APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

Quinton Armstrong v. Michael MaGill, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and Piccadilly Cafeteria

W2003-00207-COA-R3-CV

This is a claim for unemployment benefits. The claimant was terminated from her employment at the defendant business. Her separation notice indicated that she was terminated for improper conduct and having a disrespectful attitude. Subsequently, the claimant filed a claim for unemployment benefits. The agency denied benefits. The claimant appealed. The appellate tribunal conducted a telephonic hearing and affirmed the denial of benefits. The claimant filed the instant petition for judicial review, claiming that the administrative proceedings were so fundamentally flawed that her procedural due process rights were violated. The trial court denied the petition and affirmed the denial of benefits. The claimant now appeals. We affirm, finding that the claimant’s due process rights were not violated, and that there is substantial and material  evidence to support the denial of benefits.
 

Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Chancellor D. J. Alissandratos
Shelby County Court of Appeals 06/29/04
Patricia Henderson Jolley, et al, v. Wanda K. Henderson

E2003-01406-COA-R3-CV

This is a will contest case. Patricia Henderson Jolley and Howard E. Henderson, Jr. (collectively "the Contestants") appeal the chancery court's judgment that they do not have standing to contest their father's will. The Contestants contend that the chancery court erred in addressing the issue of their standing and in other ways. They argue that their stepmother, Wanda K. Henderson ("the Executrix"), failed to raise the standing issue and, as a consequence, waived it. They also rely on alleged procedural errors and contend that they do have standing. We affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Chancellor Howell N. Peoples
Hamilton County Court of Appeals 06/29/04
Larry Benton v. The Vanderbilt University

M2002-00085-SC-R11-CV

We granted this appeal to determine whether a third-party beneficiary who seeks to enforce a contract between a hospital and an insurance carrier may be bound by an arbitration provision in the contract. The trial court denied the hospital’s motion to compel arbitration, finding that the thirdparty beneficiary was not a party to the contract between the hospital and the insurance carrier. The Court of Appeals reversed, concluding that the arbitration provision could be enforced against the third- party beneficiary in this case. After reviewing the record and authority, we conclude that an arbitration provision in a contract is enforceable against a third-party beneficiary who has filed a cause of action seeking to enforce the contract.

Authoring Judge: Justice E. Riley Anderson
Originating Judge:Judge Carol L. Soloman
Davidson County Supreme Court 06/28/04
James Galloway v. Liberty Mutual Insurance Company

W2003-01628-SC-R3-CV

We granted review in this workers’ compensation appeal to determine whether an employee who was less than age 60 on the date of injury, but who reached maximum medical improvement and permanent total disability status after age 60, is entitled to a minimum of 260 weeks of benefits under Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-207(4)(A)(i) (Supp. 2003). The Chancellor determined that because the employee was less than 60 years of age when the injury occurred, he was entitled to permanent total disability benefits for only 232 weeks until he was eligible for full benefits under the Social Security Act. The employee’s appeal was transferred to the full Supreme Court prior to the Special Workers’ Compensation Appeals Panel hearing argument and issuing its decision. After reviewing the record and applicable authority, we conclude that the Chancellor properly construed the statute in awarding the employee 232 weeks of permanent total disability benefits pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-207(4)(A)(i). We therefore affirm the Chancellor’s judgment.

Authoring Judge: Justice E. Riley Anderson
Originating Judge:Judge J. Steven Stafford
Dyer County Supreme Court 06/28/04
Larry Benton v. The Vanderbilt University - Dissenting

M2002-00085-SC-R11-CV
Authoring Judge: Justice Adolpha A. Birch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Carol L. Soloman
Davidson County Supreme Court 06/28/04
Theresa Caldwell, et al., v. Canada Trace, Inc.

W2003-00264-COA-R3-CV

This case involves the attachment of a mobile home and its subsequent transport to a storage facility. The Appellee sued out an attachment on the Appellants’ mobile home to secure payment of past rent due on a tenancy at Appellee’s trailer park. Appellee had the mobile home transported after it was attached and Appellants sued Appellee for damages to the mobile home. The Shelby County General Sessions Court found in favor of Appellants, and Appellee appealed to the Circuit Court. The Circuit Court found in favor of Appellee, and Appellants now appeal to this Court. For the following reasons, we affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand for further proceedings.
 

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Judge Karen R. Williams
Shelby County Court of Appeals 06/28/04
State of Tennessee v. Robert L. Stevenson

W2003-02097-CCA-R3-CD

A Shelby County Criminal Court jury convicted the defendant, Robert L. Stevenson, of burglary of a building, a Class D felony, and the trial court sentenced him as a career offender to twelve years in the Department of Correction. The defendant appeals, claiming (1) that the evidence is insufficient to support his conviction and (2) that the trial court erred by allowing the state to impeach him with prior convictions. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge Chris B. Craft
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/28/04
Michael R. Lewis v. State of Tennessee

W2003-01935-CCA-R3-PC

The petitioner, Michael R. Lewis, appeals the Lauderdale County Circuit Court’s dismissal of his petition for post-conviction relief. On appeal, he claims that ineffectiveness of trial counsel resulted in an invalid, 2001 jury conviction of reckless aggravated assault and that post-conviction relief from the conviction is warranted. Because the record supports the post-conviction court’s findings and conclusion, we affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Joseph H. Walker, III
Lauderdale County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/28/04
State of Tennessee v. Dennis James Varner

E2003-02223-CCA-R3-CD

The Defendant, Dennis James Varner, entered a conditional plea of guilty to driving under the influence following the trial court's denial of his motion to suppress evidence attendant upon his stop at a roadblock. The Defendant reserved for this Court's ruling a certified question of law regarding the constitutionality of his stop by law enforcement officers. Upon our review of the record and pertinent legal authority, we have determined that the trial court erred in denying the Defendant's motion to suppress. Accordingly, we reverse the trial court's judgment and dismiss the charges against the Defendant arising out of his stop at a roadblock conducted in contravention of Tennessee's constitution.

Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Judge Stephen M. Bevil
Hamilton County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/28/04
Clayton O. Lovlace, Jr. v. Susan Verlain Irvine Lovlace

M2003-01274-COA-R3-CV

The trial court granted Mother's petition for conservatorship of the parties' disabled son; enforced MDA provision requiring Father to pay child support beyond child attaining age of majority; increased Father's child support obligation; and ordered Father to continue to maintain life and disability insurance. We affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Judge Frank G. Clement, Jr.
Hickman County Court of Appeals 06/28/04
James Edward Dicken v. State of Tennessee

M2003-01455-CCA-R3-CD

The petitioner, James Edward Dicken, appeals the denial of his petition for post-conviction relief. He contends that he was denied the effective assistance of counsel. The judgment of the post-conviction court is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R. Wade
Originating Judge:Judge Jane W. Wheatcraft
Sumner County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/25/04
State of Tennessee v. Daryl Eugene Fortner

M2003-00950-CCA-R3-CD

Following a jury trial, the defendant was convicted of two counts of attempted first degree murder, Class A felonies. He was also convicted of one count of aggravated burglary, a Class C felony. The defendant contends on appeal that (1) the evidence was insufficient to establish the requisite intent required for committing first degree murder, (2) the trial court erred in instructing the jury on diminished capacity, and (3) the sentence was excessive. Finding no reversible error, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Michael R. Jones
Montgomery County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/25/04
State of Tennessee v. Steven A. Meyer

M2003-02297-CCA-R3-CD

At his first trial, the defendant, Steven A. Meyer, was convicted of first degree murder and the trial court, sua sponte, overturned the jury verdict, concluding that it was against the weight of the evidence. At the second trial, the jury again found the defendant guilty of first degree premeditated murder, and he was sentenced to life imprisonment. On appeal, he argues that the evidence was insufficient to sustain his conviction. Following our review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge Michael R. Jones
Montgomery County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/25/04
Terry L. Shropshire, Pro Se v. State of Tennessee

M2003-01436-CCA-R3-CO

The Petitioner, Terry Shropshire, 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. The Petitioner has failed to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that his conviction is void or his term of imprisonment has expired. Accordingly, the State's motion is granted and the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Robert L. Holloway
Wayne County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/25/04
State of Tennessee v. Kewan Jackson

W2003-01917-CCA-R3-CD

The appellant, Kewan Jackson, was found guilty by a jury in the Shelby County Criminal Court of criminally negligent homicide and reckless aggravated assault. The appellant received a total effective sentence of three years in the Shelby County Workhouse. On appeal, the appellant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence supporting his convictions and the refusal of the trial court to remove a juror. Upon our review of the record and the parties’ briefs, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge J. C. McLin
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/25/04
Damien M. Jackson v. State of Tennessee

M2003-00952-CCA-R3-PC

The petitioner appeals from his denial of post-conviction relief. He alleges ineffective counsel and error by the post-conviction judge. After careful review, we conclude that the petitioner failed to prove ineffective counsel. Accordingly, we affirm the denial of relief.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Cheryl A. Blackburn
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/25/04
State of Tennessee v. Christopher Davis

M2003-00380-CCA-R3-CO

The Petitioner, Christopher A. Davis, appeals the trial court's denial of his petition for writ of error coram nobis. 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. The Petitioner failed to file his petition within the applicable statute of limitations, failed to assert a claim that is cognizable in a petition for writ of error coram nobis, and the statute of limitations should not be tolled. Accordingly, the State's motion is granted and the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/25/04
Ralph E. Harwell, Interim Conservator of the Property, Estate, and Financial Affairs of Carolyn Mitchell Brown v. John H. Watson, Jr.

E2003-01796-COA-R3-CV

Conservator brought action to recover assets for the Estate of Carolyn Brown which had been given to defendant by Brown. The Chancellor invoked the constructive trust doctrine and ordered assets returned to the Estate. On appeal, we affirm.
 

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Chancellor Sharon J. Bell
Knox County Court of Appeals 06/25/04
State of Tennessee, ex rel. Laura Fabrizio vs. Richard R. Cadmus

E2003-01556-COA-R3-CV

In 2001, the trial court entered an order ("the 2001 order") awarding the State of Tennessee ex rel. Laura Fabrizio ("the State") a child support arrearage of $9,785. Subsequently, the same court, by order entered March 25, 2003, confirmed a referee's "Findings and Recommendations" adding interest of $2,152.70 to the original award. Richard R. Cadmus ("Father") seeks to go behind the 2001 order in an attempt to invalidate it on a number of grounds. The State, on the other hand, complains that the interest calculated by the referee and approved by the trial court is incorrect. We find no basis in the record submitted to us for disturbing the trial court's last order. Accordingly, we affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Russell E. Simmons, Jr.
Loudon County Court of Appeals 06/25/04
State of Tennessee v. Stephen Gass

M2003-01079-CCA-R3-PC

The petitioner, Steven Gass, was convicted by a jury in the Rutherford County Circuit Court of rape of a child, aggravated sexual battery, and attempted rape of a child. The petitioner received a total effective sentence of thirty-two years incarceration in the Tennessee Department of Correction. Subsequently, the petitioner filed a petition for post-conviction relief, citing several instances of ineffective assistance of counsel. After a hearing, the post-conviction court denied the petition, and the petitioner timely appealed. Upon review of the record and the parties' briefs, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge J. S. Daniel
Rutherford County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/25/04
State of Tennessee v. Carl E. Leggett, Sr.

M2003-01388-CCA-R3-CD

The Defendant, Carl E. Leggett, Sr., was indicted by the Franklin County Grand Jury for possession of .5 grams or more of cocaine with the intent to sell or deliver. Following a jury trial, the Defendant was convicted of facilitation of possession with intent to sell over .5 grams of cocaine. The Defendant was sentenced as a Range II multiple offender to serve nine years in confinement and ordered to pay a $70,000 fine. In this appeal as of right, the Defendant challenges the sufficiency of the convicting evidence. The Defendant also challenges his sentence. After a careful review of the record, we reverse the judgment of the trial court on sufficiency grounds and dismiss the charges against the Defendant.

Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Judge J. Curtis Smith
Franklin County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/25/04
Stefan Olaru v. Steven D. Brown

E2003-02875-COA-R3-CV

Stefan Olaru filed an action for malpractice against his former attorney, Steven D. Brown. The trial court dismissed the complaint based upon the defendant's plea of a discharge in bankruptcy. The plaintiff appeals. We affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Jacqueline E. Schulten
Hamilton County Court of Appeals 06/25/04
State of Tennessee v. Carl E. Leggett, Sr. - Dissenting

M2003-01388-CCA-R3-CD

I concur with the portion of the majority opinion which would affirm the trial court’s judgment regarding sentencing. However, I respectfully dissent from that portion of the opinion which holds that the evidence is insufficient to sustain the conviction of facilitation of possession with intent to sell over .5 grams of cocaine.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge J. Curtis Smith
Franklin County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/25/04
State of Tennessee v. Joseph Chi-Choi Wong

M2003-00504-CCA-R3-CD

The appellant, Joseph Chi-Choi Wong, was convicted by a jury on three counts of promoting prostitution and three counts of money laundering. As a result, he was sentenced to an effective sentence of twenty-four (24) years. In this direct appeal, the appellant challenges: (1) the trial court's decision to admit certain evidence that was found in the appellant's apartment; (2) the trial court's failure to dismiss the indictment due to the asserted unconstitutionality of the Tennessee prostitution and money laundering statutes; (3) the trial court's failure to sever the prostitution counts from the money laundering counts; (4) the trial court's failure to suppress the evidence procured from the appellant's apartment as a result of the search warrant; (5) the trial court's imposition of an excessive sentence; and (6) the trial court's failure to mitigate the appellant's sentence. After a thorough review of the record, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry L. Smith
Originating Judge:Judge Cheryl A. Blackburn
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/25/04
John W. Smith v. State of Tennessee

M2003-00729-CCA-R3-PC

The petitioner, John W. Smith, appeals the denial of his petition for post-conviction relief. The single issue presented for review is whether the petitioner was denied the effective assistance of counsel at trial. The judgment is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:Judge Cheryl A. Blackburn
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/25/04