APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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City of Church Hill vs. Patrick Reynolds, III

E2000-01376-COA-R3-CV
Patrick H. Reynolds, III ("Defendant") was issued a Misdemeanor Citation alleging violations of multiple city ordinances of the City of Church Hill ("Plaintiff") over a one-month period. Defendant was found guilty in the Church Hill City Court of violating these ordinances. Defendant appealed to the Hawkins County Circuit Court which likewise found the Defendant guilty of violating the ordinances. The Circuit Court, however, found Defendant guilty of several violations on days for which the Defendant was tried by the City Court with no finding of guilt by the City Court. Because Defendant cannot be placed in double jeopardy for violations of these municipal ordinances, we reverse the judgment of the Circuit Court finding Defendant guilty for violations on days for which Defendant was tried by the City Court with no finding of guilt made by the City Court. We affirm the Circuit Court's determination with regard to the remaining violations.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:John K. Wilson
Hawkins County Court of Appeals 02/15/01
Donna Winstead, et al v.Claiborne County Hospital and Nursing Home

E2000-02214-COA-R3-CV
In this wrongful death action, the Trial Court held that defendant's nurses met the standard of care required of them in the treatment and care of the deceased, and dismissed the case. On appeal, we reverse and enter Judgment for damages.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Conrad E. Troutman, Jr.
Claiborne County Court of Appeals 02/15/01
State of Tennessee v. Rickey Williams

W1999-01701-CCA-R3-CD

Defendant challenges his conviction for premeditated first degree murder for which he received a sentence of life imprisonment. He presents the following issues for our review: (1) whether the evidence was sufficient to support the verdict; (2) whether the trial court erred in admitting evidence of a prior bad act; and (3) whether the trial court erred in admitting hearsay. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Originating Judge:Judge Chris B. Craft
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 02/15/01
Tammy Kline, et al vs. Daniel Eyrich, et al

E2000-01890-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Wheeler A. Rosenbalm
Knox County Court of Appeals 02/15/01
Tammy Kline, et al vs. Daniel Eyrich, et al

E2000-01890-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Wheeler A. Rosenbalm
Knox County Court of Appeals 02/15/01
Melanie Conger vs. Timothy Gowder, M.D.

E2000-01584-COA-R3-CV
In this medical malpractice case arising out of surgery, the trial court granted the defendant summary judgment on the plaintiff's claims of surgical negligence and lack of informed consent. The plaintiff appeals, arguing (1) that disputed issues of material fact exist that make summary judgment inappropriate and (2) that the trial court erred in refusing to allow the plaintiff to take the depositions of the defendant and another physician pending a hearing on the defendant's motion for summary judgment. Because we find that the trial court erred in refusing to allow the plaintiff to take the subject depositions, we vacate the grant of summary judgment and remand for further proceedings.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:James B. Scott, Jr.
Anderson County Court of Appeals 02/15/01
Tammy Kline, et al vs. Daniel Eyrich, et al

E2000-01890-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Wheeler A. Rosenbalm
Knox County Court of Appeals 02/15/01
Bobby Everett, et al vs. Gordon McCall, M.D.

E2000-02012-COA-R3-CV
The complaint in this medical malpractice case was dismissed on motion for summary judgment. The plaintiff filed a Rule 56.07 Response to the motion, requesting additional time within which to take the defendant's deposition for the purpose, inter alia, of ascertaining his thought processes during the 27-day period he treated the plaintiff for a gastroenterological condition which ended in her death. The request for additional time was denied, and the motion for summary judgment was granted because the affidavit of the defendant was not countervailed. The judgment is reversed.
Authoring Judge: Sr. Judge William H. Inman
Originating Judge:W. Dale Young
Blount County Court of Appeals 02/15/01
Town of Greeneville vs. John O. Hardin, et al

E2000-00827-COA-R3-CV
This is a suit by the Town of Greeneville to condemn a right-of-way for a sanitary sewer line over the property of John O. Hardin and Peggy Hardin, Defendants. The Hardins contested Greeneville's right to condemn in the Trial Court and, after an adverse ruling, appeal to this Court. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:John K. Wilson
Greene County Court of Appeals 02/15/01
Terry Hahn vs. Thomas Hahn, et al

E2000-00330-COA-R3-CV
An intra-family business transaction which occurred nearly 30 years ago fomented this litigation involving an undisclosed interest in a hotel in Gatlinburg. The original parties are former spouses; the intervenors are their children. The complaint was dismissed on motion for summary judgment. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Sr. Judge William H. Inman
Originating Judge:Telford E. Forgerty, Jr.
Knox County Court of Appeals 02/15/01
State of Tennessee v. Colico S. Walls

W2000-00637-CCA-MR3-CD

A Shelby County jury convicted the defendant of felony escape and theft of property over $1,000.  The trial court sentenced the defendant to consecutive sentences of four years for escape and seven years for theft, for an effective sentence of eleven years. In this appeal, the defendant alleges (1) the evidence is insufficient to sustain the defendant's conviction for escape; (2) the escape statute is unconstitutionally vague; and (3) the trial court erroneously failed to instruct the jury on attempted
escape. The defendant does not challenge his theft conviction. After a thorough review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Originating Judge:Judge Chris B. Craft
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 02/15/01
Rick Richards vs. Traci Domalik

E2000-01882-COA-R3-CV
This is a tort action arising out of an accident involving a bicycle and an automobile. The plaintiff was riding his bicycle on the shoulder of the highway facing traffic. The driver of the automobile was to the plaintiff's left and was preparing to turn right out of the premises of a restaurant onto the highway. As the plaintiff moved to his left and started to pass in front of the automobile, the vehicles collided and the plaintiff was injured. The plaintiff brought this action seeking to recover compensatory damages. The jury returned a verdict for the defendant, finding the plaintiff 75% at fault. The plaintiff appeals, asserting, inter alia, that the jury charge was erroneous and that this error warrants a new trial. We vacate the judgment below and remand for a new trial.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:John K. Wilson
Hawkins County Court of Appeals 02/15/01
Carolyn Attaway vs. Denver Attaway

E2000-01338-COA-R3-CV
In this action to collect child support ordered in the State of Georgia, the Trial Court Ordered the foreign judgment registered in the Circuit Court, allowed a credit for Social Security payments, and denied the defense of statute of limitations. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Jacqueline E. Schulten
Hamilton County Court of Appeals 02/14/01
In Re: JJC

E2000-01223-COA-R3-CV
The Trial Court terminated the father's parental rights. Father argued below and on appeal, that the part of the UCCJA which gave the court jurisdiction of the matter is unconstitutional. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Daryl R. Fansler
Knox County Court of Appeals 02/14/01
First Citizens Bank of Cleveland vs. Carol Cross

E2000-01325-COA-R3-CV
This is the second time that this case has been before us on appeal. The case originated as a suit on two promissory notes executed by the defendant in favor of the plaintiff and secured by deeds of trust on real property owned by the defendant. The defendant filed a pleading incorporating a counterclaim, and a third-party complaint against one of the plaintiff's employees, which pleading alleges that the plaintiff, through its employee, breached its undertaking to arrange for additional insurance coverage on the mortgaged property. On the first appeal, this Court held that the trial court erred in denying the defendant's request for a jury trial. On remand, the plaintiff and the third-party defendant moved for summary judgment on the ground that the parol evidence rule bars consideration of the defendant's claim that the plaintiff, through its employee, agreed to contact the agent for the insurance company and arrange for additional insurance on the mortgaged property. The trial court granted the movants summary judgment and, upon confirmation of a Master's report as to the amounts due under the notes, entered a judgment against the defendant. The defendant appeals. We affirm the trial court's grant of summary judgment to the plaintiff on the promissory notes; however, we vacate the grant of summary judgment as to the defendant's counterclaim and third-party complaint.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Jerri S. Bryant
Bradley County Court of Appeals 02/14/01
State, ex rel Kandy Bissonette, vs. Joseph Marland, III, In Re: KRB

E2000-02089-COA-R3-CV
In this action to establish paternity, the Trial Court dismissed the action on the grounds that a previous action against the same defendant had been dismissed, and the savings statute had run. We reverse.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Carey E. Garrett
Knox County Court of Appeals 02/14/01
Linda Asher vs. Eugene Asher

E2000-00821-COA-R3-CV
In this appeal from the Claiborne County Chancery Court the Appellant, Linda Ward Asher, questions whether the Chancery Court erred in granting her an absolute divorce, in failing to award her alimony in futuro, and in failing to require that the Appellee, Eugene Asher, be required to maintain health insurance coverage on her behalf. Mr. Asher questions whether the Chancery Court erred in finding that funds withdrawn by him from a Putnam Investment savings account should be counted against his equitable share of the marital property and in finding that Ms. Asher should be awarded alimony. We affirm the judgment of the Chancery Court as modified and remand for further proceedings, if any, consistent with this opinion. We adjudge costs of this appeal against the Ashers equally.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:John D. Mcafee
Claiborne County Court of Appeals 02/14/01
Mason Manor Apartments v. Tawana Anthony

W2002-01769-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Joseph H. Walker, III
Tipton County Court of Appeals 02/14/01
Dept. of Children's Services vs. Dorothy Hopson

E2000-01606-COA-R3-CV
Dorothy Hopson appeals a determination that her parental rights should be terminated as to her two daughters upon the grounds that the Trial Court was in error in allowing into evidence statements made by the children to third parties; in finding that the evidence was clear and convincing that she had committed child abuse as to her children; and in finding that termination of her parental rights was in the best interest of the children. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Richard R. Vance
Grainger County Court of Appeals 02/14/01
Deborah Harvey vs. Felipa Covington, d/b/a Choice Corporate Training Int'l.

M2000-01184-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from a business dispute between the parties. Businesswoman and Investor signed letter of intent to create limited liability company. Business then began operation. Thereafter, several operational disputes arose between the parties, as well as disputes over Businesswoman's use of Business funds. The trial court determined that Businesswoman had defrauded Investor of invested funds and awarded Investor those funds. Investor was also awarded back pay promised by Businesswoman through Business. We find that a partnership agreement existed between the parties and reverse the trial court's judgment. The case is remanded for rescission of the partnership on the basis that it was created under fraudulent circumstances. The trial court's decision to deny attorney's fees requested by Businesswoman is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Carol L. Soloman
Davidson County Court of Appeals 02/14/01
Jim Bell v. Rich Products Corporation

M2000-00950-WC-R3-CV
In this appeal, the employer insists the award of permanent partial disability benefits is excessive and that the trial court erred in commuting the award to a lump sum. As discussed below, the panel has concluded the judgment should be affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Loser, Sp. J.
Originating Judge:Robert E. Corlew, III, Chancellor
Rutherford County Workers Compensation Panel 02/14/01
J.W. Hargrove, et al vs. Larry Carlton, et al

M2000-00250-COA-R3-CV
After the defendant landowners placed gates across a roadway that ran through their land, some adjoining landowners filed suit to have the gates removed. The plaintiffs argued that the roadway was a public road, or in the alternative that they had acquired prescriptive rights to use it. The trial court ruled for the defendants. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Russell Heldman
Williamson County Court of Appeals 02/14/01
County of San Mateo, California vs. Murray Green, Sr.

M1999-00112-COA-R3-CV
Appellant appeals the enforcement of a 1983 California judgment for reimbursement for public assistance provided to his children through 1982. Because the judgment expired under the applicable statutes of limitation in both California and Tennessee before this enforcement action was brought, we find that Appellant had a vested right in that defense and reverse the trial court's judgment.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Jim T. Hamilton
Lawrence County Court of Appeals 02/14/01
Ginger Vooys vs. Robert Turner, Jr.

M1999-00504-COA-R3-CV
The sole issue presented in this appeal is the propriety of the trial court's award to Wife of postjudgment interest on funds Husband deposited in the office of the clerk of the trial court prior to the appeal of the final order divorcing the parties. The funds represent the purchase price of the marital residence which had been awarded to Wife. Exercising an option to purchase the house, Husband deposited $185,000 with the court clerk and tendered it in open court. Then Husband appealed various portions of the final order, including the award of the house to Wife; he also moved to stay the execution and enforcement of that and other portions of the judgment without paying a bond on the ground that the funds he had already deposited should relieve him of the necessity of posting an additional bond. The motion also requested that the funds be placed in an interest bearing account. The stay of execution was granted, but the motion to deposit at interest was never ruled upon. After the trial court's judgment was affirmed on appeal, Wife filed a motion seeking interest on all money judgments rendered against Husband. The trial court found that Wife was entitled to postjudgment interest on the $185,000. Husband then commenced this appeal. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Walter C. Kurtz
Davidson County Court of Appeals 02/14/01
Linda Parnham vs. Wayne Parnham

M1998-00915-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves the continuing obligation of a non-custodial parent to pay child support following a discharge in bankruptcy. The custodial spouse filed a petition in the Circuit Court for Davidson County seeking to enforce the modified child support provision in their marital dissolution agreement. The non-custodial parent responded that his discharge in bankruptcy relieved him of any further obligation to pay this support. Following a hearing, the trial court held that the non-custodial spouse's Chapter 7 bankruptcy did not discharge his child support obligation but denied the custodial spouse's requests for attorney's fees and for a wage assignment. Both parties have appealed. We have determined that the trial court properly concluded that the non-custodial spouse's child support obligation had not been discharged but that the trial court erred by declining to award the custodial spouse her attorney's fees and by refusing to grant her request for a wage assignment.
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Muriel Robinson
Davidson County Court of Appeals 02/14/01