APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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King v. State

03C01-9601-CR-00024
Knox County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/14/97
Marvin & Ellyse McCarley vs. West Food Quality Service

02S01-9610-CV-00085
Supreme Court 07/14/97
Atwell v. Colonial

03S01-9609-CV-00090
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. Plaintiff, S. Scott Atwell, has appealed from the trial court's action in modifying a portion of a judgment which provided for a structured settlement of a workers' compensation claim. Originally the parties to this action entered a judgment on September 17, 1993, finding plaintiff to be totally (1%) disabled and providing the award would be payable as follows: a. Lump sum payment of $55,235. upon the entry of judgment. b. Payment of $588. every two weeks for a one year period. c. Lump sum payment of $14,34. on August 3, 1994. d. Lump sum payment of $14,34. on February 28, 1995. e. Lump sum payment of $15,37. on February 28, 1996. Upon learning plaintiff was engaged in certain work activities, the defendant, Colonial Freight Systems, Inc., filed a motion on March 8, 1995, to modify the last two annual payments upon the ground the evidence indicated the employee was not totally disabled. This motion was filed pursuant to the provisions of T. C. A. _ 5-6- 231 and Rule 6, T. R. Civ. P. After conducting a hearing, the trial court found there had been a "change of circumstances" and entered an order relieving the employer of the responsibility of paying the last two annual payments. The order did not state whether relief was granted pursuant to the statute or Rule 6 or both. This ruling was based upon evidence the employee had been working at a construction site in South Carolina over a certain period of time. Evidence of this nature was produced at the hearing by a private investigator who had observed the employee and a video made at the construction site. On appeal the employee argues the payments which the court abated were classified as lump sum payments and were not subject to modification under the statutory language and further that the evidence did not justify relief under Rule 6. 2
Authoring Judge: Roger E. Thayer, Special Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. Harold W Imberly,
Knox County Workers Compensation Panel 07/14/97
Gregory Eidson vs. State

M2004-02528-CCA-R3-HC
The Petitioner, Gregory Eidson, appeals from the dismissal of his petition for the writ of habeas corpus. The State has filed a motion requesting that the Court affirm the trial court's denial of relief pursuant to Rule 20, Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals. We find the State's motion has merit. Accordingly, the motion is granted and the appeal is affirmed pursuant to Rule 20, Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Jane W. Wheatcraft
Sumner County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/14/97
Mcmahan v. City of Newport

03S01-9607-CV-00080
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 trial judge found that the plaintiff had sustained a ten percent permanent partial disability as a result of a work-related accident, although he did not have any additional assigned medical impairment. Plaintiff appeals, challenging the trial court's findings that plaintiff was not assigned an additional medical impairment rating and that plaintiff had a ten percent permanent partial disability. He also argues that the trial court should have reconsidered plaintiff's permanent partial disability award from his first injury. We affirm the trial court's judgment. Plaintiff, 45, has an eighth-grade education. He served with the Marines in Vietnam, has worked as a welder and has worked in maintenance. In 1983, he began working for the city of Newport, performing mostly maintenance tasks. He injured his back on October 8, 1992, for which surgery was performed; he returned to work after this surgery. He was awarded 4% permanent partial disability benefits for this injury. The trial court in that case found that plaintiff had a 15% medical impairment rating based on the testimony of Dr. Alan Whiton, plaintiff's treating orthopedic surgeon, that plaintiff's impairment could be as high as 15%. Plaintiff re-injured his back on July 12, 1994, when a power saw jerked while he was trimming trees. A surgical fusion was performed on plaintiff in October 1994. He did not return to work, although he was offered a position which would involve supervising prison inmates who were picking up litter. His supervisor, Tim Dockery, testified that this position was still available for plaintiff, although he admitted it had not yet been funded by the city council. Plaintiff testified that he experiences continuous pain in his back and down his right leg and that he does not believe that he can work. He also testified that Mr. Dockery told him he would be moved back into full duty after a few months; however, Mr. Dockery testified that he did not say this and that the position was intended to be permanent. 2
Authoring Judge: John K. Byers, Senior Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. William R. Holt, Jr.,
Knox County Workers Compensation Panel 07/14/97
Pemberton v. Campbell

03S01-9604-CH-00044
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 was awarded lifetime benefits based on a finding of total, permanent vocational disability, with the employer and Second Injury Fund ordered de novo concurrent, pro rata payments for permanent disability until the plaintiff reaches age 65. Because we find that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of total and permanent disability, but supports a finding of 75% permanent partial disability to her whole body, the judgment is modified to award the plaintiff weekly benefits for 3 weeks. Our review is de novo on the record, accompanied by the presumption that the trial court's findings of fact are correct unless the evidence preponderates otherwise. T.C.A. _ 5-6-225(e)(2). Seiber v. Greenbrier Ind., 96 S.W.2d 444, 446 (Tenn. 1995). The plaintiff injured her neck and shoulders on September 15, 1992, rupturing a cervical disc. Dr. Bernhard Kliefoth performed surgery and released the plaintiff to return to work with no restrictions on October 7, 1992. She was employed as a teacher's aide and suffered the injury while lifting a child. She was then 37 years old. On April 1, 1991, she had injured her neck but had not pursued a claim; in this connection, the orthopedic surgeon, Dr. William Kennedy, testified that about one- half of the plaintiff's impairment was attributable to the former injury. Because of ongoing shoulder pain, the plaintiff saw Dr. David Hauge, who performed surgery on July 7, 1994 for suprascapular nerve entrapment and testified that the plaintiff had a 9% impairment for the cervical injury and a 15% impairment for the nerve entrapment, for a total of 17% impairment to her whole body. Dr. Kennedy evaluated the plaintiff on May 5, 1993 and testified that she had a 2% impairment due to neck problems. As noted, he attributed one-half of the impairment to the 1991 injury. 2
Authoring Judge: William H. Inman, Senior Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. Billy Joe White,
Knox County Workers Compensation Panel 07/14/97
Thomas E. Montooth vs. State

01C01-9604-CC-00126

Originating Judge:Charles D. Haston, Sr.
White County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/11/97
State vs. John P. Pelfrey

01C01-9606-CR-00251

Originating Judge:J. O. Bond
Wilson County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/11/97
State vs. Randall Lunsford

01C01-9603-CC-00098
Wilson County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/11/97
Henry B. Waggoner vs. David Mills Warden

01C01-9604-CC-00142

Originating Judge:Donald P. Harris
Hickman County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/11/97
Douglas Trammell vs. State

01C01-9602-CC-00083

Originating Judge:James E. Walton
Montgomery County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/11/97
State vs. Gray

M1998-00256-COA-R3-CV
The sole remaining question in this appeal is whether in October of 1998 the General Sessions Court of Davidson County had jurisdiction over a contempt warrant issued for violating the Davidson County Circuit Court's order of protection. We affirm the General Sessions Court's exercise of jurisdiction.
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Gale B. Robinson
Davidson County Court of Appeals 07/11/97
Jimmy Lee Heard vs. State

01C01-9704-CR-00120
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/11/97
State vs. Lutcher O. Miles & Amber Dawn Miles

01C01-9604-CC-00169
Cheatham County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/11/97
State vs. Terry Wayne Farrar

01C01-9605-CC-00198
Bedford County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/11/97
Taft Douglas vs. State

01C01-9605-CR-00182
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/11/97
State vs, Albert Lewis

02C01-9512-CR-00394

Originating Judge:Bernie Weinman
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/10/97
State vs. Ricky Tucker

02C01-9606-CR-00196

Originating Judge:W. Fred Axley
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/10/97
State vs. Milton Spears, Jr.

02C01-9606-CR-00197
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/10/97
State vs. John Earnest

02C01-9604-CR-00114

Originating Judge:Carolyn Wade Blackett
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/10/97
Diana Sue Long, v. Michael George Long

01A01-9701-CV-00003

This is an appeal by the defendant, Michael George Long, from that portion of the trial court’s judgment which awarded alimony in futuro to his former wife, Diana Sue Long, who was the plaintiff below.

Authoring Judge: Judge Samuel L. Lewis
Originating Judge:Judge Muriel Robinson
Davidson County Court of Appeals 07/09/97
State of Tennessee vs. Joseph L. Fletcher

03C01-9606-CC-00229

Defendant, Joseph L. Fletcher, appeals as of right a jury conviction for driving under the influence (DUI), second offense. He was sentenced to eleven months and twenty-nine days and fined $610. Fletcher presents four issues for our review: 1) whether the evidence was sufficient to sustain the conviction; 2) whether the state is required to prove a culpable mental state for a DUI conviction; 3) whether the trial court abused its discretion in allowing testimony about certain drugs; and 4) whether the sentence is excessive. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Originating Judge:Judge James E. Beckner
Greene County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/09/97
Mary Jane Bohlen Duggan v. Frederick Louis Bohlen, III

01A01-9611-CV-00535

This is an appeal by petitioner/appellant, Mary Jane Bohlen Duggan, from the decision of the trial court modifying the child support obligation of respondent/appellee, Frederick Louis Bohlen, III, and interpreting the parties’ marital dissolution agreement (“MDA”) and a later amendment to the MDA. The court concluded Mr. Bohlen was not in contempt and required him to pay $860.00 per month for the parties’ youngest child, $250.00 per month for each child over eighteen and under twenty-two provided the child is receiving a postgraduate education, andone-half of the children’s postgraduate education expenses. The facts out of which this matter arose are as follows.

Authoring Judge: Judge Samuel L. Lewis
Originating Judge:Judge Marietta M. Shipley
Davidson County Court of Appeals 07/09/97
Susanna Gillespie, A/K/A Susanna Grezegorcyk, A/K/A Susanna Kantack A/K/A Susanna Gregg, v. Stephen D. Graham and Lori G. Graham

01A01-9702-CH-00083

This is an appeal from the decision of the Williamson County Chancery Court. Plaintiff/appellant, Susanna Gregg, claims the chancery court erred when it denied her claim to attorney’s fees, and defendant/appellee, Steven D. Graham, claims the chancery court erred when it failed to dismiss the claim as outside the statute of limitations. The facts out of which this matter arose are as follows: Defendant and his ex-wife, Lori G. Graham, entered into an agreement with Plaintiff and her husband, Donald Kanatack, for the lease/purchase of a piece of real estate. Defendant executed a note and a deed of trust in favor of Plaintiff and her husband on 15 March 1986. In exchange for the note, Plaintiff and her husband gave Defendant and Ms. Graham $10,477.17, which they used to pay real estate commissions and to set up an escrow account for repairs. The note listed the date of maturity as “on or at closing,” and the lease/purchase agreement listed the date of closing as 17 February 1988. Both the note and the deed contained provisions allowing Plaintiff to recover attorney’s fees if Plaintiff had to file suit to recover under each agreement. At the time of execution, however, the parties modified the note by drawing an “X” over five consecutive paragraphs. One of these paragraphs included the provision allowing the note holder to recover costs and expenses under certain circumstances.1 The parties failed to pay the note on 17 February 1988. The parties extended the original lease/purchase agreement for an additional year by executing an addendum on 27 May 1988. The new closing date passed without incident and both parties continued as they had in the contract for two additional years. A fire occurred on the property in 1990 while Plaintiff still occupied it.  After the insurance company paid the settlement to Defendant, he evicted Plaintiff from the property.

Authoring Judge: Judge Samuel L. Lewis
Originating Judge:Chancellor Henry Denmark Bell
Williamson County Court of Appeals 07/09/97
State of Tennessee vs. Clinton Darrell Turner

03C01-9604-CC-00151

The Defendant, Clinton Darrell Turner, appeals as of right his conviction and sentence for DUI. Following a jury trial, the Defendant was convicted of driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant and driving on a revoked license in the Cocke County Circuit Court. The trial court sentenced the Defendant to eleven (11) months and twenty-nine (29) days on the charge of driving while under the influence and six months for the charge of driving on a revoked license. The sentences were ordered to be served concurrently. The trial court suspended the entire sentence for the conviction of driving on a revoked license. On the DUI, the Defendant was ordered to serve seven days in jail with the balance to be served on probation. In addition to challenging the sufficiency of the evidence, Defendant also argues the trial court erred by allowing an officer to testify as to field sobriety tests when the officer was not trained to administer those tests. The last issue the Defendant raises is that the trial court erred by sentencing him to serve seven days rather than the two (2) day minimum provided by law. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Ben W. Hooper, II
Court of Criminal Appeals 07/09/97