APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

Browns Installation, LLC v. Watermark Solid Surface, INC.

M2012-02264-COA-R3-CV

Subcontractor B hired subcontractor A to install bathrooms in fulfillment of subcontractor B’s contracts with general contractors. After it was terminated by subcontractor B, subcontractor A sued to recover payments owed for work subcontractor A completed before termination. Subcontractor B filed a counterclaim for damages and violation of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act. The trial court dismissed subcontractor B’s counterclaim and found that subcontractor A was entitled to quantum meruit recovery. Discerning no error, we affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge Andy D. Bennett
Originating Judge:Chancellor Ellen H. Lyle
Davidson County Court of Appeals 10/21/13
Andrew K. Armbrister v. Melissa H. Armbrister

E2012-00018-SC-R11-CV

The issue in this post-divorce proceeding is whether a parent seeking to modify a residential parenting schedule in a permanent parenting plan must prove that an alleged material change in circumstances could not reasonably have been anticipated when the residential parenting schedule was originally established. We hold that Tennessee Code Annotated section 36-6-101(a)(2)(C) (2010), enacted in 2004, abrogated any prior Tennessee decision that could have been read as requiring such proof. Accordingly, because the father who sought modification in this case was not required to prove that his remarriage, relocation, changed work schedule, and natural aging of his children were unanticipated, we reverse the Court of Appeals’ judgment and reinstate the trial court’s judgment modifying the residential parenting schedule to give the mother 222 days and the father 143 days of residential parenting time with the two minor children.

Authoring Judge: Justice Cornelia A. Clark
Originating Judge:Chancellor Thomas R. Frierson, II
Greene County Supreme Court 10/21/13
Joann G. Rosa v. State of Tennessee

E2013-00356-CCA-R3-ECN

The Petitioner, Joann G. Rosa, appeals the Knox County Criminal Court’s denial of her petition for a writ of error coram nobis regarding her conviction for first degree murder, for which she is serving a life sentence. The Petitioner contends that the trial judge who presided over her jury trial pleaded guilty to official misconduct, that the judge’s misconduct was newly discovered evidence entitling her to a new trial, that the judge’s misconduct created structural error entitling her to a new trial, and that the trial judge who denied coram nobis relief had a conflict of interest because she was mentioned in the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) report regarding the misconduct allegation. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge Mary Beth Leibowitz
Knox County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/21/13
Gregory A. Hedges v. State of Tennessee

E2012-02557-CCA-R3-HC

The petitioner, Gregory A. Hedges, filed in the Morgan County Criminal Court a habeas corpus petition, seeking relief from his convictions of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon and aggravated kidnapping. The habeas corpus court summarily dismissed the petition, and the petitioner appeals. Upon review, we affirm the judgment of the habeas corpus court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge E. Eugene Eblen
Morgan County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/21/13
State of Tennessee v. Adrian Brown

E2013-01199-CCA-R3-CD

The pro se appellant, Adrian Brown, appeals as of right from the McMinn County Circuit Court’s order denying his Tennessee Rule of Criminal Procedure 36 motion to correct clerical error. The State has filed a motion requesting that this court dismiss the appeal or, in the alternative, affirm the trial court’s denial of relief pursuant to Rule 20 of the Rules of the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals. Following our review, we conclude that the State’s motion to affirm by memorandum opinion is well-taken and affirm the judgment of the McMinn County Circuit Court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Carroll L. Ross
McMinn County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/21/13
State of Tennessee v. David Eugene Breezee

W2013-00798-CCA-R3-CD

The appellant, David Eugene Breezee, was convicted by Benton County Circuit Court juries of two counts of rape of a child and two counts of incest. On appeal, the appellant contends that his effective thirty-two-year sentence is excessive. Based upon the record and the parties’ briefs, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge C. Creed McGinley
Benton County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/21/13
State of Tennessee v. Marcus Frazier Thompson

W2012-02012-CCA-R3-CD

The Defendant, Marcus Frazier Thompson, was convicted by a Madison County Circuit Court jury of five counts of aggravated robbery, Class B felonies. See T.C.A. § 39-13-402 (2010). He was sentenced as a career offender to ninety years to be served at sixty percent. On appeal he contends that (1) the evidence is insufficient to support the convictions, (2) the State improperly exercised a peremptory challenge on the basis of a prospective juror’s race, (3) a witness’s testimony should have been excluded due to a violation of the rule of sequestration, and (4) the trial court erred in admitting evidence of ammunition found during a search of the Defendant’s apartment. We affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge Roy B. Morgan Jr.
Madison County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/21/13
Mack Transou v. Jerry Lester, Warden

W2013-00293-CCA-R3-HC

The petitioner, Mack Transou, appeals the summary denial of his fourth pro se petition for writ of habeas corpus. In 1999, the petitioner pled guilty to driving after being declared a habitual motor vehicle offender and received a two-year sentence, which was to be served in Community Corrections after ninety days incarceration. Based upon a blood sample taken from the petitioner as part of the intake process, he was later convicted, in two separate cases, of two counts of rape, one count of sexual battery, and one count of aggravated burglary. He is currently serving an effective thirty-four year sentence in the Department of Correction on those convictions. On appeal, he contends that the habeas corpus court erred in summarily denying his petition. Following review of the record, we affirm the court’s determination.

Authoring Judge: Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge:Judge Joseph Walker III
Lauderdale County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/21/13
David Enrique Leon v. State of Tennessee

M2013-00519-CCA-R3-PC

The petitioner, David Enrique Leon, appeals the denial of his petition for post-conviction relief from his first degree felony murder and aggravated robbery convictions, arguing that he received the ineffective assistance of counsel. After review, we affirm the denial of the petition.

Authoring Judge: Judge Allen E Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge Robert E Burch
Dickson County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/18/13
State of Tennessee v. William Richard Hicks, Alias Billy Richard Hicks

E2012-00063-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, William Richard Hicks, alias Billy Richard Hicks, appeals from his convictions for various alcohol- and driving-related offenses, which we will detail, the most serious of which were DUI, tenth offense, and violation of the habitual motor vehicle offender (“HMVO”) statute. He was sentenced as a Range III, persistent offender to six years for each of these convictions, with the HMVO sentences to be served consecutively and the DUI and misdemeanor convictions to be served concurrently, for an effective sentence of eighteen years. From these sentences he appeals, arguing that his sentences are excessive and that the court erred in ordering they be served consecutively. Following our review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court but remand for entry of a corrected judgment in Case No. 91142, Count 5, to reflect the length of the defendant’s sentence as eleven months, twenty-nine days, which was omitted.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge Steven W. Sword
Knox County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/18/13
State of Tennessee v. Jarrett Inman

E2010-02431-CCA-R3-CD

The petitioner, Jarrett Inman, pled guilty in the Roane County Criminal Court to rape of a child, a Class A felony, and was sentenced to seventeen years at 100% in the Department of Correction. On appeal, he argues that the trial court erred by denying his motion to withdraw his guilty plea and his petition for writ of error coram nobis based on newly discovered evidence of the victim’s recantation. Following our review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge E. Eugene Eblen
Roane County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/18/13
Larry Burchfield, et al v. Timothy J. Renfree, M.D.

E2012-01582-COA-R3-CV

This is a health care liability action wherein the trial by jury resulted in a judgment for the Defendant, Dr. Timothy Renfree. Plaintiffs, Larry and Dinnie Burchfield, filed this lawsuit against Dr. Renfree alleging that he negligently performed surgery on Mr. Burchfield’s right arm and caused nerve damage. After the jury returned its verdict in favor of Dr. Renfree, the Burchfields filed post-trial motions seeking relief from the judgment and alleging numerous errors in the administration of the trial. The trial court denied the post-trial motions and affirmed the jury’s verdict as thirteenth juror. The Burchfields appealed. We vacate the jury’s verdict, finding reversible error in the administration of the trial, and remand this matter to the trial court for further proceedings.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas R. Frierson, II
Originating Judge:Judge Harold Wimberly
Knox County Court of Appeals 10/18/13
Nicholas Overbay v. State of Tennessee

E2012-01691-CCA-R3-PC

The Petitioner, Nicholas Overbay, appeals the Sullivan County Criminal Court’s denial of post-conviction relief for his conviction for first degree murder and attempted first degree murder. On appeal, the Petitioner argues that he received ineffective assistance of counsel. Upon review, we affirm the decision of the post-conviction court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Camille R. McMullen
Originating Judge:Judge Robert H. Montgomery, Jr.
Sullivan County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/18/13
Jessie Upchurch v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

W2012-01869-WC-R3-WC

The trial court awarded an employee 85% permanent partial disability to both ears. The employer has appealed, arguing that the trial court erred in finding the employee’s claim was not barred by the one-year statute of limitations in Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-203(b). We affirm the trial court’s determination that the employee’s claim was timely filed.

Authoring Judge: Senior Judge Don R. Ash
Originating Judge:Judge W. Michael Maloan
Obion County Workers Compensation Panel 10/18/13
American Traffic Solutions, Inc. v. The City of Knoxville, Tennessee, et al.

E2012-01334-COA-R3-CV

This appeal concerns the application of a statutory amendment to a contract the plaintiff had with the city. The plaintiff claims the amendment to Tennessee Code Annotated section 55- 8-198, effective July 1, 2011, violates article I, section 20 of the Tennessee Constitution. In the alternative, the plaintiff argues that the amendment does not apply to existing contracts. The trial court concluded that the retroactive application of the amendment was not a constitutional violation. The plaintiff appeals. We affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge John W. McClarty
Originating Judge:Chancellor Michael W. Moyers
Knox County Court of Appeals 10/18/13
State of Tennessee v. Justin Gibson

M2012-02363-CCA-R3-CD

The Defendant, Justin Gibson, entered a guilty plea to driving under the influence, first offense. He agreed to a sentence of eleven months and twenty-nine days, all of which was suspended after seven days’ incarceration. As a condition of his guilty plea, the Defendant reserved a certified question of law challenging the warrantless search of his home as not justified by either consent or exigent circumstances. After a thorough review of the applicable law, we conclude that the officer’s entry into the Defendant’s home was supported by neither exigent circumstances nor as a part of the community caretaker function; therefore, the trial court erred when it denied the Defendant’s motion to suppress. Accordingly, we reverse the judgment of the trial court and dismiss the charge against the Defendant.

Authoring Judge: Judge D Kelly Thomas, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge James G Martin, III
Williamson County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/18/13
Yovonda Sherith Chambers v. State of Tennessee

M2013-00766-CCA-R3-PC

The petitioner, Yovonda Sherith Chambers, appeals the denial of her petition for post-conviction relief, arguing that she received ineffective assistance of counsel and that her guilty pleas were unknowing and involuntary. Following our review, we affirm the denial of the petition.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge David M Bragg
Rutherford County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/18/13
State of Tennessee v. James Earl Evans

M2013-00724-CCA-R3-CD

James Earl Evans (“the Defendant”) pleaded guilty to one count of sale of less than 0.5 grams of cocaine. Pursuant to the plea agreement, the Defendant was sentenced to ten years’ probation. Upon the filing of a probation revocation warrant, the Defendant was taken into custody, and a revocation hearing was held. At the conclusion of the hearing, the trial court revoked the Defendant’s probation and ordered him to serve his original sentence of ten years’ incarceration. The Defendant has appealed the trial court’s ruling, asserting that the trial court erred in sentencing him to his original sentence in confinement. Upon a thorough review of the record, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.

Authoring Judge: Judge Jeffrey S Bivins
Originating Judge:Judge Cheryl A Blackburn
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/18/13
Broderick Joseph Smith v. State of Tennessee

M2012-02705-CCA-R3-PC

The petitioner, Broderick Joseph Smith, appeals the denial of his petition for post-conviction relief, arguing he received the ineffective assistance of counsel. After review, we affirm the denial of the petition.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge J Randall Wyatt, Jr.
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/18/13
State of Tennessee v. Xavion Lyndon Underwood

M2012-02065-CCA-R3-CD

Appellant, Xavion Lyndon Underwood, was convicted of aggravated robbery, for which he received a ten-year sentence. He appeals his conviction and sentence, arguing that the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction and that the trial court erred in sentencing him. Upon our review, we discern no error and affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Roger A Page
Originating Judge:Judge Cheryl A Blackburn
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/18/13
State of Tennessee v. William Lanier

W2011-01626-CCA-R3-CD

A Shelby County Criminal Court Jury convicted the appellant, William Lanier, of premeditated first degree murder, and the trial court sentenced him to life imprisonment in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the appellant asserts: (1) that he was denied his right to a speedy trial; (2) that the evidence was insufficient to sustain his conviction; (3) that the trial court erred in allowing Detective Anthony Mullins to testify as a blood spatter expert; (4) that the trial court erred in admitting blood spatter evidence that was insufficiently authenticated; (5) that the trial court improperly limited defense counsel’s cross-examination of witnesses; (6) that the State committed prosecutorial misconduct during its questioning of witnesses and closing argument; and (7) that the cumulative effect of the errors warrants a new trial. Upon review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge James Lammey Jr.
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/18/13
Anthony Whited v. State of Tennessee

M2013-00382-CCA-R3-PC

The petitioner, Anthony Whited, appeals the summary dismissal of his pro se petition for post-conviction relief, arguing that he presented a colorable claim for relief and that he should, therefore, have been afforded the assistance of post-conviction counsel and an evidentiary hearing. We agree. Accordingly, we reverse the judgment of the post-conviction court and remand for the appointment of post-conviction counsel and an evidentiary hearing.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge David E Durham
Wilson County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/18/13
State of Tennessee v. Stephen Anthony Scott

M2012-01416-CCA-R3-CO

Pursuant to this court’s opinion in Stephen Anthony Scott v. State, No. M2010-00448-CCA-R3-PC, 2011 Tenn. Crim. App. LEXIS 632, at *5 (Nashville, Aug. 16, 2011), the Montgomery County Circuit Court resentenced the appellant, Stephen Anthony Scott, to the presumptive minimum sentence in the range for his convictions of aggravated robbery, attempted aggravated robbery, especially aggravated kidnapping, aggravated kidnapping, and attempted robbery. Six months later, the trial court found the appellant to be an especially mitigated offender and further reduced his sentences for count 3, especially aggravated kidnapping, and count 4, kidnapping, by ten percent. On appeal, the appellant contends that the trial court erred by not allowing him to be sentenced pursuant to the 2005 amendments to the Tennessee Sentencing Reform Act of 1989, that the trial court erred by failing to sentence him as an especially mitigated offender for all of the offenses, and that his sentences violate Blakely v. Washington, 542 U.S. 296 (2004). Based upon the record and the parties’ briefs, we conclude that the trial court was without jurisdiction to classify the appellant as an especially mitigated offender and could not reduce his sentences by ten percent. Therefore, the case is remanded to the trial court for reinstatement of his previous sentences for counts 3 and 4. Regarding the issues raised on appeal, we conclude that the appellant is not entitled to relief and affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Michael R Jones
Montgomery County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/17/13
Romalis Gray v. Tennessee Department of Correction, et al.

E2012-00425-COA-R3-CV

The petitioner, a state prison inmate, appeals the trial court’s dismissal of his petition for declaratory order, in which he alleged that the respondents, Tennessee Department of Correction (“TDOC”) and Morgan County Correctional Complex (“MCCX”), denied his due process rights and violated TDOC policies when he was placed on administrative segregation following a disciplinary hearing. The trial court found that the petitioner had failed to pay court costs from a previously filed action and dismissed his petition pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 41-21-812 (2010). Discerning no error, we affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas R. Frierson, II
Originating Judge:Chancellor Frank V. Williams, III
Morgan County Court of Appeals 10/17/13
State of Tennessee v. Felton Neville Jackson

M2012-00828-CCA-R3-CD

Appellant, Felton Neville Jackson, was indicted by a Wilson County grand jury for especially aggravated robbery and aggravated assault. He was convicted of both charges, and the trial court sentenced him to concurrent sentences of twenty-five years and six years, respectively. He now appeals his convictions and sentences on the following grounds: (1) the trial court erred by allowing a police officer to offer an allegedly testimonial statement attributed to the victim; (2) the evidence was insufficient to sustain his convictions; and (3) his sentences are excessive. Following our review, we discern no error and affirm appellant’s convictions. However, we vacate the judgments in this case and remand this cause for entry of a single judgment of conviction noting merger of the aggravated assault conviction into the especially aggravated robbery conviction.

Authoring Judge: Judge Roger A Page
Originating Judge:Judge David E Durham
Wilson County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/17/13