APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

State of Tennessee v. Donnie Paul Boling, Jr.

E2012-00348-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Donnie Paul Boling, Jr., pled guilty to reckless endangerment, a Class E felony, and to driving under the influence, possession of less than one-half ounce of marijuana, and possession of Alprazolam, all Class A misdemeanors. The trial court imposed a total effective sentence of one year. In this appeal, the defendant’s sole claim is that the trial court erred by denying him probation or an alternative sentence. Following our review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge R. Jerry Beck
Sullivan County Court of Criminal Appeals 12/19/12
Walter Ray Carter v. State of Tennessee

E2011-01757-CCA-R3-PC

The petitioner, Walter Ray Carter, pro se, appeals the trial court’s summary dismissal of his pleadings entitled “Motion of Ineffective Assistance of Counsel” and “Motion to Dismiss Indictment and/or Arrest Judgment” filed on July 18, 2011 in four separate cases. The motions sought relief from certain drug-related convictions entered in 1996 and in 2005. Following our review of the record, we conclude that the trial court was within its discretion to construe the pleadings as petitions for post-conviction relief which are now time barred pursuant to the statute of limitations. The summary dismissal is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Rebecca J. Stern
Hamilton County Court of Criminal Appeals 12/19/12
In Re: Estate of Lee Augustus Grimmig

W2012-01626-COA-R3-CV

Because the order appealed is not a final judgment, we dismiss this appeal for lack of jurisdiction.

Authoring Judge: Per Curiam
Originating Judge:Judge Karen D. Webster
Shelby County Court of Appeals 12/19/12
Scotty V. Nunn v. Tony Howerton, Warden, et al

E2012-01086-CCA-R3-HC

The Petitioner, Scotty V. Nunn, appeals the Morgan County Criminal Court’s summary dismissal of his petition for habeas corpus relief from his 1994 convictions for fraudulent breach of trust and misapplication of contract payments and resulting sentence of fourteen years. The Petitioner contends that he is entitled to relief because of an improper extradition from the Commonwealth of Virginia. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge E. Eugene Eblen
Morgan County Court of Criminal Appeals 12/19/12
State of Tennessee v. Ngoc Dien Nguyen

M2012-00988-CCA-R3-CD

Defendant, Ngoc Dien Nguyen, appeals the trial court’s revocation of his sentences of probation. Defendant pled guilty to two counts of writing or passing worthless checks over $1,000. He received a sentence of two years for each count, as a Range I standard offender, to be served concurrently on probation. Subsequently, a probation violation warrant was filed, which alleged that Defendant had violated his probation by committing new offenses, failing to report the new offenses to his probation officer, failing to notify his probation officer that he was back in Tennessee after serving a parole violation in California, and failing to provide proof of payment of court costs and fines. Following the hearing the trial court revoked Defendant’s probation and ordered him to serve the remainder of his effective two-year sentence in confinement, with credit for time served. We affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge John H. Gasaway, III
Robertson County Court of Criminal Appeals 12/19/12
Kevin Abston v. State of Tennessee

W2012-01191-CCA-R3-HC

The Petitioner, Kevin Abston, appeals the Lauderdale County Circuit Court’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 Joseph H. Walker III
Lauderdale County Court of Criminal Appeals 12/18/12
State of Tennessee v. Robert Jason Burdick

M2010-00144-SC-R11-CD

In 2000, an affidavit of complaint was issued charging “John Doe” with an aggravated rape that had occurred in 1994. The affidavit, which included a detailed DNA profile of “John Doe,” led to the issuance of an arrest warrant. In 2008, police officers discovered that fingerprints taken from the scene of the crime matched those of the defendant. Later, police determined that the DNA profile was that of the defendant,and a superseding indictmentwas issued in his name. The defendant was tried and convicted of attempted aggravated rape, and the trial court imposed a ten-year sentence. The Court  of Criminal  Appeals affirmed, holding that the “John Doe” warrant with the DNA profile was adequate to identify the defendant and commence prosecution within the applicable statute of limitations. Because the issue is one of first impression in this state, this Court granted an application for permission to appeal. We hold that a criminal prosecution is commenced if, within the statute of limitations for a particular offense, a warrant is issued identifying the defendant by gender and his or her unique DNA profile. Furthermore, a superseding indictment in the defendant’s proper name provides the requisite notice of the charge. The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Chief Justice Gary R. Wade
Originating Judge:Judge Seth W. Norman
Davidson County Supreme Court 12/18/12
Marvin Anthony Matthews v. State of Tennessee

W2012-01831-CCA-R3-HC

The Petitioner, Marvin Anthony Matthews, appeals the Circuit Court of Lake 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 Roger A. Page
Originating Judge:Judge R. Lee Moore Jr.
Lake County Court of Criminal Appeals 12/18/12
State of Tennessee v. Benjamin Murrell

W2011-02672-CCA-R3-CD

A Shelby County jury convicted appellant, Benjamin Murrell, of criminal attempt to commit voluntary manslaughter and employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony. The trial court sentenced him to an effective sentence of eighteen years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. Appellant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence supporting his convictions. After reviewing the record, the parties’ briefs, and the applicable law, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Roger A. Page
Originating Judge:Judge Chris Craft
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 12/18/12
In Re: Estate of Fred Crumley, Sr.

E2012-00030-COA-R3-CV

The Bureau of TennCare filed a petition to open Fred F. Crumley, Sr.’s estate in order to file a claim against the estate for medical assistance rendered. The court appointed an administrator, and the Bureau of TennCare filed a claim. Administrator argued that the statute of limitations barred recovery on any claim filed by the Bureau of TennCare. The trial court agreed with Administrator and dismissed the claim. The Bureau of TennCare appeals. We reverse the decision of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge John W. McClarty
Originating Judge:Chancellor Jeffrey M. Atherton
Hamilton County Court of Appeals 12/18/12
The State of Tennessee in its own behalf and for the use and benefit of the Government of Nashville and Davidson County v. Delinquent Taxpayers, etc.

M2011-00308-COA-R3-CV

Purchaser of condominium at delinquent tax sale sought excess funds remaining after taxes and court costs had been paid. Purchaser prepared a Quitclaim Deed that transferred Taxpayer’s title and redemption rights in property to Purchaser. Purchaser next prepared a Deed of Correction that corrected the spelling of Taxpayer’s name, but that also included a clause purporting to transfer to Purchaser Taxpayer’s right to the excess funds. Purchaser then prepared an Assignment of Excess Funds Payout that also purported to transfer Taxpayer’s right to the excess funds to Purchaser. Trial court awarded excess funds to Taxpayer rather than to Purchaser after finding there was no meeting of the minds and that Purchaser failed to carry his burden of proving he provided consideration for Taxpayer’s conveyance of the excess funds to him. Purchaser appealed and we affirm the trial court’s judgment. We conclude there was no consideration for the Assignment of Excess Funds Payoutand that the Deed of Correction is unenforceable because it is beyond the expectations of an ordinary person for a document titled Deed of Correction to transfer a right to receive $14,000 of excess funds to a purchaser of property.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Chancellor Claudia Bonnyman
Davidson County Court of Appeals 12/18/12
Antonio J. Bullard v. Turney Center Disciplinary Board, Derrick D. Schofield, Bruce Westbrooks, Jack Middleton, and Josh Paschall

M2012-00046-COA-R3-CV

This appeal involves an inmate’s petition for common law writ of certiorari. The petitioner inmate was convicted of disciplinary offenses by the respondent prison disciplinary board. The inmate filed a petition for common law writ of certiorari, seeking judicial review of the convictions for the disciplinary offenses. The trial court found that the inmate’s petition was not timely filed, and therefore that the chancery court lacked subject matter jurisdiction to hear the petition. We affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Judge Timothy L. Easter
Hickman County Court of Appeals 12/18/12
In Re: Jarrel X.W.

E2012-00380-COA-R3-PT

This is a termination of parental rights case in which Guardian, along with Custodial Parent, sought to terminate the parental rights of Father to the Child. Following a hearing, the trial court terminated Father’s parental rights, finding that Father abandoned the Child by failing to visit and by failing to provide child support and a suitable home; that the conditions which led to removal persisted; and that termination of Father’s parental rights was in the best interest of the Child. Father appeals. We affirm the termination of Father’s parental rights.

Authoring Judge: Judge John W. McClarty
Originating Judge:Judge Brandon K. Fisher
Anderson County Court of Appeals 12/18/12
In Re: Drako J. M. & Skyler B. M.

M2012-01404-COA-R3-PT

The parents of two young children agreed to give the paternal grandparents custody of the children. The grandparents subsequently filed a petition for termination of their parental rights on the ground of abandonment, and for adoption. The father agreed to surrender his rights during the hearing on the termination petition, but the mother insisted that she had not abandoned her children. The trial court terminated the parental rights of both parents on the ground of abandonment by willful failure to pay financial support in the four months prior to the filing of the petition for termination. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-113(g)(1). Mother appealed. She acknowledges that she failed to pay support during the relevant period, but she insists that her failure was not willful. We affirm the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Judge C. L. Rogers
Sumner County Court of Appeals 12/18/12
Robert Thomas Edmunds v. Delta Partners, L.L.C. et al.

M2012-00047-COA-R3-CV

Appellant corporation appeals the trial court’s rulings finding it liable for breach of contract damages, prejudgment interest, and damages pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Additionally, the corporation’s president appeals the trial court’s action in piercing the corporate veil to hold him personally liable for the contract damages. We reverse the trial court’s finding with regard to veil piercing, but affirm the trial court in all other respects.

Authoring Judge: Judge Steven Stafford
Originating Judge:Judge Ross H. Hicks
Robertson County Court of Appeals 12/18/12
Sarah White v. Target Corporation

W2010-02372-COA-R3-CV

This appeal involves claims for intentional infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy, and misappropriation of image. The plaintiff, a customer of the defendant store, brought clothing into the store’s dressing room to try it on. While in a state of undress in the dressing room, the customer noticed in the reflection of her dressing-room mirror a globe on the store ceiling that appeared to contain a surveillance camera. Store employees initially told the customer that the globe contained a camera, but a store manager later told the customer that the ceiling globe did not contain a camera. Eventually, the plaintiff customer filed this lawsuit against the defendant store, seeking damages for, inter alia, intentional infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy, and misappropriation of image. The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of the defendant store. The plaintiff now appeals. We reverse, finding that the standard for summary judgment under Hannan v. Alltel Publishing has not been met in this case.

Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Judge Karen R. Williams
Shelby County Court of Appeals 12/18/12
Gary Clarke v. Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Acting by and through Electric Power Board as Nashville Electric Service

M2011-02607-COA-R3-CV

An employee of NES married a co-worker’s daughter and was found by the NES civil service board to be in violation of the utility’s nepotism policy that precluded related employees from working in the same “section.” The employee sought judicial review, and the trial court reversed the administrative decision. We affirm the trial court’s judgment because the administrative decision was arbitrary and capricious.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Chancellor Carol L. McCoy
Davidson County Court of Appeals 12/18/12
Robert Thomas Edmunds v. Delta Partners, L.L.C., et al. - CONCUR

M2012-00047-COA-R3-CV

I agree fully with the majority’s analysis in this case. I concur separately only to add a comment as to the portion of the opinion on the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Judge Ross H. Hicks
Robertson County Court of Appeals 12/18/12
Rusty Ing v. City of Milan

W2011-02459-COA-R3-CV

Plaintiff is a business owner who was informed by the City of Milan that his business license would not be renewed because the City had determined that he was a “transient merchant” within the meaning of the City’s municipal code. Plaintiff filed this lawsuit, seeking an injunction preventing the City from prohibiting the operation of his business. The City filed a motion for summary judgment, claiming that the undisputed facts established as a matter of law that Plaintiff was a transient merchant. The trial court agreed and granted the City’s motion for summary judgment. Plaintiff appealed. We reverse and remand for further proceedings.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Judge Clayburn Peeples
Gibson County Court of Appeals 12/18/12
In Re The Estate of Roslyn F. Karesh

W2012-00181-COA-R3-CV

This appeal involves claims against a decedent’s estate. After claims were filed against the decedent’s estate, the co-executors filed exceptions to the claim and attached a letter previously sent to the claimant discussing their objections to the claims. The probate court held that the co-executors had excepted to the claims only on the basis of timeliness, and that objections in the attached letter would not be considered additional exceptions. The co-executors argued that the claims were void and unenforceable irrespective of whether exceptions were filed; the probate court did not expressly rule on this contention. The claims against the estate were found to be timely filed, so the claims were reduced to judgments against the estate without a hearing on their merits. The co-executors appeal. We affirm in part and remand for findings of fact and conclusions of law under Rule 52.01 on the issue of whether the claims against the estate are unenforceable or void on their face.

Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Judge Robert S. Benham
Court of Appeals 12/17/12
State of Tennessee v. Howard Lavelle Tate

M2010-02555-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Howard Lavelle Tate, was convicted of two counts of the sale of over 0.5 grams of a schedule II controlled substances, both Class B felonies, possession of over 26 grams of a schedule II controlled substance with intent to sell, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. The defendant received an effective sentence of forty-seven years. The defendant challenges his convictions, asserting that the trial court erred by (1) admitting evidence seized from his home without a search warrant; (2) admitting evidence that was improperly preserved with no established chain of custody; (3) allowing the State to present inconsistent evidence regarding the substance sold; (4) allowing the State to add an additional count to the indictment; and (5) ordering consecutive sentences. After a thorough review of the record, we conclude that the trial court erred in denying the motion to suppress and the evidence seized as the result of the unlawful search should have been excluded from consideration by the jury. Therefore, the convictions that resulted therefrom, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, and possession of schedule II controlled substance with intent to sell are reversed and remanded. The defendant’s convictions on two counts of sale of over 0.5 grams of schedule II controlled substance and sentences are affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Steve Dozier
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 12/17/12
Kevin Michael Jordan v. A.C. Enterprises, Inc., A/K/A Dipstick, Inc.

E2011-02426-COA-R3-CV

Plaintiff's action for retaliatory discharge resulted in a jury verdict in favor of plaintiff and an award of $120,000.00. Defendant appealed. We affirm the Judgment of the Trial Court upholding the jury verdict.

Authoring Judge: Judge Herschel Pickens Franks
Originating Judge:Judge Thomas J. Wright
Greene County Court of Appeals 12/17/12
Edna H. Irwin v. Christopher Martin Anderson

E2012-00477-COA-R3-CV

Plaintiff received serious injuries in an automobile accident, when she turned left in front of the oncoming vehicle operated by defendant. The suit resulted in a jury trial wherein the jury returned a verdict for defendant, which was approved by the Trial Judge. On appeal, we affirm the Trial Judge's Judgment.

Authoring Judge: Judge Herschel Pickens Franks
Originating Judge:Judge Donald R. Elledge
Anderson County Court of Appeals 12/17/12
State of Tennessee v. Mack Broussard

M2011-01364-CCA-R3-CD

A White County Criminal Court Jury convicted the appellant, Mack Broussard, of first degree premeditated murder, and the trial court sentenced him to life imprisonment. On appeal, the appellant contends that the trial court erred by (1) failing to instruct the jury on self-defense; (2) failing to redact the portion of the appellant’s statement to police in which he said he was on probation at the time of the crime; and (3) allowing a State witness to give a speculative opinion about the appellant’s motive for the killing. 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:Judge David A. Patterson
White County Court of Criminal Appeals 12/17/12
In Re: Leland C.L.

E2012-00031-COA-R3-PT

This is a termination of parental rights case involving the biological father, David R. (“Father”), of the minor child, Leland C.L. The child was taken into custody on June 14, 2010, at two months of age, due to the biological mother’s drug use and the fact that he tested positive for opiates and hydrocodone at birth. The Department of Children’s Services (“DCS”) filed a Petition to Terminate Parental Rights naming the father as a respondent on January 7, 2011. Following a bench trial, the Court granted the Petition upon finding, by clear and convincing evidence, that the father had abandoned the child by failing to provide a suitable home for him, and also that the father was in substantial noncompliance with his permanency plans. The Court further found that termination was in the child’s best interest. The father appeals. We affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Judge Brandon Fisher
Anderson County Court of Appeals 12/17/12