In re Jaiden W., et al
M2014-00953-COA-R3-JV
This is the third appeal of this case, involving the issue of child support and arrears. In the second appeal, this Court remanded the case to the trial court for a determination of Appellant Father and Appellee Mother’s respective incomes for the period of August 22, 2008 through September 28, 2009. Based upon Mother’s testimony at the hearing on remand, the trial court set Mother’s income for the relevant period at $300 per month. Father appeals, arguing that, based upon the trial court’s previous finding that Mother was voluntarily unemployed, the trial court should have imputed income to Mother at the statutory rate. Because the law of the case is that the trial court should determine the parties’ actual circumstances, we conclude that the court correctly set Mother’s income as the amount she actually earned. Affirmed and remanded.
Authoring Judge: Judge Kenny Armstrong
Originating Judge:Judge Timothy R. Brock |
Coffee County | Court of Appeals | 04/23/15 | |
James R. Cranmer v. State of Tennessee
M2013-02866-CCA-R3-PC
In 2011, the Petitioner, James R. Cranmer, pleaded guilty to one count of second degree murder, one count of attempted second degree murder, and two counts of reckless aggravated assault. The trial court sentenced him to an effective sentence of fifteen years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. The Petitioner filed a petition for post-conviction relief, alleging that he received the ineffective assistance of counsel, and the post-conviction court held an evidentiary hearing after which it denied the petition. On appeal, the Petitioner contends that the post-conviction court erred when it denied his post-conviction petition because he received the ineffective assistance of counsel at trial, and he further contends that his guilty plea was not voluntary, knowing, or intelligent because the State committed a Brady violation. After a thorough review of the record and applicable law, we affirm the post-conviction court’s judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Michael R. Jones |
Montgomery County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/23/15 | |
Gregory D. Allen v. Debbie D. Albea
W2014-01414-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from a jury verdict in favor of Plaintiff in the amount of $11,513.78. On appeal, Plaintiff raises several evidentiary issues, contends that juror misconduct requires a new trial, and asserts that the verdict is not supported by the evidence. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Arnold B. Goldin
Originating Judge:Judge Donald H. Allen |
Madison County | Court of Appeals | 04/23/15 | |
Larry Stephen Brumit v. State of Tennessee
M2014-01039-CCA-R3-ECN
Larry Stephen Brumit (“the Petitioner”) appeals from the summary dismissal of his Petition for Writ of Error Coram Nobis. Upon review, we affirm the judgment of the coram nobis court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert L. Holloway, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge David M. Bragg |
Rutherford County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/23/15 | |
Najo Equipment Leasing, LLC v. Commssioner of Revenue
W2014-01096-COA-R3-CV
Taxpayer brought action against the Tennessee Department of Revenue (“Department”) to challenge its assessment of business taxes against taxpayer. Taxpayer asserted it was entitled to an exemption for its leasing trucks and trailers to a public utility. Taxpayer and the Department filed cross-motions for summary judgment. The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of the Department finding that the exemption provision was unambiguous and did not apply to the taxpayer’s business activities. On appeal, we hold that the exemption provision is ambiguous, but also that the taxpayer failed to meet its burden in proving it was entitled to the exemption. Accordingly, we affirm the trial court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of the Department.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge J. Steven Stafford
Originating Judge:Chancellor Arnold B. Goldin |
Shelby County | Court of Appeals | 04/23/15 | |
Arnold Harris v. Mr. Bult's Inc.
E2014-00961-SC-R3-WC
Pursuant to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 51, this workers’ compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers’ Compensation Appeals Panel for a hearing and a report of findings of fact and conclusions of law. Arnold Harris (“Employee”) injured his left shoulder in the course and scope of his employment with Mr. Bult’s, Inc. (“Employer”). The Chancery Court for Loudon County (“the Trial Court”) found that Employee did not have a meaningful return to work and awarded 40% permanent partial disability. Employer has appealed, arguing that the Trial Court erred in finding that Employee did not have a meaningful return to work. We affirm the Trial Court’s judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge D. Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Chancellor Frank V. Williams |
Loudon County | Workers Compensation Panel | 04/23/15 | |
State of Tennessee v. Detrick Cole
W2013-02766-CCA-R3-CD
A Shelby County jury found the Defendant, Detrick Cole, guilty of first degree premeditated murder and imposed a sentence of death. The Defendant’s conviction and sentence were affirmed by this Court, State v. Detrick Cole, No. W2002-01254-CCA-R3-DD, 2003 WL 22848969 (Tenn. Crim. App., at Jackson, Nov. 24, 2003), and by our Supreme Court, State v. Cole, 155 S.W.3d 885 (Tenn. 2005). The Defendant filed a petition for post-conviction relief alleging ineffective assistance of counsel, which was denied after a hearing. On appeal, this Court agreed with the Defendant’s contention that he had received the ineffective assistance of counsel during the penalty phase of his trial and remanded the case to the trial court for a new penalty phase proceeding. Detrick Cole v. State, No. W2008-02681-CCAR3-PC, 2011 WL 1090152, at *56 (Tenn. Crim. App., at Jackson, March 8, 2011), perm. app. denied (Tenn. July 14, 2011). On remand and prior to the new penalty phase proceeding, the Defendant filed a motion challenging the State’s introduction of his 1997 convictions in support of the prior violent felony aggravating circumstance, arguing that the violence of these convictions was ambiguous. See T.C.A. § 39-13-204(i)(2). The trial court denied the Defendant’s motion, concluding that the issue had been previously litigated and decided in the Defendant’s prior appeal. The Defendant then filed an extraordinary appeal, pursuant to Tennessee Rule of Appellate Procedure 10, which this Court denied. Thereafter, the Defendant agreed to accept a sentence of life without the possibility of parole, and a hearing was held to enter that sentence and a judgment of conviction reflecting that sentence. The Defendant appeals this judgment, contending that his sentence is illegal and void and should be set aside. He again argues that he is ineligible to receive this sentence because his 1997 convictions were insufficient to support the prior violent felony aggravating circumstance. After a thorough review of the record and applicable law, we dismiss the appeal.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Lee V. Coffee |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/22/15 | |
Vanderbilt University v. Tennessee State Board of Equalization, et al
M2014-01386-COA-R3-CV
Vanderbilt University applied for a 100% property tax exemption for eleven of its fraternity houses pursuant to the educational exemption, Tenn. Code Ann. § 67-5-212(a)(1), or the dormitory exemption, Tenn. Code Ann. § 67-5-213(a). The State Board of Equalization (“SBOE”) denied Vanderbilt’s application, and Vanderbilt sought administrative review. An administrative law judge and the Assessment Appeals Commission both reached the same conclusion as the SBOE. Vanderbilt then sought judicial review, and the trial court determined that the fraternity houses were entitled to the 100% exemption because they satisfied the requirements for the educational exemption. The State appealed, and we reverse the trial court’s decision. The fraternity houses are not used “purely and exclusively” for educational purposes, as that provision has been interpreted and applied by the courts. We also decline to find the fraternity houses qualify for the dormitory exemption because they are not used primarily for dormitory purposes, as the statute requires.
Authoring Judge: Judge Andy D. Bennett
Originating Judge:Chancellor Russell T. Perkins |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 04/22/15 | |
State of Tennessee v. Cedric Robertson
W2014-01545-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant, Cedric Robertson, was convicted by a Madison County Circuit Court jury of the sale and the delivery of more than one-half ounce of marijuana, a Class E felony. See T.C.A. §§ 39-17-417 (Supp. 2012) (amended 2014), 39-17-415 (2014). The trial court merged the convictions and sentenced the Defendant as a Range II, multiple offender to four years’ confinement. On appeal, the Defendant contends that the evidence is insufficient to support his conviction. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert H. Montgomery, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Roy B. Morgan, Jr. |
Madison County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/22/15 | |
State of Tennessee v. Anthony Dewayne Blaylock
W2014-01578-CCA-R3-CD
A Madison County jury convicted the Defendant, Anthony Dewayne Blaylock, of two counts of aggravated assault, one count of attempted aggravated assault, and one count of criminal trespass, and the trial court sentenced him to an effective sentence of eight years in confinement. On appeal, the Defendant contends that the evidence is insufficient to sustain his convictions. After a thorough review of the record and applicable authorities, we affirm the trial court’s judgments.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Roy B. Morgan, Jr. |
Madison County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/22/15 | |
Nicholas Short v. State of Tennessee
M2014-00614-CCA-R3-PC
Petitioner, Nicholas Short, was indicted by the Davidson County Grand Jury for one count of first degree premeditated murder and one count of felony murder in the perpetration of an especially aggravated robbery. Petitioner was convicted by a jury of first degree premeditated murder in count 1 and the lesser-included offense of second degree murder in count 2. The trial court merged the two offenses and sentenced Petitioner to a term of life imprisonment. Petitioner appealed his conviction, and this court affirmed. State v. Nicholas Short, No. M2010-01914-CCA-R3-CD, 2012 WL 1593174 (Tenn. Crim. App., May 7, 2012), perm. to app. denied (Tenn., Sept. 20, 2012). Petitioner filed a petition seeking post-conviction relief on the basis that his trial counsel provided ineffective assistance of counsel. Following an evidentiary hearing, the post-conviction court denied post-conviction relief. Petitioner appeals the post-conviction court’s denial of his post-conviction petition. Having carefully reviewed the record, we affirm the denial of post-conviction relief.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Steve R. Dozier |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/22/15 | |
In re Dayton R., et al.
W2014-01904-COA-R3-JV
This case involves a petition for grandparent visitation filed by the great-grandparents of the children at issue. The trial court concluded that great-grandparents do not qualify as “grandparents” under Tennessee’s grandparent visitation statute, Tennessee Code Annotated section 36-6-306. Accordingly, the court concluded that the great-grandparents lacked standing to pursue their petition and dismissed the petition for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. We reverse and remand for further proceedings.
Authoring Judge: Judge Brandon O. Gibson
Originating Judge:Judge Larry J. Logan |
Henderson County | Court of Appeals | 04/21/15 | |
Anthony Holder, et al. v. Shelby County, Tennessee
W2014-01910-COA-R3-CV
Appellant father filed a complaint for damages against the defendant county, alleging that the negligence of a county employee caused the death of his son. The county filed a motion to dismiss the complaint based upon sovereign immunity. The trial court granted the motion to dismiss, concluding that the county employee’s actions constituted intentional torts for which immunity was not removed, and that the employee’s actions were outside the scope of his employment. We reverse and remand.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge J. Steven Stafford
Originating Judge:Judge Karen R. Williams |
Shelby County | Court of Appeals | 04/21/15 | |
In re Adison P.
W2015-00393-COA-T10B-CV
This accelerated interlocutory appeal results from the trial court’s denial of Appellant William R. F.’s (“Father”) motion for recusal. Having reviewed the trial court’s ruling on the motion for recusal pursuant to the de novo standard of review required under Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 10B, we reverse the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Arnold B. Goldin
Originating Judge:Judge Steve Beal |
Henderson County | Court of Appeals | 04/21/15 | |
In re Adison P. - dissent
W2015-00393-COA-T10B-CV
I must respectfully dissent from the majority opinion for two reasons.
Authoring Judge: Judge Brandon O. Gibson
Originating Judge:Judge Steve Beal |
Henderson County | Court of Appeals | 04/21/15 | |
Alvertis Boyd v. State of Tennessee
W2014-00404-CCA-R3-PC
The Petitioner, Alvertis Boyd, was convicted of aggravated robbery, and the trial court sentenced him as a repeat violent offender to life imprisonment. This Court affirmed his conviction and sentence on appeal. State v. Alvertis Boyd, No. W2010-01513-CCA-R3-CD, 2011 WL 2586811, at *1 (Tenn. Crim. App., at Jackson, July 1, 2011), perm. app. denied (Tenn. Nov. 16, 2011). The Petitioner filed a petition seeking post-conviction relief, and, after a hearing, the post-conviction court denied the Petitioner relief. After review, we affirm the post-conviction court’s judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Chris Craft |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/21/15 | |
State of Tennessee v. Brian Lee Johnson
M2013-02503-CCA-R3-CD
A Wilson County Criminal Court Jury convicted the appellant, Brian Lee Johnson, of driving under the influence (DUI). Subsequently, the trial court convicted him of DUI, fifth offense; violating a habitual traffic offender order; and driving on a revoked license, fourth offense. After a sentencing hearing, the trial court sentenced him to an effective four-year sentence to be served as 315 days in confinement and the remainder on supervised probation. On appeal, the appellant contends that the evidence is insufficient to support the convictions. Based upon the record and the parties’ briefs, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge John D. Wootten, Jr. |
Wilson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/20/15 | |
Amelia Jane Langlo v. Roger Eldar Langlo
E2014-00548-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from the parties’ post-divorce issues. The mother filed a petition for contempt for failure to remit alimony. The father responded with a petition to reduce his alimony obligation. He later orally requested to modify his child support obligation. Following a hearing, the trial court denied the mother’s petition for contempt, the father’s petition to reduce his alimony obligation, and the father’s request to reduce his child support obligation. The father appeals. We affirm the decision of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge John W. McClarty
Originating Judge:Judge Lawrence H. Puckett |
Bradley County | Court of Appeals | 04/20/15 | |
State of Tennessee v. Talmadge Hurt
W2014-00513-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant, Talmadge Hurt, was indicted by the Shelby County Grand Jury in September of 2009 for aggravated robbery and attempted aggravated robbery. He was tried with co-defendant Adrian Chaney for events that occurred at La Playita Mexican Restaurant in Memphis in April of 2007. The jury convicted Defendant of facilitation of aggravated robbery and facilitation of attempted aggravated robbery. After a sentencing hearing, Defendant was sentenced to consecutive sentences of ten years for facilitation of aggravated robbery and eight years for facilitation of attempted aggravated robbery. Defendant did not file a motion for new trial or seek a direct appeal. He filed a petition for post-conviction relief in October of 2011, in which he alleged, among other things, that he received ineffective assistance of counsel when trial counsel failed to file a motion for new trial. The post-conviction court granted leave for Defendant to file a delayed appeal pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-30-113(a)(3) and Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 28, Section 9. Defendant filed a motion for new trial. The motion was denied by the trial court and this appeal followed. Defendant presents the following issues for our review on appeal: (1) whether the evidence was sufficient to support the convictions; and (2) whether the trial court erred by refusing to allow a defense witness to testify whether he could identify Defendant from a still photograph taken from surveillance video of the incident. After a review, we determine that the evidence was sufficient to support the convictions for aggravated robbery and attempted aggravated robbery. Additionally, we determine that the trial court did not err by excluding the opinion testimony of a lay witness that was not helpful to a determination of a fact in issue.
Authoring Judge: Judge Timothy L. Easter
Originating Judge:Judge James M. Lammey |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/20/15 | |
State of Tennessee v. Damien Clark
W2014-01729-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant, Damien Clark, was convicted of second degree murder in 2006 and received a twenty-year sentence at 100% service. Seven years later, the Defendant filed a motion pursuant to Tennessee Criminal Procedure Rule 36.1 requesting that the trial court correct an illegal sentence because his sentence was in violation of Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-35-120(g) (2014). The trial court summarily denied relief for failure to state a colorable claim. On appeal, he contends that the trial court erred in denying him relief. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert H. Montgomery, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Carolyn W. Blackett |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/20/15 | |
State of Tennessee v. Mikel C. Hamrick
W2014-02307-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant, Mikel C. Hamrick, pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, especially aggravated stalking, domestic assault, and theft and received an effective four-year sentence to be served consecutively to the sentences he received in two unrelated cases. Less than four years later, the Defendant filed a motion pursuant to Tennessee Criminal Procedure Rule 36.1 requesting that the trial court correct an illegal sentence on the ground that he pleaded guilty to the aggravated burglary of his own home, a legal impossibility. The trial court summarily dismissed the motion for failure to state a colorable claim. On appeal, he contends that the trial court erred in dismissing his motion. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert H. Montgomery, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge James M. Lammey, Jr. |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/20/15 | |
Anthony Washington v. James Holloway, Warden
W2014-02080-CCA-R3-HC
The petitioner, Anthony Washington, appeals the Circuit Court for Lauderdale County’s denial of his pro se petition for writ of habeas corpus. The State has filed a motion requesting that this court affirm the trial court’s judgment pursuant to Rule 20 of the Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals. Following our review, we grant the State’s motion and affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Joe H. Walker, III |
Lauderdale County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/20/15 | |
In re Estate of Mary Pauline Stumpe Schorn
E2013-02245-COA-R3-CV
This is an estate case before this court a second time. The decedent’s eldest son was named the personal representative of his mother’s estate. Two siblings, citing accounting irregularities and other issues, eventually sought their brother’s removal from the personal representative position. The trial court agreed with the siblings and named a substitute personal representative. The initial personal representative appeals. Discerning no error, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge John W. McClarty
Originating Judge:Chancellor William Everett Lantrip |
Anderson County | Court of Appeals | 04/17/15 | |
State of Tennessee v. Larry Douglas Clemons
M2014-00131-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant, Larry Douglas Clemons, pled guilty in Case No. 12-CR-213 to four counts of trafficking for sexual servitude (Counts 1-4), one count of attempt to commit trafficking for sexual servitude (Count 5), especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor (Count 6), thirteen counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor (Counts 7-19), and six counts of sexual exploitation of a minor (Counts 20-25). In Case No. 12-CR-236 Defendant pled guilty to one count of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, and in Case No. 12-CR-302 Defendant pled guilty to two counts of trafficking for sexual servitude (Counts 1-2) and five counts of statutory rape (Counts 3-7). The trial court ordered a portion of the sentences to be served consecutively for an effective one-hundred seventy-six-year sentence. In his sole issue on appeal, Defendant asserts that the trial court erred by ordering partial consecutive sentencing. After a thorough review of the record and the briefs, we affirm the judgments of the trial court. However, we remand for a corrected judgment in Count 20 of Case No. 2012-CR-213.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge John D. Wootten, Jr. |
Smith County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/17/15 | |
State of Tennessee v. Robert Walden, Jr.
M2014-01692-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Robert Walden, Jr., appeals the revocation of the probationary sentence imposed for his Marion County Circuit Court conviction of theft of property valued at $500 or more but less than $1,000. Discerning no error, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge James Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Thomas W. Graham |
Marion County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/17/15 |