| William R. Diaz v. State of Tennessee
E2001-00661-CCA-R3-PC
The petitioner, William R. Diaz, appeals the Anderson County Criminal Court's denial of his petition for post-conviction relief, claiming that he received the ineffective assistance of counsel. He contends that his trial attorney was ineffective for (1) failing to file a motion to suppress his statement to the police on the grounds that it was coerced and (2) failing to file a motion to suppress evidence that the police took from his garage without a search warrant. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge James B. Scott, Jr. |
Anderson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/27/02 | |
| Charles Dallas Cauthern, et al. v. City of White Bluff, Tennessee
M1998-00991-COA-R3-CV
This appeal stems from two landowners' efforts to change the zoning classification of their property from residential to commercial and industrial. After the White Bluff Town Council denied their request, the landowners filed a petition for writ of common-law certiorari in the Chancery Court for Dickson County alleging that the council's action was invalid because one council member who had recused himself from voting on the proposed zoning change actively opposed their request and caused another council member to recuse himself. The trial court, sitting without a jury, denied the landowners' petition, and the landowners have appealed. Treating the petition as a complaint of declaratory judgment, we have determined that the effectiveness of the council member's recusal is a nonjusticiable political question. Accordingly, we affirm the trial court's conclusion that the landowners were not entitled to judicial relief.
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Leonard W. Martin |
Dickson County | Court of Appeals | 06/27/02 | |
| City of Gatlinburg vs. James Odom, d/b/a Thomas Kincade Galleries
E2001-02934-COA-R3-CV
On nine separate occasions, the defendant was cited to the Gatlinburg Municipal Court by the City of Gatlinburg for building without a permit. The citations were consolidated for trial on October 17, 2001. Following an adverse ruling, the defendant attempted to appeal to the Sevier County Circuit Court. In doing so, he filed his appeal bonds in the circuit court. The City moved to dismiss the appeals, contending that the appeal bonds should have been filed in the municipal court. The circuit court dismissed the appeal, finding that it had no jurisdiction of the appeal. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Richard R. Vance |
Sevier County | Court of Appeals | 06/27/02 | |
| Kuehne & Nagel, Inc. v. Preston, Skahan & Smith International, Inc.
M1998-00983-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves a contract dispute between a customs broker and an importer of Russian vodka. The customs broker sued the importer in the Davidson County General Sessions Court seeking to recover $4,781.16, and the importer counterclaimed alleging fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and usury. After the general sessions court dismissed both cases, the parties appealed to the Circuit Court for Davidson County. On the day of trial, the trial court denied the importer's motion to exclude nine invoices that the customs broker had failed to produce during discovery. Thereafter, the trial court, sitting without a jury, awarded the customs broker a $4,623.16 judgment and dismissed the importer's countersuit. On this appeal, the importer asserts that the trial court erred by refusing to exclude the nine invoices and that the evidence preponderates against the judgment. We have determined that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by denying the importer's motion in limine and that the evidence supports the judgment for the customs broker. Accordingly, we affirm the judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Walter C. Kurtz |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 06/27/02 | |
| Roy Jones vs. Perry Spurling
E2001-02875-COA-R3-CV
This is a suit by Roy Jones, a tenured teacher in the Morgan County School System, against Perry Spurling, Keith Adcock, Cassandra Duncan, Debbie Lively, and Conrad Strand, Members of the Morgan County Board of Education, Paul Scarbrough, Superintendent of the Morgan County Schools, and the Morgan County Board of Education. The suit seeks, by means of a writ of certiorari, to overturn a determination of the Board that Mr. Jones' employment should be terminated because of an altercation between him and a student. We vacate and remand.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Frank V. Williams, III |
Morgan County | Court of Appeals | 06/27/02 | |
| Janet Bolton, et al vs. State of Tennessee
E2001-02960-COA-R9-CV
Janet Bolton and Jack Bolton ("Plaintiffs") sued the State of Tennessee ("State"), alleging the State was liable for injuries Janet Bolton received in a motor vehicle accident which occurred on a State highway in Loudon County. The State filed a Motion for Summary Judgment, arguing it was entitled to judgment as a matter of law under the defense of discretionary function immunity. The Tennessee Claims Commission denied the motion. The State appeals. We affirm, in part, and reverse, in part, and remand.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
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Loudon County | Court of Appeals | 06/27/02 | |
| James Raulston vs. Montgomery Elevator
E2002-00216-COA-R3-CV
This is a negligence action stemming from injuries allegedly sustained by Plaintiff James Michael Raulston when the elevator in which he was riding allegedly fell approximately five floors and came to an abrupt stop. Mr. Raulston sued Defendant Montgomery KONE, Inc. ("Montgomery KONE"), alleging it was negligent in failing to properly maintain the subject elevator in a safe condition. Montgomery KONE filed a motion for summary judgment, which the Trial Court granted. Mr. Raulston argues on appeal that the Court's grant of summary judgment was improper. We find there are genuine issues of material fact and therefore vacate the judgment of the Trial Court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Dale C. Workman |
Knox County | Court of Appeals | 06/27/02 | |
| State of Tennessee v. Rhonda Patricia Mayes - Order
M2001-00423-CCA-R3-CD
The opinion and judgment entered June 24, 2002, are hereby VACATED and WITHDRAWN. A corrected opinion and judgment will be filed in due course.
Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
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Marshall County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/27/02 | |
| Calvin Tankesly v. Sgt. Pugh, et al.
M2000-01520-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Ellen Hobbs Lyle |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 06/27/02 | |
| Stanley Alford vs. Pamela Alford
E2001-02361-COA-R3-CV
In this divorce case, the trial court dissolved a marriage of 21 years and divided the parties' marital property. Stanley David Alford ("Husband") appeals, arguing that the division of property was not equitable and that the trial court erred in requiring him to pay the post-separation debts of his wife, Pamela Ward Alford ("Wife"). By way of a separate issue, Wife contends that the trial court erred in refusing to award retroactive child support. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Joyce M. Ward |
Hamblen County | Court of Appeals | 06/27/02 | |
| Lawrence County v. Jerry Brewer, et al .
M2001-00078-COA-R3-CV
This matter involves a dispute over payment of solid waste disposal fees, which the Lawrence County Commission attempted to charge the citizens of Lawrence County, and application of late payment penalties to these fees. Lawrence County filed complaints in order to collect overdue solid waste fees that the Commission allegedly enacted on May 25, 1999 by Resolution #11052599. The trial court determined that Resolution #11051599 did not impose any solid waste fees on the residents of Lawrence County and dismissed Plaintiff's complaints. We affirm the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Robert L. Holloway |
Lawrence County | Court of Appeals | 06/27/02 | |
| E2001-02860-COA-R3-CV
E2001-02860-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Billy Joe White |
Campbell County | Court of Appeals | 06/27/02 | |
| Rita Jones vs. Clinton Jones
E2001-03112-COA-R3-CV
In this divorce case, the issues raised on appeal all pertain to the trial court's alimony award. That court awarded Rita Jo Findley Jones ("Wife") alimony of $756 per month "until the death or remarriage of [Wife] or until such time as the court modifies its order in this regard." Clinton Garland Jones ("Husband") appeals, contending that Wife is not entitled to alimony; that, if she is entitled to spousal support, she should be awarded rehabilitative alimony rather than alimony in futuro; and that, in any event, $756 per month "is excessive." We modify the trial court's award of alimony. As modified, it is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Steven C. Douglas |
Cumberland County | Court of Appeals | 06/27/02 | |
| Robert Jones vs. Vick Idles
E2001-02833-COA-R9-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:William E. Lantrip |
Anderson County | Court of Appeals | 06/26/02 | |
| Larry Morgan d/b/a Morgan Contracting vs. Tellico Plains
E2001-02733-COA-R3-CV
In this contract dispute, the Plaintiff, Morgan Contracting, Inc. ("Morgan") sued the Town of Tellico Plains, alleging that it was due $68,464.86 under the terms of the contract. Tellico Plains answered with the defense that Morgan's claim was time-barred under the sixty-day limitations period set forth in the contract. After a non-jury trial, the Court ruled that Morgan had not filed suit within the contractual limitations period and consequently dismissed Morgan's cause of action. On appeal, Morgan argues that the Trial Court erred in not finding that Tellico Plains waived its right to rely upon the contractual limitations period provision. We affirm the judgment of the Trial Court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Lawrence H. Puckett |
Monroe County | Court of Appeals | 06/26/02 | |
| Robert Jones vs. Vick Idles
E2001-02833-COA-R9-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:William E. Lantrip |
Anderson County | Court of Appeals | 06/26/02 | |
| Sherry Hopkins vs. James Hopkins
E2001-02849-COA-R3-CV
In this appeal from the Circuit Court for Sevier County the Appellant, James Franklin Hopkins questions whether the Trial Court erred in awarding alimony to the Appellee, Sherry Mae Hopkins, and in ordering that all of Ms. Hopkins' debts be paid out of proceeds from the sale of the marital residence. Mr. Hopkins also asserts that Ms. Hopkins unlawfully disposed of marital assets. We affirm in part and modify in part.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Ben W. Hooper, II |
Sevier County | Court of Appeals | 06/26/02 | |
| State of Tennessee v. Herman Holston
W2001-02004-CCA-R3-CD
The appellant, Herman Holston, was convicted after a trial by jury of sale of cocaine, a Class C felony, and was sentenced as a Range II offender to eight years and six months confinement in the Department of Correction. On appeal, Holston raises the following issues for our review: (1) whether the evidence was sufficient to support the verdict, and (2) whether his sentence was proper. After a review of the record, we find that Holston's issues are without merit. Accordingly, the judgment of the Shelby County Criminal Court is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Judge Chris B. Craft |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/26/02 | |
| State of Tennessee v. Patsy Webster
W2001-01908-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Patsy Webster, appeals the Henry County Circuit Court's ordering her to serve one year of her effective two-year sentence in continuous confinement. She claims that the trial court erred in requiring her to serve a full year in jail because she was eligible as a Range I offender with only a two-year sentence for release after serving thirty percent of her sentence. The state agrees. We hold that the defendant was improperly sentenced and remand the case for resentencing.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge Julian P. Guinn |
Henry County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/26/02 | |
| State of Tennessee v. Judy Johnson and Stanley Johnson
W2001-01272-CCA-R3-CD
The husband and wife defendants, Stanley and Judy Johnson, were convicted of eleven counts of cruelty to animals, as the result of conditions at a kennel in Gibson County where they were keeping approximately 350 dogs. Stanley Johnson was sentenced to eleven months and twenty-nine days on each count, with all sentences to be served concurrently, and, as to these sentences, to serve ninety days in the county jail with the remainder on probation. Judy Johnson was sentenced, likewise, to eleven months and twenty-nine days on each count, with all sentences to be served concurrently, but she was to serve six months before being put on probation. Both defendants were fined $1000 in each of the eleven counts. On appeal, they argue that the trial court erred in allowing testimony as to a prior similar complaint against Stanley Johnson and in denying total probation for both. Additionally, they argue that the proof is insufficient to sustain the verdicts. We affirm the judgments of conviction.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge George R. Ellis |
Gibson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/26/02 | |
| Jimmy Pardue vs. Theresa Pardue
W2001-01731-COA-R3-CV
This is an appeal from the trial court's decision denying appellant's motion to void an Irreconcilable Differences divorce decree because it was granted within ninety-days of the divorce's filing. Though the appellant sought the voiding of the decree as alternative relief, it appears the essence of the relief sought is child support modification. Thus, the attempt to void the decree is a collateral attack on the judgment and the ninety-day requirement cannot be used in a collateral attack to void a divorce decree.
Authoring Judge: Judge D'Army Bailey
Originating Judge:Dewey C. Whitenton |
Fayette County | Court of Appeals | 06/26/02 | |
| State of Tennessee v. Judy Johnson and Stanley Johnson - Concurring
W2001-01272-CCA-R3-CD
While I concur in the result reached by the majority, I disagree on three points. First, it is my view that the trial court erred by permitting the state to cross-examine Stanley Johnson on a 1993 animal cruelty charge that did not result in a conviction. Tennessee Rule of Evidence 608 permits limited use of character evidence for impeachment purposes. Rule 608 provides in pertinent part as follows:
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R. Wade
Originating Judge:Judge George R. Ellis |
Gibson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/26/02 | |
| Erin Moneymaker Earley v. Robert A. Moneymaker
2001-02462-COA-R3-CV
Originating Judge:William E. Lantrip |
Anderson County | Court of Appeals | 06/26/02 | |
| Richard Taylor vs Steven Burleson
E2001-02381-COA-R3-CV
In this declaratory judgment action, plaintiffs lot owners, sought to invalidate subdivision restrictive covenants on grounds other lot owners had violated the restrictions. The Trial Court refused. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Thomas J. Seeley, Jr. |
Washington County | Court of Appeals | 06/25/02 | |
| Kasiea Chance vs. Carl Gibson
E2001-02836-COA-R3-JV
This is a suit by Kasiea Delawn Chance, adult daughter of Kayla D. Leonard, and Ms. Leonard, who joins in the prosecution of this suit against Carl Dennis Gibson, Jr., seeking to establish his paternity as to Ms. Chance and recover support from the date of Ms. Chance's birth, medical expenses incident thereto, and attorney fees. We affirm in part; vacate in part and remand.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Jeffrey D. Rader |
Sevier County | Court of Appeals | 06/25/02 |
