COURT OF APPEALS OPINIONS

Loretta Trull, v. Margaret Culpepper, Commissioner of Tennessee Department of Employment Security, and Kerr Plastic Products, Manpower Temp Svcs., et al.
02A01-9603-CH-00041
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge W. Frank Crawford
Trial Court Judge: Judge George R. Ellis

This is an unemployment compensation case. Petitioner, Loretta Trull, appeals from the order of the chancery court dismissing her petition for certiorari and affirming the decision of the Board of Review that disallowed her claim for unemployment compensation benefits.

Crockett Court of Appeals

Flora Mae Melton v. Glen Houston Melton
2001-00128-COA-R3-CV
Trial Court Judge: J. Russ Heldman

Lewis Court of Appeals

Thomas A. Smythe v. Phil Jones, et al .
M2000-02062-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Houston M. Goddard
Trial Court Judge: Judge Russell Heldman

In this suit wherein the Plaintiff, Thomas a. Smythe, seeks damages against the Defendant, Donald Cowan, for willfully interfering with contractual relations between Mr. Smythe and Phil Jones, the Trial Court granted summary judgment because in his opinion the Statute of Limitations barred the claim asserted. We affirm.

Williamson Court of Appeals

Michael Daniel Fry v. Yuriko Shinoda Fry
M2000-02969-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Trial Court Judge: Judge Muriel Robinson

Pursuant to the wife's motion under Rule 60, Tenn. R. Civ. P., the trial court amended the division of the husband's Navy pension contained in an agreed order of divorce. We reverse the trial court's judgment.

Davidson Court of Appeals

Austin Powder Co., et al., v. Walter Thompson
03A01-9607-CV-00229
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Houston M. Goddard
Trial Court Judge: Judge W. Dale Young

The Defendant appeals a judgment entered by the Blount County Circuit Court awarding the Plaintiffs discretionary costs including attorney fees. This appeal arises from an earlier action (second lawsuit) seeking specific performance of a settlement agreement resolving the original lawsuit filed by the Defendant.

Blount Court of Appeals

Alexander C. Wells v. State of Tennessee
M2001-00144-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Ben H. Cantrell

Appellant, Dr. Alexander C. Wells, was a professor at Tennessee State University ("TSU"). He was relieved of his teaching duties in 1992 and was asked to remove his property from the office and laboratory space he occupied at TSU. He moved some of his belongings in 1995. His remaining belongings were boxed and moved to the campus warehouse in 1996 because the space had been reassigned. When he retrieved his belongings in 1997, he found several items missing. Appellant then brought a claim in the Tennessee Claims Commission asking the State of Tennessee to return his property or, in the alternative, give him monetary compensation for the lost items. The Commission held that TSU had not been negligent in the care, custody and control of appellant's property. Therefore, the State was not liable for the missing property. We affirm the decision of the Commission.

Davidson Court of Appeals

State of Tennessee, v. Michael Anthony Pike
02C01-9509-CC-00261
Authoring Judge: Judge William M. Barker
Trial Court Judge: Judge Julian P. Guinn

The Appellant, Michael Anthony Pike, appeals as of right his sentences for simple possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He argues on appeal that the trial judge erred by not placing him in community corrections or, in the alternative, by not giving him the minimum statutory sentences. After a careful review of the record on appeal, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.

Henry Court of Appeals

State of Tennessee, Elton Donald Bowers, A/K/A Rashid Qawwi
02C01-9509-CC-00282
Authoring Judge: Judge Gary R. Wade
Trial Court Judge: Judge Franklin Murchison

The defendant, Elton Donald Bowers, also known as Rashid Qawwi, was convicted of aggravated robbery and possession of a weapon with the intent to employ in the commission of the robbery. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-402 and Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-307. The trial court ordered the weapons conviction merged with the aggravated robbery, classified the defendant as a career offender, and imposed a thirty-year sentence.

Madison Court of Appeals

State of Tennessee, v. Robert Willis Chance, Jr.
02C01-9605-CC-00178
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Trial Court Judge: Judge C. Creed McGinley

The appellant, Robert Willis Chance, pled guilty to one count of second degree murder and one count of attempted first degree murder. Pursuant to the plea agreement, the sentences were to be served concurrently. The Hardin County Circuit Court imposed a sentence of twenty-three years for each conviction. In his sole issue, the appellant contends that the trial court erred in imposing twenty-three year sentences because of the misapplication of Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-210 (1995 Supp.), regarding the presumptive sentence of a class A felony.

Hardin Court of Appeals

Lawrence Woodward Hamilton, v. Brenda K. Smith Hamilton
02A01-9601-CV-00009
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Highers
Trial Court Judge: Judge Kay S. Robilio

In this divorce action, the Plaintiff, Lawrence Woodward Hamilton, filed his petition 2 for divorce on July 20, 1993. The Defendant, Brenda Kay Smith Hamilton, filed a countercomplaint seeking a divorce on the grounds of inappropriate marital conduct. The trial court granted the Defendant’s request for a divorce on the grounds of inappropriate marital conduct. The trial court awarded the parties’ marital residence as well as household furnishings to the Defendant. The Plaintiff was ordered to pay all outstanding marital debts other than the first and second mortgage on the marital residence, all expenses incurred by the Defendant as a result of this action including the Defendant’s attorney fees and $2,200.00 per month in permanent alimony. The trial court awarded the Defendant onehalf of the Plaintiff’s retirement proceeds and ordered the Plaintiff to maintain the Defendant on his health insurance policy for three years. The trial court further ordered the Plaintiff to maintain a $50,000.00 life insurance policy naming the Defendant as the irrevocable beneficiary. The Plaintiff has appealed the judgment of the trial court arguing that the trial court erred in awarding the Defendant permanent alimony and attorney fees. For the reasons stated hereafter, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Shelby Court of Appeals

Mike G. Pauley, v. Madison County, Madison County Penal Farm, David Woolfork, Madison County Sheriff, Penal Farm Superintendent, Captain Jackson, et al.
02A01-9607-CH-00161
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge W. Frank Crawford
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor Joe C. Morris

Plaintiff, Mike G. Pauley, an inmate at the Madison County Penal Farm (Penal Farm), appeals from an order of the trial court dismissing his pro se complaint against the defendants, 1 Plaintiff filed suit against Madison County, Madison County Penal Farm, David Woolfork, the Madison County Sheriff and Penal Farm Superintendent, Captain Jackson, the Penal Farm’s Head Controller and Acting Warden, Sergeant Jered, the first shift sergeant, Sergeant Evans, the third shift sergeant, Officer Steven Horner, and Officer Cleo King in their official and individual capacities. 2 4which include Madison County, the Penal Farm, and several of the Penal Farm’s personnel.1

Madison Court of Appeals

Gary Bernard Sanders, #76973, v. Jimmie L. Jones - Concurring
02A01-9610-CV-00261
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Trial Court Judge: Judge Joseph H. Walker

Plaintiff, Gary Bernard Sanders, an inmate in the custody of the Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) at the Cold Creek Correctional Facility, appeals from an order of the trial court dismissing his complaint against the defendant, Jimmie L. Jones, a correctional officer at  the facility.1

Lauderdale Court of Appeals

E.L. (Eldred) Reid, v. Jason Petty
02A01-9611-CV-00269
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Trial Court Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley. Jr.

Eldred L. Reid (Plaintiff) sued Jason Petty (Defendant) for “pain and suffering with mental stress” alleged to have resulted from the defendant’s failure to timely respond to Plaintiff’s request for pain medication. Summary judgment was entered in favor of Defendant on the grounds that the trial court lacked jurisdiction and that the defendant was immune pursuant to T.C.A. § 9-8- 307(h).

Lake Court of Appeals

Eddie Heath, v. Jayne S. Creson, Waylon Wininger, and Pat Hutchinson, and A.C. Gilless
02A01-9505-00105
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly Kirby Lillard
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor C. Neal Small

In this action, Plaintiff Eddie Heath (“Heath”) filed a pro se complaint for declaratory judgment to determine whether he provides a taxable service under the Business Tax Act. Heath brought suit against A.C. Gilless (“Gilless”), the Shelby County Sheriff, Jayne S. Creson (“Creson”), the Shelby County Clerk, as well as two employees of the Shelby County Clerk’s Office, Waylon Wininger (“Wininger”) and Pat Hutchinson (“Hutchinson”). The trial court dismissed Heath’s complaint, finding that it failed to state a claim upon which relief could be granted. We affirm.

Shelby Court of Appeals

Sandy Sanders, v. David W. Lanier, In his individual and in his offical capacities, and the State of Tennessee
02A01-9412-CH-00276
Authoring Judge: Judge Herschel Pickens Franks

Plaintiff's actin filed against the State pursuant to the Tennessee Human Rights Act (THRA), Tennessee Code Annotated  § 4-20-191, et seq. , was dismissed by the Trial Judge for failure to state of cause of action.  T.R.C.P. Rule12.02( 6) .

Dyer Court of Appeals

Jami Allyson Ross Carter, v. Guy Marshall Carter
E2000-01283-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Houston M. Goddard
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor G. Richard Johnson

This appeal from the Washington County Chancery Court concerns whether the Trial Court erred in refusing to allow the testimony of an expert witness in accordance with a local rule. The Appellant, Jami Allyson Ross Carter, appeals the decision of the Chancery Court. We vacate the decision of the Trial Court.

Washington Court of Appeals

Lori Lee Grissom (Brown) v, Jeffrey Donald Grissom
03A01-9607-CV-00219
Authoring Judge: Per Curiam
Trial Court Judge: Judge Bill Swann

This appeal came on to be heard upon the record from the Circuit Court of Knox County and briefs filed on behalf of the respective parties. Upon consideration thereof, this Court is of the opinion that there is reversible error in the trial court's judgment.

Knox Court of Appeals

Patricia Broadwell, v. Thomas Michael Broadwell
03A01-9607-CV-00242
Authoring Judge: Senior Judge William H. Inman

This is a domestic relations case. The issues are whether the evidence preponderates against (1) an award of alimony in futuro to the appellee, (2) the finding that an alleged loan to the parties was intended as a gift, (3) an award of attorney’s fees.
 

Hamilton Court of Appeals

Patricia Broadwell, v. Thomas Michael Broadwell
03A01-9607-CV-00242
Authoring Judge: Senior Judge William H. Inman

This is a domestic relations case. The issues are whether the evidence preponderates against (1) an award of alimony in futuro to the appellee, (2) the finding that an alleged loan to the parties was intended as a gift, (3) an award of attorney’s fees.

Hamilton Court of Appeals

Lynn Bernice Carraher, v. Michael Thomas Carreher
03A01-9608-CV-00259
Trial Court Judge: Senior Judge William H. Inman

The plaintiff’s employer had a generous profit-sharing plan to which the plaintiff was not required to contribute. The trial judge declined to treat this fund as marital property because the “plaintiff didn’t earn it, and the defendant didn’t contribute to it.”

Court of Appeals

Patricia Ann Wolfe, Bette L. Roberts, Patricia Pelton, Odie L. Mann, Boyd Stubblefield, and Richard G. Ray vs. The University of Tennessee and the University of Tennessee Space Institute - Concurring
01A01-9611-CH-00514
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.

I concur with the results of the Court’s opinion. Based on my independent review of the evidence both in support of and in opposition to the motion for summary judgment, I have determined that the six plaintiffs have not produced evidence from which a jury could reasonably conclude that the reasons given by the University of Tennessee Space Institute for the adverse employment actions taken against each of the plaintiffs were pretextual or that the employment actions were taken for prohibited reasons.

Court of Appeals

Metropolitan Nashville Fire Fighters Association Local 763 and B.R. Hall, Jr., v. Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, et al.
01A01-9701-CH-00019
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor Irvin H. Gilcrease, Jr.

This case is before the Court on appeal from the Chancery Court of Davidson
County, Tennessee wherein a Motion for Summary Judgement made by the Defendants
was sustained by the Chancellor.

Davidson Court of Appeals

Prism Partners, L.P., v. Michael D. Figlio, v. Prism Partners, L.P. Larry Cherry
01A01-9703-CV-00103
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Highers
Trial Court Judge: Judge Barbara N. Haynes

In this unlawful detainer action, Defendant Michael D. Figlio appeals the trial court’s final judgment which held that Plaintiff/Appellee Prism Partners, L.P., had free and clear 2 title to the subject property, ordered Figlio to vacate the subject property, and dismissed Figlio’s counterclaim for conspiracy. The trial court’s judgment also dismissed Figlio’s thirdparty complaint for fraud and conspiracy against Third-Party Defendant/Appellee Larry Cherry. For the reasons hereinafter stated, we affirm in part and reverse in part the trial court’s judgment, and we remand for further proceedings.

Davidson Court of Appeals

Paul Kevin Nelson, v. The Application Group, Inc.
01A01-9703-CV-00137
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.

I concur with the court’s conclusion that The Application Group, Inc. is entitled to Tenn. R. Civ. P. 60.02(1) relief under the facts of this case. However, I have prepared this separate opinion to state that I do not concur with the court’s sweeping conclusion that “Rule 60.02(1) relief should be granted when the lawyer realizes his [or her] oversight and takes steps to correct it.” I know of no precedent for the notion that efforts to correct an error, by themselves, are always enough to entitle a lawyer to post-judgment relief. They are only one of the many factors to consider when engaging in the fact-intensive analysis required by Tenn. R. Civ. P. 60.02(1).

Davidson Court of Appeals

In re: Ernest L. White, Conservatorship, v. Loretta DeLoach, Substitute Conservator
01A01-9704-PB-00154
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge Frank G. Clement, Jr.

This appeal involves the adequacy of a conservator’s accounting of a disabled person’s estate. After the conservator filed her final accounting in the Probate Court of Davidson County, the personal representative of the disabled person’s estate objected to the accuracy and completeness of the accounting. The probate court conducted a bench trial and approved the conservator’s amended final accounting. On this appeal, the personal representative asserts that the final accounting was irregular and that the conservator has failed to account for all of the disabled person’s funds. We have determined that the conservator’s final accounting cannot be reconciled and, therefore, that the order approving the final accounting must be vacated.

Davidson Court of Appeals