State of Tennessee v. Malcolm Wayne Bennett
M2013-01403-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant, Malcolm W. Bennett, was charged by indictment with Class C felony aggravated assault. In a negotiated plea agreement, he entered a “best interest” guilty plea to the amended charge of Class D felony reckless aggravated assault of the victim, a ten-year-old boy. The parties also agreed that Defendant would be sentenced as a Range II multiple offender, with the length and manner of service to be determined by the trial court. After the sentencing hearing, the trial court sentenced Defendant to serve eight years in the Department of Correction. In this appeal Defendant argues that his sentence is excessive. After a thorough review of the record and the briefs of the parties, we affirm the judgment of the trial court pursuant to Rule 20 of the Rules of the Court of the Criminal Appeals of Tennessee.
Authoring Judge: Jude Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Michael Binkley |
Williamson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/05/14 | |
Donna Bobo v. State of Tennessee Real Estate Commission
M2013-0207-COA-R3-CV
This is an appeal from an administrative decision permanently revoking a real estate broker’s license. The Chancery Court reversed the decision of the administrative panel, finding that the decision was not based on substantial and material evidence, that the procedure utilized violated both statutory and constitutional principles, and that the administrative panel demonstrated “evident partiality.” We reverse the decision of the Chancery Court and reinstate the decision of the administrative panel. Reversed and remanded.
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Steven Stafford
Originating Judge:Chancellor Carol L. McCoy |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 05/05/14 | |
Ronnie Woodall v. State of Tennessee
W2012-02005-CCA-R3-PC
The petitioner, Ronnie Woodall, appeals the denial of his petition for post-conviction relief, which challenged his Shelby County Criminal Court jury conviction of rape of a child. In this appeal, the petitioner contends that he was deprived of the effective assistance of counsel at trial, that the State failed to disclose favorable evidence, and that the post-conviction court erred by failing to address each of the issues raised in the petition for post-conviction relief. Discerning no error, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge James Curwood Witt Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge W. Otis Higgs |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/05/14 | |
In Re D'Vante P.
E2013-02148-COA-R3-PT
This is a termination of parental rights case, focusing on D’Vante P., the minor child (“Child”) of Ashley C. (“Mother”) and Sylvester P. (“Father”). The Child was taken into protective custody by the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (“DCS”) on October 27, 2010, following investigation of lack of supervision in the home. On October 10, 2012, DCS filed a petition to terminate the parental rights of both parents. The proceeding to terminate Father’s parental rights subsequently became a separate action, and Father is not a party to this appeal. Following a bench trial conducted on July 15, 2013, the trial court granted the petition as to Mother upon the court’s finding, by clear and convincing evidence, that (1) Mother had failed to substantially comply with the permanency plans and (2) the conditions causing the removal of the Child into protective custody persisted. The court further found, by clear and convincing evidence, that termination of Mother’s parental rights was in the Child’s best interest. Mother has appealed. Discerning no error, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas R. Frierson, II
Originating Judge:Judge Daniel Ray Swafford |
Bradley County | Court of Appeals | 05/05/14 | |
Joyce E. Monday, et al v. Earl D. Thomas, et al
M2012-01357-COA-R3-CV
The trial court dismissed this tort action as barred by the statute of limitations upon determining that Plaintiffs had failed to comply with Rule 4.03(1) of the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure where they failed to return alias summonses until 235 days after they were issued. We reverse in part, vacate in part, and remand for further proceedings.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Judge John D. McAfee |
Fentress County | Court of Appeals | 05/05/14 | |
Robert C. Litton v. Jennifer M. Litton
M2013-01363-COA-R3-CV
In the parties’ divorce, the trial court denied Wife’s request for spousal support and her request for reimbursement for medical expenses incurred. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Judge C. L. Rogers |
Sumner County | Court of Appeals | 05/05/14 | |
Lena Barner v. Burns Phillips, Acting Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, et al
M2013-01180-COA-R3-CV
This case involves Employee’s right to unemployment compensation benefits. The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development denied Employee’s claim for unemployment compensation benefits after finding that she voluntarily quit her job based on her belief that she would soon be terminated. Employee appealed that finding in the trial court, where she also contended that she was denied her due process rights of notice and representation during the agency proceedings. The trial court upheld the denial of benefits, finding substantial and material evidence that Employee voluntarily quit her job, and finding that Employee was not denied due process during the agency proceedings. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Judge Robert L. Holloway, Jr. |
Maury County | Court of Appeals | 05/05/14 | |
In Re: Landon R. W.
M2013-02216-COA-R3-JV
This is a grandparent visitation case. The grandparents filed a petition seeking to have a parenting plan established which designated them as primary caregivers or, in the alternative, provided them with “regular custodial time” with respect to a grandson who previously lived at their home. The juvenile court judge held that the Grandparents did not prove that the mother opposed visitation, and dismissed the petition. Concluding thatthe evidence does not preponderate against the court’s finding that the mother did not oppose visitation, we affirm the dismissal of the petition.
Authoring Judge: Judge Richard H. Dinkins
Originating Judge:Judge Ray Grimes |
Montgomery County | Court of Appeals | 05/02/14 | |
State of Tennessee v. Jose Antonio Henriquez
M2013-01040-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant, Jose Antonio Henriquez, was convicted by a Davidson County Criminal Court jury of two counts of aggravated sexual battery, Class B felonies; attempted aggravated sexual battery, a Class C felony; solicitation of a minor, a Class C felony; and sexual exploitation of a minor, a Class C felony. See T.C.A. §§ 39-13-504 (2010) (aggravated sexual battery), 39-12-101 (2010) (criminal attempt), 39-13-528 (2006) (amended 2013) (solicitation of a minor), 39-13-529 (2006) (amended 2011, 2012, 2013) (sexual exploitation of a minor). The trial court sentenced the Defendant to concurrent terms of eleven years as a violent offender for each of the aggravated sexual battery convictions and five years as a Range I, standard offender for each of the attempted aggravated sexual battery, solicitation of a minor, and sexual exploitation of a minor convictions. On appeal, the Defendant contends that (1) his right to a speedy trial was violated and (2) a fatal variance exists between the solicitation of a minor charge and the trial proof. We affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge Steve R. Dozier |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/02/14 | |
Margaret Renee Wright v. Patricia Dunlap et al.
M2014-00238-COA-R3-CV
The plaintiff, Margaret Renee Wright, has appealed from the dismissal of her action for damages arising out of an automobile accident. Upon review of the record, this court determined that neither Ms. Wright’s Tenn. R. Civ. P. 59 motion nor her notice of appeal were timely filed. We thus ordered Ms. Wright to show cause why her appeal should not be dismissed. Ms. Wright’s trial counsel has filed a response asserting that both Ms. Wright’s Tenn. R. Civ. P. 59 motion and her notice of appeal were in fact timely filed. 2 It appears fromMs. Wright’s response that certain documents were omitted from the record. Nevertheless, we still conclude that Ms. Wright’s Tenn. R. Civ. P.59 motion was untimely and thus dismiss the appeal.
Authoring Judge: Judge Frank G. Clement, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Ross Hicks |
Montgomery County | Court of Appeals | 05/01/14 | |
In Re: Ashley B.
W2013-02584-COA-R3-PT
The order appealed is not a final judgment and therefore, this appeal is dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.
Authoring Judge: Per Curiam
Originating Judge:Judge Van McMahan |
McNairy County | Court of Appeals | 05/01/14 | |
State of Tennessee v. Marvin Davis
W2013-00656-CCA-R3-CD
A Shelby County jury convicted the defendant, Marvin Davis, of rape of a child, and the trial court sentenced him to twenty-five years at 100%. On appeal, the defendant contends that (1) the trial court erred in admitting the videotaped forensic interview of the victim; and (2) the evidence is insufficient to support his conviction. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge J. Robert Carter Jr. |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/01/14 | |
Gary Allen Jordan v. State of Tennessee
W2013-01600-CCA-R3-PC
The petitioner, Gary Allen Jordan, appeals the denial of his petitions for post-conviction relief from his guilty plea convictions for possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, felony evading arrest, and two counts of aggravated assault. He argues that he received ineffective assistance of counsel and that his guilty pleas were not knowingly and voluntarily entered. After review, we affirm the denial of the petitions.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge Donald H. Allen |
Madison County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/01/14 | |
Jim Najib Jirjis v. Tammy Sue Jirjis
M2013-00512-COA-R3-CV
The trial court granted a divorce to a husband and wife after a marriage of nineteen years. The court named the husband as the primary residential parent of the parties’ children, divided the marital property between the parties, and awarded the wife transitional alimony of $3,000 per month for five years. The husband argues on appeal that the trial court erred in including his separate property in the marital estate subject to division. The wife argues that the alimony award was insufficient in light of the length of the parties’ marriage and the disparity in income between them, and that the court erred in failing to award her attorney’s fees. We agree that husband’s separate property should not be included in the marital estate, but that the division of property is still equitable. We hold that the wife is entitled to alimony in futuro. We also find that she should be awarded one-half of the attorney’s fees she incurred at trial.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Judge Derek K. Smith |
Williamson County | Court of Appeals | 05/01/14 | |
In Re Ella M. I., et al.
M2013-01543-COA-R3-PT
Mother appeals the termination of her parental rights. We conclude from the record that clear and convincing evidence does not support the trial court’s finding of willful abandonment and, accordingly, reverse.
Authoring Judge: Judge Andy D. Bennett
Originating Judge:Judge George L. Lovell |
Maury County | Court of Appeals | 05/01/14 | |
In Re: Alexis L., et al.
M2013-01814-COA-R3-PT
Mother appealed the trial court’s determination that several grounds for terminating her parental rights had been met and that termination was in the best interest of her children. She failed to appeal or argue one of the grounds for termination, so the trial court’s finding regarding that ground is final. Because only one ground need be found, we decline to examine the other grounds. We agree with the trial court’s determination that clear and convincing evidence existed to conclude that termination of Mother’s parental rights is in the best interest of the children.
Authoring Judge: Judge Andy D. Bennett
Originating Judge:Judge Ken Witcher |
Macon County | Court of Appeals | 04/30/14 | |
Frederick Parks v. State of Tennessee
W2013-01601-CCA-R3-ECN
In 2000, the Petitioner, Frederick Parks, pled guilty to one count of escape. The trial court sentenced him to one year in the Tennessee Department of Correction, to be served consecutively to a prior six-year sentence as well as any other prior sentences. This Court affirmed the Petitioner’s convictions on appeal. State v. Frederick Parks, No. W1999-01357-CCA-R3-CD, 2000 WL 1672341, at *4 (Tenn. Crim. App., at Jackson, Oct. 27, 2000), no Tenn. R. App. P. 11 filed. In 2012, the Petitioner filed a petition for habeas corpus relief, which was dismissed. This Court affirmed the dismissal of the petition on appeal. Frederick Parks v. Cherry Lindamood, No. W2013-00361-CCA-R3-HC, 2013 WL 6529307, at *3 (Tenn. Crim. App., at Jackson, Dec. 10, 2013), no Tenn. R. App. P. 11 filed. In 2013, the Petitioner filed a petition for a writ of error coram nobis, in which he presented multiple claims, including that his guilty plea to the escape charge had been illegally induced by the prosecutor. After a hearing, the coram nobis court dismissed the petition. On appeal, the Petitioner alleges that the coram nobis court erred when it dismissed his petition, contending that the newly discovered evidence warrants a waiver of the statute of limitations. After a thorough review of the record and applicable authorities, we affirm the coram nobis court’s judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Roy Morgan Jr. |
Madison County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/30/14 | |
State of Tennessee v. Danny Wayne Carpenter
E2013-00747-CCA-R3-CD
After the appellant, Danny Wayne Carpenter, pled guilty in the Hamblen County Criminal Court to aggravated burglary and theft of property worth more than $10,000, the trial court imposed a total effective sentence of three years in the Tennessee Department of Correction and ordered the appellant to pay restitution in the amount of $15,250. On appeal, the appellant challenges the amount of restitution imposed by the trial court. Upon review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge John F. Dugger, Jr. |
Hamblen County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/30/14 | |
Antonius Harris, et al v. Tennessee Rehabilitative Initiative In Correction
M2013-00501-COA-R3-CV
Fourmen who worked forTennessee Rehabilitative Initiative in Correction (TRICOR)while incarcerated in the Department of Corrections filed a grievance with the Department, contending that TRICOR had failed to pay them all the wages they had been promised. The Grievance Committee ruled in their favor, but TRICOR and the Department refused to authorize any additional pay. The men filed two different actions in the Davidson County Chancery Court. This appeal is from the denial of the trial court in Part III of a motion to reconsider. The trial court denied the motion. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Judge Ellen H. Lyle |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 04/30/14 | |
Kenneth James Worgan v. Jeannie Antoinette Worgan
E2013-01756-COA-R3-CV
In this post-divorce case, Jeannie Antoinette Worgan (“wife”) filed a Tenn. R. Civ. P. 60.02 motion to alter or amend the final judgment, which had been entered over eleven months earlier. The final judgment had incorporated the parties’ marital dissolution agreement (“MDA”). Wife’s Rule 60.02 motion alleges that the MDA “failed to mention the division of the former husband’s pension” and that “[t]his oversight certainly must have resulted from a mistake, inadvertence, or excusable neglect.” The trial court denied the motion, finding that wife was aware of the pension of Kenneth James Worgan (“husband”) when she signed the MDA and that she had ample time and opportunity to review the MDA before signing it. We agree with the trial court’s ruling that wife has presented no ground for Rule 60.02 relief. Accordingly, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Chief Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Chancellor Telford E. Forgety, Jr. |
Jefferson County | Court of Appeals | 04/30/14 | |
A To Z Smart Products & Consulting, et al. v. Bank of America
M2013-01261-COA-R3-CV
Garnishor obtained a final judgment which held Garnishee liable for full amount of outstanding debt of the judgment-debtor. The trial court granted Garnishee’s motion to alter or amend and vacated the conditional judgment and the final judgment against the Garnishee; Garnishor appeals. Finding no error, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Richard H. Dinkins
Originating Judge:Chancellor Carol L. McCoy |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 04/30/14 | |
David R. Seaton et al. v. Wise Properties-TN, LLC
E2013-01360-COA-R3-CV
This case involves the trial court’s award of attorney’s fees to the defendant property buyer upon remand from this Court. The sellers initiated the original action for specific performance and breach of contract after the buyer refused to close on the purchase of real property. The buyer filed a counterclaim requesting attorney’s fees. The buyer subsequently moved for summary judgment, arguing that the sellers had been the first to breach the contract by failing to fulfill a condition precedent. The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of the buyer, and the seller appealed. Upon that original appeal, while this Court affirmed summary judgment, the issue of attorney’s fees was not raised. Following this Court’s remand to the trial court, the buyer moved for an award of attorney’s fees, pursuant to a default provision of the parties’ agreement. After conducting a post-remand hearing, the trial court awarded the buyer attorney’s fees in the amount of $106,485. The seller appeals. We conclude: (1) that the buyer abandoned its counterclaim for attorney’s fees by failing to question the finality of the summary judgment and by failing to raise the issue during the first appeal and (2) that the trial court exceeded its authority by considering the buyer’s post-remand motion. We therefore vacate the trial court’s award of attorney’s fees.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas R. Frierson, II
Originating Judge:Judge Lawrence H. Puckett |
McMinn County | Court of Appeals | 04/30/14 | |
In Re: Glenn J., et al
M2013-01803-COA-R3-PT
Father of two children appeals the termination of his parental rights on the grounds of abandonment by failure to support and the finding that termination of his parental rights would be in the best interest of the children. Finding no error we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Richard H. Dinkins
Originating Judge:Chancellor Tom E. Gray |
Sumner County | Court of Appeals | 04/30/14 | |
Bobby R. Bean v. Johnson Controls, Inc. et al.
M2013-01010-WC-R3-WC
This appeal involves the compensability of an alleged aggravation of a pre-existing degenerative back condition. After the employee began experiencing increased and more severe pain in his back, he filed a workers’ compensation claim in the Chancery Court for Marshall County against his employer, its insurer, and the Second Injury Fund. Following a bench trial, the trial court awarded the employee temporary total and permanent partial disability benefits. The employer’s appeal has been referred to the Special Workers’ Compensation Appeals Panel for a hearing and a report of findings of fact and conclusions of law pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 51. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Justice William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Chancellor J. B. Cox |
Marshall County | Workers Compensation Panel | 04/30/14 | |
State of Tennessee v. Ronald L. Carroll and John Boyde Collett
E2013-01781-CCA-R3-CD
Appellants Ronald L. Carroll and John Boyde Collett stand convicted of especially aggravated robbery. The trial court sentenced Appellant Carroll to serve fifteen years as a violent offender and sentenced Appellant Collett to serve seventeen years as a violent offender. On appeal, the appellants argue that (1) the evidence was insufficient to support their convictions for especially aggravated robbery; (2) the victim’s coaching of an essential witness should have resulted in a mistrial; and (3) the prosecutor violated the appellants’ right to remain silent during closing arguments. Following our review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Roger A. Page
Originating Judge:Judge E. Shayne Sexton |
Claiborne County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/30/14 |