APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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Walter Jefferson vs. Captain D's et al

W1999-00574-COA-R3-CV
In this personal injury action, plaintiff timely filed suit, which was subsequently dismissed for failure to prosecute. Another suit was commenced within one year of the first dismissal. This suit was voluntarily nonsuited at a later date. A third suit was commenced within one year of the voluntarily nonsuit, but more than one year from the date of the first dismissal. The trial court granted summary judgment on the ground that the suit was barred by the statute of limitations. Plaintiff has appealed.
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:George H. Brown
Shelby County Court of Appeals 08/16/00
Heathman-Wood vs. Wood

M1999-00341-COA-R3-CV
This is a post-divorce child custody case. When the mother and father divorced, by agreed order, they gave custody of their minor child to the child's maternal aunt and uncle. The aunt and uncle later petitioned the trial court to allow them to move with the child to another state. The father then sought custody of the child. The trial court found that the father had failed to prove a change in circumstances warranting a change in custody from the aunt and uncle. Consequently, the father's petition for custody was dismissed and the aunt and uncle's petition to move to another state was granted. We reverse, finding that an erroneous legal standard was used. The cause is remanded for a determination of whether granting the father's petition for custody would result in substantial harm to the child.
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Leonard W. Martin
Cheatham County Court of Appeals 08/16/00
Ross vs. Campbell

M1999-01805-COA-R3-CV
An inmate in custody of the Tennessee Department of Correction brought an action for declaratory judgment contending that the Department failed to give him all sentence credits due. The trial court granted the respondent's motion for summary judgment and we affirm on the basis that no genuine issue of material fact was shown.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Ellen Hobbs Lyle
Davidson County Court of Appeals 08/16/00
State vs. Elpidio Valdez

M1999-00791-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry Smith
Originating Judge:J. Randall Wyatt, Jr.
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/16/00
Johnson vs. Allstate

M1999-01639-COA-R3-CV
Insured sued his insurer to recover policy coverage due on a fire loss to his automobile after the insurer denied coverage under the fraud provision of the policy. Judgment was entered on a jury verdict for the insured, and the insurer has appealed.
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Buddy D. Perry
Grundy County Court of Appeals 08/16/00
Wright vs. Hull

M1999-02307-COA-R3-CV
Plaintiff/Appellee, Bill D. Wright, sued to set aside a 1986 deed whereby he conveyed a certain tract of land to Defendant/Appellant, Bonnie S. Hull. He charged failure of consideration and fraud. Defendant, Ms. Hull, asserted that she and Mr. Wright cohabited without marriage for twelve years until their separation in 1998. She asserted that the property conveyance was a gift and was also conveyed to her by Mr. Wright to put the property out of the reach of his creditors. The trial court held the parties to be equal tenants in common and ordered the property sold. We reverse the trial court and dismiss the case.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Billy Joe White
Fentress County Court of Appeals 08/16/00
Byron Lowell Mitts vs. Virginia Ann Jones Mitts

E2000-00374-COA-R3-CV
The trial court dissolved a marriage of over 26 years. Wife appeals, arguing (1) that the increase in value of Husband's separate property interest in two stock holdings is, in each instance, marital property; (2) that the trial court erred in its award of alimony; (3) that the trial court erred in calculating Husband's child support obligation; and (4) that she is entitled to an award of attorney's fees, both at the trial level and on appeal. We affirm the trial court's classification of the increase in value of Husband's Rivermont stock as his separate property. We also affirm the trial court's finding that no portion of the value of the Coca-Cola stock is marital property. We modify the award of rehabilitative alimony so as to provide for a monthly payment of $2,000 for a period of four years beginning with the first full month after the entry of the divorce judgment below. We find that Wife is entitled to her attorney's fees at both stages of this proceeding. We remand this case for the trial court to determine if the child support obligation should be increased due to Husband's lack of standard visitation.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:W. Neil Thomas, III
Hamilton County Court of Appeals 08/16/00
Mills vs. Solomon

M1998-00393-COA-R3-CV
These proceedings began when David Mills filed a complaint seeking to condemn an easement across Linda Solomon's property. In bifurcated proceedings, the jury first determined the location of Mills' easement across Solomon's property and, later, found that Solomon was entitled to an award of damages totaling $11,908 for the easement, including $9900 in incidental damages. On appeal from the trial court's judgment entered on the jury's verdict, Mills challenges only the award of $9900 in incidental damages. We agree with Mills' contention that the record fails to contain material evidence to support the award of incidental damages, and we reverse that portion of the trial court's judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Robert E. Corlew, III
Cannon County Court of Appeals 08/16/00
State vs. Jerry W. Yancey, Jr.

M1999-02131-CCA-R3-CD
The appellant/defendant, Jerry W. Yancey, Jr., was convicted by the Williamson County Jury on four counts, two counts of aggravated assault and two counts of felony reckless endangerment. In count five, the defendant was found not guilty of felony reckless endangerment. Upon the defendant's conviction for aggravated assault, the trial court imposed sentences of three and one-half (3-_) years in the Department of Correction. However, the trial court placed the defendant on probation for four (4) years with certain special conditions, mainly that the defendant serve sixty (60) days, day for day, in the Williamson County Jail. In his appeal, the defendant challenges: (1) Whether the trial court erred in finding that the District Attorney General did not abuse his discretion in denying the defendant pre-trial diversion?; and (2) Whether the trial court erred in denying the defendant full probation? Upon our review of the entire record, we find no reversible error and affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Sr. Judge L. Terry Lafferty
Originating Judge:Timothy L. Easter
Williamson County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/16/00
Thomas H. Caffey vs. Kevin Myers, Warden

M2000-00200-CCA-R3-PC
Petitioner challenges the trial court's summary dismissal of his petition for writ of habeas corpus. Petitioner was convicted in Davidson County in 1985 of two counts of armed robbery and felonious use of a motor vehicle. He was sentenced to two terms of life imprisonment and an additional four years, to be served consecutively to one another and consecutively to a prior Oklahoma sentence. Petitioner does not challenge the legality of the convictions underlying his current sentences, but rather asserts that equitable estoppel and a due process violation mandate that he not be required to serve his Tennessee sentences. Upon our review of the record, we affirm the dismissal of the petition for writ of habeas corpus.
Authoring Judge: Sr. Judge L. Terry Lafferty
Originating Judge:Jim T. Hamilton
Wayne County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/16/00
State vs. William Dozier

W1999-00243-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant entered guilty pleas to three charges of sale of more than .5 grams of cocaine. The trial court sentenced the defendant as a Range I, standard offender to eight years in the Tennessee Department of Correction on each charge. The court ordered that the sentences be served concurrently for an effective sentence of eight years and fined the defendant $2,000. In this appeal as of right, the defendant challenges the sentence imposed by the trial court, arguing that the court erred by denying him an alternative method of punishment. We conclude that the trial court considered all relevant factors needed to reach an appropriate sentence and that its findings are adequately supported by the record. The defendant has failed to meet his burden of showing that the sentence was improper, and, accordingly, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:William B. Acree
Obion County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/16/00
Carl O. Koella, Jr. vs. Fred McHargue, et al

E1999-02752-COA-R3-CV
This is the second time that this case has been before us on appeal. On the first appeal, which was filed with respect to an order entered pursuant to Tenn. R. Civ. P. 54.02, we affirmed the trial court's grant of partial summary judgment to the plaintiff on the primary issue raised by the original complaint for declaratory judgment. While that case was pending on appeal, the original plaintiff, Carl O. Koella, Jr., died, and, on motion of his counsel, we entered an order substituting his widow, Maribel Koella, in his place. On remand, the plaintiff -- not otherwise identified in the pleading -- filed a motion in the trial court to dismiss the defendants' still-pending counterclaim. That motion was based on the failure of the defendants, in their capacity as counter-plaintiffs, to file a motion "to substitute the proper party for [Mr. Koella] in the trial court." The trial court granted the motion. We reverse.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:C. K. Smith
Blount County Court of Appeals 08/16/00
Kenneth L. Bonner vs. TN Dept. of Correction

M1999-00343-COA-R3-CV
The petitioner contends that the trial court erred in dismissing his petition regarding the Department of Correction's calculation of his release eligibility date. An adjustment of the release eligibility date, made subsequent to the filing of this appeal, has rendered most of the petitioner's arguments moot. As to the remaining issue, we affirm the dismissal of the petition because we agree with the trial court that it lacked jurisdiction to consider the petition.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Ellen Hobbs Lyle
Davidson County Court of Appeals 08/16/00
Paul Wallace vs. Rhonda Mitchell

W1999-01487-COA-R3-CV
Tenured teacher was discharged after an evidentiary hearing before the school board upon finding that the teacher inappropriately touched students and failed to discontinue the practice after warnings. The teacher filed a petition for writ of certiorari for review by the chancery court and after the chancery court's review of the record of the school board hearing, the action of the board dismissing the teacher was affirmed. The teacher has appealed to this Court.
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Ron E. Harmon
Decatur County Court of Appeals 08/16/00
Welborn vs. Sellars

M1999-00164-COA-R3-CV
This is an insurance case. The plaintiff was driving a motorcycle when he was involved in an accident with an automobile driven by an uninsured motorist. The plaintiff's motorcycle was not listed in his insurance policy. The plaintiff filed suit seeking damages for his injuries sustained in the accident. The plaintiff's insurance company moved for summary judgment in the case based on an exclusion in the plaintiff's insurance policy which denied uninsured motorist coverage for vehicles for which insurance was not afforded under the policy. The trial court granted the insurance company's motion and the plaintiff appealed. We affirm, finding that the policy exclusion applies to the plaintiff's motorcycle.
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Robert E. Corlew, III
Rutherford County Court of Appeals 08/16/00
State vs. Wayne Michael Fuller

E1999-01676-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant appeals from his sentence imposed for seven counts of statutory rape, a Class E felony, in the Knox County Criminal Court. The trial court imposed a sentence of two years for each count to be served in the Department of Correction. The trial court imposed consecutive sentencing on five counts and concurrent sentencing was imposed on two counts, for an effective sentence of ten years. In this direct appeal, the defendant challenges the length of the sentence and consecutive sentencing. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Originating Judge:Ray L. Jenkins
Knox County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/16/00
Hartsville Hospital vs. Bay Nat'l Bank & Trust Co.

M1999-01276-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from a dispute over the ownership of monies held in a bond fund. Hartsville Hospital Incorporated ("Hartsville") filed suit against Bay National Bank ("Bank") seeking the contents of the fund. The court below entered judgment for Hartsville, holding that Bank had no claim to the bond fund money pursuant to a release agreement between the parties and that Hartsville was not estopped from asserting ownership. Bank appeals.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:C. K. Smith
Trousdale County Court of Appeals 08/16/00
State of Tennessee, Department of Children Services, v. MR

E1999-02703-COA-R3-CV

The Trial Judge granted the Department's petition to terminate parental rights of the mother to her ten year old child on numerous grounds. The mother has appealed, and we affirm termination.

 


 

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Judge David Schulty
Greene County Court of Appeals 08/16/00
American Airlines vs. Johnson

M1999-02390-COA-R3-CV
American Airlines, Inc., appeals the trial court's final judgment denying its request for a refund of use taxes paid on aviation fuel purchased out of state during the years 1992 through 1995. We affirm the trial court's judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Carol L. Mccoy
Davidson County Court of Appeals 08/16/00
International Flight Center vs. City of Murfreesboro

M1999-00324-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises out of a dispute between Plaintiff International Flight Center ("IFC") and Defendants City of Murfreesboro ("City") and City of Murfreesboro Airport Committee ("Airport Committee") regarding the alleged breach of a lease agreement and the nonpayment of certain property taxes. The trial court granted a judgment in favor of IFC in the amount of $174,718.00 plus ten percent prejudgment interest. Additionally, the court ruled that the City is estopped from collecting the property taxes allegedly owed to the City by IFC. On appeal, we reverse the trial court's finding that the City breached the parties' 1989 lease agreement, vacate the court's ruling regarding the jet fuel equipment that was purchased by IFC but that remained at the Airport following the expiration of the parties' 1989 lease agreement, remand the cause for further findings of fact regarding this jet fuel equipment, affirm the court's ruling regarding the matter of prejudgment interest to the extent hereinafter discussed, and reverse the court's ruling that the City is estopped from collecting the real and personal property taxes allegedly owed to the City by IFC.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Royce Taylor
Rutherford County Court of Appeals 08/16/00
Richardson vs. Miller

M1997-00205-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Marietta M. Shipley
Davidson County Court of Appeals 08/16/00
State of Tennessee v. Carolyn L. Curry

W1999-00688-CCA-R10-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:C. Creed Mcginley
Carroll County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/16/00
Richardson vs. Miller

M1997-00205-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Marietta M. Shipley
Davidson County Court of Appeals 08/16/00
State vs. Michael E. Wallace

M1999-02187-CCA-R3-CD
On August 25, 1998, a Davidson County Grand Jury indicted Michael E. Wallace, the defendant and appellant, of one count each of the following: possession of cocaine with intent to sell more than .5 grams of cocaine, simple possession of marijuana, possession of a weapon, possession of drug paraphernalia and evading arrest. Following a jury trial, the defendant was convicted for possession with intent to sell less than .5 grams of cocaine, a lesser included offense of count one. The defendant was also convicted of all other counts as charged. After a sentencing hearing, the trial court sentenced the defendant as a Range II, multiple offender, to serve ten years for possession of cocaine with intent to sell consecutively to two years for possession of a weapon. For the remaining counts, the court ordered the defendant to serve two eleven month and twenty-nine day sentences concurrently to each other and the other counts. On appeal, the defendant claims (1) that the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction; (2) that the trial court erroneously allowed a police officer to offer expert opinion testimony; (3) that the trial court erroneously denied the defendant's motion for a mistrial after a witness testified to prior bad acts of the defendant; (4) that the court erroneously refused to instruct the jury to consider lesser-included offenses; and (5) that the court erroneously ordered consecutive sentences. After a thorough review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry Smith
Originating Judge:Steve R. Dozier
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/15/00
Union Planters vs. Island Management

W1999-00541-COA-R3-CV
This is a dispute regarding the repayment of a $350,000.00 loan that Union Planters National Bank ("Union Planters") made to Island Management Authority, Inc. ("Island Management") in 1989. The trial court found that Mr. Criss, Mr. Tigrett, and Mr. Richards, each of whom had executed a guaranty in favor of Union Planters, are jointly and severally liable to Union Planters for the outstanding balance of this loan. For the reasons set forth below, we affirm the ruling of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:D. J. Alissandratos
Shelby County Court of Appeals 08/15/00