APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

Please enter some keywords to search.
State of Tennessee v. Gregory Sean Robinson

M2022-00248-CCA-R3-CD

Following two convictions for aggravated assault, the Defendant, Gregory Sean Robinson, was sentenced to an effective term of ten years and placed on probation. Thereafter, the Defendant absconded from supervision and committed new criminal offenses. As a consequence, the trial court revoked the suspended sentences and ordered that the Defendant serve the balance of the effective sentence in custody. On appeal, the Defendant contends the trial court abused its discretion by revoking his suspended sentences in full instead of allowing him to participate in a substance-use treatment program through a furlough. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Tom Greenholtz
Originating Judge:Judge William R. Goodman, III
Montgomery County Court of Criminal Appeals 11/30/22
Melvin A. Odom v. State of Tennessee

M2022-00252-CCA-R3-PC
Petitioner, Melvin A. Odom, appeals the summary dismissal of his post-conviction petition
as time-barred. On appeal, he contends that the correct date to determine the statute of
limitations is the day the trial court filed an amended judgment on one of his convictions
and by that date, his petition was timely filed. Alternatively, he contends that due process
considerations warrant the tolling of the one-year statute of limitations and requests that
the case be remanded for an evidentiary hearing to determine whether he is entitled to
equitable tolling. Following our review of the entire record, oral arguments, and the
parties’ briefs, the dismissal is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Jill Bartee Ayers
Originating Judge:Judge Deanna B. Johnson
Williamson County Court of Criminal Appeals 11/29/22
State of Tennessee v. James Berg

M2022-00233-CCA-R3-CD

Pursuant to a plea agreement, the Defendant, James Berg, entered guilty pleas to aggravated sexual battery and two counts of rape of a child. The Defendant agreed to a concurrent term of twenty-five years for the rape of a child convictions and a term of fifteen years for the aggravated sexual battery conviction, with the alignment of these terms of imprisonment to be determined by the trial court. Following a sentencing hearing, the trial court ordered the terms to be served consecutively, for an effective sentence of forty years’ imprisonment. The sole issue presented on appeal is whether the trial court abused its discretion in ordering consecutive sentencing. Upon our review, we affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge Camille R. McMullen
Originating Judge:Judge David L. Allen
Lawrence County Court of Criminal Appeals 11/29/22
State of Tennessee v. Daniel J. Jamison

M2021-01302-CCA-R3-CD

Defendant, Daniel J. Jamison, entered an open plea of guilty to aggravated burglary, theft of property valued at less than $1,000, aggravated criminal trespass, and public intoxication. The trial court imposed an effective six-year sentence to be served in the Department of Correction, followed by a consecutive sentence of eleven months and twenty-nine days in the county jail with all but ninety days to be served on supervised probation. On appeal, Defendant argues that his sentence was excessive. Following our review of the entire record, oral arguments, and the briefs of the parties, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Jill Bartee Ayers
Originating Judge:Judge Forest A. Durard, Jr.
Moore County Court of Criminal Appeals 11/29/22
William Coley v. State of Tennessee

M2021-01243-CCA-R3-PC
The Petitioner, William Coley, appeals the denial of his petition seeking post-conviction
relief from his convictions of first-degree felony murder, second degree murder, and
especially aggravated robbery, for which he received an effective sentence of life
imprisonment. The Petitioner argues for the first time on appeal that the post-conviction
court violated his due process rights by conducting his post-conviction hearing jointly with
the post-conviction hearing of his then co-defendant, now Petitioner Markreo Quintez
Springer. He additionally claims ineffective assistance of counsel based on trial counsel’s
failure to file a pretrial severance motion based on Bruton v. United States, 391 U.S. 123,
136-137 (1968), and trial counsel’s failure to challenge the chain of custody regarding the
State’s DNA evidence.1 Upon our review, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Camille R. McMullen
Originating Judge:Judge Mark J. Fishburn
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 11/29/22
Louise Faulkner ET AL. v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC

W2020-01148-COA-R3-CV

This case involves a controversy surrounding certain real property located in Memphis. The trial court entered summary judgment in favor of the Defendant on most claims, and after a jury trial and verdict in favor of the Defendant, the remaining claim was also dismissed. Although the homeowner of the property raises a number of issues in this appeal, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.

Authoring Judge: Judge Arnold B. Goldin
Originating Judge:Judge Mary L. Wagner
Shelby County Court of Appeals 11/29/22
State of Tennessee v. Joseph Anthony Szostak, III

M2021-00443-CCA-R3-CD

Defendant, Joseph Anthony Szostak, III, claims that the trial court abused its discretion by denying his request for alternative sentencing and ordering him to serve his sentence of three years and six months in confinement. After a thorough review of the record and the applicable law, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Robert L. Holloway, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge J. Russell Parkes
Lawrence County Court of Criminal Appeals 11/29/22
Angela Marie Heisig v. Andrew Carl Heisig

E2021-00925-COA-R3-CV

This appeal requires interpretation of a clause in the parties’ marital dissolution agreement. The final decree, entered in January 2018, incorporated the parties’ agreement awarding the wife $130,000 from the husband’s 401(k). After several rounds of qualified domestic relation orders and other court orders, the trial court ultimately held that the wife was entitled to $130,000 plus approximately four months of statutory interest. The wife appealed, seeking earnings on the $130,000 in addition to interest. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge John W. McClarty
Originating Judge:Judge Kyle E. Hedrick
Hamilton County Court of Appeals 11/29/22
Timothy L. Jefferson v. State of Tennessee

M2022-00456-CCA-R3-HC

The Petitioner, Timothy L. Jefferson, appeals the Trousdale County Circuit Court’s dismissal of his pro se petition seeking habeas corpus relief from his conviction for second degree murder, for which he received an effective sentence of forty years in prison. On appeal, the Petitioner argues he is entitled to habeas corpus relief because he was illegally restrained as a result of a procedurally defective juvenile petition. After review, we affirm the judgment summarily dismissing the petition for writ of habeas corpus.

Authoring Judge: Judge Camille R. McMullen
Originating Judge:Judge Michael Wayne Collins
Trousdale County Court of Criminal Appeals 11/29/22
Jessica Marie Forsythe, et al. v. Jackson Madison County General Hospital District, et al.

W2021-01228-COA-R3-CV

The trial court granted the defendant medical providers summary judgment on the basis of the plaintiff s failure to comply with the Tennessee Health Care Liability Act's pre-suit notice and good faith certificate requirements. On appeal, the plaintiff, an employee of the defendants, argues that her claim does not relate to the provision of health care services and that she was therefore not required to give pre-suit notice or file a good faith certificate. Because we conclude that the trial court did not err in determining that the claim is related to the provision of health care services, we affirm.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge J. Steven Stafford
Originating Judge:Judge Roy B. Morgan, Jr.
Madison County Court of Appeals 11/28/22
State of Tennessee v. Jason Steven Molthan

M2021-01108-CCA-R3-CD

The Defendant, Jason Steven Molthan, was convicted by a Williamson County Circuit Court jury of one count of stalking and one count of harassment. The trial court imposed consecutive sentences of eleven months and twenty-nine days at seventy-five percent service. On appeal, the Defendant argues that the trial court should have merged his convictions and that the trial court erred by failing to file a consecutive sentencing order pursuant to Tennessee Rule of Criminal Procedure 32(c). Upon our review, we conclude that the Defendant has failed to provide this Court with an adequate appellate record and has not prepared a sufficient brief. Because we cannot conduct a meaningful appellate review of his issues, we conclude that the issues are waived. We affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Tom Greenholtz
Originating Judge:Judge Joseph A. Woodruff
Williamson County Court of Criminal Appeals 11/28/22
In Re Cayson C., Et Al.

E2022-00448-COA-R3-PT

This appeal concerns the termination of a mother’s parental rights. The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (“DCS”) filed a petition in the Juvenile Court for Grainger County (“the Juvenile Court”) seeking to terminate the parental rights of Pamela C. (“Mother”) to her minor children Cayson S.-C. and Chaston C. (“the Children,” collectively). After a hearing on the termination petition, the Juvenile Court entered an order terminating Mother’s parental rights to the Children. Mother appeals. We vacate the ground of failure to manifest an ability and willingness to assume custody because the Juvenile Court failed to make specific findings regarding the second prong of that ground. We find that all other grounds found by the Juvenile Court were proven by clear and convincing evidence. We find further, as did the Juvenile Court, that termination of Mother’s parental rights is in the Children’s best interest. We affirm as modified.

Authoring Judge: Judge D. Michael Swiney, C.J.
Originating Judge:Judge Steven Lane Wolfenbarger
Grainger County Court of Appeals 11/28/22
Suzanne R. Vance v. Sally Ann Blue et al.

M2021-00064-COA-R3-CV
Co-owners sought partition of their real property. They agreed that the property, a singlefamily
home, could not be partitioned in kind. But they disagreed on the appropriate
remedy. One owner asked the court to order a public sale and divide the proceeds between
the parties. The other owner sought permission to buy out her co-owner’s interest. The
court declined to order a sale. Instead, based on the equities, it directed one owner to buy
out the other owner’s interest at a fixed price. Because the court’s decision contravened
the partition statutes, we reverse in part, affirm in part, and remand for further proceedings.
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Neal McBrayer
Originating Judge:Chancellor Russell T. Perkins
Davidson County Court of Appeals 11/28/22
In Re Melvin M. et al.

M2021-01319-COA-R3-PT
A father appeals the termination of his parental rights to his two children. The juvenile
court concluded that there was clear and convincing evidence of five statutory grounds for
terminating his parental rights. The court also concluded that there was clear and
convincing evidence that termination of the father’s parental rights was in the children’s
best interest. On appeal, although we conclude that there is not clear and convincing
evidence to support three of the grounds, clear and convincing evidence supports the
remaining grounds for termination and the best interest determination. So we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Neal McBrayer
Originating Judge:Judge Sheila Calloway
Davidson County Court of Appeals 11/28/22
State of Tennessee v. Betty Sparks

W2021-01213-CCA-R3-CD

A Hardeman County jury convicted the defendant, Betty Sparks, of first-degree premeditated murder, first-degree felony murder, attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault with serious bodily injury, and attempted especially aggravated robbery, for which she received an effective sentence of life imprisonment. On appeal, the defendant argues the trial court erred in denying her motion to suppress. She also contends the evidence presented at trial was insufficient to support her convictions. After reviewing the record and considering the applicable law, we affirm the judgments of the trial court. However, we remand the case for corrected judgment forms in counts one and two

Authoring Judge: Judge J. Ross Dyer
Originating Judge:Judge J. Webber McCraw
Hardeman County Court of Criminal Appeals 11/23/22
Martigous Malone v. State of Tennessee

W2022-00018-CCA-R3-PC

The petitioner, Martigous Malone, appeals the denial of his post-conviction petition, arguing the post-conviction court erred in finding he received the effective assistance of counsel and entered a voluntary guilty plea. Following our review, we affirm the postconviction court’s denial of the petition.

Authoring Judge: Judge J. Ross Dyer
Originating Judge:Judge Lee V. Coffee
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 11/23/22
Lorenta Hogue v. P&C Investments, Inc. et al.

M2021-01335-COA-R3-CV

This is an appeal from a jury verdict holding a real estate agent liable for common law negligence, intentional misrepresentation and fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and violation of the Tennessee Real Estate Broker License Act for his failure to disclose flooding and water intrusion issues at a home he had listed for sale. The jury awarded the plaintiff, a first-time home buyer, compensatory and punitive damages. The real estate agent appeals the jury’s verdict holding him liable for intentional misrepresentation and fraud, the admission of certain expert testimony, the admission of opposing counsel’s alleged prejudicial statements during closing argument, the amount of compensatory damages, and the award of and amount of punitive damages. Finding that the trial court failed to follow the appropriate procedures in reviewing the jury’s award of punitive damages, we vacate the award of punitive damages and remand the case for further proceedings. In all other respects, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Judge Andy D. Bennett
Originating Judge:Chancellor Anne C. Martin
Davidson County Court of Appeals 11/23/22
State of Tennessee v. Courtney Watkins

W2022-00411-CCA-R3-CD

The petitioner, Courtney Watkins, appeals from the summary dismissal of his petition for post-conviction DNA analysis. Following our review, we affirm the judgment of the postconviction court.

Authoring Judge: Judge J. Ross Dyer
Originating Judge:Judge J. Robert Carter, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 11/23/22
Roddarous Marcus Bond v. State of Tennessee

W2022-00221-CCA-R3-PC

The pro se petitioner, Roddarous Marcus Bond, appeals the summary denial of his petition for post-conviction relief by the Madison County Circuit Court, arguing the trial court erred in dismissing his petition because his sentence is illegal. After our review, we affirm the summary dismissal of the petition pursuant to Rule 20 of the Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals.

Authoring Judge: Judge J. Ross Dyer
Originating Judge:Judge Kyle C. Atkins
Madison County Court of Criminal Appeals 11/23/22
State of Tennessee v. Tony Dale Crass

M2021-00528-CCA-R3-CD

The Williamson County Grand Jury indicted Tony Dale Crass, Defendant, with driving
under the influence (DUI), DUI per se, and possession of a firearm while under the
influence. Defendant moved to suppress the evidence, arguing that the State did not have
probable cause or reasonable suspicion for the traffic stop and that video evidence of
Defendant’s driving was erased and deleted as a result of a malfunctioning recording
system in Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Trooper Joey Story’s patrol car. The trial court
concluded that the loss of video evidence constituted a violation of the State’s duty to
preserve potentially exculpatory evidence recognized in State v. Ferguson, 2 S.W.3d 912
(Tenn. 1999), and deprived Defendant of the right to a fair trial. The trial court granted the
motion to suppress and dismissed the indictment, and the State appealed. We conclude (1)
that the video was not lost or destroyed by the State, (2) that a Ferguson violation is not
applicable to a suppression hearing based on reasonable suspicion or probable cause for a
traffic stop, (3) that the trial court misapplied the “degree of negligence” Ferguson factor
by equating perceived public policy decisions on the part of the State to negligence, and
(4) that Defendant’s right to a fair trial can be protected without dismissal of the indictment.
We reverse the judgment of the trial court, reinstate the indictment, and remand for further
proceedings.

Authoring Judge: Judge Robert L. Holloway, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Joseph A. Woodruff
Williamson County Court of Criminal Appeals 11/22/22
State of Tennessee v. Larry Dale Pitts

M2021-01334-CCA-R3-CD

Larry Dale Pitts, Defendant, was convicted of aggravated assault after a jury trial. The trial court denied his request for judicial diversion and sentenced him to split confinement, with one year of incarceration, and the remainder on supervised probation. He now appeals the sentencing determinations of the trial court, arguing that it abused its discretion in denying judicial diversion, denying full probation, and sentencing him to the maximum within-range sentence of six years. After review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Timothy L. Easter
Originating Judge:Judge Barry R. Tidwell
Rutherford County Court of Criminal Appeals 11/22/22
In Re Masson S.

E2021-01196-COA-R3-PT

The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services filed a petition to terminate a mother’s parental rights to her son based on abandonment by failure to provide a suitable home, abandonment by an incarcerated parent, substantial noncompliance with permanency plans, failure to remedy persistent conditions, and failure to manifest an ability and willingness to assume custody of the child. The trial court granted the petition, finding that the five statutory grounds were proven by clear and convincing evidence and that terminating the mother’s parental rights is in the best interests of the child. We affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge Kristi M. Davis
Originating Judge:Judge Brian J. Hunt
Anderson County Court of Appeals 11/22/22
In Re: Joseph H. Crabtree, Jr., BPR #011451

M2022-00339-SC-BAR-BP
This is an attorney discipline proceeding concerning Tennessee attorney Joseph H.
Crabtree, Jr. and his representation of several clients with varying legal issues. The Board
of Professional Responsibility ("the Boare) filed formal petitions for discipline against
Mr. Crabtree in February 2019. A Hearing Panel of the Board ("Hearing Panel")
adjudicated the petitions and rendered a judgment suspending Mr. Crabtree for two years
and ordering him to serve six months as active suspension and the remainder on probation.
It also directed Mr. Crabtree to pay restitution to two clients, to reimburse one client for
any costs assessed against her upon the dismissal of her case, and to reimburse the
Tennessee Lawyers Fund for Client Protection ("TLFCP") for any money it pays to the
complainants in this matter. Mr. Crabtree failed to perfect an appeal from the Hearing
Panel's decision, and the Board petitioned this Court for an order enforcing the Hearing
Panel's judgment. Pursuant to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, sections 15.4(d) and (e),
we determined that the punishment imposed by the Hearing Panel appeared inadequate.
Thus, we proposed to increase it. Based on our careful consideration of the entire record,
"with a view to attaining uniformity of punishment throughout the State and
appropriateness of punishment under the circumstances of each particular case," we modify
the judgment of the Hearing Panel to impose a three-year suspension, with one year served
as active suspension and the remainder on probation. Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, § 15.4(b), (d).
During the first year of the probationary period, Mr. Crabtree shall engage a practice
monitor at his own expense to supervise his compliance with trust account rules and office
management procedures in accordance with Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, section
12.9. Finally, as a condition of reinstatement, Mr. Crabtree shall complete twelve hours of
continuing legal education ("CLE"), with six hours focused on ethics and six hours on law
office management, in addition to the annual fifteen-hour CLE requirement. In all other
respects, including payment of restitution to his clients and reimbursement to TLFCP, the
decision of the Hearing Panel is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Chief Justice Roger A. Page
Originating Judge:Board of Professional Responsibility Hearing Panel
McMinn County Supreme Court 11/22/22
In Re Legion S.

E2021-01198-COA-R3-PT

The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services filed a petition to terminate a mother’s parental rights to her daughter based on severe child abuse and failure to manifest an ability and willingness to assume custody of the child. The trial court granted the petition, finding that the two statutory grounds were proven by clear and convincing evidence and that terminating the mother’s parental rights is in the best interests of the child. We affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge Kristi M. Davis
Originating Judge:Judge Brian J. Hunt
Anderson County Court of Appeals 11/22/22
Darin Woods v. State of Tennessee

W2021-01332-CCA-R3-PC

The Petitioner, Darin Woods, appeals from the Shelby County Criminal Court’s denial of his petition for post-conviction relief from his convictions for attempted second degree murder, attempted aggravated robbery, aggravated robbery, and employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, for which he is serving an effective twenty-seven year sentence. On appeal, the Petitioner contends that the post-conviction court erred in denying relief on his ineffective assistance of counsel claim. We affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Robert H. Montgomery, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Paula L. Skahan
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 11/22/22