APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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Ralph E. Scates v. State of Tennessee

E2004-00585-CCA-R3-CO

The appellant, Ralph E. Scates, pled guilty to two counts of theft, attempted misdemeanor theft, and simple possession of marijuana. He was placed on unsupervised probation for eleven (11) months and twenty-nine (29) days. In January of 2004, the appellant filed a petition to expunge and seal records in both the cases in which he pled guilty and in previous cases, including several that had been dismissed or in which the grand jury had not returned a true bill. The trial court dismissed the petition. The appellant filed a timely notice of appeal challenging the trial court’s dismissal of the petition. Because the trial court properly denied the petition for expungement as to the cases which resulted in convictions, we affirm that portion of the trial court’s judgment. Because the trial court improperly denied expungement of the records relating to cases which were dismissed or where a no true bill was returned by the grand jury, we remand the case to the trial court for expungement of those records. Accordingly, we affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand the case to the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry L. Smith
Originating Judge:Judge Ray L. Jenkins
Knox County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/21/05
State of Tennessee v. Linda Overholt

E2003-01881-CCA-R3-CD

Convicted of five counts of selling marijuana, the defendant, Linda H. Overholt, appeals and challenges the sufficiency of the convicting evidence, the prosecutor's trial conduct, various evidentiary rulings of the trial court, the denial of judicial diversion, and the trial court's sentencing determinations. Because the record supports the judgments of the trial court, we affirm the convictions and sentences.

Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Rebecca J. Stern
Hamilton County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/21/05
Amy Owens v. Ronnie Owens

W2003-03077-COA-R3-CV

This is a divorce action. The trial court designated Wife as the primary residential parent of the parties’ minor child and awarded Husband visitation. It also awarded wife alimony of $415 per month for 16 years. Husband appeals. We affirm designation of Wife as the primary residential
parent and the award of visitation to Husband. We modify the alimony award to an award of rehabilitative alimony of $415 per month for a period of five years.

Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Chancellor William Michael Maloan
Obion County Court of Appeals 01/21/05
Janna Sheya Falk v. Geary Falk

M2003-02134-COA-R3-CV

This is a divorce case involving an invalid marriage resulting from the existence of a subsisting previous marriage at the time of the parties' marriage ceremony in 1995. At the time of the parties' marriage ceremony, the purported wife's divorce from a previous marriage was still pending. The wife's divorce from her prior marriage did not become final until three and one-half months following the parties' marriage ceremony. The parties lived together as husband and wife until the wife filed for divorce in 2003. The trial court declared the parties divorced pursuant to section 36-4-101(2) of the Tennessee Code. The trial court then classified the parties' "marital" and separate property, making an equitable division of the "marital" property. The husband appeals the trial court's order granting a divorce and awarding certain property to the wife. For the reasons stated herein, we affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand to the trial court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Judge C. L. Rogers
Sumner County Court of Appeals 01/21/05
State of Tennessee v. Michael E. Johnson, Jr.

M2004-01542-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant appeals the trial court's denial of probation. The defendant pled guilty to a reduced charge of possession of marijuana for resale and agreed to a six-year sentence as a Range I offender. Following a hearing to determine the manner of service, the trial court denied probation and ordered the defendant to serve his sentence in confinement. Upon careful review, we affirm the trial court's denial of probation; however, we remand the matter for the limited purpose of entry of a corrected judgment.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Russell Heldman
Williamson County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/21/05
Ronnie Weddle v. State of Tennessee

W2003-03041-CCA-R3-PC

The petitioner, Ronnie Weddle, appeals the dismissal by the Madison County Circuit Court of his petitions for post-conviction relief. On appeal, the petitioner argues that he was denied the effective assistance of counsel in connection with a previously negotiated plea agreement that disposed of two narcotics-related offenses. Upon review of the record, we affirm the denial of post-conviction relief.

Authoring Judge: Judge James Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Donald H. Allen
Madison County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/21/05
Aabert F. Joseph v. Ex Parte

M2004-01651-COA R3-CV

The appellant filed an ex parte petition for name change, but failed to pay a portion of the filing fee (20%). The petition was dismissed. We affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge William H. Inman, Sr.
Originating Judge:Judge Thomas W. Brothers
Davidson County Court of Appeals 01/21/05
Noel and Josephine Crawley v. Hamilton County, Tennessee

E2003-03028-COA-R3-CV

Plaintiffs' action for damages against defendant was dismissed by summary judgment on grounds that "fringe benefits" provided by defendant was plaintiff's exclusive remedy. We vacate the summary judgment.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel Pickens Franks
Originating Judge:Judge L. Marie Williams
Hamilton County Court of Appeals 01/21/05
State of Tennessee v. Kenny Lynn Evans

W2003-03083-CCA-R3-PC

The petitioner, Kenny Lynn Evans, appeals the dismissal by the Dyer County Circuit Court of his petition for post-conviction relief. On appeal, the petitioner argues that he was denied the effective assistance of counsel at trial. After review of the record, we affirm the denial of post-conviction relief.

Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Lee Moore
Dyer County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/21/05
Hannah Harris, et al., v. Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation, et al.

W2004-00012-COA-R3-CV

Following the death of their premature daughter, the mother and father filed a medical malpractice
lawsuit against several defendants, including the mother’s treating physician. The trial court granted the doctor’s motion for summary judgment. We affirm since our supreme court has expressly stated that Tennessee does not recognize a cause of action for loss of chance.
 

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Judge Robert L. Childers
Shelby County Court of Appeals 01/21/05
Shamain Johnson v. State of Tennessee

M2003-03084-CCA-R3-PC

The Appellant, Shamain Johnson, appeals the dismissal of his petition for post-conviction relief. On appeal, Johnson collaterally challenges his convictions for class B felony possession of cocaine and two counts of sale of a counterfeit controlled substance, class E felonies. In support of his arguments, Johnson contends that: (1) his community corrections sentences, resulting from these convictions, were not statutorily authorized; (2) his plea agreement, with regard to his convictions for sale of a counterfeit controlled substance, "constitutes a plea to a non-existent offense and is therefore void;" and (3) his guilty pleas to the offenses were not knowingly or voluntarily entered. After review, we affirm the dismissal.

Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Judge Cheryl A. Blackburn
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/21/05
Sandra Claudine Morrow Howard v. Mark Anthony Howard

02660-COA-R3-CV

The Trial Court’s classification, evaluation and division of marital property was appealed by the
husband. We affirm the Judgment of the Trial Court.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel Pickens Franks
Originating Judge:Chancellor Jerri S. Bryant
McMinn County Court of Appeals 01/21/05
Michael Neely v. Ricky Bell, Warden

M2004-01012-CCA-R3-HC

The petitioner appeals the summary dismissal of his petition for writ of habeas corpus, arguing that the trial court imposed a sentence which was illegal and void because it was ex post facto; that trial counsel was ineffective; and that his pleas of guilty were not voluntary and knowing. Following our review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court dismissing the petition.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge Steve R. Dozier
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/20/05
In re: Estate of Roy W. Barnett, Deceased

W2003-02530-COA-R3-CV

This appeal arises out of a claim filed against Decedent’s estate by the Bureau of TennCare.
Decedent’s estate filed an exception to the claim arguing that such claim was barred because
Decedent was not provided with notice of the State of Tennessee’s recovery provisions as required by section 71-5-118(l) of the Tennessee Code. The trial court found that the Bureau of TennCare’s claim was barred on the basis that no written notice of the State’s recovery provisions was provided to Decedent or his family members. The Bureau of TennCare brought the instant appeal to this Court, and, for the following reasons, we reverse.
 

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Chancellor George R. Ellis
Haywood County Court of Appeals 01/20/05
State of Tennessee v. Detrick Cole

W2002-01254-SC-DDT-DD

The defendant, Detrick Cole, was convicted of first degree premeditated murder. The jury imposed a sentence of death upon finding that the prosecution had proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant had been previously convicted of “one (1) or more felonies, other than the present charge, whose statutory elements involve the use of violence to the person,” and that this aggravating circumstance outweighed mitigating circumstances beyond a reasonable doubt. The defendant appealed, challenging his conviction and sentence. The Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed. The case was docketed in this Court. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-206(a)(1). After considering the briefs and the record, this Court entered an order requesting that the parties address at oral argument the following four issues: (1) whether the evidence is sufficient to support the conviction; (2) whether the defendant was deprived of his constitutional right to a fair trial when the trial court required the defendant to submit to fingerprinting in the presence of the jury; (3) whether, under Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466 (2000) and Ring v. Arizona, 536 U.S. 584 (2002), the jury rather than the judge must determine whether the statutory elements of prior convictions used to support the (i)(2)aggravating circumstance involve the use of violence to the person; and (4) whether the factors for mandatory review in Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-13-206 (c)(1) require reversal of the sentence of death. After carefully and thoroughly considering the issues in light of the record and the relevant authority, we affirm the defendant’s conviction and sentence.

Authoring Judge: Chief Justice Frank F. Drowota, III
Originating Judge:Judge Joseph B. Dailey
Shelby County Supreme Court 01/20/05
Jackson Energy Authority v. William T. Diamond, Jr.

W2004-01090-COA-R3-CV

This case involves the timeliness of an appeal from General Sessions Court to Circuit Court. The plaintiff utility company sued the defendant building owner in General Sessions Court for past due utility payments. On July 28, 2003, the General Sessions Court entered a judgment in favor of the plaintiff. On August 1, 2003, the defendant filed a petition to rehear, seeking to have the judgment set aside. On August 6, 2003, the General Sessions Court denied the petition to rehear. On August 18, 2003, the defendant filed a notice of appeal for a de novo review in Circuit Court. The Circuit Court dismissed the appeal on the basis that it was not filed within ten days of the final General Sessions judgment entered on July 28, 2003. The defendant now appeals that decision, arguing that the ten-day time limitation was tolled by his General Sessions petition to rehear. We affirm, concluding that the time limitation for filing an appeal to Circuit Court is not tolled by a petition to rehear filed in General Sessions, because no statute grants the General Sessions Court authority to hear such a petition to rehear.
 

Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Judge Donald H. Allen
Madison County Court of Appeals 01/20/05
State of Tennessee, ex Relation of Darron Clayton v. Tony Parker, Warden

W2004-00001-CCA-R3-HC

The Petitioner, Darron Clayton, appeals the trial court's denial of his petition for habeas corpus relief. The State has filed a motion requesting that this Court affirm the trial court's denial of relief pursuant to Rule 20, Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals. Because Petitioner has failed to show either that his sentence has expired or that the trial court was without jurisdiction, we grant the State's motion and affirm the judgment of the lower court.

Authoring Judge: Judge J. C. McLin
Originating Judge:Judge R. Lee Moore Jr.
Lake County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/20/05
State of Tennessee v. Detrick Cole - Concurring and Dissenting

W2002-01254-SC-DDT-DD
Authoring Judge: Justice Adolpho A. Birch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Joseph B. Dailey
Shelby County Supreme Court 01/20/05
Amy Butterworth, et al. v. John Butterworth, et al.

W2003-00983-SC-R11-CV

We granted this appeal to determine whether the doctrine of parental immunity bars recovery when a son is injured at his father’s place of employment. We conclude that the Court of Appeals erred in creating a bright-line rule prohibiting the application of the doctrine of parental immunity when the injury resulted from employment-related activities. Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the non-moving party, we hold that the motion for summary judgment was improperly granted by the trial court. Thus, we affirm the judgment of the Court of Appeals in this respect and remand this case to the trial court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

Authoring Judge: Justice Janice M. Holder
Originating Judge:Judge R. Lee Moore Jr.
Dyer County Supreme Court 01/20/05
John Jay Hooker v. Bill Purcell

M2003-03107-COA-R3-CV

Plaintiff appeals the denial of his Tenn. R. Civ. P. 60.02(3) motion by which he sought to be relieved from a final judgment that dismissed his complaint for failing to state a claim upon which relief could be granted. Plaintiff argues that the order dismissing his action was "void" because the trial court lacked jurisdiction to dismiss his action. We affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge Frank G. Clement, Jr.
Originating Judge:Chancellor Claudia C. Bonnyman
Davidson County Court of Appeals 01/20/05
Michael Underwood v. Tennessee Department of Correction

W2004-01630-COA-R3-CV

This is a petition for certiorari seeking review of the department’s disciplinary proceedings. The
petitioner, a prisoner, was disciplined for abuse of his telephone privileges. He appealed the
disciplinary charges against him through the administrative process, with no success. He then filed the petition for certiorari in the trial court below, seeking review of the adverse administrative
decisions against him. The trial court dismissed the petition for certiorari, because it was not verified and it did not allege that it was the first application for the writ as required under T.C.A. § 27-8-106. The petitioner now appeals that decision. We affirm.
 

Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Chancellor J. Steven Stafford
Lake County Court of Appeals 01/20/05
State of Tennessee v. Frank D. Grundy

M2003-02775-CCA-R3-CD

The trial court found that Defendant, Frank D. Grundy, violated the terms of his eight-year community corrections sentence. It ordered him to serve one year "day for day" in the county jail before serving the remainder of his community corrections sentence. On appeal, Defendant argues the trial court's imposition of "day for day" sentencing was improper. We conclude the trial court imposed an illegal sentence and remand for entry of an appropriate amended order.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Robert E. Burch
Dickson County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/20/05
Jerry C. Harlan v. Carol L. Soloman

M2003-01396-COA-R3-CV

This appeal comes to the court from the trial court's approval of a special master's report. The case was referred to a special master following a jury trial after which appellee Harlan was awarded 16.79% ownership in certain real property which appellant Soloman had purchased. The report did not consider depreciation and other deductions which Harlan had claimed in connection with his alleged ownership of the property. After the court adopted the report Soloman moved to amend the order, arguing that she was entitled to an 83.21% share of those deductions, and that the trial court should amend the report to conform with the motion. The trial court refused. Soloman appeals. We affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Chancellor Donald P. Harris
Williamson County Court of Appeals 01/19/05
Robert Gentry Galbreath v. State of Tennessee

M2003-02807-CCA-R3-PC

The Petitioner, Robert Gentry Galbreath, was convicted by a jury of twelve counts of obtaining a prescription drug by fraud. The trial court sentenced the Petitioner to thirty-six years, as a career offender at sixty percent. On direct appeal, this Court affirmed the Petitioner's convictions and sentence. The Petitioner filed a petition for post-conviction relief, which the post-conviction court dismissed. The Petitioner now appeals, contending that the post-conviction court erred because: (1) the trial court improperly failed to instruct the jury on the lesser-included offense of facilitation; (2) his trial counsel was ineffective; (3) his appellate counsel was ineffective; and (4) his sentence amounts to cruel and unusual punishment. Because we have concluded that the Petitioner's counsel was ineffective at trial and on appeal, for failing to request a jury instruction on the lesser-included offense of facilitation and failing to appeal the jury instruction issue; we reverse the post-conviction court's dismissal of the Petitioner's petition for post-conviction relief, reverse the original convictions, and remand for a new trial.

Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Lee Russell
Bedford County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/19/05
State of Tennessee v. Michael Edward Thomason

M2003-03072-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Michael Edward Thomason, was convicted by a Cheatham County Circuit Court jury of first degree premeditated murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. In a timely appeal to this court, he argues that the trial court erred in its instructions on self-defense; the evidence was insufficient to show a premeditated murder; and the prosecutor made an improper comment in his closing arguments to the jury. Finding no reversible error, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge George C. Sexton
Cheatham County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/19/05