APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

State of Tennessee v. Darrin Mosby

W2009-02575-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Darrin Mosby, pled guilty in the Shelby County Criminal Court to two counts of carjacking, a Class B felony. Following a sentencing hearing, the trial court sentenced the defendant to concurrent ten-year sentences, to be served in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the defendant challenges the imposed sentences, specifically contending that: (1) the term of ten years is excessive in light of the trial court’s misapplication of an enhancement factor and failure to consider mitigating factors; and (2) the court erred in ordering the sentences be served in confinement. Following a review of the record, we remand the case to the trial court for reconsideration based upon this opinion.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge John T. Fowlkes, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/24/11
State of Tennessee v. Darrin Mosby - Concurring and Dissenting

W2009-02575-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge John T. Fowlkes, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/24/11
State of Tennessee v. Mark Patton

E2009-01724-CCA-R9-CD

In this interlocutory appeal, the appellant, Mark Patton, appeals the Roane County Criminal Court’s denial of his motion to dismiss a three-count indictment against him. The appellant claims that he is immune from prosecution pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated section 8-47-107 because the State compelled him to testify about matters related to the indictment at a proceeding to oust him as Roane County Constable. Upon review of the record and the parties’ briefs, we reverse the order of the trial court and dismiss the indictment.

Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood
Roane County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/24/11
State of Tennessee v. Wendell Wayne Sweeton

E2009-00012-CCA-R3-CD

The appellant, Wendell Wayne Sweeton, was convicted by a jury of driving under the influence (DUI), third offense. The trial court imposed a sentence of eleven months and twenty-nine days, with 150 days to be served in confinement and the remainder to be served on probation. On appeal, the appellant challenges the trial court’s rulings regarding purported discovery and Brady violations, the denial of appellant’s suppression motion, and the admissibility of the appellant’s prior DUI convictions. Upon review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Don W. Poole
Hamilton County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/21/11
State of Tennessee v. Timothy Washington Lyons and Antonio Lamont Scales

M2009-02524-CCA-R3-CD

A Davidson County Criminal Court jury convicted the defendants, Timothy Washington Lyons and Antonio Lamont Scales, of the attempted second degree murder of Teresa Crenshaw and the reckless aggravated assault of Quanita Robinson. The trial court sentenced each defendant to 22 years’ incarceration. In this appeal, both defendants challenge the sufficiency of the convicting evidence, the trial court’s failure to provide the “missing witness” instruction, and the propriety of the sentences imposed. Discerning no reversible error, we affirm the convictions. Because the trial court mistakenly believed it was imposing sentences for Class C felony aggravated assault rather than Class D felony aggravated assault, utilized improper enhancement factors, and imposed consecutive sentences without making required findings of fact, the sentences imposed are vacated, and the case is remanded for resentencing. In addition, new judgment forms for the aggravated assault convictions must be entered to reflect that the defendants were convicted of Class D felony aggravated assault.

Authoring Judge: Judge James Curtwood Witt, Jr
Originating Judge:Judge Monte Watkins
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/21/11
Douglas Marshall Mathis v. State of Tennessee

M2010-00730-CCA-R3-HC

The Petitioner, Douglass Marshall Mathis, filed in the Davidson County Criminal Court a petition for a writ of habeas corpus, seeking relief from his conviction for first degree murder and accompanying life sentence. The habeas corpus court dismissed the petition, finding that the Petitioner’s conviction and sentence were not void. Upon review, we affirm the judgment of the habeas corpus court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Steve R. Dozier
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/21/11
State of Tennessee v. Jason Michael Fint

E2010-01316-CCA-R3-CD

A Bradley County Criminal Court jury convicted the defendant, Jason Michael Fint, of one count of theft of property valued at $1,000 or more but less than $10,000. Finding that the defendant qualified as a career offender, the trial court imposed the maximum Class D felony sentence of 12 years’ incarceration. In this appeal, the defendant challenges the sufficiency of the convicting evidence and contends that the sentence is excessive. Discerning no error, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge James Curtwood Witt, Jr
Originating Judge:Judge Amy Reed
Bradley County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/21/11
Daniel Buck v. State of Tennessee

M2010-00174-CCA-R3-PC

Following a jury trial, the Petitioner, Daniel Buck, was convicted of aggravated rape, a Class A felony, and aggravated sexual battery, a Class B felony. See Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 39-13- 502(b), -504(b). This Court affirmed his convictions on direct appeal. See State v. Daniel Buck, No. M2005-02818-CCA-R3-CD, 2006 WL 3831390 (Tenn. Crim. App., Nashville, Dec. 12, 2006), perm. to appeal denied, (Tenn. Apr. 23, 2007). The Petitioner filed a timely petition for post-conviction relief, claiming that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to preserve the issue that his convictions were barred by the statute of limitations. The post-conviction court denied relief, and this appeal followed. After our review, we affirm the post-conviction court’s denial of relief.

Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Judge John H. Gasaway, III
Robertson County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/21/11
State of Tennessee v. Michael Clark

W2009-01649-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Michael Clark, was convicted of attempted second degree murder, a Class B felony. He was sentenced to twenty years in the Tennessee Department of Correction as a multiple offender. On appeal, he argues that the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction and that the trial court erred in allowing evidence to be presented concerning his prior conviction for aggravated assault. After careful review, we affirm the judgment from the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Chris Craft
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/21/11
State of Tennessee v. Wade Tyler

M2009-01762-CCA-R3-CD

Appellant, Wade Tyler, was indicted by the Rutherford County Grand Jury for one count of rape, one count of incest, and one count of statutory rape by an authority figure. Appellant was convicted by a jury and sentenced to eight years for the rape conviction, four years for the incest conviction, and four years for the statutory rape by an authority figure conviction. The sentences for rape and incest were ordered to be served concurrently. The sentence for statutory rape by an authority figure was ordered to be served consecutively to the sentence for rape, for a total effective sentence of twelve years. After the denial of a motion for new trial, this appeal ensued. On appeal, the following issues are presented for our review: (1) whether the evidence is sufficient to support the convictions; (2) whether the trial court erred by refusing to allow cross-examination of the victim about specific instances of conduct; (3) whether the trial court improperly imposed consecutive sentencing; and (4) whether the indictment was defective. After a review of the record and applicable authorities, we determine that the evidence was sufficient to support the convictions and that the trial court properly ordered consecutive sentencing. Further, we determine that the trial court properly refused to allow cross-examination of the victim about specific instances of conduct and that the indictment was sufficient to inform Appellant of the charges against him. However, because we have identified several discrepancies in the record, we remand the matter for correction of the judgment form for statutory rape by an authority figure. Accordingly, the judgments of the trial court are affirmed and the matter is remanded.

Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry L. Smith
Originating Judge:Judge Don Ash
Rutherford County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/21/11
Christopher Flake v. State of Tennessee

W2010-00215-CCA-R3-PC

Petitioner, Christopher Michael Flake, was convicted by a Shelby County Jury of two counts of first degree murder. On direct appeal, Petitioner’s convictions were reversed on the basis that the jury improperly rejected the proof at trial that established Petitioner was insane at the time of the offenses. State v. Christopher Flake, No. W2001-00568-CCA-R3-CD, 2002 WL 1298733 (Tenn. Crim. App., at Jackson, June 12, 2002), rev’d on appeal by State v. Flake, 114 S.W.3d 487 (Tenn. 2003). The Supreme Court reversed the decision of this Court on appeal. State v. Flake, 114 S.W.3d 487 (Tenn. 2003). Petitioner sought post-conviction relief, among other things, on the basis of ineffective assistance of counsel. After a hearing, the post-conviction court denied relief. After a thorough review of the record, we determine that Petitioner has failed to show that he received ineffective assistance of counsel. Accordingly, the judgment of the post-conviction court is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry L. Smith
Originating Judge:Judge W. Mark Ward
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/21/11
State of Tennessee v. Lawrence J. Brozik

M2009-01142-CCA-R3-CD

The Defendant, Lawrence J. Brozik, was charged with ten counts of especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, a Class B felony. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1005(c) (2003). Following a jury trial, the Defendant was convicted of ten counts of facilitation of especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, a Class C felony. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-11-403(b) (2003). The trial court sentenced the Defendant as a Range I, standard offender to five years for each count and ordered that five of his sentences be served consecutively, for a total effective sentence of twenty-five years. In this direct appeal, he contends that: (1) the State presented insufficient evidence to convict him; (2) the State failed to disclose promises made to, or agreements with, the minor victim’s husband; (3) the trial court erred when it found that he was the leader in the commission of an offense involving two or more criminal actors; (4) the disparity between the Defendant’s sentence and the minor victim’s husband’s sentence violated the Tennessee Criminal Sentencing Reform Act of 1989; (5) the trial court erred by imposing consecutive sentences; and (6) the trial court erred when it found that evidence presented at the motion for new trial hearing was not sufficient to support a new trial. After our review, we affirm the Defendant’s convictions but modify his sentences to be served concurrently.

Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Judge Shayne Sexton
Fentress County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/21/11
Melvin Reed v. State of Tennessee

W2009-01704-CCA-R3-CD

The petitioner, Melvin Reed, appeals the summary dismissal of his petition for writ of habeas corpus relief. He entered a guilty plea to possession with intent to sell cocaine and was sentenced to ten years incarceration. On appeal, he argues that the indictment that led to his conviction was void. The State has moved to affirm the judgment from the trial court pursuant to Rule 20 of the Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals. After careful review, we grant the motion, and the judgment of the trial court is affirmed pursuant to Rule 20.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Joseph H. Walker, III
Hardeman County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/21/11
State of Tennessee v. John C. Howard

M2009-00465-CCA-R3-CD

Appellant, John C. Howard, was indicted for three counts of aggravated child abuse. Appellant subsequently pled guilty to two counts of aggravated assault in an open, best interest plea. After a sentencing hearing, a five-year split confinement sentence was imposed. The trial court ordered Appellant to serve one hundred twenty days in incarceration for each offense, followed by five years of probation, and ordered the sentences to be served concurrently. The trial court further denied judicial diversion. Appellant seeks a review of the trial court’s denial of diversion. Because we determine that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying judicial diversion, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Michael R. Jones
Montgomery County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/21/11
Ann Marie Shannon v. State of Tennessee

M2009-02375-CCA-R3-PC

The Rutherford County Grand Jury indicted Petitioner, Ann Marie Shannon, for four counts including one count of driving under the influence (“DUI”), second offense. On June 19, 2009, Petitioner entered a negotiated plea agreement to DUI, first offense. Pursuant to the agreement, she was ordered to serve forty-eight hours in the Swaim Center 1 and serve eleven months and twenty-nine days on probation. Petitioner subsequently filed a petition for post-conviction relief arguing that she received ineffective assistance of counsel. After an evidentiary hearing, the post-conviction court denied the petition. We have reviewed the record on appeal and conclude that the evidence does not preponderate against the findings of the post-conviction court.  Therefore, we affirm the post-conviction court’s denial of the petition.

Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry L. Smith
Originating Judge:Judge Don R. Ash
Rutherford County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/20/11
State of Tennessee v. Kenneth Thompson Anderson, Jr.

M2009-00494-CCA-R3-CD

Following a jury trial, Defendant, Kenneth Thompson Anderson, Jr., was convicted of eight counts of sexual battery by an authority figure and sentenced to an effective sentence of nine years. In this direct appeal, Defendant raises the following issues for review: 1) whether the trial court erred by refusing to allow testimony regarding the victim’s past sexual behavior and preference for older men; and 2) whether the evidence is sufficient to support Defendant’s convictions. Finding no error, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Monte Watkins
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/20/11
Dan Kenneth Kelly v. Sonya Frances Kelly

M2010-00332-COA-R3-CV

In this post-divorce dispute, the trial court denied the petitions of both parents to modify the parenting time but granted the mother’s petition to modify child support. We affirm the trial court’s decision with respect to parenting time but reverse and remand for a proper determination regarding modification of child support.

Authoring Judge: Judge Andy D. Bennett
Originating Judge:Judge Ross H. Hicks
Robertson County Court of Appeals 01/20/11
Judith Anne Shaw v. Jason Patrick Shaw

E2010-01070-COA-R10-CV

In this divorce case, we granted the request of Jason Patrick Shaw (“Father”) for a Tenn. R. App. P. 10 extraordinary appeal on three issues: (1) whether the Trial Court erred when it refused to grant his request for access to his older daughter’s counseling records with a licensed clinical social worker; (2) whether the Trial Court properly prohibited Father from taking this daughter’s deposition, and (3) whether the Trial Court erred when it refused Father visitation with any of the parties’ three children. As to the first issue, we remand this case to the Trial Court for a determination of whether furnishing the social worker’s records would be against the daughter’s best interest, as discussed more fully in this Opinion. We vacate the Trial Court’s refusal to allow Father to depose the daughter. Finally, we vacate the Trial Court’s refusal to allow Father any meaningful visitation and remand for the Trial Court to determine an appropriate supervised visitation schedule.

Authoring Judge: Judge D. Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Judge Jacqueline E. Bolton
Hamilton County Court of Appeals 01/20/11
Eddie Lee Murphy, Sr. v. State of Tennessee

M2009-01993-CCA-R3-PC

The Petitioner, Eddie Lee Murphy, Sr., appeals the Sumner County Criminal Court’s denial of post-conviction relief from his conviction for felony murder and resulting life sentence. See T.C.A. § 39-13-202(a)(2) (2003) (amended 2005, 2007). He contends that the trial court erred in denying him relief because (1) he did not understand the nature of the charges against him and the consequences of his guilty plea, (2) he was not adequately informed of his right against  self-incrimination, (3) trial counsel was ineffective, and (4) his guilty plea was involuntary. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Chancellor Tom E. Gray
Sumner County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/20/11
Floyd E. Bell v. Eller Media Company, a Tennessee Corporation

W2010-01241-COA-R3-CV

Pursuant to a lease agreement, Defendant was allowed to place a billboard on Plaintiff’s building. After the billboard allegedly caused damage to Plaintiff’s building, Plaintiff notified Defendant. Defendant then sent a letter to Plaintiff terminating the lease, but Plaintiff claims Defendant later agreed to remove the billboard and make repairs to his building. When such repair and complete removal were not made, Plaintiff filed suit alleging breach of contract and promissory estoppel. Defendant moved for summary judgment, which the trial court granted, and we affirm.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Chancellor Walter L. Evans
Shelby County Court of Appeals 01/20/11
State of Tennessee v. Rolly William Whitford

M2009-02525-CCA-R3-CD

The Defendant, Rolly William Whitford, pled guilty to sexual battery and rape and agreed for the trial court to determine the length and manner of service of his sentence. After a sentencing hearing, the trial court sentenced the Defendant to two years for the sexual battery conviction and ten years for the rape conviction, and it ordered that the sentences run consecutively for an effective sentence of twelve years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. The Defendant appeals, contending the trial court erred when it: (1) enhanced his sentences; (2) ordered consecutive sentencing; (3) denied him an alternative sentence; and (4) admitted into evidence his 1984 psychosexual evaluation over his objection. After a thorough review of the record and applicable law, we affirm the trial court’s judgments.

Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge J. Randall Wyatt, Jr.
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/20/11
In Re: Spencer E.

M2009-02572-COA-R3-JV

Father filed a petition to relocate with the parties’ minor child, and the trial court denied his petition. On appeal, Father argues that the trial court made evidentiary and procedural errors necessitating vacating its decision, that the trial court’s decision denying his petition to relocate was erroneous, and that the trial court erred in declining to award him his attorney fees in defending against  Mother’s petition for dependency and neglect. We affirm the decision of the trial court in all respects.

Authoring Judge: Judge Andy D. Bennett
Originating Judge:Judge Jane C. Franks
Williamson County Court of Appeals 01/20/11
James A. Burgess v State of Tennessee

M2010-01517-CCA-R3-CO

A Putnam County jury convicted the Petitioner, James A. Burgess, of two counts of second degree murder, two counts of felony murder, especially aggravated burglary, and felony reckless endangerment and sentenced the Petitioner to life imprisonment for each of the felony murder convictions. The Petitioner appealed the convictions, and this Court remanded the case for  modification of the Petitioner’s conviction for especially aggravated burglary to aggravated burglary and affirmed in all other respects. State v. Burgess, M2009-00897-CCA-R3-CD, 2010 WL 3025524 (Tenn. Crim. Ct. Aug 4, 2010). In May 2010, the Petitioner filed a petition for a writ of error coram nobis, in which he alleged the existence of newly discovered evidence. The trial court dismissed the petition, finding that the Petitioner failed to raise the existence of newly discovered evidence. On appeal, the Petitioner contends the trial court’s denial was in error. After a thorough review of the record and applicable law, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.

Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge David A. Patterson
Putnam County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/20/11
Mark W. Urlaub, as Next of Kin and Executor of the Estate of Bertha Worley Urlaub v. Select Specialty Hospital-Memphis, Inc., et al.

W2010-00732-COA-R3-CV

Plaintiff filed this medical battery suit on behalf of his deceased mother and named as defendants the nephrologist who ordered an allegedly unauthorized hemodialysis procedure, another treating physician, and the hospital where she was treated. The trial court granted summary judgment to the treating physician who did not order the procedure and to the hospital. Plaintiff appeals. We find that both of these defendants were entitled to summary judgment and therefore affirm the trial court’s decision.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Judge Robert L. Childers
Shelby County Court of Appeals 01/20/11
Marquise Harris v. State of Tennessee

M2010-01905-CCA-R3-HC

This matter is before the Court upon the State’s motion to dismiss or in the alternative to affirm the judgment of the trial court by memorandum opinion pursuant to Rule 20, Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals. Petitioner, Marquise Harris, appeals the denial of his petition for writ of habeas corpus in which he alleged that his transfer to the Middle Tennessee Mental Health Institute for a forensic evaluation was illegally accomplished in violation of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution and the Sixth Amendment right to counsel and trial by jury. Additionally, Petitioner complained that neither the general sessions court nor the criminal court had jurisdiction because of the illegal transfer. Upon a review of the record in this case, we are persuaded that the trial court was correct in dismissing the petition for habeas corpus relief and that this case meets the criteria for affirmance pursuant to Rule 20, Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals.

Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry L. Smith
Originating Judge:Judge Amanda McClendon
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 01/20/11