APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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State vs. Barry Waters Rogers

M1999-01358-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Barry Waters Rogers, was indicted for arson, conspiracy to commit arson, and vandalism. The jury acquitted the defendant on the charge of conspiracy to commit arson but, on the arson charge, returned a guilty verdict on the lesser included offense of facilitation of arson. Although the jury also returned a guilty verdict for facilitation of vandalism, the trial court later set that aside. The trial court imposed a Range I sentence of three and one-half years in the Department of Correction, with probation to be granted after the first year of service. In this appeal of right, the defendant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence and complains that he was improperly sentenced. We find no error and affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:Robert L. Jones
Giles County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/15/00
Levenhagen vs. Levenhagen

M1998-00967-COA-R3-CV
Husband appeals the trial court's refusal to vacate its order divorcing the parties, claiming the order is void because it failed to include an affirmative finding that the parties made adequate provision by written agreement for the custody and maintenance of their children. In addition, Husband contends that the trial court violated his due process rights by suspending his visitation with the couple's children until he received counseling, and then ordering supervised visitation. He also maintains that the trial court improperly based its finding that he was guilty of criminal contempt for failure to pay child support on insufficient evidence. Husband claims he was entitled to a jury trial on the contempt issue. We affirm the trial court in all respects.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Lee Russell
Lincoln County Court of Appeals 09/14/00
State of Tennessee v. Marcus Askew

98-07544-45-46

Originating Judge:Joseph B. Dailey
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/14/00
Nancy Bloom vs. Douglas Bloom

W1998-00365-COA-R3-CV
This is a divorce case. The parties were married for eighteen years and had a fifteen year old son. The wife was granted the divorce. The wife was awarded, inter alia, the marital home and the equity in it, 60% of the value of various financial assets, her automobile, and various household furnishings. Custody of the parties' son was awarded to the wife, and the husband was granted supervised visitation. The husband was ordered to pay child support. The wife was awarded 60 months of rehabilitative alimony, with the rate of rehabilitative alimony to increase when the husband's child support obligation ends. The wife's request for attorney's fees was denied. The husband appeals the division of the marital property and the amount of rehabilitative alimony awarded. The wife appeals the denial of her request for attorney's fees. We affirm, finding that the preponderance of the evidence supports the trial court's division of the marital property, the award of alimony, and the denial of the wife's request for attorney's fees.
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Kay S. Robilio
Shelby County Court of Appeals 09/14/00
State vs. Retha Smith

W1999-00607-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant appeals her jury conviction and sentence for possession of a Schedule II controlled substance with the intent to manufacture, sell or deliver. She received a sentence of three years with one year to be served in confinement and the remainder to be served on community corrections. The defendant raises the following issues for review: (1) whether the evidence is insufficient to sustain her conviction; (2) whether the prosecuting attorney made improper remarks during his closing argument; and (3) whether her sentence is excessive. Upon a review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court but remand for the assessment of the fine.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Originating Judge:Julian P. Guinn
Henry County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/14/00
State vs. Matthew Leonard & Bernie Evans

E1999-02724-CCA-R3-CD
The appellants, Matthew W. Leonard and Bernie J. Evans, each pled guilty in the Criminal Court for Washington County to three counts of kidnapping, a class C felony, three counts of aggravated assault, a class C felony, one count of escape, a class E felony, and one count of theft over $10,000, a class C felony. The appellants requested that the trial court grant them full probation. After a probation hearing, the trial court denied the appellants' request. The appellants present the following issue for our review: whether the trial court erred in denying the appellants full probation. After 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:Lynn W. Brown
Washington County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/14/00
Henderson vs. Henderson

M1999-00912-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves a dispute over the Trial Court's valuation and division of marital property in this divorce action. Mrs. Henderson contends that the Trial Court undervalued the marital business, Quality Systems, Inc. Additionally, Mrs. Henderson asserts the Trial Court erred in dividing the marital assets and liabilities, denying alimony and attorney's fees and in ordering her to refund alimony pendente lite payments. We affirm the Trial Court's order, except for the denial of alimony. We vacate the Trial Court's determination on the issue of alimony and remand for a determination of the proper type and amount of alimony to be awarded to Mrs. Henderson.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Donald P. Harris
Williamson County Court of Appeals 09/14/00
Edgar/Mary Mulrooney vs. Town of Collierville

W1999-01474-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from a quo warranto action filed by the Mulrooneys ("Property Owners") on behalf of residents of subdivisions annexed by Collierville ("Town"). Property Owners claimed that Town did not meet the statutory requirements needed to annex the subdivisions. The jury returned a verdict on behalf of Town, finding that the annexation was proper. Thereafter, Property Owners filed a motion for new trial which was denied by the court. Property Owners appeal.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Walter L. Evans
Shelby County Court of Appeals 09/14/00
Smith v. Safety Kleen Corporation

E1999-01123-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. _ 5-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. The plaintiff, Everett Alan Smith, filed various motions in this case, all of which were denied by the trial court. The plaintiff appeals from the trial court's: (1) refusal to award temporary total benefits from the date of injury until time of medical improvement rating by physician or from the date of injury until trial; (2) denial of a lump sum payment of attorney fees because the request was in the form of a motion rather than in the form of a petition; (3) denial of motion requiring the defendant to pay for medication and authorized physician benefits because the plaintiff sought these by motion rather than by petition. The plaintiff also raises the issue of whether the trial court erred in refusing to pay certain pharmacy charges. We affirm the judgment of the trial court in part, reverse the judgment in part, and remand the case to the trial court for further proceedings.
Authoring Judge: Byers, Sr. J.
Originating Judge:Howell N. Peoples, Chancellor
Smith County Workers Compensation Panel 09/14/00
Steven Porreca v. Chili's Inc., & Liberty Mutual

E1999-00961-WC-R3-CV
This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated _ 5-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. The plaintiff was burned while working for the defendant restaurant. The defendant did not dispute that the plaintiff suffered a compensable injury but did argue the award of fifty percent permanent partial disability was excessive and also contended the trial court should have allowed an offset for overpayment of approximately two weeks of temporary total disability. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: John K. Byers, Sr. J.
Originating Judge:Hon. Howell N. Peoples, Chancellor
Knox County Workers Compensation Panel 09/14/00
Henderson vs. Henderson

M1999-00912-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves a dispute over the Trial Court's valuation and division of marital property in this divorce action. Mrs. Henderson contends that the Trial Court undervalued the marital business, Quality Systems, Inc. Additionally, Mrs. Henderson asserts the Trial Court erred in dividing the marital assets and liabilities, denying alimony and attorney's fees and in ordering her to refund alimony pendente lite payments. We affirm the Trial Court's order, except for the denial of alimony. We vacate the Trial Court's determination on the issue of alimony and remand for a determination of the proper type and amount of alimony to be awarded to Mrs. Henderson.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Donald P. Harris
Williamson County Court of Appeals 09/14/00
State vs. James Starnes

W1999-01854-CCA-R3-PC
The petitioner appeals from a denial of post-conviction relief, claiming his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance. We conclude the record is insufficient for proper appellate review. Thus, we remand to the trial court for an additional hearing.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Julian P. Guinn
Henry County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/14/00
Ofman vs. Woodford

M1999-00736-COA-R3-CV
This is a suit by an attorney for breach of an oral contract relative to the professional services of an expert witness. Suit was instituted by civil warrant in the general sessions court. Following a default judgment in favor of the plaintiff, an appeal was perfected by the defendant to the circuit court where the case was tried de novo, non-jury and resulted in a judgment for the plaintiff in the amount of $2,500.00. The defendant appealed, and we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Timothy L. Easter
Williamson County Court of Appeals 09/14/00
Blaylock vs. Nash

M1999-00568-COA-R3-CV
This negligence action arises out of a collision between a cow and a car driven by the plaintiff. The trial court granted summary judgment to the defendant, the alleged owner and operator of a stockyard from which the cow supposedly escaped. We affirm the trial court's decision finding that the plaintiff presented no evidence that the defendant breached his duty of care. However, we do not find that the plaintiff's appeal of the trial court's decision was frivolous.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:John A. Turnbull
Putnam County Court of Appeals 09/14/00
State vs. Donaven Brown

W1999-00629-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant and the victim were both maximum security inmates at the Corrections Corporation of America facility in Clifton, Tennessee. After the victim, his hands and feet restrained, had been released from his cell to use a telephone, the defendant asked to be released from his cell take a shower. After his hands, but not his feet had been restrained, he pushed a correctional officer aside and ran from his cell, confronting the victim near the telephones. "Bad blood" had existed between the victim and the defendant, both of whom had armed themselves that day with shanks, or homemade prison knives. The victim received six knife stab wounds, two of which were potentially fatal. The defendant was then charged with first degree murder and felony possession of a weapon in a penal institution and, following his convictions of both offenses, sentenced to life without parole and three years, respectively, the sentences to be served concurrently. He timely appealed, presenting as issues whether the trial court erred in allowing proof that he had asserted his right to remain silent and requested an attorney and whether the evidence was sufficient to sustain the conviction for first degree murder. Based upon our review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Joseph H. Walker, III
Tipton County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/14/00
Holley vs. Haehl

M1999-02105-COA-R3-CV
Landowner sued adjoining landowner and timber cutter in general sessions court for trespass and the cutting of timber on her land. From an adverse judgment, landowner appealed to the circuit court. After a trial de novo, the trial court held that adjoining landowner owned the land involved by adverse possession and entered judgment for defendants. Landowner has appealed.
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Jim T. Hamilton
Giles County Court of Appeals 09/14/00
American Cable Corp. vs. ACI Management, Inc., et al

M1997-00280-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves a legal dispute arising out of a contract to install television cable in Alabama and Mississippi. After the corporation that installed the cable did not receive full payment for its work, it filed suit in the Chancery Court for Davidson County Tennessee against the corporation and partnership that hired it and the president of the defendant corporation. The trial court granted a summary judgment dismissing the claims against the defendant corporation's president, and the installer took a default judgment against the corporation for $1,059,743. On this appeal, the installer takes issue with the summary judgment dismissing its claims against the defendant corporation's president. We have determined that the trial court properly granted the summary judgment because the installer failed to demonstrate that it will be able to prove all the essential elements of its tort claims against the defendant corporation's president.
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Irvin H. Kilcrease, Jr.
Davidson County Court of Appeals 09/14/00
Fillmore vs. Fillmore

M1999-00714-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from a dispute between Appellant Stephen Douglas Fillmore and Appellee Karen Leigh (Anderson) Fillmore regarding the terms of their divorce. The court issued a Final Decree of Divorce, divided the parties' marital property and debts, and awarded Ms. Anderson alimony in solido. In addition, the court awarded custody of the one minor child to Ms. Anderson and set a child support amount based on the appropriate guidelines. On appeal, Mr. Fillmore argues that the trial court erred in its valuation of certain marital property, improperly awarded alimony in solido, and failed to include as a marital debt a pre-marital debt of Mr. Fillmore. In addition, Mr. Fillmore argues that the trial court improperly calculated his child support obligation based on his current income. We affirm the ruling of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Carol A. Catalano
Robertson County Court of Appeals 09/14/00
State vs. Willie Boyland

W1999-00634-CCA-R3-CD
Following a jury trial in the Hardeman County Circuit Court, Defendant was convicted of the offense of casual exchange of marijuana. On appeal, Defendant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to sustain the conviction. He also asserts that the trial court erred by prohibiting Defendant from questioning a state witness about a civil warrant and judgment against the witness and that the trial court erred by overruling his objection to the State eliciting testimony from its primary witness regarding the witness' employment. We have reviewed the record on appeal and the briefs of the parties and find no reversible error. Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Jon K. Blackwood
Hardeman County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/13/00
State vs. Henry Marshall Jr.

W1999-01159-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant Henry Marshall, Jr. was convicted of reckless aggravated assault following a jury trial in the Madison County Circuit Court. After a sentencing hearing, the trial court sentenced Defendant as a Range I Standard Offender to a term of two years, with the Defendant to serve eleven months and twenty-nine days in the local jail, and the remaining one year and one day on supervised probation. The Defendant challenges his conviction and his sentence, raising the following issues: (1) whether the trial court erred in denying Defendant's request for an instruction on self-defense, (2) whether the trial court erred in denying Defendant's request for an instruction on the lesser-included offense of simple assault and (3) whether the trial court correctly sentenced the defendant. After a review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court as modified herein.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Roy B. Morgan, Jr.
Madison County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/13/00
State vs. Joshua Dailey

E1999-01342-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant, Joshua Dailey, pled guilty to two counts of the Class E felony offense of violation of the Habitual Motor Vehicle Offender Act. The trial court sentenced Defendant to two years for each conviction, to be served consecutively. Furthermore, the trial court ordered the first sentence to be served in split confinement, with 300 days incarceration in the county jail followed by placement in Community Corrections. The Defendant appeals, challenging the length of the total effective sentence and arguing that he should serve the entire sentence in Community Corrections. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.
Blount County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/13/00
State vs. John Palmer

W1999-01310-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant, John David Palmer, was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and especially aggravated robbery following a jury trial in Gibson County Circuit Court. He was sentenced to serve three years for voluntary manslaughter and twenty years for especially aggravated robbery with the sentences to be served concurrent with each other. He does not appeal the voluntary manslaughter conviction or sentence. However, regarding the conviction for especially aggravated robbery, Defendant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to support the conviction and argues that the trial court committed reversible error by not instructing the jury on the lesser-included offense of theft and unauthorized use of a vehicle, i.e., joyriding. After review, we reverse and remand for a new trial on the offense of especially aggravated robbery.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Dick Jerman, Jr.
Gibson County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/13/00
Michael Alger vs. Corrections Corp.

W2000-00500-COA-R3-CV
An inmate sued Corrections Corporation of America and various individuals alleging failure to provide dental and medical care. The trial court dismissed the complaint for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. The judgment of the trial court is reversed in part and affirmed in part.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Jon Kerry Blackwood
Hardeman County Court of Appeals 09/13/00
State vs. James M. Loveday

E1999-02072-CCA-R3-CD
Following a jury trial, Defendant, James M. Loveday, was convicted of one count of attempted first degree murder, four counts of aggravated assault, and two counts of reckless endangerment. The trial court sentenced him to twenty-five (25) years for the attempted first degree murder conviction, six (6) years for each of the four aggravated assault convictions, and two (2) years for each of the reckless endangerment convictions. The sentences were ordered to be served consecutively to each other for a total sentence of fifty-three (53) years. On appeal, he challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to sustain the convictions of attempted first degree murder and aggravated assault, and argues that the trial court erroneously admitted testimony of prior bad acts, improperly considered victim impact letters in the presentence report, and argues that the sentences are excessive and that the trial court erred by ordering consecutive sentencing. After a review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court as modified herein.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Richard R. Vance
Sevier County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/13/00
State vs. Ronnie Bradfield

W1999-02344-CCA-R3-PC
Petitioner, Ronnie Bradfield, was convicted by a jury in the Shelby County Criminal Court of three counts of attempt to commit second degree murder, which this Court affirmed on direct appeal. Petitioner subsequently filed a pro se petition together with an amended and supplemental petition for post-conviction relief alleging, primarily, ineffective assistance of counsel. The post-conviction judge denied relief following an evidentiary hearing which took place over numerous days. Petitioner now appeals the judgment of the post-conviction court denying his petition. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:James C. Beasley, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/13/00