APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

Shelvy Baker v. State of Tennessee

M2012-01559-CCA-R3-PC

The Petitioner, Shelvy Baker, appeals the Davidson County Criminal Court’s denial of his petition for post-conviction relief from his conviction of second degree murder and resulting twenty-five-year sentence. On appeal, the Petitioner contends that he received the ineffective assistance of trial counsel. Based upon the record and the parties’ briefs, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Cheryl A. Blackburn
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/28/13
Aubrey Owens & The Estate of Louis Gernt v. Aleeta Tipton Evans, Timothy L. Goad et al.

M2013-00239-COA-R3-CV

This is an appeal from a judgment entered against one of four defendants. Because the judgment appealed does not resolve all the claims between all the parties, we dismiss the appeal for lack of a final judgment.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood
Fentress County Court of Appeals 08/28/13
State of Tennessee v. Albert Lamont Bennett, Jr.

M2012-01003-CCA-R3-CD

A Davidson County Criminal Court Jury convicted the appellant, Albert Lamont Bennett, Jr., of attempted aggravated assault and attempted aggravated burglary. The trial court sentenced the appellant as a Range III, persistent offender to ten years for each offense, to be served consecutively, for a total effective sentence of twenty years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the appellant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence sustaining his convictions and the sentences imposed by the trial court. Upon review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Monte Watkins
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/28/13
Rhonda Sue Watkins v. Kenneth Danny Watkins

M2012-02378-COA-R3-CV

The trial court granted Father’s petition to modify child custody and child support, and denied Mother’s petition to increase alimony. Mother appeals. We vacate the trial court’s judgment with respect to Mother’s petition to modify alimony, and remand for findings of fact and further proceedings, if necessary. The remainder of the judgment is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Judge Timothy L. Easter
Williamson County Court of Appeals 08/28/13
Brian Wesley Lacey v. State of Tennessee

M2012-00849-CCA-R3-PC

Petitioner, Brian Wesley Lacey, appeals from the trial court’s dismissal of his petition for post-conviction relief following an evidentiary hearing. Petitioner asserts he received ineffective assistance of counsel at the trial and on appeal. After a thorough review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court dismissing the petition for post-conviction relief.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Seth Norman
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/28/13
Darryl Jerome Moore v. State of Tennessee

M2012-01707-CCA-R3-PC

The Petitioner, Darryl Jerome Moore, appeals the Davidson County Criminal Court’s denial of his petition for post-conviction relief from his guilty pleas to conspiracy to deliver 300 grams or more of cocaine, possession with intent to deliver 300 grams or more of cocaine, conspiracy to deliver 300 pounds or more of marijuana, money laundering, possession with intent to deliver ten pounds or more of marijuana, and unlawful possession of a weapon after having been convicted previously of a felony drug offense, and his resulting effective sentence of ninety-three years in confinement. On appeal, the Petitioner contends that he received the ineffective assistance of trial counsel and that he pled guilty unknowingly and involuntarily. Based upon the record and the parties’ briefs, we affirm the post-conviction court’s denial of the petition.

Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Cheryl Blackburn
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/28/13
William Paul Eblen v. State of Tennessee

E2012-01117-CCA-R3-CD

The Petitioner, William Paul Eblen, appeals from the Knox County Criminal Court’s denial of his petition for writ of error coram nobis. The Petitioner contends that the coram nobis court erred in concluding that testimony from two witnesses alleging that the victim later recanted her allegations against the Petitioner was not credible. Following our review, we affirm the judgment of the coram nobis court.

Authoring Judge: Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Steve W. Sword
Knox County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/28/13
In the Matter of Lakita E. P. and Michael A. P.

M2013-00384-COA-R3-PT

A father’s parental rights to his two children were terminated on the grounds of abandonment by engaging in conduct exhibiting a wanton disregard for the welfare of the children, non-compliance with the permanency plan, and severe child abuse against children who resided with Father. He appeals, contending that the Department of Children’s Services failed to expend reasonable efforts to reunite him with the children and that termination of his rights was not in the children’s best interest. Finding no error, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Richard H. Dinkins
Originating Judge:Judge Jimmy White
Clay County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/28/13
Antonio Angel Onate v. State of Tennessee

M2013-00531-CCA-R3-PC

Petitioner, Antonio Angel Onate, appeals from the Davidson County Circuit Court’s summary dismissal of his petition for post-conviction relief after a 2011 guilty plea to facilitation to sell cocaine weighing less than .5 grams. Petitioner argues that the trial court erred by concluding that the petition was untimely and that the one-year statute of limitations was not tolled. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry L. Smith
Originating Judge:Judge Monte Watkins
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/28/13
In Re: Johnny K.F.

E2012-02700-COA-R3-PT

Grandparents Johnny F. and Sharon E. F. (“the Petitioners”) filed a petition in the Chancery Court for Hamilton County (“the Trial Court”) seeking to terminate the parental rights of Shawn L. F. (“Father”) and Shauna L. F. (“Mother”) to the minor child Johnny K. F. (“the Child”). After trial, the Trial Court entered an order finding and holding, inter alia, that clear and convincing evidence existed to terminate Father’s and Mother’s parental rights under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-102 (1)(A)(iv) with respect to Father and Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-1- 102 (b)(23) and Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-113 (g)(3) with respect to Mother, and that termination was in the best interests of the Child. Father and Mother appeal to this Court. We reverse, in part, and vacate, in part, the judgment of the Trial Court and remand for a new trial.

Authoring Judge: Judge D. Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Chancellor W. Frank Brown, III
Hamilton County Court of Appeals 08/27/13
In Re: Johnny K.F. - Dissenting

E2012-02700-COA-R3-PT

The termination of Father’s parental rights was based upon his alleged abandonment of the Child because he had engaged in conduct prior to incarceration that exhibited a wanton disregard for the Child’s welfare. The majority held that the trial court improperly relied upon this ground of abandonment because the termination petition merely alleged abandonment for failure to visit and to submit child support. I respectfully disagree.

Authoring Judge: Judge John W. McClarty
Originating Judge:Chancellor W. Frank Brown, III
Hamilton County Court of Appeals 08/27/13
In Re: Aspyn S. J.

M2013-00855-COA-R3-PT

Mother challenges the decision of the trial court terminating her parental rights to her daughter, Aspyn S.J. We find clear and convincing evidence to support the trial court’s determination that Mother abandoned her child by willfully failing to provide support and that termination of Mother’s parental rights is in the best interest of the child.

Authoring Judge: Judge Andy D. Bennett
Originating Judge:Judge James Y. Ross
Wayne County Court of Appeals 08/27/13
The Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County, Tennessee v. Metropolitan Nashville Education Association

M2012-02006-COA-R3-CV

County board of education filed a declaratory judgment action seeking declaration that the high school principal’s decisions to re-assign certain extracurricular sponsorships were not subject to arbitration under the collective bargaining agreement between the board of education and the education association. The trial court entered judgment in the board of education’s favor and the education association appealed. We affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge Andy D. Bennett
Originating Judge:Chancellor Claudia Bonnyman
Davidson County Court of Appeals 08/27/13
Greg Parker, et al. v. Holiday Hospitality Franchising, Inc., et al.

E2013-00727-COA-R3-CV

This is a premises liability case in which Plaintiffs alleged that a shower bench in Hotel collapsed, causing Husband to fall and sustain injuries. Plaintiffs filed suit against Defendant, claiming negligence. Defendant filed a motion for summary judgment, asserting that he did not install the bench and did not have actual or constructive notice of the independent contractor’s negligent installation of the bench. The trial court granted the motion for summary judgment and dismissed the case. Plaintiffs appeal. We reverse the decision of the trial court and remand for further proceedings.

Authoring Judge: Judge John W. McClarty
Originating Judge:Judge Russell E. Simmons, Jr.
Roane County Court of Appeals 08/27/13
IN RE: Adoption of Alexander M. S. F. et al

M2012-02706-COA-R3-PT

The mother and stepfather of two children filed a petition to terminate the parental rights of the children’s father on the ground of abandonment. The trial court terminated father’s rights on the grounds that he willfully failed to visit the children and paid only token support for the children in the four months preceding the filing of the petition. After a careful review of the record and the applicable law, we reverse the trial court, finding there is not clear and convincing proof that father’s lack of visitation was willful. We further hold that father’s payment of $697.76 in child support during the relevant time period was not mere “token support.”

Authoring Judge: Judge Andy D. Bennett
Originating Judge:Judge Robbie T. Beal
Hickman County Court of Appeals 08/27/13
State of Tennessee v. Franklin D. Moore

W2012-02439-CCA-R3-CD

The Defendant-Appellant, Franklin D. Moore, was convicted by a Madison County jury of driving under the influence (DUI), fourth offense, and sentenced to two years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. The sole issue presented for our review is whether the evidence is sufficient to support the conviction. Upon our review, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Judge Camille R. McMullen
Originating Judge:Judge Donald H. Allen
Madison County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/27/13
Richard McGarity and Teresa McGarity v. Corbin Jerrolds and Amber Jerrolds

W2013-00250-COA-R3-CV

This is a grandparent visitation case. The trial court awarded visitation to paternal grandparents on the basis of a finding of severe emotional harm to the child if visitation was not granted. The child’s mother and adoptive father appeal. We affirm the trial court’s ruling with regard to the evidentiary and procedural issues, but reverse as to the finding of a likelihood of severe emotional harm. Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded.

Authoring Judge: Judge J. Steven Stafford
Originating Judge:Judge Ron E. Harmon
Shelby County Court of Appeals 08/27/13
State of Tennessee v. Kurt Gadke

M2012-01519-CCA-R3-CD

The Defendant-Appellant, Kurt Gadke, entered a guilty plea to driving under the influence (DUI) in exchange for a sentence of eleven months and twenty-nine days probation after service of forty-eight hours in jail. As a condition of his guilty plea, the Defendant-Appellant reserved a certified question of law challenging the denial of his motion to suppress which was based upon an alleged unconstitutional stop and arrest. Following our review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Camille R. McMullen
Originating Judge:Judge James G. Martin, III
Williamson County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/26/13
David Andrew Thorneloe v. Cheree Anne Osborne

E2012-02004-COA-R3-CV

This case involves a parent’s petition to relocate pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 36-6-108 (2010). The mother, Cheree Anne Osborne (“Mother”), notified the father, David Andrew Thorneloe (“Father”), of her intent to relocate to Wisconsin with the parties’ two children for the purpose of residing with her new husband. Father opposed the relocation. The parties stipulated that they were not spending substantially equal intervals of time with the children. Following a bench trial, the trial court denied Mother’s request to relocate based on Tennessee Code Annotated § 36-6-108(d), finding that the relocation did not have a reasonable purpose and that the relocation would pose a threat of specific and serious harm to the children. The trial court also found that the relocation was not in the children’s best interest. Mother appeals. Discerning no error, we affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas R. Frierson, II
Originating Judge:Judge E.G. Moody
Sullivan County Court of Appeals 08/26/13
Randy Lynn Shelby v. State of Tennessee

M2012-01060-CCA-R3-PC

Petitioner, Randy Lynn Shelby, timely filed a pro se petition for post-conviction relief which attacked his convictions for two counts of aggravated burglary and one court of especially aggravated kidnapping. After appointment of counsel and the filing of an amended petition, the trial court held an evidentiary hearing, at which only Petitioner and his trial counsel testified. The trial court dismissed the petition for post-conviction relief and Petitioner appeals. We affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge John H. Gasaway
Montgomery County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/26/13
Frank Ray Baggett v. Anne Marie Baggett

E2012-02013-COA-R3-CV

This is the divorce case of Frank Ray Baggett (“Husband”) and Anne Marie Baggett (“Wife”). After eight years of marriage, Wife sued Husband for divorce. The following year, Husband sued Wife for wrongfully excluding him from A&F Computers, a computer sales and repair business. Husband sought his alleged share of the profits from the business, damages, and dissolution of the claimed partnership. By agreement, the two cases were consolidated for trial. The parties stipulated that grounds for divorce exist and the trial court decreed a divorce. Following the hearing, the court classified, valued, and divided the parties’ property. The court determined that A&F was a sole proprietorship and awarded it to Wife. On appeal, Husband challenges the determination and disposition of A&F and the overall property division. He argues that the court’s division is not equitable. We affirm.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Chancellor W. Frank Brown, III
Hamilton County Court of Appeals 08/26/13
State of Tennessee v. Bobby Stanley George

M2012-01542-CCA-R3-CD

Appellant, Bobby Stanley George, was indicted by a Davidson County grand jury for attempted especially aggravated kidnapping; driving while under the influence of an intoxicant (“DUI”), fourth offense; and driving with a revoked license. At trial, he was found guilty of all counts. The trial court sentenced him to eleven years, two years, and six months, respectively, with all sentences to be served concurrently. Following the denial of his motion for a new trial, appellant argues in this appeal that: (1) there was insufficient evidence to support the conviction for attempted especially aggravated kidnapping; (2) the trial court erred in instructing the jury on involuntary intoxication; and (3) the trial court erred in sentencing him to eleven years for attempted especially aggravated kidnapping. Upon our review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Roger A. Page
Originating Judge:Judge Monte Watkins
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/26/13
State of Tennessee v. Dustin Shawn Price

M2012-00117-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Dustin Price, was convicted by a Davidson County Criminal Court jury of first degree felony murder, first degree premeditated murder, two counts of reckless endangerment, and three counts of attempted first degree murder. The two first degree murder convictions were merged, and the defendant received an effective sentence of life plus 40 years in the Department of Correction. On appeal, he argues that the trial court erred by: (1) denying his motion to sever offenses; (2) admitting jail house recordings of his telephone conversations with a Davidson County Jail inmate; (3) allowing the prior testimony of a witness under Tennessee Rule of Evidence 803(26); and (4) ordering consecutive sentencing. Following our review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge Seth Norman
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/26/13
Eric Chamber v. State of Tennessee

W2012-02726-CCA-R3-PC

On August 21, 2012, Petitioner, Eric Chamber, filed a pro se petition in the Shelby County Criminal Court, seeking post-conviction relief from his convictions for two counts of first degree murder and one count of especially aggravated kidnapping. He was convicted of these offenses in a jury trial, and the convictions were affirmed on appeal. State v. Eric Chambers [sic], No. 02C01-9811-CR-00346, 2000 WL 279645 (Tenn. Crim. App. March 6, 2000). Mandate from this court was issued May 25, 2000. Petitioner asserts that his petition is not barred by the one year statute of limitations because decisions by the United States Supreme Court in March 2012 established “a constitutional right that was not recognized as existing at the time of trial.” The trial court summarily dismissed the petition because it was filed beyond the one year statute of limitations imposed by Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-30-102(a). Petitioner has appealed, and we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge James Lammey Jr.
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/26/13
State of Tennessee v. Jordan Mansfield Looper

M2012-02523-CCA-R3-CD

Appellant, Jordan Mansfield Looper, pleaded guilty to attempted second degree murder, with the length and manner of service of his sentence to be determined by the trial court. The trial court sentenced him to serve twelve years in confinement. On appeal, appellant argues that the trial court erred in its sentencing by using an inapplicable enhancement factor and denying an alternative sentence. Following our review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Roger A. Page
Originating Judge:Judge J. Randall Wyatt, Jr.
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/26/13