APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

John Haws Burrell v. Howard Carlton, Warden

E2002-01613-CCA-R3-PC

The petitioner, John Haws Burrell, has been convicted of twelve counts of sexual battery, three counts of rape, and two counts of coercion of a witness for which he is serving an effective twenty-four-year sentence. See State v. John Haws Burrell, No. 03C01-9404-CR-00157, 1997 WL 53455 (Tenn. Crim. App. at Knoxville, Feb. 11, 1997). The petitioner brings the instant appeal of the lower court's summary dismissal of his petition for writ of habeas corpus. We find that the lower court properly summarily dismissed the petition because several of the alleged bases for relief in the petition are not proper grounds for habeas relief and the remaining allegations lack merit.

Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry L. Smith
Originating Judge:Judge Robert E. Cupp
Johnson County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/17/03
W2003-00983-COA-R3-CV

W2003-00983-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Lee Moore
Dyer County Court of Appeals 10/17/03
Carl A. Lindblad v. Parkridge Health System

E2003-00221-COA-R3-CV
The plaintiff resigned his position as Director of the hospital's emergency services. Parkridge Health System, Inc. d/b/a East Ridge Hospital, [hereafter "the hospital" or "Defendant"] accepted his resignation and terminated his staff privileges in accordance with an employment Agreement. The hospital's bylaws required notice and hearing, which were not followed. The plaintiff filed this action asserting that in failing to observe its bylaws the hospital breached its contract with him since the bylaws were an integral part of the contract. The Chancellor granted the hospital's motion for summary judgment, holding that the Agreement, which provided for termination of staff privileges controlled the issue. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Sr. Judge William H. Inman
Originating Judge:W. Neil Thomas, III
Hamilton County Court of Appeals 10/16/03
Antoine Lamarr v. City of Memphis,

CH-01-1967-2

Originating Judge:Floyd Peete, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Appeals 10/16/03
Dept. of Children's Services vs MW

E2003-00325-COA-R3-CV
The Trial Judge held the minor child was dependent and neglected and that the mother had committed severe child abuse against her child. Custody was awarded to DCS who was relieved of making reasonable efforts to reunify the mother and child. The mother appealed, insisting there is no evidence to support the Trial Court's findings. We affirm the Trial Court.

Originating Judge:Kindall T. Lawson
Hamblen County Court of Appeals 10/16/03
State of Tennessee v. Charles R. Palmquist

M2002-01047-CCA-R3-CD

Defendant, Charles R. Palmquist, pursuant to a negotiated plea agreement, pled guilty to DUI first offense and reserved a certified question of law for appeal pursuant to Tenn. R. Crim. P. 37(b)(2)(i). After a review of the record and the briefs of the parties, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge John A. Turnbull
Putnam County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/16/03
Forrest L. Whaley &Amp; Margaret Ann Whaley v. First

W2002-01940-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Rita L. Stotts
Shelby County Court of Appeals 10/16/03
Shawn Vineyard vs. Bill Varner D/B/A Fountain City Auto

E2003-00436-COA-R3-CV
Shawn T. Vineyard ("the plaintiff") purchased a 1991 Nissan automobile from Bill Varner, doing business as Fountain City Auto Sales ("the defendant"). Later, the plaintiff sued the defendant alleging a fraudulent misrepresentation and a violation of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act ("the TCPA") in connection with the sale. In addition to other relief, the plaintiff sought compensatory damages; in the alternative, he asked for rescission of the sale agreement. After the trial court denied the defendant's motion for summary judgment, this matter proceeded to trial before a jury. The jury, in response to interrogatories, found the defendant guilty of violating the TCPA, but found no damages. The jury also found that the defendant had committed a fraudulent misrepresentation in connection with the sale of the automobile and assessed the plaintiff's damages at $2,100. In response to post-trial motions, the trial court decreed rescission and awarded the plaintiff the purchase price of $2,100. Defendant appeals, arguing that the trial court erred (1) in denying his motion for summary judgment; (2) in decreeing rescission and otherwise modifying the jury's verdict; and (3) in awarding attorney's fees of $12,000 to the plaintiff. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Wheeler A. Rosenbalm
Knox County Court of Appeals 10/16/03
Dayne O 'Bannon vs. Stephanie O'Bannon

E2002-02553-COA-R3-CV
This appeal from the Bradley County Circuit Court questions whether the Trial Court erred in denying the Wife's proposed relocation to South Dakota and in changing custody of the parties' children from Wife to Husband. We affirm the judgment of the Trial Court.
Authoring Judge: Sr. Judge William H. Inman
Originating Judge:John B. Hagler, Jr.
Bradley County Court of Appeals 10/16/03
Kenneth Emert vs. City of Knoxville

E2003-01081-COA-R3-CV
The original plaintiff, since deceased, tripped on an uneven brick sidewalk and injured his right knee. He was blind, or nearly so, and used a walking aid. The defendant's negligence is not an issue on appeal. The issue is one of causation in light of the medical proof that the plaintiff suffered knee problems before the accident. The trial judge found that the accident aggravated the plaintiff's pre-existing condition and awarded damages of $100,000.00 with fault apportioned 80 percent to the defendant. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Sr. Judge William H. Inman
Originating Judge:Dale C. Workman
Knox County Court of Appeals 10/16/03
Roger L. Smith v. State of Tennessee

E2003-00094-CCA-R3-PC

The Defendant, Roger L. Smith, pled guilty to three counts of child rape in 1998. He subsequently filed for post-conviction relief and for DNA testing. The trial court summarily dismissed the post-conviction petition on the grounds that it is time-barred. The trial court further summarily denied the Defendant's request for DNA testing. The Defendant now appeals. We affirm the judgment of the trial court dismissing the Defendant's claim for post-conviction relief, but reverse and remand for further proceedings the trial court's dismissal of the Defendant's request for DNA testing.

Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Judge James E. Beckner
Greene County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/16/03
Juanita W. Keylon vs. Robert A. Hill

E2003-01054-COA-R3-CV
The plaintiff's motion for partial summary judgment, based upon the asserted failure of the defendant to countervail the motion, was denied by the trial judge. The plaintiff argues that the established rule that the denial of a motion for summary judgment, followed by a jury trial and verdict, is not reviewable, has no application in this case because there was no verdict. The rule is that the denial of a motion for summary judgment is not reviewable when the case proceeds to judgment, as distinguished from verdict. The motion of the defendant in this medical malpractice case for a directed verdict made at the close of all the evidence was granted upon a determination that all of the expert testimony established that the three-hour window to administer a blood clot dissolver had expired before the defendant treated the plaintiff. Whether the particular anticoagulant should have been administered in a timely manner was at the core of the claimed negligence. We find the question of negligence to be within the peculiar province of the jury, and remand the case for a new trial.
Authoring Judge: Sr. Judge William H. Inman
Originating Judge:Russell E. Simmons, Jr.
Roane County Court of Appeals 10/16/03
W2002-02534-COA-R3-CV

W2002-02534-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:D. J. Alissandratos
Shelby County Court of Appeals 10/16/03
W2002-01540-COA-R3-CV

W2002-01540-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Robert A. Lanier
Shelby County Court of Appeals 10/16/03
State of Tennessee v. Carl Edward Bell

M2002-02503-CCA-R3-CD

In a plea agreement, the defendant pled guilty to the sale of under .5 grams of cocaine and agreed to a seven-year sentence. The manner of service of the sentence was to be determined at a sentencing hearing. The trial court ordered the defendant to serve the entire sentence in the Tennessee Department of Correction, because the defendant had not demonstrated the potential for rehabilitation or treatment. We find no error in the sentence and, therefore, affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Cheryl A. Blackburn
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/16/03
Robert Carrier vs. Speedway Motorsports

E2002-02724-COA-R3-CV
This case involves a dispute as to exactly what property was leased to the plaintiff, Robert L. "Larry" Carrier. In January, 1996, the plaintiff and his family sold their 100% stock ownership interest in National Raceways, Inc., to the defendant, Speedway Motorsports, Inc. ("SMI"). National Raceways, Inc., operated the well-known Bristol Motor Speedway ("the Speedway"). In conjunction with the sale, the parties executed a lease agreement, wherein SMI leased back a portion of the Speedway's property to the plaintiff. The plaintiff filed suit against SMI and Bristol Motor Speedway, Inc., the new corporate name of National Raceways, Inc., claiming that the defendants had breached the lease by interfering with the plaintiff's leasehold interest. Specifically, the plaintiff claims that the lease covers a 15.54 acre parcel of land lying adjacent to the grandstand at the racetrack. The defendants answered, denying that they had breached the lease and asserting that the subject matter of the lease is limited to three buildings on the 15.54 acre tract rather than to the entire tract. The defendants also filed a counterclaim for an unpaid debt. Following a bench trial, the court found in favor of the plaintiff, concluding that the lease involves the entire parcel of land rather than just the three buildings. It ultimately awarded the plaintiff damages of $2,401,728. The trial court dismissed the defendants' counterclaim. From this judgment, both sides appeal. We affirm the dismissal of the counterclaim, but reverse the trial court's judgment in favor of the plaintiff on the original complaint. That complaint is dismissed at the plaintiff's costs.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Thomas R. Frierson, II
Sullivan County Court of Appeals 10/16/03
Brian Keith Chapman v. Bekaert Steel Wire Corporation,

W2002-00596-SC-WCM-CV
The claimant in this workers' compensation case has appealed the trial court's decision awarding him permanent partial disability benefits of twenty-five percent to the body as a whole. The trial court excluded the deposition of one of the physicians who examined the claimant but made alternative findings if the deposition were improperly excluded. The panel has concluded that the evidence preponderates against the trial court's exclusion of the deposition evidence. Accordingly, we reverse the trial court. We further find that the evidence preponderates in favor of the trial court's alternative finding of forty-five percent to the body as a whole. The trial court's judgment is modified accordingly.
Authoring Judge: D. J. Alissandratos, Sp.J.
Originating Judge:C, J. Steven Stafford, Chancellor
Dyer County Workers Compensation Panel 10/16/03
Kathy Gardenhire vs. Real Estate Inspection Service

E2002-02214-COA-R3-CV
Todd Gardenhire and his wife, Kathy Gardenhire ("the plaintiffs"), own a residence and lot on Signal Mountain. In 1995, they contracted with Real Estate Inspection Service, Inc. and Stephen Eady, doing business as Stephen Eady Company (collectively "the defendants"), for the construction of a sunroom addition, a swimming pool, and other work at their residence. Later that same year, the plaintiffs sued the defendants alleging that the defendants had failed to complete the work and that "much of the work" was not accomplished according to the parties' agreement. The defendants answered and filed a counterclaim seeking money allegedly due them for work performed in connection with the contract. Following a bench trial, the court awarded the plaintiffs $35,000 and dismissed the defendants' counterclaim. The defendants appeal. We affirm the judgment in part and reverse in part and remand for further proceedings.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Frank V. Williams, III
Hamilton County Court of Appeals 10/16/03
Edward Hochhauser, Iii v. Annelle G. Hochhauser

W2003-00119-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Floyd Peete, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Appeals 10/16/03
Jackie Cline vs. Emily Plemmons

E2002-02584-COA-R3-CV
This is a dispute between brother and sister over the handling of the affairs as conservators of their mother. The brother appeals from the Trial Court's rulings as to compensation, attorney's fees and conservatorship. On appeal, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Jerri S. Bryant
McMinn County Court of Appeals 10/16/03
Antoine Lamarr v. City of Memphis,

CH-01-1967-2

Originating Judge:Floyd Peete, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Appeals 10/16/03
Polk Couty Bd of Education vs. Polk County Education Assoc.

E2003-01110-COA-R3-CV
The Trial Court ruled the School Board did not have to negotiate with the Teachers Association regarding a dress code policy adopted by the Board. On appeal, we reverse and remand.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Jerri S. Bryant
Polk County Court of Appeals 10/16/03
Sun Splash Painting v. Homestead Village

M2002-00853-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves a challenge to the trial court's refusal to award attorney's fees pursuant to the Prompt Pay Act, and to the court's denial of prejudgment interest. We affirm the trial court in all respects.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Irvin H. Kilcrease, Jr.
Davidson County Court of Appeals 10/15/03
Jimmy Ray Robinson v. State of Tennessee

W2002-02151-CCA-R3-PC

The petitioner appeals from the post-conviction court’s denial of relief. He contends he received ineffective assistance of counsel. After careful review, we affirm the post-conviction court’s denial of relief.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Lee Moore
Dyer County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/15/03
W2002-02353-COA-R3-CV

W2002-02353-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Robert A. Lanier
Shelby County Court of Appeals 10/15/03