Marquica L. Beasley Et Al. v. Jae Nails Bar, LLC
M2022-01330-COA-R3-CV
This is a premises liability action in which the plaintiff slipped and fell while she was walking to a pedicure station in a nail salon. Two principal issues are presented. First, the plaintiff contends that the trial court erred by denying her Tenn. R. Civ. P. 34A.02 motion for spoliation of evidence by finding that the defendant was not put on notice that a video recording from a surveillance camera in the nail salon was relevant to pending or reasonably foreseeable litigation. Second, the plaintiff contends that the trial court erred by summarily dismissing her complaint on the basis that there was no proof that the defendant had created the allegedly hazardous condition in the nail salon or that the defendant had actual or constructive notice of the condition. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Frank G. Clement, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Thomas W. Brothers |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 12/11/23 | |
Darrell Tipton, Et Al. v. William J. Wolfenbarger, Et Al.
E2022-01407-COA-R3-CV
This case stems from a dispute over a parcel of real property located in Monroe County,
Authoring Judge: Judge Kristi M. Davis
Originating Judge:Judge J. Michael Sharp |
Court of Appeals | 12/11/23 | ||
Henry Moore v. State of Tennessee
W2023-00798-CCA-R3-PC
The pro se petitioner, Henry Moore, appeals the denial of his petition for post-conviction
Authoring Judge: Judge James Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Mark Hayes |
Dyer County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 12/11/23 | |
State of Tennessee v. Darious Gory
W2023-00062-CCA-R3-CD
A Shelby County jury convicted the defendant of rape of a child for which he received a
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Ross Dyer
Originating Judge:Judge Chris Craft |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 12/11/23 | |
Donald Gwin v. State of Tennessee
W2022-01704-CCA-R3-PC
The Petitioner, Donald Gwin, appeals from the Shelby County Criminal Court’s denial of
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert H. Montgomery, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Jennifer Johnson Mitchell |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 12/11/23 | |
State of Tennessee v. Robert Leroy Littleton, III
E2022-00858-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Robert Leroy Littleton, III, appeals his Johnson County Criminal Court
Authoring Judge: Judge James Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Lisa N. Rice |
Johnson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 12/11/23 | |
Aurora Loan Services, LLC, et al. v. Frederick J. Elam, et al.
W2023-00905-COA-R3-CV
The notice of appeal in this case was not timely filed. Therefore, this Court lacks
Authoring Judge: Per Curiam
Originating Judge:Judge Kasey Culbreath |
Fayette County | Court of Appeals | 12/11/23 | |
Corey Andrew Tate v. Andrea Nicole Jones
E2022-01524-COA-R3-JV
This is an appeal by Father of a judgment rendered against him for child support. Because
Authoring Judge: Judge Arnold B. Goldin
Originating Judge:Judge Timothy E. Irwin |
Court of Appeals | 12/08/23 | ||
Elvin Pearson v. State of Tennessee
M2021-01560-CCA-R3-PC
A Davidson County jury convicted the Petitioner, Elvin Pearson, of one count of felony murder and two counts of attempted first degree murder, for which he received an effective sentence of life imprisonment. He filed a timely petition for post-conviction relief, which the post-conviction court denied after a hearing. On appeal, pro se, he contends that the post-conviction court erred when it denied him relief because: (1) the trial court committed plain error when it failed to give correct and complete jury instructions, denied his judgment of acquittal, and merged the offense of attempted voluntary manslaughter into felony murder; (2) he was deprived of his Sixth Amendment right to the effective assistance of counsel based on trial counsel’s failure to move to dismiss the indictment; and (3) the State violated Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 87 (1963), by failing to disclose a witness prior to trial. He further contends that: (4) his post-conviction counsel deprived him of a full and fair post-conviction hearing by not presenting the mother of his children, Diane Reid, as a witness, not asking trial counsel questions relevant to his issues, and failing to investigate the subject matter of his questions; and (5) the post-conviction court erred when it did not allow post-conviction counsel to withdraw from the case and denied the Petitioner the opportunity to address the court. Upon review, we affirm the post-conviction court’s judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Originating Judge:Judge Monte Watkins |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 12/08/23 | |
The State Of Tennessee on behalf of Bledsoe County, Tennessee Et Al v. Whoriskey, Inc.
E2023-00505-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from an action to recover delinquent ad valorem real property taxes.
Authoring Judge: Judge Frank G. Clement, Jr.
Originating Judge:Chancellor Melissa Thomas Willis |
Court of Appeals | 12/08/23 | ||
In Re Aubria H. et al.
M2023-00329-COA-R3-PT
This appeal involves the termination of a mother’s parental rights to two minor children. The trial court concluded that several grounds for termination existed and that the termination of the mother’s parental rights was in the best interests of the children. Although we vacate two grounds for termination, we affirm the trial court’s reliance on the remaining grounds for termination and its best interests determination. The trial court’s termination of the mother’s parental rights is accordingly affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Arnold B. Goldin
Originating Judge:Judge Haylee Bradley-Maples |
Humphreys County | Court of Appeals | 12/08/23 | |
Elvin Pearson v. State of Tennessee (dissenting)
M2021-01560-CCA-R3-PC
An attorney’s failure to fulfill a promise made in opening statements “may be justified when ‘unexpected developments warrant changes in previously announced trial strategies.’” United States ex rel. Hampton v. Leibach, 347 F.3d 219, 257 (7th Cir. 2003) (quoting Ouber v. Guarino, 293 F.3d 19, 29 (1st Cir. 2002) (emphasis added)). Otherwise, “little is more damaging than to fail to produce important evidence that had been promised in an opening [statement].” Anderson v. Butler, 858 F.2d 16, 17 (1st Cir. 1988), aff’d sub nom. Commonwealth v. Anderson, 408 Mass. 803, 563 N.E.2d 1353 (1990). The reason being that the jury may infer that the testimony would have been adverse to the defendant and may also question the attorney’s credibility. Hampton, 347 F.3d at 259. Because the record in this case clearly shows that no unexpected developments occurred which justified trial counsel’s decision not to call Reid, the only alibi witness, as promised in the opening statement, I must part ways with the majority and respectfully dissent.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Camille R. McMullen
Originating Judge:Judge Monte Watkins |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 12/08/23 | |
Antoine Hinton v. State of Tennessee
W2022-01135-CCA-R3-PC
The Petitioner, Antoine Hinton, appeals from the Shelby County Criminal Court’s denial
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert H. Montgomery, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Chris Craft |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 12/08/23 | |
State of Tennessee v. Hamid Houbbadi
M2022-01751-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant, Hamid Houbbadi, was convicted by a Montgomery County Circuit Court jury of first degree premediated murder, first degree felony murder, and especially aggravated burglary, for which he received an effective sentence of life plus twelve years. The Defendant raises three issues on appeal: (1) whether the evidence is sufficient to sustain his convictions; (2) whether the trial court erred by admitting orders of protection the victim obtained against the Defendant; and (3) whether the trial court erred in imposing a twelve-year sentence for his especially aggravated burglary conviction and ordering that it be served consecutively to his life sentence. Based on our review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge John W. Campbell, Sr.
Originating Judge:Judge Robert Bateman |
Montgomery County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 12/08/23 | |
Lee Ann Polster v. Russell Joseph Polster
M2022-01432-COA-R3-CV
In the prior appeal of this case, a husband’s argument regarding the division of assets/unconscionability of the marital dissolution agreement was deemed waived because it was not raised in the trial court. The case was remanded for a determination of attorney’s fees. The husband attempted to bring the issue up again on remand, and the trial court refused to consider them. We affirm based on waiver and the narrow scope of the remand.
Authoring Judge: Judge Andy D. Bennett
Originating Judge:Chancellor Ted A. Crozier |
Montgomery County | Court of Appeals | 12/08/23 | |
Hartwell D. Price v. State of Tennessee
M2022-01556-CCA-R3-HC
The Appellant, Hartwell D. Price, appeals the trial court’s summary dismissal of his petition for habeas corpus relief. The State has filed a motion asking this Court to affirm pursuant to Court of Criminal Appeals Rule 20. Said motion is hereby granted.
Authoring Judge: Judge Jill Bartee Ayers
Originating Judge:Chancellor Christopher V. Sockwell |
Wayne County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 12/08/23 | |
State of Tennessee v. Deirdre Marie Rich
M2022-00435-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant, Deirdre Marie Rich, appeals from her conviction for first degree premediated murder, for which she received a sentence of life imprisonment. Defendant contends that: (1) the evidence is insufficient to support her conviction; (2) the trial court erred by failing to instruct the jury on self-defense; and (3) the trial court erred in admitting entries from the victim’s ex-wife’s journal in violation of Defendant’s right to confrontation. Following a thorough review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert L. Holloway, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Larry J. Wallace |
Dickson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 12/08/23 | |
Susan Davis Malone v. Thomas Franklin Malone - DISSENT
W2023-00843-COA-T10B-CV
I respectfully dissent from the majority's holding that recusal of the trial judge is
Authoring Judge: Judge Kenny Armstrong
Originating Judge:Judge Joe Townsend |
Shelby County | Court of Appeals | 12/06/23 | |
Susan Davis Malone v. Thomas Franklin Malone
W2023-00843-COA-T10B-CV
This is an interlocutory appeal as of right, pursuant to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 10B,
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas R. Frierson, II
Originating Judge:Judge Joe Townsend |
Shelby County | Court of Appeals | 12/06/23 | |
Courtney Logan v. Lisa Helton, et al.
W2023-00063-COA-R3-CV
Appellant, Courtney Logan, appealed a December 7, 2022 order of the Hardeman County
Authoring Judge: Per Curiam
Originating Judge:Judge Kasey Culbreath |
Hardeman County | Court of Appeals | 12/06/23 | |
In Re Conservatorship of Susan Davis Malone
W2023-00841-COA-T10B-CV
This is an interlocutory appeal as of right, pursuant to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 10B,
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas Frierson, II
Originating Judge:Judge Joe Townsend |
Shelby County | Court of Appeals | 12/06/23 | |
In Re Conservatorship of Susan Davis Malone - DISSENT
W2023-00841-COA-T10B-CV
I respectfully dissent from the majority's holding that recusal of the trial judge is
Authoring Judge: Judge Kenny Armstrong
Originating Judge:Judge Joe Townsend |
Shelby County | Court of Appeals | 12/06/23 | |
State of Tennessee v. David Elias Hernandez Sanchez
M2023-00180-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, David Elias Hernandez Sanchez, appeals the Montgomery County Circuit Court’s denial of his bid for judicial diversion of the four-year sentence imposed for his guilty-pleaded conviction of aggravated assault. Discerning no error, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge James Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Robert Bateman |
Montgomery County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 12/05/23 | |
Penny Lawson, et al. v. Hawkins County, TN et al.
E2020-01529-COA-R3-CV
This appeal concerns governmental immunity. Steven W. Lawson (“Decedent”), by and through his widow, Penny Lawson, and on behalf of Corey Lawson, Decedent’s child (“Plaintiffs,” collectively), sued the Hawkins County Emergency Communications District Board (“ECD-911”), Hawkins County, Tennessee, and Hawkins County Emergency Management Agency (“the EMA”) (“Defendants,” collectively) in the Circuit Court for
Authoring Judge: Judge D. Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Judge Alex E. Pearson |
Hawkins County | Court of Appeals | 12/05/23 | |
In Re Jonah B.
E2022-01701-COA-R3-PT
Father appeals the termination of his parental rights to his child, who was nearly three years old at the time of trial. On appeal, Father disputes that termination of his parental rights is in the child’s best interest. We affirm the trial court’s determinations as to both the ground for termination and that termination of Father’s parental rights is in the child’s best interest.
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Steven Stafford
Originating Judge:Judge John D. McAfee |
Campbell County | Court of Appeals | 12/05/23 |