APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

State of Tennessee v. Timothy Wade Davis

E2003-02162-SC-R11-CD

We granted the defendant permission to appeal to consider whether the exact copy requirement of Tennessee Rule of Criminal Procedure 41(c)1 applies to an affidavit that has been incorporated by reference into a search warrant. Upon consideration, we hold that the exact copy requirement expressly applies to search warrants only and does not apply to incorporated affidavits. The record supports the trial court’s finding that the defendant a copy of the search warrant was “identical in every respect” to the original search warrant. Furthermore, even if the exact copy requirement expressly applied to affidavits, we would conclude, as did the Court of Criminal Appeals, that the insignificant differences between the original affidavit and the defendant’s copy of the affidavit do not warrant suppression of the evidence. For these reasons, we affirm the judgments of the trial court and Court of Criminal Appeals.

Authoring Judge: Justice William M. Barker
Originating Judge:Richard R. Baumgartner
Knox County Supreme Court 03/16/06
State of Tennessee v. Ronald E. Wade

M2004-02888-CCA-R3-CD

Following a jury trial, Defendant, Ronald E. Wade, was convicted of one count of facilitation of possession of over twenty-six (26) grams of cocaine for sale, a Class C felony, one count of facilitation of possession of over one and one-half ounces of marijuana for sale, a Class A misdemeanor, and one count of facilitation of possession of a weapon in commission of an offense, also a Class A misdemeanor. Defendant received a sentence of four years for the felony conviction, suspended after thirty days incarceration, with four years of probation, and a one thousand dollar fine. He received a suspended sentence of eleven months and twenty-nine days, to be served on probation, for each misdemeanor conviction. All sentences were ordered to be served concurrently with each other. On appeal, Defendant argues that the trial court erred in denying his motion to suppress all evidence obtained pursuant to a warrant authorizing a search of his house. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Steve R. Dozier
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/15/06
Patrick Thurmond v. State of Tennessee

M2005-00214-CCA-R3-PC

The petitioner, Patrick Thurmond, appeals from the Davidson County Criminal Court’s dismissal of his petition for post-conviction relief from his convictions for two counts of aggravated rape, one count of attempted aggravated rape, one count of aggravated sexual battery, and one count of aggravated burglary and effective sentence of fifty years. He contends he received the ineffective assistance of counsel because his attorney failed to remove prospective jurors from the jury panel, failed to exclude physical evidence, failed to object to hearsay testimony, failed to call an alibi witness, and advised the petitioner not to testify. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge Seth Norman
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/15/06
State of Tennessee v. Stephen Lynn Hugueley

W2004-00057-SC-DDT-DD

Defendant, Stephen Lynn Hugueley, was convicted by a jury of one count of first degree premeditated murder. During the penalty phase of the trial, the jury found four aggravating circumstances: (1) Defendant was previously convicted of one or more felonies whose statutory elements involved the use of violence to the person; (2) the murder was especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel in that it involved torture or serious physical abuse beyond that necessary to produce death; (3) Defendant committed the murder while he was in a place of lawful confinement; and (4) the victim was a corrections employee. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-204(i)(2), (5), (8), (9) (Supp. 1999). Additionally, the jury determined that the evidence of these aggravating circumstances outweighed the evidence of mitigating circumstances beyond a reasonable doubt. Id. at (g)(1). The jury thereupon sentenced Defendant to death. The Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the conviction and the death sentence.

After the case was docketed in this Court, we entered an order identifying several issues for oral argument.1 We now hold as follows: (1) the 1 trial court did not commit reversible error in concluding that Defendant failed to establish purposeful discrimination by the prosecution in its exercise of peremptory challenges in violation of Batson v. Kentucky and J.E.B. v. Alabama ex rel. T.B.; (2) the trial court did not commit reversible error in refusing to dismiss prospective juror Watkins for cause; and (3) the death sentence is valid under this Court’s mandatory review pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-13-206(c)(1) (2003). We agree with the Court of Criminal Appeals’ conclusions with respect to the remaining issues, the relevant portions of which are included in the appendix to this opinion. Accordingly, the Court of Criminal Appeals’ judgment is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Justice Cornelia A. Clark
Originating Judge:Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood
Hardeman County Supreme Court 03/15/06
State of Tennessee v. Stephen Lynn Hugueley - Concurring and Dissenting

W2004-00057-SC-DDT-DD
Authoring Judge: Justice Adolopho A. Birch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood
Hardeman County Supreme Court 03/15/06
John W. Brewer, III v. State of Tennessee

M2005-00302-CCA-R3-PC

The petitioner, John W. Brewer, III, appeals from the Davidson County Criminal Court’s dismissal of his petition for post-conviction relief from his guilty plea to second degree murder, a Class A felony, for which he received a nineteen-year sentence. He contends that he received the ineffective assistance of counsel, rendering his guilty plea involuntary. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge J. Randall Wyatt, Jr.
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/15/06
State of Tennessee v. Albert James Saavedra

M2004-02889-CCA-R3-CD

The Defendant, Albert James Saavedra, was indicted on one count of first degree murder and one count of attempted first degree murder. He was convicted for the lesser-included offense of voluntary manslaughter and for the indicted offense of attempted first degree murder. The trial court reduced the conviction for attempted first degree murder to attempted second degree murder, finding that the evidence was insufficient to prove that the Defendant acted with premeditation. The trial court also sentenced the Defendant to an effective sentence of fourteen years in the Department of Correction. The Defendant appeals, contending that: (1) the evidence is insufficient to sustain his conviction for attempted second degree murder; (2) the trial court erred by not instructing the jury on aggravated assault as a lesser-included offense of attempted first degree murder; (3) the trial court erred when it took his motion for judgment of acquittal under advisement and when it denied this motion with respect to attempted second degree murder; and (4) the trial court erred when it denied his Rule 33(f) motion. Finding that there exists no reversible error, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Robert E. Burch
Humphreys County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/13/06
Misty Michelle Glisson v. Mohon International, Inc./Campbell Ray

W2004-01588-SC-R3-CV

The employer in this workers’ compensation action has appealed from a judgment of the Circuit Court of Henry County finding that the employee suffered a work-related back injury. The trial court awarded the employee benefits based on 30% permanent partial disability to the body as a whole. The employer contends on appeal that the medical proof, which does not include any medical testimony, is insufficient to establish a causal connection between the employee’s injury and her employment. The dispositive question before this Court is whether the evidence preponderates against the trial court’s finding that the employee’s injury arose out of her employment. We conclude that the record and applicable law support the trial court’s decision to award benefits. We further hold that a local rule of the 24th Judicial District which prohibits the taking of medical depositions in workers’ compensation cases absent leave of court is invalid. The trial court’s judgment is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Justice Adolpho A. Birch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Julian P. Guinn
Henry County Supreme Court 03/13/06
State of Tennessee, ex rel. Gwender L. Taylor v. Ian W. Taylor, Sr.

W2004-02589-COA-R3-JV

This action stems from a petition for child support and a subsequent petition to modify child support.  In this appeal, the appellant has presented numerous issues for review. However, this Court finds one issue dispositive of the case: whether the trial court complied with Tennessee Rule of Civil Procedure 58 when it entered its order establishing child support and its subsequent order modifying child support. We dismiss this appeal and remand for entry of both orders pursuant to Tennessee Rule of Civil Procedure 58.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Judge Kenneth A. Turner
Shelby County Court of Appeals 03/13/06
Michelle Allen & Mark Allen v. State of Tennessee

M2005-00601-CCA-R3-PC

The Robertson County Grand Jury indicted Mark Allen with one count of exhibition of materials harmful to a minor, one count of especially aggravated sexual exploitation, and one count of rape of a child. Michelle Allen was indicted with three counts of rape of a child. Following a jury trial, Mr. Allen was convicted of all three counts, and Mrs. Allen was convicted for two counts of rape of a child. The third count was dismissed. The trial court sentenced Mr. Allen to an effective sentence of twenty-four years and Mrs. Allen to an effective sentence of twenty-one years. The defendants appeal the judgments of the trial court. They argue that the evidence was insufficient to support their convictions and that the trial court erred in sentencing them. We affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry L. Smith
Originating Judge:Judge Michael R. Jones
Robertson County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/13/06
Waymon Perry Russell v. State of Tennessee

W2005-00311-CCA-R3-HC

The petitioner, Waymon Perry Russell, filed a petition in the Hardeman County Circuit Court seeking a writ of habeas corpus. The petitioner alleged that the trial court imposed concurrent sentences when consecutive sentencing was mandatory. The habeas corpus court dismissed the petition without appointing counsel or conducting an evidentiary hearing. The petitioner challenges the dismissal. Upon our review of the record and the parties’ briefs, we affirm the judgment of the
habeas corpus court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Joseph H. Walker, III
Hardeman County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/13/06
State of Tennessee v. Bobby Wayne Jenkins and Tareaun D. Griffin

M2005-00593-CCA-R3-CD

This is a direct appeal as of right by Defendant Tareaun D. Griffin from convictions entered on a jury verdict of especially aggravated robbery and attempted second degree murder, and an appeal by Defendant Bobby Wayne Jenkins from his conviction entered on a jury verdict of especially aggravated robbery. Defendant Jenkins was sentenced to twenty years for his especially aggravated robbery conviction. Defendant Griffin was sentenced to twenty years for his especially aggravated robbery conviction and eleven years for his attempted second degree murder conviction, with the sentences to run consecutively for an effective thirty-one year sentence. On appeal, Defendant Griffin raises two issues: (1) the trial court erred in failing to charge the jury with instructions on self-defense, and (2) the court erred in imposing consecutive sentencing. Defendant Jenkins raises two separate issues: (1) the trial court erred in excluding the testimony of an expert witness, and (2) the court erred in failing to impose a mitigated sentence. We affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Judge Cheryl A. Blackburn
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/13/06
Tavares Ford, On behalf of herself and all other similarly situated v. Toys R Us, Inc.

W2005-01117-COA-R3-CV

In this appeal, we are asked to determine whether the circuit court erred when it dismissed the appellant’s class action suit based on lack of standing and primary jurisdiction. On appeal, the appellant asserts that she had standing to bring her suit and that the circuit court should not have declined to exercise jurisdiction based on the doctrine of primary jurisdiction. We affirm.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Judge James F. Russell
Shelby County Court of Appeals 03/09/06
In the Matter of: N.T.B.

E2005-1246-COA-R3-JV

The State of Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (“the State”) filed a Petition for Temporary Custody of N.T.B. (“the Child”) in July of 2002, alleging, among other things, that the Child was abused and/or dependent and neglected. The Juvenile Court held that the Child was a dependent and neglected child within the meaning of the law and awarded temporary custody of the Child to the State. Reba Johnson (“Mother”) and Michael Blevins (“Father”) appealed the Juvenile Court order to the Circuit Court (“Trial Court”), and the case was tried. After trial, the Trial Court found and held, inter alia, that the Child was a dependent and neglected child within the meaning of the law and that the Child had suffered severe abuse pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-1-102(b)(21)(A) while in the care of his parents. Mother and Father appeal. We affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge D. Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Judge Thomas J. Seeley, Jr.
Johnson County Court of Appeals 03/09/06
Gerald Johnson v. State of Tennessee

M2005-01225-CCA-R3-PC

Pursuant to a plea agreement, the Petitioner, Gerald E. Johnson, pled guilty to one count of possession with intent to sell or deliver under 0.5 grams of cocaine. The trial court sentenced the Petitioner to seven years as a Range II, multiple offender. The Petitioner filed a petition for post-conviction relief, which the post-conviction court dismissed after a hearing. The Petitioner appeals, contending that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance of counsel. After thoroughly reviewing the record and the applicable law, we conclude that there exists no reversible error. Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Steve R. Dozier
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/09/06
William Rhea Jackson v. State of Tennessee

M2005-00528-CCA-R3-PC

A Davidson County jury convicted the Petitioner, William Rhea Jackson, of robbery, rape, aggravated burglary, attempted rape, aggravated kidnapping, and misdemeanor theft. This Court affirmed the convictions on direct appeal, and the Tennessee Supreme Court denied review. The Petitioner filed a petition for post-conviction relief, which the post-conviction court dismissed after a hearing. The Petitioner appeals, contending that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance of counsel. After thoroughly reviewing the record and the applicable law, we conclude that there exists no reversible error. Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Steve R. Dozier
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/09/06
Beneficial Tennessee, Inc. v. The Metropolitan Government, et al.

M2004-01071-COA-R3-CV

The trial court held that the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment was violated by sending notice to a mortgagee of an impending tax sale of the mortgaged property by regular mail. We reverse.

Authoring Judge: Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Chancellor Carol L. McCoy
Davidson County Court of Appeals 03/08/06
State of Tennessee v. Jermeil Ralph Tarter

E2005-01013-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Jermeil Tarter, was convicted of one count of sale of more than .5 grams of cocaine within one thousand feet of a school, one count of delivery of more than .5 grams of cocaine within one thousand feet of a school, and one count of possession of more than .5 grams of cocaine within one thousand feet of a school. The trial court initially merged the convictions for delivery and possession of cocaine into the conviction for the sale of cocaine and then later dismissed the convictions for delivery of cocaine and possession of cocaine. The trial court imposed a Range I sentence of twenty years in the Department of Correction. In this appeal, the defendant asserts that the evidence was insufficient to support the convictions, that the trial court erred by permitting the surveillance tape to be admitted into evidence, and that the trial court erred by permitting the prosecutor to vouch for the truthfulness of the state's witnesses. The state challenges on appeal the trial court's ruling dismissing the conviction for possession of cocaine. The convictions and sentence are affirmed. The judgment of the trial court dismissing the convictions for delivery and possession of cocaine is reversed. The judgment of conviction for sale of more than .5 grams of cocaine is modified to show that the convictions for delivery of more than .5 grams of cocaine and possession of more than .5 grams of cocaine have been merged into one judgment.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R. Wade
Originating Judge:Judge Jerry Scott
Sullivan County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/08/06
State of Tennessee v. Charles Humphries

W2005-00016-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Charles Humphries, was convicted of first degree premeditated murder and aggravated assault (a Class C felony) and received Range II consecutive sentences of life imprisonment and ten years. On appeal, he challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to establish
the element of premeditation and the imposition of consecutive sentences. Upon thorough review, we affirm the convictions and sentences of the Shelby County Criminal Court.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Joseph B. Dailey
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/07/06
State of Tennessee v. Larry Allen Whited and William Henry Rutherford

M2005-00167-CCA-R3-CD

The Defendants were convicted of second degree murder and reckless endangerment. Defendant Whited was also convicted of three counts of aggravated assault. On appeal, both Defendants argue that the trial court erred by allowing the State to introduce evidence of certain activity they engaged in after the crimes were committed, and that the evidence is insufficient to support their convictions.  Defendant Whited argues that the trial court erred by denying his motion to suppress the statement he gave to the police. Both Defendants also challenge the trial court’s sentencing determination.  After review, we affirm the trial court’s judgments in all respects.

Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Judge Jane W. Wheatcraft
Sumner County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/07/06
Corvack Shaw v. State of Tennessee

W2005-01332-CCA-R3-PC

The Petitioner, Corvack Shaw, appeals the lower court’s denial of his motion requesting relief  from an invalid sentence. The State has filed a motion requesting that this Court affirm the trial court pursuant to Rule 20, Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals. The Petitioner has failed to establish his entitlement to relief from an unconstitutional or invalid sentence. Accordingly, we affirm the trial court’s dismissal.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge W. Otis Higgs, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/07/06
Ruby Pope v. Ervin Blaylock, et al.

W2004-02981-COA-R3-CV

This is a premises liability case arising from Plaintiff/Guests’ fall over a landscaping wall while walking down Defendants/Homeowners’ walkway after dark. The trial court granted summary judgment to Defendants/Homeowners. Finding that there is a dispute of material fact as to whether the lighting conditions created a dangerous condition on the Defendants/Homeowners’ property, and that McIntyre requires a comparison of the respective negligence of the parties, we reverse and remand.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Judge James F. Russell
Shelby County Court of Appeals 03/07/06
State of Tennessee v. Joseph Bryan Adair

M2005-01138-CCA-R3-CD

Following a bench trial, the Defendant, Joseph Bryan Adair, was convicted of driving at a speed of 69 miles per hour in a 50 miles per hour speed zone, a Class C misdemeanor. The Defendant now appeals, contending that his traffic citation was invalid because it was not signed by the State Trooper who issued the ticket. Finding that there exists no reversible error, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Lillie Ann Sells
Clay County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/07/06
Louis J. Federico v. Aladdin Industries, LLC.

M2004-01693-COA-R3-CV

This appeal arises from the second civil action between these parties. In both civil actions, Mr. Federico brought suit against Aladdin Industries for breach of a written employment agreement. In the first action, Federico only sought recovery of a bonus. In this second action Federico seeks to recover the value of a so-called “phantom unit” equity plan provided for in the employment agreement. Both claims were based on the same employment agreement. Aladdin filed a motion for summary judgment contending res judicata barred this second action. The trial court granted Aladdin’s motion, and we affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge Frank G. Clement, Jr.
Originating Judge:Chancellor Richard H. Dinkins
Davidson County Court of Appeals 03/07/06
State of Tennessee v. Larry Allen Whited and William Henry Rutherford - Dissenting

M2005-00167-CCA-R3-CD

The majority affirms the Defendant Whited’s conviction for aggravated assault concluding that “a rational jury could easily infer that [seventeen-month-old] Tristian was in reasonable fear of imminent bodily injury . . . .” For the reasons discussed below, I respectfully dissent.

Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Judge Jane W. Wheatcraft
Sumner County Court of Criminal Appeals 03/07/06