APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

Bobby Conlee vs. Juanita Conlee

W2000-00471-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves a divorce ending a fourteen year marriage. The trial court granted the husband a divorce and divided the property. On appeal, the wife takes issue with the division of marital property, and the failure of the trial court to award her alimony or attorney's fees. For the following reasons, we affirm the judgment of the trial court in all respects.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Martha B. Brasfield
Tipton County Court of Appeals 10/17/00
State vs. Chester Lebron Bennett

E2000-02735-CCA-RM-CD
This case presents an appeal to this court after remand by order of the Tennessee Supreme Court. The Appellant, Chester Lebron Bennett, pled guilty to five counts of criminal exposure to HIV and was sentenced to five concurrent four-year Department of Correction sentences. This court, on direct appeal, remanded the case to the trial court for consideration of alternative sentencing. See State v. Chester Lebron Bennett, No. 03C01-9810-CR-00346 (Tenn. Crim. App. at Knoxville, July 28, 1999), perm. to appeal granted, (Tenn. Oct. 16, 2000). Subsequent to this court's decision, the supreme court released its decision in the case of State v. Daryl Hooper, No. M1997-00031-SCR-11-CD (Tenn. at Nashville, Sept. 21, 2000) (for publication). In State v. Daryl Hooper, the court announced new sentencing considerations regarding the need for deterrence as grounds for denying an alternative sentence. In light of its decision in State v. Daryl Hooper, the court remanded the case to this court for reconsideration. See State v. Chester Lebron Bennett, No. E1998-00614-SC-R11-CD (Tenn. at Knoxville, Oct. 16, 2000). After revisiting this issue under the standards announced in State v. Daryl Hooper, we affirm the trial court's denial of alternative sentencing.
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Stephen M. Bevil
Hamilton County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/16/00
State vs. Michael Cook

W2001-01539-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant, Michael Joseph Cook, was convicted of driving under the influence, second offense. The trial court sentenced him to 11 months and 29 days and required him to serve six months of that sentence in the local jail. On appeal, the Defendant contends that (1) the evidence was insufficient to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and (2) the trial court improperly sentenced the Defendant. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:William B. Acree
Obion County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/14/00
State vs. Michael Cook

W2001-01539-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant, Michael Joseph Cook, was convicted of driving under the influence, second offense. The trial court sentenced him to 11 months and 29 days and required him to serve six months of that sentence in the local jail. On appeal, the Defendant contends that (1) the evidence was insufficient to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and (2) the trial court improperly sentenced the Defendant. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:William B. Acree
Obion County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/14/00
City of Springfield vs. Hobson Cleaning, Inc., et al

M2000-01114-COA-R3-CV
This case involves a contract between the City of Springfield and defendant, United Services Unlimited, formerly Hobson Cleaning, to clean the floors of the police department. Defendant appeals whether the evidence preponderated against the judgment of the trial court. We affirm the judgment.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:James E. Walton
Robertson County Court of Appeals 10/13/00
William Henderson vs. Donal Campbell

M2000-00411-COA-R3-CV
This is an appeal by a prison inmate from a dismissal of his suit for declaratory judgment in the Chancery Court of Davidson County. The trial court dismissed the claim pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated section 41-21-804 for failure to state a claim on which relief could be granted. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Carol L. Mccoy
Davidson County Court of Appeals 10/13/00
William H. Jett v. State of Tennessee

M1999-01409-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Steve R. Dozier
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/13/00
State vs. James McKinley Cunningham

M1999-01995-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant was convicted by a Grundy County jury of premeditated first degree murder and sentenced to life. In this appeal, he challenges: (1) the sufficiency of the evidence; (2) the admission of a photograph of the victim's body; (3) the exclusion of testimony relating to statements made by the victim; and (4) the evidentiary rulings relating to the victim's propensity toward violence. Upon our review of the record, we find no reversible error and affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Originating Judge:Buddy D. Perry
Grundy County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/13/00
State vs. Coley

M1997-00116-SC-R11-CD
Authoring Judge: Justice Adolpho A. Birch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Donald P. Harris
Williamson County Supreme Court 10/13/00
In re: K.D.D. (DOB 9/20/96) and B.T.D. (DOB 1/13/98)

M2000-01554-COA-R3-JV
The Juvenile Court terminated the parental rights of a mother to her young children. The mother appealed, arguing that she was not given an adequate opportunity to defend those rights. We find that she voluntarily failed to avail herself of the opportunities that were offered to her, and we affirm the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Barry Tatum
Wilson County Court of Appeals 10/13/00
State vs. Thomas Edward Ford

M1999-2362-CCA-R3-CD
The appellant, Thomas Edward Ford, was convicted of Class C felony aggravated assault and Class D vandalism. The Circuit Court of Warren County sentenced the appellant to five years for aggravated assault and two years for vandalism. The sentences were ordered to run consecutively. Upon appeal, the appellant raises the following issues for review: (1) propriety of the five-year sentence; (2) imposition of consecutive sentences; (3) sufficiency of the evidence for aggravated assault; and (4) misleading jury instruction. After review, we find no error. Accordingly, the judgment of the Circuit Court of Warren County is affirmed.

Originating Judge:Charles D. Haston, Sr.
Warren County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/13/00
State vs. Coley

M1997-00116-SC-R11-CD
Authoring Judge: Justice Adolpho A. Birch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Donald P. Harris
Williamson County Supreme Court 10/13/00
State vs. Charles B. Sullivan

M1999-02547-CCA-R3-CD
Charles B. Sullivan entered guilty pleas in the Davidson County Criminal Court to three counts of aggravated rape, one count of especially aggravated burglary, three counts of aggravated burglary, and one count of rape, for which the trial court imposed an effective sentence of fifty-nine years. In this appeal as of right, the appellant contends that the individual sentences are excessive and that partial consecutive sentences are not warranted. After review, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Walter C. Kurtz
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/13/00
Donna Marcom v. Pca Apparel Industries, Inc. and WaUSAu

M2000-00377-WC-R3-CV
The trial court found the plaintiff had suffered an injury arising out of her employment with the defendant and awarded her a vocational disability of sixty (6%) percent to the left leg. The defendant argues that the evidence does not support the award of sixty (6%) percent to the left leg based on an anatomical rating of twelve (12%) percent. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Tom E. Gray, Sp.J.
Originating Judge:John Rollins, Chancellor
Coffee County Workers Compensation Panel 10/13/00
Thomas Gammons v. Peterbilt Motors Company,

M1999-02575-WC-R3-CV
The trial court found the plaintiff had sustained a permanent partial disability to his right arm of sixty percent, which would entitle him to one-hundred twenty weeks of partial permanent disability. The defendant argues the trial judge erred in setting the amount of the award because the treating physician fixed the medical impairment rating at six percent, and the independent medical examiner fixed the rate at thirty-four percent; the trial judge used neither of these ratings to reach the amount awarded. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: John K. Byers, Sr. J.
Originating Judge:J. O. Bond, Judge
Macon County Workers Compensation Panel 10/13/00
Burgess vs. Tie Co. 1, LLC

M1999-02232-COA-R3-CV
In this slip and fall action the Trial Court granted defendant summary judgment. We vacate and remand.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:L. Craig Johnson
Coffee County Court of Appeals 10/12/00
Arms vs. Stanton

M2000-00811-COA-R3-CV
In what started out as an order of protection proceeding but later turned into a "divorce" action, the original plaintiff, James Vertner Arms, who was the counter-defendant in the "divorce" case, filed a third-party action against Richard D. Stanton, individually and doing business as Shiloh Family, Ltd. ("Stanton"). Stanton had purchased a tract of real property from the counter-plaintiff, Tammy Lou Arms, subsequent to the institution of her "divorce" action against Mr. Arms. The trial court determined that Mr. Arms and Tammy Lou Arms were not validly married; it proceeded to set aside the transfer as a fraudulent conveyance and awarded Stanton a judgment against Tammy Lou Arms for $50,000. Stanton appeals, arguing that the trial court erred in setting aside the conveyance. We reverse.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Carol A. Catalano
Montgomery County Court of Appeals 10/12/00
Fain v. Fain

M1999-02261-COA-R3-CV
In this post-divorce proceeding, Clifton Dean Fain ("Father") filed a petition seeking sole custody of the parties' minor child. Susan Lorraine Fain ("Mother") counterclaimed for a modification of the joint custody arrangement or, in the alternative, for sole custody of the child. The trial court awarded Mother sole custody. Father appeals the award of sole custody to Mother. He also challenges the award of attorney's fees to Mother and questions the fairness of the quantum of his visitation time with the child. Mother seeks attorney's fees for this appeal. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Russell Heldman
Williamson County Court of Appeals 10/12/00
General Bancshares vs. Volunteer Bank & Trust

M2000-00231-COA-R3-CV
The Plaintiff, General Bancshares, Inc., filed a declaratory judgment action asking the Trial Court to declare a restrictive covenant in its warranty deed unenforceable. Defendant Volunteer Bank & Trust's predecessor in title of the property at issue originally placed the restriction on the property several years ago. Plaintiff contends, among other arguments, that the restrictive covenant does not bind it as a remote grantee because the restrictive clause does not contain specific "successors and assigns" language. Both parties filed Motions for Summary Judgment, and the Trial Court granted Defendant's Motion. Plaintiff appeals. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:John W. Rollins
Marion County Court of Appeals 10/12/00
Next Generation, Inc. vs. Wal-Mart

M2000-00114-COA-R3-CV
In this contract dispute, the jury awarded damages to Wal-Mart, Inc., and the Trial Court concurred. Next Generation, Inc., appealed raising issues as to the admissibility of evidence and the Trial Court's instructions to the jury. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Thomas W. Brothers
Davidson County Court of Appeals 10/12/00
Next Generation, Inc. vs. Wal-Mart

M2000-00114-COA-R3-CV
In this contract dispute, the jury awarded damages to Wal-Mart, Inc., and the Trial Court concurred. Next Generation, Inc., appealed raising issues as to the admissibility of evidence and the Trial Court's instructions to the jury. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Thomas W. Brothers
Davidson County Court of Appeals 10/12/00
Mandrell vs. McBee

M2000-00108-COA-R3-CV
This is a partnership dispute occasioned by the misappropriation of partnership funds by two of the five partners. In an earlier appeal in this case, this Court affirmed the judgment of the Trial Court awarding damages to the innocent partners but increased the amount of that judgment. This Court then remanded the case to the Trial Court, which heard further proof and made findings as to the distribution of partnership assets. In this appeal, a Defendant partner seeks reversal of the Trial Court's valuation and accounting of the partnership assets and computation of prejudgment interest. We find the concurrent findings of fact by the Special Master and the Trial Court are supported by material evidence in the record, and that the Special Master and the Trial Court properly interpreted this Court's earlier Opinion. Accordingly, we affirm the decision of the Trial Court in all respects.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Robert E. Corlew, III
Rutherford County Court of Appeals 10/12/00
Sweatt vs. Bd. of Paroles

M1999-02265-COA-R3-CV
Appellant Antonio L. Sweatt brings this Petition for a Common Law Writ of Certiorari regarding the Tennessee Board of Paroles' decision to deny him parole based on the seriousness of the offense that he committed. Appellant avers that the Board of Paroles acted illegally or arbitrarily in denying his parole because appellant asserts that his guilty plea agreement included the agreement that he would only serve thirty percent of his twenty-five-year sentence and then he would be released on parole.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Ellen Hobbs Lyle
Davidson County Court of Appeals 10/12/00
Cumberland Bank vs. Smith

M2000-00052-COA-R3-CV
A creditor filed an action to sell a parcel of the debtor's real estate to satisfy a judgment lien on the property. The Chancery Court of Smith County granted the relief requested. The judgment debtor asserts on appeal that the underlying judgment and a nulla bona sheriff's return are void. For the reasons set forth in our opinion below, we affirm the action of the lower court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:C. K. Smith
Smith County Court of Appeals 10/12/00
Mayhew vs. Wilder

M2000-01948-COA-R10-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Hamilton V. Gayden, Jr.
Davidson County Court of Appeals 10/11/00