In Re: Landon R. W.
M2013-02216-COA-R3-JV
This is a grandparent visitation case. The grandparents filed a petition seeking to have a parenting plan established which designated them as primary caregivers or, in the alternative, provided them with “regular custodial time” with respect to a grandson who previously lived at their home. The juvenile court judge held that the Grandparents did not prove that the mother opposed visitation, and dismissed the petition. Concluding thatthe evidence does not preponderate against the court’s finding that the mother did not oppose visitation, we affirm the dismissal of the petition.
Authoring Judge: Judge Richard H. Dinkins
Originating Judge:Judge Ray Grimes |
Montgomery County | Court of Appeals | 05/02/14 | |
Gary Allen Jordan v. State of Tennessee
W2013-01600-CCA-R3-PC
The petitioner, Gary Allen Jordan, appeals the denial of his petitions for post-conviction relief from his guilty plea convictions for possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, felony evading arrest, and two counts of aggravated assault. He argues that he received ineffective assistance of counsel and that his guilty pleas were not knowingly and voluntarily entered. After review, we affirm the denial of the petitions.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge Donald H. Allen |
Madison County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/01/14 | |
Jim Najib Jirjis v. Tammy Sue Jirjis
M2013-00512-COA-R3-CV
The trial court granted a divorce to a husband and wife after a marriage of nineteen years. The court named the husband as the primary residential parent of the parties’ children, divided the marital property between the parties, and awarded the wife transitional alimony of $3,000 per month for five years. The husband argues on appeal that the trial court erred in including his separate property in the marital estate subject to division. The wife argues that the alimony award was insufficient in light of the length of the parties’ marriage and the disparity in income between them, and that the court erred in failing to award her attorney’s fees. We agree that husband’s separate property should not be included in the marital estate, but that the division of property is still equitable. We hold that the wife is entitled to alimony in futuro. We also find that she should be awarded one-half of the attorney’s fees she incurred at trial.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Judge Derek K. Smith |
Williamson County | Court of Appeals | 05/01/14 | |
In Re Ella M. I., et al.
M2013-01543-COA-R3-PT
Mother appeals the termination of her parental rights. We conclude from the record that clear and convincing evidence does not support the trial court’s finding of willful abandonment and, accordingly, reverse.
Authoring Judge: Judge Andy D. Bennett
Originating Judge:Judge George L. Lovell |
Maury County | Court of Appeals | 05/01/14 | |
Margaret Renee Wright v. Patricia Dunlap et al.
M2014-00238-COA-R3-CV
The plaintiff, Margaret Renee Wright, has appealed from the dismissal of her action for damages arising out of an automobile accident. Upon review of the record, this court determined that neither Ms. Wright’s Tenn. R. Civ. P. 59 motion nor her notice of appeal were timely filed. We thus ordered Ms. Wright to show cause why her appeal should not be dismissed. Ms. Wright’s trial counsel has filed a response asserting that both Ms. Wright’s Tenn. R. Civ. P. 59 motion and her notice of appeal were in fact timely filed. 2 It appears fromMs. Wright’s response that certain documents were omitted from the record. Nevertheless, we still conclude that Ms. Wright’s Tenn. R. Civ. P.59 motion was untimely and thus dismiss the appeal.
Authoring Judge: Judge Frank G. Clement, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Ross Hicks |
Montgomery County | Court of Appeals | 05/01/14 | |
In Re: Ashley B.
W2013-02584-COA-R3-PT
The order appealed is not a final judgment and therefore, this appeal is dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.
Authoring Judge: Per Curiam
Originating Judge:Judge Van McMahan |
McNairy County | Court of Appeals | 05/01/14 | |
State of Tennessee v. Marvin Davis
W2013-00656-CCA-R3-CD
A Shelby County jury convicted the defendant, Marvin Davis, of rape of a child, and the trial court sentenced him to twenty-five years at 100%. On appeal, the defendant contends that (1) the trial court erred in admitting the videotaped forensic interview of the victim; and (2) the evidence is insufficient to support his conviction. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge J. Robert Carter Jr. |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/01/14 | |
David R. Seaton et al. v. Wise Properties-TN, LLC
E2013-01360-COA-R3-CV
This case involves the trial court’s award of attorney’s fees to the defendant property buyer upon remand from this Court. The sellers initiated the original action for specific performance and breach of contract after the buyer refused to close on the purchase of real property. The buyer filed a counterclaim requesting attorney’s fees. The buyer subsequently moved for summary judgment, arguing that the sellers had been the first to breach the contract by failing to fulfill a condition precedent. The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of the buyer, and the seller appealed. Upon that original appeal, while this Court affirmed summary judgment, the issue of attorney’s fees was not raised. Following this Court’s remand to the trial court, the buyer moved for an award of attorney’s fees, pursuant to a default provision of the parties’ agreement. After conducting a post-remand hearing, the trial court awarded the buyer attorney’s fees in the amount of $106,485. The seller appeals. We conclude: (1) that the buyer abandoned its counterclaim for attorney’s fees by failing to question the finality of the summary judgment and by failing to raise the issue during the first appeal and (2) that the trial court exceeded its authority by considering the buyer’s post-remand motion. We therefore vacate the trial court’s award of attorney’s fees.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas R. Frierson, II
Originating Judge:Judge Lawrence H. Puckett |
McMinn County | Court of Appeals | 04/30/14 | |
In Re: Glenn J., et al
M2013-01803-COA-R3-PT
Father of two children appeals the termination of his parental rights on the grounds of abandonment by failure to support and the finding that termination of his parental rights would be in the best interest of the children. Finding no error we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Richard H. Dinkins
Originating Judge:Chancellor Tom E. Gray |
Sumner County | Court of Appeals | 04/30/14 | |
Bobby R. Bean v. Johnson Controls, Inc. et al.
M2013-01010-WC-R3-WC
This appeal involves the compensability of an alleged aggravation of a pre-existing degenerative back condition. After the employee began experiencing increased and more severe pain in his back, he filed a workers’ compensation claim in the Chancery Court for Marshall County against his employer, its insurer, and the Second Injury Fund. Following a bench trial, the trial court awarded the employee temporary total and permanent partial disability benefits. The employer’s 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 pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 51. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Justice William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Chancellor J. B. Cox |
Marshall County | Workers Compensation Panel | 04/30/14 | |
State of Tennessee v. Ronald L. Carroll and John Boyde Collett
E2013-01781-CCA-R3-CD
Appellants Ronald L. Carroll and John Boyde Collett stand convicted of especially aggravated robbery. The trial court sentenced Appellant Carroll to serve fifteen years as a violent offender and sentenced Appellant Collett to serve seventeen years as a violent offender. On appeal, the appellants argue that (1) the evidence was insufficient to support their convictions for especially aggravated robbery; (2) the victim’s coaching of an essential witness should have resulted in a mistrial; and (3) the prosecutor violated the appellants’ right to remain silent during closing arguments. Following our review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Roger A. Page
Originating Judge:Judge E. Shayne Sexton |
Claiborne County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/30/14 | |
City Press Communications, LLC et al v. Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association
M2013-01429-COA-R3-CV
The principal issue is whether an association that governs and coordinates interscholastic athletic competition of substantially all public and private secondary schools in Tennessee is the functional equivalent of a government agency for purposes of the Tennessee Public Records Act. Two reporters and their newspaper filed this action pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-505 to obtain records from the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association regarding the enforcement of its bylaws on member schools. The chancery court held that the association was the functional equivalent of a government agency; therefore, it was subject to the Tennessee Public Records Act, codified at Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503 et seq. The court also ordered it to produce the records at issue, subject to the redaction of students’ names. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Frank G. Clement, Jr.
Originating Judge:Chancellor Claudia Bonnyman |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 04/30/14 | |
David Allen Brimmer v. David Sexton, Warden
E2013-01987-CCA-R3-HC
The petitioner, David Allen Brimmer, appeals as of right from the Johnson County Criminal Court’s order denying his petition for writ of habeas corpus relief challenging the validity of his 1999 aggravated kidnapping conviction and resulting sentence of 60 years as a violent offender. The State has filed a motion to affirm the trial court’s order pursuant to Rule 20 of the Rules of the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals. Following our review, we conclude that the State’s motion is well-taken and affirm the order of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge James Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Robert E. Cupp |
Johnson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/30/14 | |
Hannah Ann Culbertson v. Randall Eric Culbertson
W2012-01909-COA-R10-CV
This is the second extraordinary interlocutory appeal in this divorce case and custody dispute. In the first appeal, this Court held that the father did not automatically waive the psychologist-client privilege as to his mental health records by seeking custody or by defending against the mother’s claims that he was mentally unfit. While the first appeal was pending, the mother filed a motion asking the trial court to require the father to undergo a second mental health evaluation pursuant to Tenn. R. Civ. P. 35; the trial court granted the motion. The Rule 35 evaluating psychologist concluded that the father did not pose a danger to his children. Dissatisfied with this conclusion, the mother again asked the trial court to compel the father to produce all of the mental health records from his treating psychologists. After this Court rendered its decision in the first appeal, the trial court granted the mother’s request and again ordered the father to produce all of the mental health records from his treating psychologists. The trial court reasoned that the father waived the psychologist-client privilege as to all of his mental health records by allowing the evaluating psychologists to speak to his treating psychologists, by providing mental health records to the evaluating psychologists, and by testifying that he had a history of depression and had undergone treatment for it. It also ordered the father to produce all of his mental health records because the mother needed them to prepare her case. The father filed a request for a second extraordinary appeal, which this Court granted. We vacate the trial court’s order as inconsistent with this Court’s holding in the first appeal; we hold that there was at most a limited waiver of the psychologist-client privilege, only as to the privileged mental health information that the father voluntarily disclosed to the two evaluating psychologists involved in this case. As for mental health records not subject to a limited waiver of the privilege, we hold that the standard for the trial court to compel disclosure of the records is not met in this case. We remand the case for factual findings on any privileged mental health records the father voluntarily disclosed and other proceedings consistent with this opinion.
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Judge James F. Russell |
Shelby County | Court of Appeals | 04/30/14 | |
Reuben Hickok Fairfield v. State of Tennessee
W2013-01482-CCA-R3-PC
The Petitioner, Reuben Hickok Fairfield, pled guilty to second degree murder and tampering with evidence, and he agreed to concurrent sentences of thirty-five years, at 100 percent, for the second degree murder conviction and to six years, at 30 percent, for the tampering with evidence conviction. The Petitioner filed a pro se petition for post-conviction relief, which was amended by appointed counsel. The post-conviction court dismissed the petition after a hearing. On appeal, the Petitioner asserts that the post-conviction court erred when it dismissed his petition because his counsel was ineffective and his guilty plea was not knowingly and voluntarily entered. After a thorough review of the record and applicable authorities, we conclude that the post-conviction court did not err when it dismissed the petition. The post-conviction court’s judgment is, therefore, affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Roy Morgan Jr. |
Madison County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/30/14 | |
Tommy Joe Owens v. State of Tennessee
E2013-01134-CCA-R3-PC
The Petitioner, Tommy Joe Owens, appeals the Campbell County Criminal Court’s denial of his petition for post-conviction relief from his convictions of two counts of aggravated child abuse and one count of aggravated child neglect and resulting effective twenty-five year sentence. On appeal, the Petitioner contends that he received the ineffective assistance of counsel. Based upon the oral arguments, the record, and the parties’ briefs, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge E. Shayne Sexton |
Campbell County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/30/14 | |
In Re: Alexis L., et al.
M2013-01814-COA-R3-PT
Mother appealed the trial court’s determination that several grounds for terminating her parental rights had been met and that termination was in the best interest of her children. She failed to appeal or argue one of the grounds for termination, so the trial court’s finding regarding that ground is final. Because only one ground need be found, we decline to examine the other grounds. We agree with the trial court’s determination that clear and convincing evidence existed to conclude that termination of Mother’s parental rights is in the best interest of the children.
Authoring Judge: Judge Andy D. Bennett
Originating Judge:Judge Ken Witcher |
Macon County | Court of Appeals | 04/30/14 | |
Frederick Parks v. State of Tennessee
W2013-01601-CCA-R3-ECN
In 2000, the Petitioner, Frederick Parks, pled guilty to one count of escape. The trial court sentenced him to one year in the Tennessee Department of Correction, to be served consecutively to a prior six-year sentence as well as any other prior sentences. This Court affirmed the Petitioner’s convictions on appeal. State v. Frederick Parks, No. W1999-01357-CCA-R3-CD, 2000 WL 1672341, at *4 (Tenn. Crim. App., at Jackson, Oct. 27, 2000), no Tenn. R. App. P. 11 filed. In 2012, the Petitioner filed a petition for habeas corpus relief, which was dismissed. This Court affirmed the dismissal of the petition on appeal. Frederick Parks v. Cherry Lindamood, No. W2013-00361-CCA-R3-HC, 2013 WL 6529307, at *3 (Tenn. Crim. App., at Jackson, Dec. 10, 2013), no Tenn. R. App. P. 11 filed. In 2013, the Petitioner filed a petition for a writ of error coram nobis, in which he presented multiple claims, including that his guilty plea to the escape charge had been illegally induced by the prosecutor. After a hearing, the coram nobis court dismissed the petition. On appeal, the Petitioner alleges that the coram nobis court erred when it dismissed his petition, contending that the newly discovered evidence warrants a waiver of the statute of limitations. After a thorough review of the record and applicable authorities, we affirm the coram nobis court’s judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Roy Morgan Jr. |
Madison County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/30/14 | |
State of Tennessee v. Danny Wayne Carpenter
E2013-00747-CCA-R3-CD
After the appellant, Danny Wayne Carpenter, pled guilty in the Hamblen County Criminal Court to aggravated burglary and theft of property worth more than $10,000, the trial court imposed a total effective sentence of three years in the Tennessee Department of Correction and ordered the appellant to pay restitution in the amount of $15,250. On appeal, the appellant challenges the amount of restitution imposed by the trial court. Upon review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge John F. Dugger, Jr. |
Hamblen County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/30/14 | |
Antonius Harris, et al v. Tennessee Rehabilitative Initiative In Correction
M2013-00501-COA-R3-CV
Fourmen who worked forTennessee Rehabilitative Initiative in Correction (TRICOR)while incarcerated in the Department of Corrections filed a grievance with the Department, contending that TRICOR had failed to pay them all the wages they had been promised. The Grievance Committee ruled in their favor, but TRICOR and the Department refused to authorize any additional pay. The men filed two different actions in the Davidson County Chancery Court. This appeal is from the denial of the trial court in Part III of a motion to reconsider. The trial court denied the motion. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Judge Ellen H. Lyle |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 04/30/14 | |
Kenneth James Worgan v. Jeannie Antoinette Worgan
E2013-01756-COA-R3-CV
In this post-divorce case, Jeannie Antoinette Worgan (“wife”) filed a Tenn. R. Civ. P. 60.02 motion to alter or amend the final judgment, which had been entered over eleven months earlier. The final judgment had incorporated the parties’ marital dissolution agreement (“MDA”). Wife’s Rule 60.02 motion alleges that the MDA “failed to mention the division of the former husband’s pension” and that “[t]his oversight certainly must have resulted from a mistake, inadvertence, or excusable neglect.” The trial court denied the motion, finding that wife was aware of the pension of Kenneth James Worgan (“husband”) when she signed the MDA and that she had ample time and opportunity to review the MDA before signing it. We agree with the trial court’s ruling that wife has presented no ground for Rule 60.02 relief. Accordingly, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Chief Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Chancellor Telford E. Forgety, Jr. |
Jefferson County | Court of Appeals | 04/30/14 | |
A To Z Smart Products & Consulting, et al. v. Bank of America
M2013-01261-COA-R3-CV
Garnishor obtained a final judgment which held Garnishee liable for full amount of outstanding debt of the judgment-debtor. The trial court granted Garnishee’s motion to alter or amend and vacated the conditional judgment and the final judgment against the Garnishee; Garnishor appeals. Finding no error, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Richard H. Dinkins
Originating Judge:Chancellor Carol L. McCoy |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 04/30/14 | |
State of Tennessee v. Lorenzo Spencer
W2013-00657-CCA-R3-CD
Following a jury trial, the Defendant, Lorenzo Spencer, was convicted of aggravated burglary. See Tenn. Code. Ann. § 34-14-403. The trial court sentenced the Defendant as a Range III, persistent offender to a ten-year sentence. On appeal, the Defendant contends that the evidence presented at trial was insufficient to support his conviction. Following our review, we affirm the judgment of the Shelby County Criminal Court.
Authoring Judge: Judge D. Kelly Thomas
Originating Judge:Judge W. Otis Higgs Jr. |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/29/14 | |
Cameron Winselle v. State of Tennessee
W2013-01491-CCA-R3-PC
The Petitioner, Cameron Winselle, appeals from the Shelby County Criminal Court’s denial of his motion to reopen his petition for post-conviction relief. However, this court is without jurisdiction in this case because the Petitioner failed to comply with the requirements of Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-30-117(c). Accordingly, the appeal is dismissed.
Authoring Judge: Judge D. Kelly Thomas
Originating Judge:Judge James M. Lammey Jr. |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/29/14 | |
Kenneth Allen v. State of Tennessee
M2013-01383-CCA-R3-PC
Following a jury trial in 2008, Petitioner, Kenneth Allen, was ultimately convicted of two Class B felony cocaine offenses and two Class C felony cocaine offenses. He was sentenced to serve an effective sentence of thirty years as a career offender. The trial court ordered the effective thirty-year sentence to be served consecutively to an unrelated sentence of ten years for additional drug convictions for which his probation had been revoked. See State v. Kenneth Gregory Allen, No. M2009-00070-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. Aug. 24, 2010). Petitioner filed a post-conviction petition attacking his 2008 convictions. After an evidentiary hearing the trial court denied relief. Petitioner has appealed arguing that he received ineffective assistance of counsel. After a thorough review we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Robert G. Crigler |
Marshall County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/29/14 |