APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

Whittington-Barrett vs. Johnson

E2000-00700-COA-R3-CV
This is a suit between two inmates of the State of Tennessee. The Plaintiff, a transsexual, seeks a declaratory judgment "to establish the rights of the Plaintiff," and damages, attorney fees and costs against the Defendant because of sexual harassment. The cause of action alleges violation of various sections of the Constitutions of the State of Tennessee and the United States of America and of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Trial Judge dismissed the complaint because there was "no claim of state action in Plaintiff's complaint, nor is this an employer/employee situation." We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Jean A. Stanley
Johnson County Court of Appeals 09/20/00
State vs. Charles Ricky Deason

M2000-00497-CCA-R3-CD
The appellant, Charles Ricky Deason, pled guilty in the Montgomery County Circuit Court to one count of driving under the influence (hereinafter "DUI"), seventh offense; one count of leaving the scene of an accident; one count of driving on a revoked license, fourth offense; one count of DUI, second offense; and two counts of misdemeanor assault. The trial court sentenced the appellant to eleven months and twenty-nine days incarceration in the Montgomery County Jail for DUI, seventh offense. The trial court also sentenced the appellant to thirty days incarceration for leaving the scene of an accident, to be served concurrently with the sentence for DUI, seventh offense. Additionally, the trial court sentenced the appellant to an eleven month and twenty-nine day suspended sentence for driving on a revoked license, fourth offense, and ordered this sentence to be served consecutively to the DUI, seventh offense, and leaving the scene of an accident. The trial court further sentenced the appellant to eleven months and twenty-nine days incarceration, with ninety days to be served in incarceration and the remainder suspended, for the DUI, second offense, and ordered this sentence to be served consecutively to the DUI, seventh offense, and leaving the scene of an accident, and consecutively to the driving on a revoked license, fourth offense. Finally, the trial court sentenced the appellant to eleven months and twenty-nine days probation for each of the assault convictions and ordered these sentences to be served concurrently with each other, but consecutively to the other sentences. Subsequently, the appellant violated his probation by driving on a revoked license, violating the Light Law, and improper vehicle registration. The trial court revoked the appellant's probation and ordered the appellant to serve the remainder of his sentence in incarceration. The appellant presents the following issue for our review: whether the judgment of the trial court compelling the appellant to serve the full balance of his sentences in confinement was supported by the evidence. Upon review of the record and the parties' briefs, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:John H. Gasaway, III
Montgomery County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/20/00
Jerry Wayne Terry vs. Donna Brazier Terry

E2000-00825-COA-R3-CV
This appeal from the Cumberland County Probate and Family Court concerns whether the Trial Court erred in making an equitable division of the marital estate of Jerry Wayne Terry, the Appellant, and Donna Brazier Terry, the Appellee. We affirm the judgment of the Trial Court and remand for such further proceedings as may be necessary. We adjudge costs of appeal against Mr. Terry and his surety.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Steven C. Douglas
Cumberland County Court of Appeals 09/20/00
State v. Charles Ray Allen

M1999-00818-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant was convicted by a jury of first degree premeditated murder and criminal attempt to commit voluntary manslaughter. He was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder, and to a consecutive four year term for the attempted manslaughter. In this appeal as of right, the Defendant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence; the trial court's exclusion of proof about the victim's prior violent conduct; the trial court's instruction to the jury about the penalties for first degree murder; and his sentencing. The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:J. Randall Wyatt, Jr.
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/20/00
State vs. James Edward Cowan

M1999-02572-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant was convicted by a Davidson County jury of attempted first degree murder, attempted especially aggravated robbery, and especially aggravated burglary. At sentencing his conviction for especially aggravated burglary was reduced to aggravated burglary. He was sentenced as a Range II offender to thirty-six years for the Class A felony of attempted first degree murder, sixteen years for the Class B felony of attempted especially aggravated robbery, and eight years for the Class C felony of aggravated burglary. The attempted first degree murder and attempted especially aggravated robbery sentences were run consecutively to each other, and the aggravated burglary sentence ran concurrently, for an effective fifty-two year sentence. In this appeal, defendant makes the following allegations: (1) the trial court erred in refusing to suppress the bullet which was removed from defendant during surgery; (2) the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction for attempted first degree murder; (3) his separate convictions for attempted first degree murder and aggravated burglary violate due process since they were incidental to attempted especially aggravated robbery; and (4) the trial court erred in determining the length and consecutive service of his sentences. Upon our review of the record we conclude the trial court properly admitted the bullet removed from the defendant; the evidence was sufficient to sustain defendant's conviction for attempted first degree murder; there was no due process violation; and defendant was properly sentenced. Thus, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Originating Judge:J. Randall Wyatt, Jr.
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/20/00
Shanta Fonton McKay vs. State

M2000-00016-CCA-R3-PC
After his transfer from juvenile court, appellant pled guilty to second degree murder and, pursuant to a negotiated plea agreement, received a sentence of 19 years. Appellant sought post-conviction relief, which was denied by the trial court. In this appeal as a matter of right, appellant seeks relief alleging a double jeopardy violation, an involuntary guilty plea, and ineffective assistance of counsel. After a thorough review of the record, we affirm the denial of post-conviction relief.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Originating Judge:Cheryl A. Blackburn
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/20/00
State of Tennessee v. Anthony Layne

M1997-00025-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Gerald L. Ewell, Sr.
Coffee County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/20/00
State vs. Jerry Belew

M1999-02143-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant was convicted by a Maury County jury of attempted second degree murder and aggravated assault. The trial court sentenced defendant to consecutive sentences of nine years for attempted second degree murder and three years for aggravated assault. In this appeal defendant alleges that the trial court: (1) improperly limited defense counsel's closing argument; (2) improperly denied his requested jury charges; and (3) improperly sentenced him to consecutive sentences. After a thorough review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Originating Judge:Robert L. Jones
Maury County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/20/00
State vs. Brentol Calvin James

M1999-02533-CCA-R3-CD
The appellant, Brentol Calvin James, was convicted by a jury in the Davidson County Criminal Court of one count of possession of a weapon during the commission of an offense, a class E felony. The trial court sentenced the appellant, as a Range I offender, to a one- year sentence of incarceration in the Davidson County Workhouse. The appellant raises the following issue for our review: whether the trial court erred in allowing a verdict to stand when there was insufficient evidence, as a matter of law, to support the conviction. Upon review of the record and the parties' briefs, we reverse the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Seth W. Norman
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/20/00
E1999-01909-R3-CV

E1999-01909-R3-CV

Originating Judge:James B. Scott, Jr.
Anderson County Court of Appeals 09/20/00
Scott Yother vs. Laine Yother

E2000-01046-COA-R3-CV
In this post-divorce case, Elaine Hines Yother ("Mother") appeals from an order awarding primary residential custody of the parties' minor child, Avery Raechelle Yother (DOB: April 2, 1995), to the child's father, Scott Christopher Yother ("Father"). Mother argues (1) that the trial court lacked subject matter jurisdiction to modify the custodial arrangement decreed in the parties' divorce judgment; and, alternatively, (2) that the evidence preponderates against the trial court's judgment changing custody. Because we find that the trial court lacked subject matter jurisdiction to address the issue of custody, we reverse the judgment below.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Jacqueline E. Schulten
Hamilton County Court of Appeals 09/20/00
Antonia Regina Rose v. Emerson Motor Company

W1999-02705-SC-WCM-CV
This is an appeal by the defendant/employer. The only issue presented is whether the evidence preponderates against the trial court's award of 35% permanent partial disability to each of the plaintiff's arms. We find it does not and affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: J. Steven Stafford, Special Judge
Originating Judge:George R. Ellis, Chancellor
Gibson County Workers Compensation Panel 09/20/00
State vs. Anthony Roberts

M1999-00750-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant appeals his conviction by a Davidson County jury of DUI second offense. He raises the following issues for our review: (1) whether the trial court erred in denying his motion to suppress based upon the lack of probable cause to arrest; (2) whether the evidence was sufficient to support the conviction; (3) whether the prosecutor committed misconduct during final argument, and (4) whether records pertaining to his prior DUI conviction were properly admitted. Finding no error, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Originating Judge:Frank G. Clement, Jr.
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/20/00
Anthony Ewing vs. State

M1999-01079-CCA-R3-PC
On February 12, 1998, the petitioner, Anthony Ewing, entered a best interest guilty plea in the Davidson County Criminal Court to one count of attempt to sell over .5 grams of cocaine, a class C felony. The trial court imposed a sentence of six years incarceration in the Davidson County Workhouse. The trial court further ordered this sentence to be served concurrently with sentences the petitioner was already serving. The petitioner filed a post-conviction petition for relief, alleging that he received ineffective assistance of counsel and that his best interest guilty plea was not made knowingly or voluntarily. The post-conviction court denied the petition, finding that the petitioner had received effective assistance of counsel and that the best interest guilty plea had been made knowingly and voluntarily. The petitioner now appeals the denial of his petition for post-conviction relief. Pursuant to a 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:Steve R. Dozier
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/20/00
Edward F. Curtis vs. Stephen T. Nash, et al

E1999-01135-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises in the Knox County Circuit Court from a grant of a motion for summary judgment. Edward F. Curtis appeals the grant of summary judgment. We affirm the judgment of the Trial Court and remand for such further proceedings as may be necessary consistent with this opinion. We adjudge costs of appeal against Mr. Curtis and his surety.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Dale C. Workman
Knox County Court of Appeals 09/20/00
Denley Rentals vs. Howard Etheridge

W2000-00189-COA-R3-CV
This case involves the assignability of a chose in action. The plaintiffs are two related limited liability companies and the person who was the owner/manager of both. The owner/manager contracted to purchase real property from the defendants, and later assigned his interest under the contract to one of the limited liability companies. The first limited liability company closed the transaction with the defendants. After the transaction was closed, the first company discovered a landfill located on the property that had not been disclosed by the defendants. The first company then transferred the property to the second limited liability company for de minimis consideration. The owner/manager of both companies made a "mental assignment" of the chose in action from the first company to the second company, and the second company incurred the cost of clearing the landfill debris. The plaintiffs jointly sued the defendants for breach of contract, fraud, and misrepresentation. The trial court dismissed the suit, holding that there was not a valid assignment of the chose in action, that the first company was precluded from recovery because it suffered no damages, and that the second company was precluded from recovery because it took the property with full knowledge of the defect. On appeal, we reverse and remand, finding that the chose in action was validly assigned.
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:D. J. Alissandratos
Shelby County Court of Appeals 09/20/00
American Indemnity vs. Foy Trailer

W2000-00397-COA-R3-CV
American Indemnity Company sought a declaratory judgment that its commercial general liability (CGL) policy did not cover claims made by Ms. Johnson against the Appellants in her federal court complaint and that it did not have a duty to defend Appellants in the federal action. The Chancery Court for Shelby County held that there was no coverage and no duty to defend. Appellants appealed. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:D. J. Alissandratos
Shelby County Court of Appeals 09/20/00
State of Tennessee v. Michael Brady

II-798-239-A

Originating Judge:Timothy L. Easter
Williamson County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/20/00
Matter of Fannie Barnhill

W2000-00289-COA-R3-CV
Will contestant voluntarily dismissed chancery court proceeding to contest will. Subsequently, contestant filed another notice to contest the will. The trial court, on motion, dismissed the proceeding as barred, because it had previously been dismissed, and such an action is within an exception to Tenn.R.Civ.P. 41.01 (1). Contestant has appealed.
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Martha B. Brasfield
Fayette County Court of Appeals 09/20/00
Meredith Warren vs. John Warren

W1999-02108-COA-R3-CV
In this child custody case, the Appellant and the Appellee agreed to joint custody of their child with the Appellee being the primary custodial parent. After learning of the Appellee's plans to move out of state with the child, the Appellant filed a Petition for Opposition of Minor Child's Move from the State of Tennessee and/or Petition for Change of Custody. The trial court granted temporary custody to the Appellant pending a reevaluation of the matter. After a hearing, the trial court ordered joint custody of the child to the Appellant and the Appellee and decreed that the child live primarily with the Appellee out of state.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Walter L. Evans
Shelby County Court of Appeals 09/19/00
Taylor Mehrhoff Co.

W1999-00413-COA-R3-CV
Plaintiffs, Landowners, sued adjoining landowners, seeking a judgment determining the location of a disputed boundary line. The trial court found that Defendants had: (1) established record title to the disputed property; (2) established the boundary line in recorded deeds and trust deeds, and by the conduct, implied agreement, acquiescence and recognition of adjoining property owners; and (3) proven title by adverse possession of the disputed property. Plaintiffs-Landowners have appealed.
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Dewey C. Whitenton
Fayette County Court of Appeals 09/19/00
State vs. Roderick Johnson

M1999-00605-CCA-R3-CD
A Davidson County jury convicted defendant of second degree murder. In this appeal as a matter of right, defendant challenges only the sufficiency of the evidence upon which the jury based his conviction. Our review of the record reflects sufficient evidence to support the jury's finding. Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Originating Judge:J. Randall Wyatt, Jr.
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/19/00
State of Tennessee v. Connie Easterly

M2000-00077-CCA-R10-CO
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Robert Steven Bebb
Sequatchie County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/19/00
State vs. Elizabeth Davis

E1999-00373-CCA-R3-CD
The appellee, Elizabeth Davis, was indicted by a Unicoi County Grand Jury on November 20, 1995, for four counts of theft of property. On March 2, 1999, the State submitted a motion to the trial court to amend the indictment to correct the dates of the offenses set forth in all counts of the indictment and to reduce the value of the money alleged stolen in Count Four of the indictment. Following a hearing, the trial court denied the State's motion, whereupon the State requested the entry of an order of nolle prosequi as to all counts of the indictment. Instead, at the appellee's request, the trial court dismissed the indictment with prejudice pursuant to Tenn. R. Crim. P. 48(b). The State now brings this appeal as of right challenging both the trial court's dismissal of the indictment with prejudice and the trial court's denial of its motion to amend the indictment. Following a review of the record and the parties' briefs, we reverse the order of dismissal and remand this case for proceedings consistent with this opinion.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Robert E. Cupp
Unicoi County Court of Criminal Appeals 09/19/00
Donnie Johnson vs. Centex

W2000-00072-COA-R9-CV
This appeal arises from an injury by Worker who fell through a hole in the roof while working on a construction site. Worker brought suit against the Owner, the General Contractor and Builder, who through its construction of precast concrete panels had created the hole. The trial court granted Owner and General Contractor summary judgment on the basis that both were acting in the capacity of a general contractor and were thus exempt from suit under the workers' compensation statutes. Builder, even through it no longer had control of the area where Worker was injured, was denied summary judgment on the basis that OSHA regulations created a non-delegable duty to prevent injuries. We affirm the trial court's granting of summary judgment to Owner and General Contractor. We reverse the trial court's denial of summary judgment for Builder, finding that OSHA regulations do not create a duty for Builder.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:William B. Acree
Obion County Court of Appeals 09/19/00