judge:Judge C. L. Rogers |
Sumner County | Court of Appeals | 10/05/01 | |
State of Tennessee v. Alonzo Chatman
E2000-03123-CCA-R3-CD
Alonzo Chatman appeals the Knox County Criminal Court's revocation of his probationary sentence. Because the lower court did not abuse its discretion in revoking probation and ordering the original sentence into execution, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Ray L. Jenkins |
Knox County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 10/05/01 | |
State of Tennessee v. Kristine Kuhne
E2000-02269-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant pled guilty in the Blount County Circuit Court to assault, a Class A misdemeanor, and was sentenced to eleven months and twenty-nine days. The trial court ordered a split confinement with thirty days in jail, and the balance to be served on probation. In this appeal as of right, the defendant argues that the trial court erred in denying her full probation. After careful review, we affirm the defendant's sentence but remand the matter to the trial court for entry of a corrected judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr. |
Blount County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 10/04/01 | |
Susan R. Godfrey, et al., v. Jesus Ruiz, et al.
M2000-00101-COA-R3-CV
This case arises from an automobile accident resulting in personal injuries to plaintiffs. The defendants, Mr. & Mrs. Ruiz, filed a motion for summary judgment on the grounds that their cousin, Mr. Corpus, was driving their vehicle without their permission or knowledge at the time of the accident. The trial court granted the motion and plaintiffs appeal. Plaintiffs assert that under Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-10-311, defendants are not entitled to summary judgment based solely on their own self-serving affidavits and depositions. We affirm the summary judgment
Authoring Judge: Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Judge Barbara N. Haynes |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 10/04/01 | |
Louis M. Brunsting, III, M.D., et al., v. Phillip P. Brown, M.D., et al.
M2000-00888-COA-R3-CV
Four physicians formed a PLLC. Eventually personal and professional conflicts arose. Various claims were asserted that Drs. Brown and Barton had violated the Operating Agreement of the PLLC; Dr. Brunsting sought declaratory relief, and monetary damages for breaches of contract and fiduciary duty; Dr. Rankin alleged that Drs. Brown and Barton had effectively withdrawn from the PLLC. The Chancellor found the Drs. Brown and Barton by their actions constructively withdrew from the PLLC which he declined to dissolve. The fees awarded to the plaintiff's attorneys are the principal issue on appeal, together with issues involving the continuing viability of the PLLC.
Authoring Judge: Senior Judge William H. Inman
Originating Judge:Chancellor Irvin H. Kilcrease, Jr. |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 10/04/01 | |
Susan R. Godfrey, et al., v. Jesus Ruiz, et al. - Dissenting
M2000-00101-COA-R3-CV
I do not believe that the prima facie evidence created by Tennessee Code Annotated section 55-10-311 can be overcome as a matter of law solely by the affidavits and testimony of owners of a vehicle who have a vital interest in the outcome of the case.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Judge Barbara N. Haynes |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 10/04/01 | |
David Zirkle v. State of Tennessee
E2000-02605-CCA-R3-PC
The Petitioner was convicted by a Sevier County jury of first degree murder and especially aggravated robbery. The Petitioner was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder conviction and to twenty-five years incarceration for the especially aggravated robbery conviction. The Petitioner appealed, and the convictions were affirmed by our Court. The Petitioner then filed for post-conviction relief, which was denied by the trial court. The Petitioner now appeals the trial court's denial of post-conviction relief, arguing that he received ineffective assistance of counsel at trial. Concluding that the Petitioner received effective assistance of counsel, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge John K. Byers |
Sevier County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 10/04/01 | |
William Andrew Dixon v. Flora J. Holland, Warden and William Andrew Dixon v. Donal Campbell, Commissioner of TDOC
M1999-02494-SC-R11-PC
We granted review in these consolidated cases to determine (1) whether William Andrew Dixon’s sentence under Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-2603 (1975) is void and thus subject to habeas corpus relief; and (2) whether Tenn. Code Ann. § 41-21-236(c) (1997) applies to Dixon’s sentence. We hold that Dixon’s sentence is void and grant habeas corpus relief. We further hold that Dixon is entitled to any sentence reduction credits earned from 1988 until 1998. Our grant of habeas corpus relief pretermits the remaining issues raised by Dixon.1 Accordingly, the judgment of the Court of Criminal Appeals is reversed, and the case is remanded to the criminal court for proceedings consistent with this opinion. 2Both convictions stem from the abduction of Jodie Gaines in 1978. Dixon originally pled guilty to both counts in exchange for consecutive sentences of thirty-five ye ars for the kidnapping for ransom and five years for the commission of a felony by use of a firearm. Dixon’s guilty pleas were vacated during post-conviction relief proceedings, and he was then tried by a jury. 3Dixon received a sentence of five years for the commission of a felony by use of a firearm. This sentence, however, is not at issue in the present appeal. 4The Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) originally calculated Dixon’s sentence without parole. When the TDOC later computerized inmate records, Dixon’s sentence was inadvertently classified as life with possibility of parole. Section 41-21-236(c)(3) of the Tennessee Code Annotated provides that “[a]ny person who committed a felony . . . prior to December 11, 1985, may become eligible for the sentence reduction credits . . . by signing a written waiver waiving the right to serve the sentence under the law in effect at the time the crime was committed.” (1985). Because of the computer error, Dixon was perm itted to receive sentence reduction credits. -2- Tenn. R. App. P. 11 Appeal by Permission; Judgment of the Court of Criminal Appeals Reversed; Case Remanded.
Authoring Judge: Justice Janice M. Holder
Originating Judge:Judge Seth Norman |
Davidson County | Supreme Court | 10/04/01 | |
K.S.O.H., et al v. J.W.B., Jr. In Re: Adoption of a Male Child
E2001-00055-COA-R3-CV
The mother ("Mother") and stepfather ("Stepfather") of a minor child ("Child") filed a Petition to Terminate the parental rights of the Child's biological father ("Father"). The Petition to Terminate alleged one ground for termination of Father's parental rights, abandonment. After three hearings, the Juvenile Court held that the Petition to Terminate should be dismissed because Mother and Stepfather failed to establish by clear and convincing evidence that Father had abandoned the Child and because termination of Father's parental rights would not be in the Child's best interests. Mother and Stepfather appeal. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Judge Carey E. Garrett |
Knox County | Court of Appeals | 10/04/01 | |
State of Tennessee v. Timothy D. Grove
M2000-02288-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Timothy D. Grove, appeals his conviction for aggravated assault and ten-year Range II sentence in the Department of Correction. Specifically, the defendant contends evidence presented against him at trial was insufficient to support his conviction, and his sentence was excessive. After a thorough review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Originating Judge:Judge Steve R. Dozier |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 10/03/01 | |
State of Tennessee v. Joe W. Coonrod
M2000-02224-CCA-R3-CD
A Bedford County jury convicted the defendant of Class D felony theft over $1,000, and the trial court sentenced him to 12 years incarceration as a career offender. In this appeal, the defendant alleges the evidence is insufficient to sustain his conviction. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Originating Judge:Judge Lee Russell |
Bedford County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 10/03/01 |