APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

Johnny McClain v. State of Tennessee

M2001-02713-CCA-R3-PC

The Appellant, Johnny McClain, appeals as of right from the judgment of the Davidson County Criminal Court denying his petition for post-conviction relief. On appeal, the Appellant argues that he received ineffective assistance of counsel. After review of the record, we find that the Appellant's brief fails to provide any argument in support of the issue as presented. Due to the Appellant's procedural default, the appeal is dismissed.

Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Judge J. Randall Wyatt, Jr.
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/05/02
State of Tennessee v. Harold J. Turner

W2001-02613-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Harold J. Turner, was convicted of driving under the influence ("DUI") and sentenced to eleven months, twenty-nine days in the county workhouse, with all but seven days suspended and the balance to be served on probation. In addition, his driver's license was revoked for one year and he was ordered to attend alcohol safety school and pay a fine of $500. In his appeal, the defendant argues that the trial court should have instructed the jury to consider whether he was guilty of driving while impaired without first having to determine that he was not guilty of DUI. Following our review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge Chris B. Craft
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/04/02
State of Tennessee v. Timothy Wayne Holland

M2001-03129-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant was convicted of facilitation of aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary for his participation with a codefendant in robbing a resident of a Springfield motel and burglarizing his room. The trial court sentenced him as a Range I, standard offender to an effective sentence of six years. Following the denial of his motion for a new trial, he filed a timely appeal to this court, raising the following issues: (1) whether the trial court properly denied his motion for a new trial based on his claim of an improper closing by the State; and (2) whether the trial court properly denied his request for a jury instruction on accessory after the fact. Based on our review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge Michael R. Jones
Robertson County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/04/02
State of Tennessee v. Antonio Mitchell

W2000-02721-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Antonio Mitchell, appeals his Shelby County jury conviction of attempted first-degree murder and claims that the evidence is insufficient to sustain the conviction. We disagree and affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Chris B. Craft
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/04/02
Eddie L. Coley, Jr. v. State of Tennessee

M2001-03130-CCA-R3-PC

The petitioner, Eddie L. Coley, Jr., was convicted of aggravated robbery in 1996 and sentenced to confinement for twelve years. Following an unsuccessful appeal of his conviction, he filed a petition for post-conviction relief, alleging that his trial counsel was ineffective for not filing a motion to suppress a photographic lineup and not allowing him to testify at his trial. The post-conviction court denied the petition; and, following our review, we affirm that denial.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge Donald P. Harris
Williamson County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/04/02
Linda S. Reece v. Findlay Industries, Inc. and Harold Edward Tigue, Jr. v.Tokio Marine & Fire Insurance Company, et al.

M2001-01366-SC-R3-CV

We granted this appeal to determine the propriety of the trial judge’s actions in the adjudication of these workers’ compensation cases. We hold that the trial judge failed to perform all the duties of the judge’s office prescribed by law in these consolidated cases by improperly delegating his authority to the clerk and master to adjudicate the cases. Accordingly, the judgments of the trial court are reversed, and the cases are remanded to the trial court for proceedings consistent with this opinion. Tenn. R. App. P. 3 Appeal as of Right; Judgments of the Trial Court Reversed;

 

Authoring Judge: Justice Janice M. Holder
Originating Judge:Chancellor Charles D. Haston, Sr.
Warren County Supreme Court 09/03/02
Reece Calloway Loudermilk v. State of Tennessee

E2001-03060-CCA-R3-PC

This is an appeal from the denial of post-conviction relief. Pursuant to an agreed plea entered in October 1992, the defendant pled nolo contendere to three counts of aggravated rape of his niece, one count of aggravated sexual battery of his niece, one count of aggravated rape of his daughter, and one count of aggravated sexual battery of his daughter for an effective 35-year sentence as a Range I standard offender. Both victims were under thirteen years of age. On appeal, the defendant contends he received ineffective assistance of counsel rendering his plea unknowingly and involuntarily entered. After review, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Originating Judge:Judge Lynn W. Brown
Sullivan County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/03/02
State of Tennessee v. David Saltz

E2001-02422-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant pled guilty to three counts of incest and was sentenced as a Range II multiple offender to three concurrent terms of eight years. The defendant appeals the trial court's imposition of various enhancement factors and denial of alternative sentencing. We affirm the trial court's judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Phyllis H. Miller
Sullivan County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/03/02
H&R Block Eastern Tax Services, Inc., v. Kameron Bates, D/B/A Bates Income Tax Service, et al.

M2001-02589-COA-R3-CV

Plaintiff, provider of a tax preparation service, sued defendants, a tax preparation service and individual former employees of plaintiff, for damages and injunctive relief resulting from procurement of breach of contract by defendant tax preparation service and for breach of noncompetition contracts by former employees. The trial court found that the plaintiff had no right to relief from the defendants and entered judgment for all defendants. Plaintiff appeals. We affirm.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Chancellor Vernon Neal
Overton County Court of Appeals 09/03/02
Glad Ys Willis v. Mou Ntain States Health A Llianc E d/b/a

E2001-01404-WC-R3-CV
The employer appeals a finding that the employee is totally disabled. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Howell N. Peoples, Special Judge
Originating Judge:G. Richard Johnson, Chancellor
Knox County Workers Compensation Panel 09/02/02
State of Tennessee v. Larenzo DeShawn Harris

W2001-02626-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant was convicted of possession of a Schedule II controlled substance with the intent to manufacture, deliver, or sell, a Class B felony; possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance with the intent to manufacture, deliver, or sell, a Class E felony; and possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class A misdemeanor. Following the denial of his motion for a new trial, he filed a timely appeal to this court, challenging the sufficiency of the evidence in support of his convictions. We affirm the defendant's convictions. However, because the jury assessed, and the trial court imposed, a fine for possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance that exceeds the statutory maximum, we remand the case to the trial court for a new jury to be impaneled to assess an appropriate fine in Count 2 and for entry of a corrected judgment as to the possession of drug paraphernalia conviction in Count 3.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge C. Creed McGinley
Carroll County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/30/02
State of Tennessee v. Deundrick Laran Coble

W2001-00039-CCA-R3-CD

The appellant was convicted of aggravated assault and sentenced to five years in the Tennessee Department of Correction as a standard Range I offender. In this appeal, he raises two issues. First, he maintains that a prior inconsistent statement was improperly used by the prosecution to impeach the testimony of a prosecution witness. Second, he claims the prosecutor made improper remarks during closing argument. We find neither of these alleged errors requires reversal of this case and thus we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry L. Smith
Originating Judge:Judge William B. Acree
Obion County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/30/02
State of Tennessee v. Calvin Lamont Hannah

M2001-02717-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant appeals the revocation of his probation. He argues that the trial court erred in ordering him to serve his original sentence. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Jane W. Wheatcraft
Sumner County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/29/02
Steven Murphy v. State of Tennessee

M2001-00886-CCA-R3-PC

In 1996, the petitioner, Steven Murphy, was convicted of first degree murder, especially aggravated robbery, and theft over $1,000. He received a sentence of life imprisonment for first degree murder, 25 years for especially aggravated robbery and four years for the theft. The trial court ordered the petitioner to serve his sentences consecutively, resulting in an effective sentence of life plus 29 years. Following a direct appeal to this Court the petitioner's convictions were affirmed, but his sentence for aggravated robbery was modified to 21 years. State v. Adrian Wilkerson and Steven Murphy, No. 01C01-9610-CR-00419 1998 Tenn. Crim. App. LEXIS 891, at *45 (Tenn. Crim. App., at Nashville Aug. 26, 1998). The Tennessee Supreme Court denied permission to appeal on September 18, 2000. The petitioner filed a post-conviction petition on October 30, 2000, which alleged that his trial attorneys were ineffective thereby depriving him of his rights under the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Following appointment of counsel and a hearing, the trial judge entered an order denying post-conviction relief on March 12, 2001, and the instant appeal followed. After a thorough review of the record we find no error in the trial court's decision. The judgment of the lower court is therefore affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry L. Smith
Originating Judge:Judge J. Randall Wyatt, Jr.
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/29/02
State of Tennessee v. Grover Lee Dunigan

E2002-00108-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant was indicted for first degree murder and convicted by a Hamilton County jury of the lesser-included offense of second degree murder. He was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment. In this appeal, the defendant contends (1) the evidence was insufficient to sustain his conviction; and (2) the trial court improperly limited cross-examination of a state witness regarding bias. After review, we affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Originating Judge:Judge Stephen M. Bevil
Hamilton County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/29/02
State v. Christopher Flake

W2000-01131-SC-R11-CD
Authoring Judge: Justice Frank F. Drowota, III
Originating Judge:Bernie Weinman
Shelby County Supreme Court 08/29/02
State v. Christopher Flake

W2000-01131-SC-R11-CD
Authoring Judge: Justice Frank F. Drowota, III
Originating Judge:Bernie Weinman
Shelby County Supreme Court 08/29/02
State of Tennessee v. Jess R. Amonette

M2001-02952-CCA-R3-CD
Jess R. Amonette appeals from the Williamson County Circuit Court's revocation of his probationary sentence. He claims that the lower court exceeded its discretion in revoking probation and ordering him to serve his sentence in confinement. In case number II-100-10, we notice as a matter of plain error that the sentence expired prior to initiation of revocation proceedings. We therefore reverse the revocation order and dismiss revocation proceedings in that case. In case number II-11-100, the record does not reflect the lower court's findings from which we can determine the basis for its ruling, and we therefore remand for further consideration.
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Timothy L. Easter
Williamson County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/29/02
State of Tennessee v. John W. Thompkins, II

M2001-02293-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, evading arrest, vandalism, reckless endangerment, driving on a revoked license (second offense), and unlawful possession of a weapon. The trial court found him to be a dangerous offender deserving of consecutive sentencing and imposed an effective sentence of seven years. On appeal, the defendant contends that consecutive sentencing was inappropriate and excessive in his case. We affirm the trial court's judgments.
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Donald P. Harris
Williamson County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/29/02
Robert Burton Sr. vs. Kent Gearin

W2002-00537-COA-R3-CV
The plaintiff, a prisoner, sued the defendant who had been appointed to represent the plaintiff in his petition for post-conviction relief. The prisoner, proceeding pro se, filed a motion asking the trial court to hold this matter in abeyance until his release from prison. The motion was denied. The defendant filed a motion for summary judgment supported by an un-refuted affidavit which was granted. The prisoner appealed the trial court's denial of the motion for abeyance and we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:William B. Acree
Weakley County Court of Appeals 08/28/02
State of Tennessee v. James Allen Bailey - Dissenting

E2001-02443-CCA-R3-CD
Based on my de novo review of the record in this case, I am unable to agree that the imposition of consecutive sentences is warranted. Therefore I respectfully dissent from that portion of the opinion which concludes that two of the Defendant’s sentences should be served consecutively.
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Judge Ben W. Hooper, II
Cocke County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/28/02
State of Tennessee v. Michael E. Owenby

E2001-02012-CCA-R3-CD

The Defendant, Michael E. Owenby, appeals as of right from his conviction by a jury of theft of property over $1,000, a Class D felony. He was sentenced to three years as a Range I standard offender, with ninety days to be served in confinement and the balance to be served in the Community Corrections program. He argues as his sole issue on appeal that there was not sufficient evidence presented at trial to support his conviction of theft. We affirm the judgment of the trial court but remand to the trial court for entry of an amended judgment deleting the "day for day" requirement relating to the ninety days of confinement.

Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Judge Richard R. Vance
Sevier County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/28/02
HGI Assoc. vs. Mactronics

W2002-00011-COA-R3-CV
Plaintiff was awarded a judgment for breach of contract and incidental damages in the amount of $18,356. The breach occurred when Defendant (Seller) was unable to deliver 500 computers which Plaintiff (Buyer) had contracted to purchase. Plaintiff appeals contending that the damages awarded by the trial court were inadequate. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:John R. Mccarroll, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Appeals 08/28/02
Larry Williams v. TDOC

M2000-02905-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Irvin H. Kilcrease, Jr.
Davidson County Court of Appeals 08/28/02
Eileen Smith v. Robert Smith

M2001-02164-COA-R3-CV
This is a divorce case. Acting upon the stipulation of the parties, the trial declared the parties divorced. The court determined that the appreciation of Husband's premarital Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) was marital property. The court also ruled that a bond account that Husband received from his mother and later titled jointly between the parties remained Husband's separate property. Finally, the court addressed marital debt and alimony. Both parties raise issues regarding the trial court's disposition of the case. We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand the case to the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Jeffrey S. Bivins
Williamson County Court of Appeals 08/28/02