State of Tennessee v. Lamar Parrish Carter
M2012-01734-CCA-R9-CD
This is an interlocutory appeal, pursuant to Tennessee Rule of Appellate Procedure 9, from the trial court’s grant of a mistrial based upon a “manifest necessity.” The Defendant, Lamar Parrish Carter, appeals the trial court’s ruling, arguing that his attorney’s cross-examination of a co-defendant about her range of punishment, which was also the range of punishment for the Defendant, was not improper and did not warrant a mistrial. After a thorough review of the record and the relevant law, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Seth Norman |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 08/29/13 | |
Kelly Weed v. First Acceptance Insurance Company of Tennessee
E2013-00150-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves the interpretation of an exclusionary clause in an automobile casualty insurance policy. The policy excluded coverage for a loss resulting from an accident occurring while the vehicle was being driven by an unlisted driver who “is a regular or frequent operator of” an insured vehicle. Caleb Jenkins, who was not listed in the policy as a “driver,” was involved in an accident while driving the vehicle of Kelly Weed (“Insured”). Insured brought suit after First Acceptance Insurance Company of Tennessee, Inc., (“Insurer”) denied her claim. Insurer moved for summary judgment, alleging that Jenkins was a regular and frequent operator of Insured’s vehicle. Based on Insured’s statement that Jenkins was a “fairly regular” driver of her vehicle who had been driving it once or twice a week for six months, the trial court denied coverage and granted Insurer summary judgment. We affirm the trial court’s judgment that the policy excluded coverage because Insured’s admission establishes that Jenkins was a “regular or frequent operator” of her vehicle.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Richard R. Vance |
Sevier County | Court of Appeals | 08/29/13 | |
State of Tennessee v. Lamar Parrish Carter - Concurring
M2012-01734-CCA-R9-CD
In this case, Defendant filed a motion to dismiss the indictment pursuant to the constitutional protections afforded him to be protected from double jeopardy. Defendant asserts in this interlocutory appeal that the trial court erred by denying the motion. I concur in the results reached by the majority, but write separately to express my opinion that the only justifiable reason for the trial court to deny the motion was the Defendant’s failure to explicitly object to the declaration of a mistrial.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Seth Norman |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 08/29/13 | |
Stacy Christina Knellinger v. Mark Steven Knellinger and Becki Knellinger
M2012-02343-COA-R3-CV
In this post-divorce action, Father filed two petitions asserting several counts of criminal contempt against Mother based on alleged violations of the Parenting Plan. Father also petitioned the court to modify the Parenting Plan to name him the primary residential parent and grant him sole decision-making authority over the children’s educations, non-emergency healthcare, and extracurricular activities. Mother then filed a petition seeking to permanently enjoin Father’s new wife (“Step-mother”) from participating in certain activities with the children, such as signing their school report cards, volunteering at the school, and sending home notes in their lunch boxes. After a three-day hearing, the trial court found Mother guilty on three counts of criminal contempt, and assessed a $150 fine (fifty dollars per count), which the court required her to pay toward counseling with Father. The trial court denied Father’s Petition to Modify the Parenting Plan, finding there was no material change of circumstances affecting the children’s interest, a finding which Father does not appeal. The trial court also denied Mother’s petition for a permanent injunction against Step-mother, finding it was unnecessary. Both parties were required to pay their own attorney’s fees. We affirm the trial court’s decision to deny Mother’s request for a permanent restraining order against Step-mother. However, we have determined the trial court erred in finding Mother guilty of criminal contempt, and we reverse all three convictions. Finally, we find Mother is entitled to her reasonable and necessary attorney’s fees incurred in the trial court in defense of Father’s Petition to Modify the Parenting Plan, pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 36-5-103(c), and remand for a determination and award thereof.
Authoring Judge: Judge Frank G. Clement, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Robbie T. Beal |
Williamson County | Court of Appeals | 08/29/13 | |
James M. Bowley, et al v. Richard Lane, et al
E2012-00134-COA-R3-CV
James M. Bowley and Barbara A. Bowley (“Plaintiffs”) sued Richard Lane, Alvin Butler, and Danny Nicholson (“Defendants”) alleging defective construction of a log home built by Defendants for Plaintiffs. After trial, the Trial Court entered judgment upon the jury’s verdict finding and holding, inter alia, that Defendants had breached the implied warranty of habitability, and that Plaintiffs had sustained $50,000 in damages as a result of this breach. Defendants appeal to this Court raising an issue regarding whether the Trial Court erred in approving the verdict and denying their motion for new trial or for remittitur. Plaintiffs also raise an issue alleging that the evidence does not support the verdict. We find and hold that material evidence supports the jury’s verdict, and further find no error in the Trial Court’s denial of Defendants’ motion for new trial or for remittitur, and the Trial Court’s denial of Plaintiffs’ motion for new trial or for additur. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge D. Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Judge Lawrence H. Puckett |
Monroe County | Court of Appeals | 08/29/13 | |
State of Tennessee v. Josh L. Bowman
E2012-00923-CCA-R3-CD
A Knox County Criminal Court Jury convicted the appellant, Josh L. Bowman, of three counts of first degree felony murder, one count of especially aggravated kidnapping, one count of especially aggravated robbery, two counts of aggravated burglary, and one count of employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony. After the jury announced its verdicts, the appellant pled guilty to one count of employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony when, at the time of the offense, the appellant had a prior felony conviction. The trial court merged the murder convictions, merged the burglary convictions, merged the employing a firearm convictions, and sentenced the appellant to an effective sentence of life plus sixty years in confinement. On appeal, the appellant contends that the trial court erred by failing to suppress his statement to police, by allowing the State to show a transcript of his statement simultaneously with his video-recorded statement, and by failing to instruct the jury as provided by State v. White, 362 S.W.3d 559 (Tenn. 2012). Based upon the oral arguments, the record, and the parties’ briefs, we conclude that the trial court’s failing to instruct the jury properly pursuant to White constitutes reversible error. Therefore, the appellant’s conviction for especially aggravated kidnapping must be reversed and the case remanded to the trial court for a new trial as to that offense.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood |
Hickman County, Houston County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 08/29/13 | |
Raleigh Court Condominiums, Homeowners' Association, Inc. v. E. Doyle Johnson Construction Co., et al
E2012-02474-COA-R3-CV
Homeowners’ association filed suit against general contractor because of drainage issues alleging fraud, negligent misrepresentation, negligence, violations of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act, and breach of the implied warranty of “good and workmanlike” construction. The trial court found in favor of homeowners’ association. The general contractor appeals. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge John W. McClarty
Originating Judge:Judge Harold Wimberly |
Knox County | Court of Appeals | 08/29/13 | |
Lasonya Morrow v. Ray Anthony McClain
M2012-01915-COA-R3-CV
A man and woman lived together for six years and worked jointly on a number of business ventures during that period, but never married. After their relationship ended, the woman filed a complaint for a division of property, under the theory that the parties had entered into an implied partnership. The trial court heard conflicting testimony as to the respective contributions of each party to the acquisition, improvement and preservation of the properties at issue. The court declined to find that a partnership had existed between the parties, but ruled that the woman had an interest in all the real property acquired during the relationship. The court awarded her one parcel which the parties owned as cotenants in common and an additional $50,000 based on the value of her interest in the other properties. The man argues on appeal that the trial court overestimated the woman’s contributions during the relevant period and underestimated his own contributions. We affirm the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Chancellor Carol L. McCoy |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 08/29/13 | |
State of Tennessee v. Josh L. Bowman - dissenting opinion
E2012-00923-CCA-R3-CD
I concur in that portion of the majority opinion which holds the trial court did not err by denying the appellant’s motion to suppress his statement. I disagree with the remaining parts of the opinion and therefore would affirm all the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood |
Knox County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 08/29/13 | |
State of Tennessee v. Carlos Smith
W2012-01931-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Carlos Smith, appeals his Shelby County Criminal Court jury convictions of two counts of attempted second degree murder, two counts of aggravated assault, and one count each of aggravated robbery, especially aggravated burglary, employing a firearm during a dangerous offense, and being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun, claiming that the trial court erred by denying his motion to sever offenses and that the State violated the tenets of Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963). Discerning no error, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge James Curwood Witt Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge James C. Beasley Jr. |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 08/29/13 | |
State of Tennessee v. Amber R. Galemore
M2012-01783-CCA-R3-CD
In two separate cases, the Defendant, Amber R. Galemore, pled guilty to possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine and to theft of property. She was sentenced to an effective sentence of eight years on probation. As part of the Defendant’s plea agreement, she reserved a certified question of law pursuant to Tennessee Rule of Criminal Procedure 37(b)(2). The question is articulated in the record as, “Whether the search warrant issued by a General Sessions Judge for Montgomery County, Tennessee, which was based on statements of an unknown person outside the defendant’s residence and computer keystroke software results[,] provided a sufficient nexus to make a probable cause determination.” After reviewing the record and applicable law, we conclude that the trial court did not err when it denied the Defendant’s motion to suppress. Accordingly, we affirm the Defendant’s convictions.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge John H. Gasaway |
Montgomery County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 08/29/13 | |
State of Tennessee v. Stanley Abernathy James
E2012-01912-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant, Stanley Abernathy James, was convicted by a Knox County Criminal Court jury of second degree murder, a Class A felony, for which he is serving a twenty-five-year sentence. In this appeal, the Defendant contends that the evidence is insufficient to support his conviction. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge Mary Beth Leibowitz |
Knox County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 08/29/13 | |
Sandeep Gadhok v. Zameer Merchant
W2012-01687-COA-R3-CV
The trial court granted Defendant’s motion to dismiss for lack of prosecution. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Judge Jerry Stokes |
Shelby County | Court of Appeals | 08/28/13 | |
Fred Barnes v. Herbert Hamm
W2011-02288-COA-R3-CV
This appeal concerns the circuit court’s dismissal of an appeal from the general sessions court. We dismiss the appeal for failure to comply with Rule 29 of the Tennessee Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Judge Robert L. Childers |
Shelby County | Court of Appeals | 08/28/13 | |
State of Tennessee v. Samuel Glass
E2012-01699-CCA-R3-CD
In this appeal as of right, the State contends that the trial court erred by setting aside the jury verdicts of attempted second degree murder and entering judgments of acquittal for those counts based upon the doctrine of transferred intent. Also in this appeal, the defendant challenges his convictions of first degree premeditated murder, felony murder, and attempted first degree murder on grounds that the evidence was insufficient to support those convictions. Because the trial court erred by setting aside the jury verdicts of attempted second degree murder, the judgments effecting those verdicts and the 12-year sentences are reinstated. The judgments of the trial court are affirmed in all other respects.
Authoring Judge: Judge James Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Bob R. McGee |
Knox County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 08/28/13 | |
Amanda Marie Sykes v. Joshua Neal Sykes
M2012-01146-COA-R3-CV
In this divorce proceeding, Mother and Father entered into a Marital Dissolution Agreement and Permanent Parenting Plan, which were incorporated into the final decree of divorce; the parties shared equal parenting time with their two children and neither party was obligated to pay child support. Mother subsequently filed a petition to set support, as well as a motion for relief from the final decree, both of which sought to have the court set support in accordance with the child support guidelines. The court denied the petition and the motion on the grounds that the parties had agreed in the parenting plan that child support would not be paid and that a significant variance did not exist. Finding that relief to Mother is appropriate under the circumstances, we reverse the judgment and remand the case for further proceedings.
Authoring Judge: Judge Richard H. Dinkins
Originating Judge:Chancellor Stella L. Hargrove |
Maury County | Court of Appeals | 08/28/13 | |
State of Tennessee v. Billy Wayne Vestal
M2012-02483-CCA-R3-CD
Appellant, Billy Wayne Vestal, entered a guilty plea to aggravated assault without a recommended sentence. Following the sentencing hearing, the trial court sentenced him to serve five years in the Tennessee Department of Correction (“TDOC”). Appellant challenges the sentence as being excessive. Upon our review, we discern no error and affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Roger A. Page
Originating Judge:Judge Stella Hargrove |
Marshall County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 08/28/13 | |
Randy Clayton Norman v. State of Tennessee
M2012-01511-CCA-R3-PC
The Petitioner, Randy Clayton Norman, appeals the Maury County Circuit Court’s denial of his petition for post-conviction relief from his conviction of second degree murder and resulting fifteen-year sentence. On appeal, the Petitioner contends that he received the ineffective assistance of trial and appellate counsel. Based upon the record and the parties’ briefs, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Jim T. Hamilton |
Maury County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 08/28/13 | |
Amanda Marie Sykes v. Joshua Neal Sykes - Concur/Dissent
M2012-01146-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves a judgment by the trial court that dismissed two motions filed by Mother. The first was the Motion to Alter or Amend the trial court’s decision denying the Petition to Set Support. That petition was denied on the basis that no significant variance existed. The second was Mother’s motion for relief pursuant to Tenn. R. Civ. P. 60.02. That motion was directed to the original decree of divorce and, more specifically, to the original child support established in the parenting plan.
Authoring Judge: Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Chancellor Stella L. Hargrove |
Maury County | Court of Appeals | 08/28/13 | |
State of Tennessee v. Sarah Lynn Hannon
M2012-02206-CCA-R3-CD
Appellant, Sarah Lynn Hannon, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to sell or deliver 0.5 grams or more of cocaine in exchange for a sentence of ten years and dismissal of all remaining charges. Per the terms of the plea agreement, the parties left determination of the manner of service of her sentence to the trial court. Following a sentencing hearing, the trial court ordered that appellant serve her ten-year sentence in the Tennessee Department of Correction. It is from this judgment that appellant now appeals. Following our review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Roger A. Page
Originating Judge:Judge Cheryl A. Blackburn |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 08/28/13 | |
Shelvy Baker v. State of Tennessee
M2012-01559-CCA-R3-PC
The Petitioner, Shelvy Baker, appeals the Davidson County Criminal Court’s denial of his petition for post-conviction relief from his conviction of second degree murder and resulting twenty-five-year sentence. On appeal, the Petitioner contends that he received the ineffective assistance of trial counsel. Based upon the record and the parties’ briefs, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Cheryl A. Blackburn |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 08/28/13 | |
Aubrey Owens & The Estate of Louis Gernt v. Aleeta Tipton Evans, Timothy L. Goad et al.
M2013-00239-COA-R3-CV
This is an appeal from a judgment entered against one of four defendants. Because the judgment appealed does not resolve all the claims between all the parties, we dismiss the appeal for lack of a final judgment.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood |
Fentress County | Court of Appeals | 08/28/13 | |
State of Tennessee v. Albert Lamont Bennett, Jr.
M2012-01003-CCA-R3-CD
A Davidson County Criminal Court Jury convicted the appellant, Albert Lamont Bennett, Jr., of attempted aggravated assault and attempted aggravated burglary. The trial court sentenced the appellant as a Range III, persistent offender to ten years for each offense, to be served consecutively, for a total effective sentence of twenty years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the appellant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence sustaining his convictions and the sentences imposed by the trial court. Upon review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Monte Watkins |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 08/28/13 | |
Rhonda Sue Watkins v. Kenneth Danny Watkins
M2012-02378-COA-R3-CV
The trial court granted Father’s petition to modify child custody and child support, and denied Mother’s petition to increase alimony. Mother appeals. We vacate the trial court’s judgment with respect to Mother’s petition to modify alimony, and remand for findings of fact and further proceedings, if necessary. The remainder of the judgment is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Judge Timothy L. Easter |
Williamson County | Court of Appeals | 08/28/13 | |
Brian Wesley Lacey v. State of Tennessee
M2012-00849-CCA-R3-PC
Petitioner, Brian Wesley Lacey, appeals from the trial court’s dismissal of his petition for post-conviction relief following an evidentiary hearing. Petitioner asserts he received ineffective assistance of counsel at the trial and on appeal. After a thorough review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court dismissing the petition for post-conviction relief.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Seth Norman |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 08/28/13 |