APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

Michael Couillard vs. Martha Couillard

E2001-01770-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Thomas J. Seeley, Jr.
Carter County Court of Appeals 05/14/02
Michael Couillard vs. Martha Couillard

E2001-01770-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Thomas J. Seeley, Jr.
Carter County Court of Appeals 05/14/02
Michael Watkins v. Greg Fitzgerald

M2000-03197-COA-R3-CV
This case originated in the General Sessions Court of Davidson County wherein Greg Fitzgerald filed an unlawful detainer warrant against Michael Watkins relative to real property at 1127 Delmas Avenue in Nashville. Then, Michael Watkins filed an action against Fitzgerald for wrongfully evicting him from the same property. Mr. Watkins then filed a civil warrant against Constance Regina Wilson and Curtis Sharp, Jr. for breach of contract asserting an agreement between the parties relative to the same real estate. Judgments of the general sessions court were appealed to the circuit court, consolidated and heard in circuit to the end that circuit court judgments were rendered in favor of Fitzgerald, Wilson and Sharp, and against Michael Watkins. From these judgments Watkins appeals and we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Carol L. Soloman
Davidson County Court of Appeals 05/14/02
Christine Bilyeu vs. Bobby Bilyeu

E2001-01556-COA-R3-CV
The Trial Court ordered the parties divorced and classified and divided marital property. Both parties appeal. We affirm, as modified.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Steven C. Douglas
Cumberland County Court of Appeals 05/14/02
State v. William R. Stevens

M1999-02067-SC-DDT-DD
Authoring Judge: Justice William M. Barker
Originating Judge:Steve R. Dozier
Davidson County Supreme Court 05/14/02
Emily Lewis vs. Life Care Centers of America

E2001-01812-COA-R3-CV
Emily Lewis, a student enrolled in a Certified Nursing Assistant's training program operated and supervised by Nursetrainers, Inc., sues Life Care Centers of America, Inc. The suit seeks damages for injuries resulting to Ms. Lewis, who was taking training to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. As a result of Life Care's negligence, the original complaint alleged several other causes of action, all of which have been abandoned on appeal. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:L. Marie Williams
Hamilton County Court of Appeals 05/14/02
Roy Gray vs. Nancy Gray

E2001-02470-COA-R3-CV
In this divorce case from the Circuit Court for Knox County the Appellant, Roy William Gray, contends that the Trial Court erred in failing to disqualify counsel for the Appellee, Nancy Jane Gray. Mr. Gray further contends that the Court erred in dividing the marital assets, in granting both parties a divorce, and in awarding Ms. Gray post trial attorney's fees. Ms. Gray asserts that she should be reimbursed for attorney's fees incurred by her in responding to this appeal upon the grounds that the appeal is frivolous and devoid of merit. The judgment of the Trial Court is affirmed in part and reversed in part.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Bill Swann
Knox County Court of Appeals 05/14/02
State of Tennessee v. Roger Edward Edwards

E2001-00705-CCA-R3-CD

Defendant appeals the trial court's denial of defendant's request to withdraw his guilty plea and motion for a new trial. On appeal, defendant has two assertions: (1) he received ineffective assistance of counsel and (2) the State committed a Brady violation. Concluding that defendant received effective assistance of counsel and did not demonstrate a Brady violation, we affirm the trial court's judgment.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge E. Shayne Sexton
Claiborne County Court of Criminal Appeals 05/14/02
State v. William R. Stevens

M1999-02067-SC-DDT-DD
Authoring Judge: Justice William M. Barker
Originating Judge:Steve R. Dozier
Davidson County Supreme Court 05/14/02
James Williams v. Salvadore Valdez v. TAPCO Underwriters

M2001-00666-COA-R3-CV
In an action brought by an insured against his insurer for indemnity, the trial court entered judgment after the defendant insurer moved for involuntary dismissal under Tenn. R. Civ. P. 41.02. We vacate the judgment and remand. In an action brought by an insured against his insurer for indemnity, the trial court entered judgment after the defendant insurer moved for involuntary dismissal under Tenn. R. Civ. P. 41.02. We vacate the judgment and remand.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Carol L. Soloman
Davidson County Court of Appeals 05/14/02
Jan W. Gamble v. Alex Grady Gamble, Iii

2001-01392-COA-R3-CV

Originating Judge:L. Marie Williams
Hamilton County Court of Appeals 05/14/02
Christina Fortenberry vs. G.T.George

E2000-02984-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Dale C. Workman
Knox County Court of Appeals 05/14/02
Christina Fortenberry vs. G.T.George

E2000-02984-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Dale C. Workman
Knox County Court of Appeals 05/14/02
William J. Vincent v. Reid Troutman, Executor, Et Al.

2001-03035-COA-R3-CV

Originating Judge:Billy Joe White
Campbell County Court of Appeals 05/13/02
Donald R. Moore v. L and D Transportation

E2000-02779-WC-R3-CV
The trial court found the plaintiff had suffered a compensable back injury and awarded 35 percent permanent partial disability. The plaintiff has three prior awards of workers' compensation benefits beginning in 1975 with an award of 7 percent for an injury to his left hand, which translates into 2.625 percent to the body as a whole, and, for back injuries, an award in 198 of 25 percent to the body as a whole and in 1998, an award of 59.718 percent to the body as a whole from the State of Kentucky. The trial court apportioned 12.657 percent to the defendant and the balance to the Second Injury Fund. The employer questions whether the evidence supports a finding that the plaintiff suffered a work-related injury resulting in 35 percent disability. The plaintiff appeals and argues he is permanently and totally disabled. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: John K. Byers, Sr. J.
Originating Judge:John F. Weaver, Chancellor
Moore County Workers Compensation Panel 05/13/02
John Marshall v. Sverdrup Technologies, Inc.

M2000-02951-WC-R3-CV
The employer appeals an award of permanent total disability benefits to age 65, and the Second Injury Fund appeals the apportionment of liability for 3 percent of the benefits to the Fund. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Howell N. Peoples, Special Judge
Originating Judge:Jeffrey Stewart, Chancellor
Marshall County Workers Compensation Panel 05/13/02
Herschel Edwin Luna v. Gaf Fiberglass Corporation,

M2001-01155-WC-R3-CV
In this appeal, the employer insists (1) the claim is barred by Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-23 and (2) the trial court's award of permanent partial disability benefits based on 1 percent hearing loss is excessive. As discussed below, the panel has concluded the judgment should be affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Joe C. Loser, Jr., Sp. J.
Originating Judge:Carol Soloman, Judge
Davidson County Workers Compensation Panel 05/13/02
State of Tennessee v. Tracy T. Bostic

M2000-02941-CCA-R3-CD

The Williamson County Grand Jury returned separate, one-count presentments against the defendant, Tracy T. Bostic, charging him with felony sale or delivery of a controlled substance, in violation of Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-17-417, and with felony sale or delivery of a counterfeit controlled substance, in violation of Code section 39-17-423. The defendant was tried and convicted on the controlled substance charge, and the trial court imposed an incarcerative sentence of nine years as a Range II, multiple offender and assessed a $25,000 fine. The defendant elected to forego a trial on the counterfeit controlled substance charge, and he entered a “blind” guilty plea to that offense, for which he received a three-year incarcerative sentence as a Range II, multiple offender, which was ordered to be served consecutively to the nine-year sentence. On appeal, the defendant contests the sufficiency of the evidence upon which his controlled substance conviction rests, and he complains about the length and manner of service of his combined sentences and about the $25,000 fine. Based upon our review of the video record in this case and our consideration of the briefs of the parties and applicable law, we affirm the defendant’s convictions and the incarcerative portion of his sentences, but we modify the $25,000 fine imposed to $15,000.

Authoring Judge: Judge James Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Timothy L. Easter
Williamson County Court of Criminal Appeals 05/13/02
Durnelco, Inc. vs. Double James

E2001-02010-COA-R3-CV
This case involves the interpretation of a commercial lease agreement. The tenant, Durnelco, Inc. ("Durnelco"), filed a complaint for declaratory judgment, seeking a declaration that it properly terminated the lease agreement on July 31, 2000. Durnelco also asked that it be permitted to remove, at its expense, certain improvements made by it to the leasehold premises, including some flooring, walls, doors, windows, bathroom fixtures, and exterior decking. The present landlord, Double James, LLC ("Double James"), answered and filed a counterclaim asserting that Durnelco had breached the lease and had refused to surrender possession of the premises. It sought damages as a result of Durnelco's alleged holdover tenancy. The trial court allowed Durnelco to remove only two signs and certain light fixtures. The court awarded Double James $7,000 in rent for the period of July through December, 2000. Durnelco appeals. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:W. Frank Brown, III
Hamilton County Court of Appeals 05/13/02
In Re: Madelanie Redman, Ray & Martha Bowen v. Nathan Redman

E2001-02730-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Kindall T. Lawson
Hawkins County Court of Appeals 05/13/02
In Re: Mackenzie J. Marlowe, Gregory Marlowe v. Stacy

E2002-00105-COA-R3-JV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:John W. Walton
Unicoi County Court of Appeals 05/13/02
In Re: Madelanie Redman, Ray & Martha Bowen v. Nathan Redman

E2001-02730-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Hawkins County Court of Appeals 05/13/02
April Grant Ingle vs. Robert Wayne Ingle

E2001-02802-COA-R3-CV
This is a post-divorce case. The parties were divorced in 1998. On September 21, 2000, April Grant Ingle ("Mother") filed a petition to modify the parties' divorce judgment. She alleged that Robert Wayne Ingle ("Father") had been unemployed at the time of the divorce, and, consequently, was not ordered to pay child support. She further alleged that he had subsequently become employed and that he should now be ordered to pay child support computed pursuant to the Tennessee Child Support Guidelines ("the Guidelines"). Mother also sought to modify Father's visitation as set forth in the divorce judgment. After comparing the parties' respective incomes, the trial court ordered Father to pay child support of $177 per month. Mother appeals. We vacate the trial court's child support award and the effective date of that award. The remainder of the trial court's order is affirmed. This case is remanded to the trial court for such additional proceedings as may be necessary and for the entry of an order consistent with this opinion.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:W. Neil Thomas, III
Hamilton County Court of Appeals 05/13/02
John Sicard vs. Leon Williams, Inc.

E2001-02928-COA-R3-CV
The Trial Court awarded plaintiff commission under Agreement between the parties. On appeal, we reverse on grounds that plaintiff's misrepresentation in procuring a contract with a third party, denied his contractual right to the commission.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:W. Dale Young
Blount County Court of Appeals 05/13/02
E2001-02926-COA-R3-CV

E2001-02926-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:W. Dale Young
Blount County Court of Appeals 05/13/02