Sheila Shults, et al. v. Johnny Richard Talley
E2011-02212-COA-R3-JV
A show cause order was entered in this case on April 13, 2012, directing the appellant to show cause why this appeal should not be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. The appellant has responded to the show cause order, but the argument presented in the response does not appear to present good cause for maintaining this case in this court. The review of the record reveals that the order to which the notice of appeal is directed is not “a final judgment adjudicating all the claims, rights, and liabilities of all parties” from which an appeal as of right would lie. See Tenn. R. App. P. 3(a). Accordingly, we dismiss the appeal.
Authoring Judge: Per Curiam
Originating Judge:Judge O. Duane Slone |
Cocke County | Court of Appeals | 05/03/12 | |
John Howard v. State of Tennessee
W2011-01788-CCA-R3-PC
The petitioner, John Howard, appeals the denial of his petition for post-conviction relief, alleging that he was denied the effective assistance of counsel at trial and on appeal. Discerning no error, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge James Curwood Witt Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Paula Skahan |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/03/12 | |
In Re: Alessa E.N., Cassondra N.A.N. and Moses C.N.
E2012-00196-COA-R3-PT
A show cause order was entered in this case on March 23, 2012, directing the appellants to show cause why this appeal should not be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. The appellants have responded to the show cause order, but the argument presented in the response does not appear to present good cause for maintaining this case in this court. The review of the record reveals that the order to which the notice of appeal is directed is not “a final judgment adjudicating all the claims, rights, and liabilities of all parties” from which an appeal as of right would lie. See Tenn. R. App. P. 3(a). Accordingly, we dismiss the appeal.
Authoring Judge: Per Curiam
Originating Judge:Judge John K. Wilson |
Greene County | Court of Appeals | 05/03/12 | |
State of Tennessee v. Alan Bryant Minchew
M2011-01863-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Alan Bryant Minchew, pleaded guilty to first offense driving under the influence of an intoxicant (“DUI”) with a blood alcohol level of .08% or more and reserved as a certified question the propriety of the vehicle stop leading to his arrest. Determining that the evidence does not preponderate against the trial court’s findings in its order denying the motion to suppress, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge James Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Timothy L. Easter |
Williamson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/03/12 | |
State of Tennessee v. David Ingram Ownby, Alias
E2011-00543-CCA-R3-CD
Following the Knox County Criminal Court’s denial of his motion to suppress evidence, the Defendant, David Ingram Ownby, alias, entered a guilty plea to driving under the influence (DUI), first offense. The trial court sentenced the Defendant to forty-eight hours incarceration, placed him on unsupervised probation for eleven months and twenty-nine days, and ordered the Defendant to pay a $350 fine. Pursuant to Rule 37(b)(2)(A) of the Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure, the Defendant reserved a two-part certified question of law challenging the legality of his seizure and subsequent arrest. Following our review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood |
Knox County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/03/12 | |
State of Tennessee v. David Ingram Ownby, Alias - concurring
E2011-00543-CCA-R3-CD
I concur in that the facts of the case would engender a reasonable suspicion that the defendant was driving while impaired. I would emphasize that the presence of the defendant’s vehicle headed in the wrong direction in the restaurant’s drive-through lane, in addition to the condition of the driver, is the fact that justifies the seizure.
Authoring Judge: Judge James Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood |
Knox County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/03/12 | |
State of Tennessee v. Michael Small
W2009-00858-CCA-R3-CD
A Shelby County jury convicted the defendant, Michael Small, of two counts of aggravated robbery, Class B felonies, in case number 01-00913 and two counts of aggravated robbery, Class B felonies, in case number 01-00914. In each case, the trial court merged the convictions and sentenced the defendant as a Range II, multiple offender to twenty years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. The trial court ordered the defendant to serve his sentences in 01-00913 and 01-00914 concurrently with each other and consecutively to the defendant’s sentence in 01-00926. On appeal, the defendant argues that the trial court erred by (1) finding that the defendant’s right to a speedy trial had not been violated; (2) not striking the jury venire after a prospective juror’s outburst; and (3) not declaring a mistrial after the jury indicated it could not reach a unanimous verdict. Following our review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr. |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/02/12 | |
State of Tennessee v. Chesney Cheyenne Bowling
E2011-00928-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant, Chesney Cheyenne Bowling, was sentenced by agreement to consecutive sentences of three and one-half years and eleven months and twenty-nine days following her plea of guilty to various drug-related offenses. It is from the trial court’s denial of alternative sentencing that the Defendant appeals. Specifically, the Defendant argues that the trial court attributed excessive weight to her criminal history while not attributing sufficient weight to proof she offered in mitigation. Following our review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge R. Jerry Beck |
Sullivan County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/02/12 | |
State of Tennessee v. Patricia Adkisson
M2010-02501-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Patricia Adkisson, appeals her Hickman County Circuit Court jury convictions of 14 counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, see T.C.A. § 39-14-212, 16 counts of cruelty to animals, see id. § 39-14-202(a)(2), one count of the unlawful sale or transportation of dogs or cats, see id. § 44-17-103(a), and one count of unlawful administration of rabies vaccination, see id. § 68-8-103(d), for which she received an effective sentence of five years’ probation to be supervised in a community corrections program, see id. § 40-36-106(f), followed by five years of traditional probation, see id. § 4035-303. On appeal, she contends that trial counsel committed ineffective assistance of counsel, that the State failed to provide exculpatory material, and that the trial court imposed an excessive sentence. Discerning no error, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: udge James Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Timothy L. Easter |
Hickman County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/02/12 | |
State of Tennessee v. Jeremiah Dawson
W2010-02621-CCA-R3-CD
A Shelby County Criminal Court Jury convicted the appellant, Jeremiah Dawson, of aggravated robbery, a Class B felony; carjacking, a Class B felony; and employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, a Class C felony. After a sentencing hearing, the appellant received an effective sentence of fourteen years in confinement. On appeal, the appellant contends that (1) his dual convictions for carjacking and employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony violate double jeopardy and (2) the evidence is insufficient to support the convictions. Based upon the oral arguments, the record, and the parties’ briefs, we conclude that dual convictions for carjacking by use of force or intimidation and employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony do not violate double jeopardy and that the evidence is sufficient to support the convictions. Nevertheless, we conclude that the appellant’s convictions for carjacking and employing a firearm must be reversed because the trial court improperly instructed the jury. Therefore, the case is remanded to the trial court for a new trial as to those offenses. The appellant’s conviction for aggravated robbery is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge J. Robert Carter |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/02/12 | |
Dennis Burnett v. State of Tennessee
E2011-00406-CCA-R3-PC
The petitioner, Dennis Burnett, appeals the Monroe County Criminal Court's denial of post-conviction relief from his second degree murder conviction. He argues that trial counsel was ineffective in failing to admit at trial a statement of an alleged witness who invoked the Fifth Amendment upon being subpoenaed to testify; advising the jury during voir dire that he, trial counsel, had been previously indicted; failing to respond to a judgment of conviction belonging to Burnett's co-defendant found in the jurors' bathroom furing trial; failing to adequately prepare Burnett to testify; failing to investigate and call Michael Gibson as a trial witness; and failing to preserve issues in a motion for new trial thereby securing review on direct appeal. Upon review, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Camille R. McMullen
Originating Judge:Judge Carroll L. Ross |
Monroe County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/01/12 | |
Randall Norwood v. Maytag Corporation d/b/a Maytag Jackson Dishwashing Products
W2011-01477-WC-R3-WC
In this workers’ compensation action, the employee contended that he struck his head against the casing of a conveyor belt, causing permanent and total disability due to a resulting cervical strain and mental injury. His employer denied that he sustained any permanent disability as a result of the incident. The trial court awarded 95% permanent partial disability benefits. The employer has appealed, contending that the evidence preponderates against the trial court’s finding. We affirm the judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge Donald P. Harris
Originating Judge:Judge James F. Butler |
Henderson County | Workers Compensation Panel | 04/30/12 | |
State of Tennessee v. Jeffrey Wade Osborne
M2010-02349-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant-Appellant, Jeffrey Wade Osborne, was convicted after a bench trial for failure to appear, a Class E felony. He was sentenced to five years in the Tennessee Department of Correction as a Range III, persistent offender. On appeal, Osborne argues that the trial court erred by (1) denying his motion for judgment of acquittal at the conclusion of the State’s proof, (2) relying on evidence that was not introduced at trial, namely Osborne’s signature on a form waiving his right to a jury trial, and (3) allowing the case to proceed to trial before the completion of a mental evaluation assessing Osborne’s diminished capacity at the time of the offense. Upon review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court
Authoring Judge: Judge Camille R. McMullen
Originating Judge:Judge Timothy Easter |
Williamson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/30/12 | |
State of Tennessee v. Sean Higgins
W2010-00779-CCA-R3-CD
A Shelby County Criminal Court jury found the appellant, Sean Higgins, guilty of driving under the influence (DUI) and reckless driving. The appellant received a total effective sentence of eleven months and twenty-nine days. On appeal, the appellant argues that the evidence was insufficient to sustain his convictions and that the trial court’s allowing the State to question the appellant regarding “the whereabouts of his witnesses and why they were not present to testify on his behalf” shifted the burden of proof to the appellant. Upon review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Chris Craft |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/30/12 | |
Brandon Watson v. State of Tennessee
M2011-00177-CCA-R3-PC
The Petitioner, Brandon Watson, appeals the Davidson County Criminal Court’s denial of post-conviction relief from his convictions for two counts of aggravated robbery and his effective eight-year sentence. On appeal, the Petitioner contends that his guilty pleas were not knowingly and voluntarily entered. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge Cheryl A. Blackburn |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/30/12 | |
In Re: Roni M.H.
E2011-02691-COA-R3-PT
The Juvenile Court for Bradley County (“the Juvenile Court”), upon a petition by the State of Tennessee, Department of Children’s Services (“DCS”) and following a trial, terminated the parental rights of Debbie D. (“Mother”) to the minor child Roni M.H. (“the Child”) pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-113 (g)(1) and Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-113 (g)(3) (2010). Mother appeals the termination of her parental rights. We find and hold that clear and convincing evidence existed to terminate Mother’s parental rights pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-113 (g)(1) and Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-113 (g)(3), and that clear and convincing evidence existed that the termination was in the Child’s best interest. We, therefore, affirm the Juvenile Court’s order terminating Mother’s parental rights to the Child.
Authoring Judge: Judge D. Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Judge Daniel Swafford |
Bradley County | Court of Appeals | 04/30/12 | |
Priscilla Lee Slagle v. Lawrence Fred Slagle
E2011-00785-COA-R3-CV
This is a divorce case. The parties are Priscilla Lee Slagle (“Wife”) and Lawrence Fred Slagle (“Husband”). They were married for more than thirty years and, prior to the entry of the divorce judgment, they shared the custody of their adopted grandson (“the Child”). Wife sued for divorce on the grounds of inappropriate marital conduct and irreconcilable differences. Husband filed a counterclaim on the same grounds. At a pre-trial hearing, the court held Husband in contempt for violating the statutorily-mandated injunction prohibiting, among other things, the transferring of or the borrowing against “any marital property.” Following the trial, the court additionally found Husband in contempt (1) for failing to comply with discovery requests and (2) for dissipating marital assets. Husband left the country and did not appear at trial. The court granted Wife a divorce predicated on Husband’s inappropriate marital conduct; designated Wife as the Child’s primary residential parent; and prohibited any contact between Husband and the Child until he had purged himself of contempt. The court classified and divided the parties’ assets, awarded Wife $5,000 a month in alimony in futuro, and set Husband’s child support obligation. Husband appeals. He challenges the contempt findings and some financial aspects of the court’s decree. We reverse that part of the judgment barring contact between Husband and the child and downwardly adjust the award of alimony to $3,200 per month. In all other respects, the judgment is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge John R. Officer |
Cumberland County | Court of Appeals | 04/30/12 | |
State of Tennessee v. Ronald Duckett
W2010-02158-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant, Ronald Duckett, was indicted by the Shelby County Grand Jury for two counts of first degree premeditated murder. Following a jury trial, Defendant was convicted as charged and sentenced by the trial court to serve two concurrent life sentences. In this direct appeal, Defendant asserts that: 1) the trial court erred in refusing to instruct the jury as to voluntary intoxication; 2) the evidence at trial was insufficient to support his convictions; and 3) the trial court erred by reconvening the jury to alter its verdict after the jury had been discharged. Finding no error, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge John T. Fowlkes |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/30/12 | |
LVNV Funding, LLC as Assignee of Sears Gold Mastercard v. Kevin Mastaw
M2011-00990-COA-R3-CV
This appeal concerns the collection of credit card debt. The plaintiff, a subsequent purchaser of the debt, filed this collection action against the appellant debtor. On appeal, the appellant debtor argues, inter alia, that the trial court erred in admitting into evidence various documents from a previous owner of the debt, pursuant to the hearsay exception for business records under Tenn. R. Evid. Rule 803(6). We hold that two of the exhibits were not appropriately admitted into evidence under the business records exception. Without those exhibits, we find that the evidence preponderates against the trial court’s judgment in favor of the creditor, and reverse.
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Judge Joe P. Binkley, Jr. |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 04/30/12 | |
H. Jewell Tindell v. Callie A. West, et al.
E2011-01744-COA-R3-CV
A dispute over the extent of lawn being mowed and the manner in which it was being mowed boundary line between the neighboring lots be established and demanded compensatory and punitive damages. The Defendants filed a third-party complaint against their predecessor in title, Sandra Stallings, based upon her alleged misrepresentation in her disclosure to them. After a bench trial, the court awarded the Plaintiff a judgment establishing the boundary according to one of her two surveys, and awarded her the cost of her surveys as damages. The court also ordered the Defendants to remove all encroachments. The court found that Ms. Stallings failed to disclose known encroachments and held her liable to the Defendants for one-half of the cost of the surveys. The Defendants appeal. We reverse that part of the judgment awarding as damages the cost of the surveys. In all other respects, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Chancellor Michael W. Moyers |
Knox County | Court of Appeals | 04/30/12 | |
Roy Allen Scott v. David Osborne, Warden
E2011-02021-CCA-R3-HC
Petitioner, Roy Allen Scott, appeals the Morgan County Criminal Court’s summary dismissal of his petition for writ of habeas corpus. He claims entitlement to habeas corpus relief because the trial court for the underlying convictions was without jurisdiction to enter his conviction for aggravated assault. In addition, he contends that his convictions for driving under the influence and vehicular assault violate double jeopardy principles. Discerning no error, we affirm the judgment of the habeas corpus court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Roger A. Page
Originating Judge:Judge E. Eugene Eblen |
Morgan County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/30/12 | |
Gary V. Bullard v. State of Tennessee
M2011-00215-CCA-R3-PC
The Petitioner, Gary V. Bullard, appeals from the Rutherford County Circuit Court’s denial of his petition for post-conviction relief. After trial, a jury convicted him of attempted aggravated rape, a Class B felony, and aggravated assault, a Class C felony. In this appeal, Bullard argues that he received the ineffective assistance of counsel based on a failure to (1) sufficiently cross-examine the investigating police officer,(2) cross-examine the victim,and (3) offer any proof in defense.Upon review, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Camille R. McMullen
Originating Judge:Judge David Bragg |
Rutherford County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/30/12 | |
Milton Lee Cooper v. Howard Carlton, Warden
E2011-00783-CCA-R3-HC
Petitioner, Milton Lee Cooper, appeals the Johnson County Criminal Court’s summary dismissal of his petition for writ of habeas corpus. In this appeal, petitioner claims entitlement to habeas corpus relief because of alleged jurisdictional defects in the indictment. He also contends that the trial court constructively amended the indictment by its jury instructions. Discerning no error, we affirm the judgment of the habeas corpus court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Roger A. Page
Originating Judge:Judge Robert E. Cupp |
Johnson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/30/12 | |
State of Tennessee v. Jeffrey Martin
M2009-01673-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Jeffrey Martin, was convicted by a Maury County jury of sale of cocaine in an amount of .5 grams or more, a Class B felony. Following a hearing, the trial court sentenced him, as a Range III offender,to twenty-five years in the Department of Correction. The court further ordered that the sentence be served consecutively to prior unserved sentences in separate cases. On appeal, the defendant contends that: (1) the evidence is insufficient to support his conviction; (2) the trial court erred in sentencing him as a Range III offender; and (3) the trial court erred in imposing consecutive sentencing. Following review of the record, we find no error and affirm the conviction and sentence.
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Jim T. Hamilton |
Maury County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/30/12 | |
State of Tennessee v. Nathaniel P. Carson
M2010-02419-CCA-R3-CD
A Davidson County Criminal Court jury convicted the appellant, Nathaniel P.Carson, of two counts of first degree felony murder and two counts of especially aggravated robbery. After a sentencing hearing, the trial court sentenced him to concurrent sentences of life for the murder convictions and fifteen years for the especially aggravated robbery convictions. On appeal, the appellant contends that (1) the evidence is insufficient to support the convictions, (2) the trial court allowed improper evidence under Rule 404(b), Tennessee Rules of Evidence, and (3) the trial court should have granted his motion to suppress telephone records. Based upon the record and the parties’ briefs, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Seth Norman |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/27/12 |