APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

State of Tennessee v. Arnold L. Jones

II-1-98-353

Originating Judge:Timothy L. Easter
Williamson County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/19/00
Beech vs. Hibbett

M1997-00239-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves a dispute over the proceeds from the Department of Transportation's condemnation of a portion of a tract of real property on Harding Road in Davidson County. When the condemnation took place, a life tenant was occupying the property with a vested remainder interest being held by the life tenant's stepdaughter. Following a disagreement over who should receive the condemnation proceeds, the life tenant's stepdaughter filed suit in the Chancery Court for Davidson County. After the State paid the proceeds into court, the trial court awarded the proceeds to the stepdaughter on the condition that she invest them and share the investment income equally with her stepmother for the duration of the life tenancy. The life tenant has appealed. We have determined that the trial court erred by awarding the condemnation proceeds to the life tenant's stepdaughter and, therefore, reverse the judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Carol L. Mccoy
Davidson County Court of Appeals 07/19/00
Frazier vs. Whisman

M1997-00225-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from the efforts of an inmate of the Tennessee Department of Correction to have his sentence recalculated. The prisoner initially wrote to an employee of the department requesting the recalculation. Ten months after receiving the department's letter denying his request, the prisoner filed a petition for a declaratory judgment in the Chancery Court for Davidson County. The trial court dismissed the petition, and the prisoner appeals. We affirm the trial court because the prisoner did not file his petition within sixty days of the department's decision.
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Carol L. Mccoy
Davidson County Court of Appeals 07/19/00
Donna Martin vs. Mary Coleman, et al

M1999-02238-COA-R3-CV
This is a dispute over real property which was the subject of an installment land sales contract between the parties and over the proceeds of an insurance policy after the dwelling on the property burned. The trial court ordered that the title to the property be divested from the Seller and be vested in the Buyer and that the remaining proceeds of the insurance policy be awarded to Buyer after all overdue payments of taxes and insurance and the incurred clean up costs were deducted. The Seller appeals on the grounds that the evidence was contrary to the judgment and that the plaintiff had breached the contract and is entitled to neither the property nor the insurance proceeds. For the reasons below, we affirm the judgment as modified.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Allen W. Wallace
Humphreys County Court of Appeals 07/19/00
Thomas W. Yelton vs. State

M1999-00597-CCA-R3-PC
The petitioner, Thomas W. Yelton, appeals the denial by the Bedford County Circuit Court of his petition for post-conviction relief from his 1992 convictions of fabricating evidence, theft of property worth more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), coercion of a witness, and harassment. Specifically, he alleges that he is entitled to relief from his convictions because he received ineffective assistance of counsel during trial proceedings. The petitioner predicates his claim of ineffective assistance of counsel upon the following grounds: (1) trial counsel failed to submit to the trial court a motion requesting the severance of his offenses; (2) trial counsel maintained inadequate contact with the petitioner during trial proceedings; (3) trial counsel failed to adequately investigate his case; and (4) trial counsel failed to adequately advise the petitioner concerning the waiver of his right to appeal his convictions. Following a review of the record and the parties' briefs, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:William Charles Lee
Bedford County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/19/00
Tarif vs. Bullion, et al

M1999-00475-COA-R3-CV
Petitioner, a state prisoner, appeals the action of the trial court in dismissing under Tennessee Rule of Civil Procedure 12.02(6) his civil rights complaint. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Donald P. Harris
Hickman County Court of Appeals 07/19/00
State vs. Barry Waters Rogers

M1999-01389-CCA-R3-CD
The appellant, Barry Waters Rogers, appeals his conviction by a jury in the Giles County Circuit Court of driving under the influence of an intoxicant. On appeal, the appellant challenges the sufficiency of the underlying indictment. Following a review of the record and the parties' briefs, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Robert L. Jones
Giles County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/19/00
Davis vs. TN Bd. of Paroles

M2000-00668-COA-R3-CV
This is another in a series of cases filed by a certain prison inmate, Ronald L. Davis, this time seeking the issuance of a common law writ of certiorari on the basis that the Tennessee Board of Probation and Parole improperly refused to grant him early release. The board cited the seriousness of the offense for which he was convicted as the basis for its decision and moved for dismissal of the petition or alternatively for summary judgment. The trial court held this suit to be barred by Tennessee Code Annotated section 41-21-812 which prohibits the filing of subsequent lawsuits by inmates who have unpaid costs related to previous suits. The trial court dismissed this case under Tennessee Code Annotated section 41-21-812 and on the basis that the Petition for Writ of Certiorari failed to state a claim upon which relief could be granted. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Ellen Hobbs Lyle
Davidson County Court of Appeals 07/19/00
State vs. Christina L. Howard

M1999-02473-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant Christina L. Howard was found guilty by a Williamson County jury of possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine in an amount greater than 300 grams, possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. After a sentencing hearing, the trial court sentenced Defendant as a Range I standard offender to concurrent terms of twenty years for cocaine possession, one year for marijuana possession, and one day for possession of drug paraphernalia. Defendant raises the following issues in this appeal: (1) whether the trial court erred when it did not instruct the jury on the lesser-included offense of facilitation of a felony; (2) whether the trial court erred when it sentenced Defendant as a standard offender; and (3) whether the trial court erred when it denied Defendant alternative sentencing. The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Henry D. Bell
Williamson County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/19/00
State vs. James Eric Alder

M1999-02544-CCA-R3-CD
The appellant, James Eric Alder, was convicted by a jury in the Criminal Court for Sequatchie County of one count of aggravated robbery, a class B felony. The trial court sentenced the appellant, as a Range I offender, to ten years incarceration in the Tennessee Department of Correction and assessed a fine of $25,000. The appellant raises the following issue(s) for review: whether the trial court erred in refusing to charge the jury as to aggravated assault, assault, and theft as lesser-included offenses of aggravated robbery. Upon review of the record and the parties' briefs, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Thomas W. Graham
Sequatchie County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/19/00
Hope Cobb v. Advantage Manufacturing Corporation

W1999-01147-WC-R3-CV
This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated _5-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. The employee, Hope Cobb, insists that the trial court erred in dismissing her claim at the conclusion of a bench trial on the grounds that she failed to carry the burden of proof that she had given proper notice of her injury to her employer, Advantage Manufacturing Corporation. The employer moves that we find this appeal to be frivolous and grant attorney fees and expenses incurred as a result of this appeal. For the reasons stated in this opinion, We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Weatherford, Sr. J.
Originating Judge:George R. Ellis, Chancellor
Crockett County Workers Compensation Panel 07/19/00
Michael Youmans vs. Samuel Coleman

W2000-00150-COA-R3-CV
This is a construction case. The general contractor sued the homeowner for failing to make payment under the contract and for failing to pay for "extras" not contained in the original contract. The homeowner asserted that the general contractor failed to make certain corrections to the home, and that he did not agree to pay for "extras." After a bench trial, the trial court held for the homeowner. The general contractor appeals. We affirm, finding that the trial court's decision was based on its determination of the credibility of the witnesses.
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Julian P. Guinn
Carroll County Court of Appeals 07/19/00
State vs. Jere Joseph

W1999-00651-CCA-R3-PC
The petitioner, Jere Lowell Joseph, Jr., appeals two post-conviction cases, claiming that the trial court erred in holding that the petitioner received the effective assistance of counsel in both cases. We affirm the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:J. Steven Stafford
Dyer County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/19/00
The Bogatin Law Firm vs. Hallum Motors

W2000-00409-COA-R3-CV
Appellee, an Arkansas corporation, and Appellant, a Delaware corporation authorized to do business in Arkansas and Tennessee, entered into an asset sales agreement for the sale and purchase of assets relating to an automobile dealership in West Memphis, Arkansas. Earnest money was placed in escrow with the Bogatin Law Firm, PLC in Memphis, Tennessee. Dispute concerning the asset sales agreement arose, and both parties made claim to the earnest money. The Bogatin Law Firm filed a complaint for interpleader in Shelby County, Tennessee. Appellee filed a motion to dismiss based upon improper venue which the trial court granted. We reverse, finding that venue in Shelby County was proper and that Appellee submitted to jurisdiction in Shelby County, Tennessee.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Floyd Peete, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Appeals 07/19/00
State vs. Barry Speck

W1999-00436-CCA-R3-PC
The petitioner, Barry L. Speck, appeals the trial court's denial of his petition for post-conviction relief. The state contends that the petition should have been dismissed because of the statute of limitations. The petitioner contends that he received the ineffective assistance of counsel because his attorney failed to use documents provided by the petitioner to impeach the state's witnesses and to provide an alibi for dates listed in the bill of particulars. We hold that the petition was properly considered on its merits, but we affirm the trial court's denial of post-conviction relief.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:John P. Colton, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/19/00
William Andrew Dixon vs. Flora J. Holland, Warden

M1999-02494-CCA-R3-PC
William Andrew Dixon was convicted of kidnapping for ransom in violation of Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-2603 in April 1981 in the Circuit Court of Dickson County. The offense was committed in April 1978. Between the time of the offense in 1978, and the time of trial in 1981, kidnapping for ransom was redesignated by the legislature as the offense of aggravated kidnapping; the maximum punishment was reduced by the legislature from life imprisonment without parole to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole. The Tennessee Department of Correction maintains that it is incarcerating Petitioner under a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Petitioner filed a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus in the Criminal Court of Davidson County, asserting the judgment is illegal and void. The petition was denied. The judgment is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Seth W. Norman
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/18/00
State vs. Marcus Morrow

M1999-00769-CCA-R3-CD
The appellant, the State of Tennessee, appeals the order of the Maury County Circuit Court permitting the appellee, Marcus Morrow, to participate in a work release program during his forty-five-day incarceration for driving under the influence of an intoxicant (DUI), second offense. Following a review of the record and the parties' briefs, we reverse the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Jim T. Hamilton
Maury County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/18/00
Henry Eugene Hodges vs. State

M1999-00516-CCA-R3-PD
The appellant, Henry Eugene Hodges, seeks post-conviction relief from his 1992 first degree murder conviction and sentence of death. The Davidson County Criminal Court denied the appellant's petition and this appeal was taken. This court is presented with the following issues: (1) the effectiveness of trial counsel; (2) the post-conviction court's failure to provide funds for expert services; and (3) the post-conviction court's denial of a continuance and refusal to bifurcate the post-conviction evidentiary hearing. Following review of the record, we conclude (1) the appellant was not denied the effective assistance of counsel; (2) the post-conviction court properly denied the appellant's request for funds for additional expert services; and (3) the post-conviction court properly denied the appellant's request for a continuance of the evidentiary hearing. Accordingly, we affirm the post-conviction court's finding that the appellant is not entitled to post-conviction relief.
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Walter C. Kurtz
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/18/00
State vs. Reginald Tyrone Donnell

M1999-02184-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant, Reginald Tyrone Donnell, was indicted on two counts of first degree murder. A Wilson County jury found him guilty of two counts of second degree murder. Following a sentencing hearing, the trial court sentenced the Defendant to twenty-five (25) years in the Department of Correction for each count, with the sentences to run consecutively. The Defendant now appeals contending: 1) the evidence was insufficient to support convictions of second degree murder, 2) the trial court failed to exclude autopsy photographs of the victims, 3) the sentences imposed by the trial court were excessive, and 4) the trial court erred in ordering consecutive sentences. After review of the record, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:J. O. Bond
Wilson County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/18/00
Karen Garrett Humphries v. David Alison Humphries

E1999-02694-R3-CV

Originating Judge:Jean A. Stanley
Washington County Court of Appeals 07/18/00
Ronald Bradford Waller vs. State

E1999-02034-CCA-R3-PC
The petitioner was convicted in the Hamilton County Criminal Court in 1992 of first degree murder, especially aggravated robbery, and theft over $1,000, receiving an effective sentence of life plus twenty-three years. The convictions and sentences were affirmed on direct appeal in 1993; and the petitioner subsequently filed a petition for post-conviction relief, presenting as issues, whether there was a variance between the indictment and the proof, whether he was improperly compelled to participate in a courtroom demonstration, whether he received ineffective assistance of counsel at trial and on direct appeal, whether his convictions constitute double jeopardy, whether the trial court erred in evidentiary rulings, whether he was improperly convicted because of prosecutorial misconduct or cumulative errors at the trial, and whether his convictions amount to a miscarriage of justice. Finding no error, we affirm the judgment of the trial court denying the petition for post-conviction relief.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Douglas A. Meyer
Hamilton County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/18/00
Ann Phillips v. Marvin Windows

W1999-02243-WC-R3-CV
This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated _5-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. The defendant, Marvin Windows (Marvin), appeals the judgment of the Lauderdale Chancery Court awarding the plaintiff, Ann Phillips (Phillips), permanent partial disability of seventeen percent (17%) to the body as a whole.
Authoring Judge: William Michael Maloan, Special Judge
Originating Judge:Martha B. Brasfield, Chancellor
Lauderdale County Workers Compensation Panel 07/18/00
Robert B. Clark v. State of Tennessee

W2007-01440-CCA-R3-PC
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Lee V. Coffee
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 07/18/00
M2008-01607-COA-R3-PT

M2008-01607-COA-R3-PT
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Steven Stafford
Originating Judge:Larry G. Ross
Warren County Court of Appeals 07/17/00
Hansom Davis vs. Alfred Earls

W2000-00280-COA-R3-CV
This is a suit by a prisoner against his former lawyer. The prisoner, convicted of rape and other crimes, was represented by the defendant, a former assistant public defender, in an unsuccessful attempt to obtain post-conviction relief. The prisoner later sought post conviction relief again in Circuit Court, proffering an affidavit purportedly signed by his victim recanting her statement that the prisoner had raped her. By this time, the defendant was no longer an assistant public defender, but had become employed as an assistant district attorney general. The defendant received information that the affidavit proffered by the prisoner was a forgery, and instigated proceedings that led to the prisoner's indictment for subornation of perjury. The prisoner sued the defendant attorney for breach of contract, official misconduct, and negligence per se. The trial court granted the defendant's motion to dismiss and/or for summary judgment. The prisoner appeals, and we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Joe C. Morris
Madison County Court of Appeals 07/14/00