APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

State of Tennessee v. Carlos Smith

W2012-01931-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Carlos Smith, appeals his Shelby County Criminal Court jury convictions of two counts of attempted second degree murder, two counts of aggravated assault, and one count each of aggravated robbery, especially aggravated burglary, employing a firearm during a dangerous offense, and being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun, claiming that the trial court erred by denying his motion to sever offenses and that the State violated the tenets of Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963). Discerning no error, we affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge James Curwood Witt Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge James C. Beasley Jr.
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/29/13
Stacy Christina Knellinger v. Mark Steven Knellinger and Becki Knellinger

M2012-02343-COA-R3-CV

In this post-divorce action, Father filed two petitions asserting several counts of criminal contempt against Mother based on alleged violations of the Parenting Plan. Father also petitioned the court to modify the Parenting Plan to name him the primary residential parent and grant him sole decision-making authority over the children’s educations, non-emergency healthcare, and extracurricular activities. Mother then filed a petition seeking to permanently enjoin Father’s new wife (“Step-mother”) from participating in certain activities with the children, such as signing their school report cards, volunteering at the school, and sending home notes in their lunch boxes. After a three-day hearing, the trial court found Mother guilty on three counts of criminal contempt, and assessed a $150 fine (fifty dollars per count), which the court required her to pay toward counseling with Father. The trial court denied Father’s Petition to Modify the Parenting Plan, finding there was no material change of circumstances affecting the children’s interest, a finding which Father does not appeal. The trial court also denied Mother’s petition for a permanent injunction against Step-mother, finding it was unnecessary. Both parties were required to pay their own attorney’s fees. We affirm the trial court’s decision to deny Mother’s request for a permanent restraining order against Step-mother. However, we have determined the trial court erred in finding Mother guilty of criminal contempt, and we reverse all three convictions. Finally, we find Mother is entitled to her reasonable and necessary attorney’s fees incurred in the trial court in defense of Father’s Petition to Modify the Parenting Plan, pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 36-5-103(c), and remand for a determination and award thereof.

Authoring Judge: Judge Frank G. Clement, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Robbie T. Beal
Williamson County Court of Appeals 08/29/13
Lasonya Morrow v. Ray Anthony McClain

M2012-01915-COA-R3-CV

A man and woman lived together for six years and worked jointly on a number of business ventures during that period, but never married. After their relationship ended, the woman filed a complaint for a division of property, under the theory that the parties had entered into an implied partnership. The trial court heard conflicting testimony as to the respective contributions of each party to the acquisition, improvement and preservation of the properties at issue. The court declined to find that a partnership had existed between the parties, but ruled that the woman had an interest in all the real property acquired during the relationship. The court awarded her one parcel which the parties owned as cotenants in common and an additional $50,000 based on the value of her interest in the other properties. The man argues on appeal that the trial court overestimated the woman’s contributions during the relevant period and underestimated his own contributions. We affirm the trial court.
 

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Chancellor Carol L. McCoy
Davidson County Court of Appeals 08/29/13
Sandeep Gadhok v. Zameer Merchant

W2012-01687-COA-R3-CV

The trial court granted Defendant’s motion to dismiss for lack of prosecution. We affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Judge Jerry Stokes
Shelby County Court of Appeals 08/28/13
Rhonda Sue Watkins v. Kenneth Danny Watkins

M2012-02378-COA-R3-CV

The trial court granted Father’s petition to modify child custody and child support, and denied Mother’s petition to increase alimony. Mother appeals. We vacate the trial court’s judgment with respect to Mother’s petition to modify alimony, and remand for findings of fact and further proceedings, if necessary. The remainder of the judgment is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Judge Timothy L. Easter
Williamson County Court of Appeals 08/28/13
Antonio Angel Onate v. State of Tennessee

M2013-00531-CCA-R3-PC

Petitioner, Antonio Angel Onate, appeals from the Davidson County Circuit Court’s summary dismissal of his petition for post-conviction relief after a 2011 guilty plea to facilitation to sell cocaine weighing less than .5 grams. Petitioner argues that the trial court erred by concluding that the petition was untimely and that the one-year statute of limitations was not tolled. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry L. Smith
Originating Judge:Judge Monte Watkins
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/28/13
Brian Wesley Lacey v. State of Tennessee

M2012-00849-CCA-R3-PC

Petitioner, Brian Wesley Lacey, appeals from the trial court’s dismissal of his petition for post-conviction relief following an evidentiary hearing. Petitioner asserts he received ineffective assistance of counsel at the trial and on appeal. After a thorough review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court dismissing the petition for post-conviction relief.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Seth Norman
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/28/13
State of Tennessee v. Albert Lamont Bennett, Jr.

M2012-01003-CCA-R3-CD

A Davidson County Criminal Court Jury convicted the appellant, Albert Lamont Bennett, Jr., of attempted aggravated assault and attempted aggravated burglary. The trial court sentenced the appellant as a Range III, persistent offender to ten years for each offense, to be served consecutively, for a total effective sentence of twenty years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the appellant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence sustaining his convictions and the sentences imposed by the trial court. Upon review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Monte Watkins
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/28/13
State of Tennessee v. Sarah Lynn Hannon

M2012-02206-CCA-R3-CD

Appellant, Sarah Lynn Hannon, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to sell or deliver 0.5 grams or more of cocaine in exchange for a sentence of ten years and dismissal of all remaining charges. Per the terms of the plea agreement, the parties left determination of the manner of service of her sentence to the trial court. Following a sentencing hearing, the trial court ordered that appellant serve her ten-year sentence in the Tennessee Department of Correction. It is from this judgment that appellant now appeals. Following our review, we 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 08/28/13
State of Tennessee v. Billy Wayne Vestal

M2012-02483-CCA-R3-CD

Appellant, Billy Wayne Vestal, entered a guilty plea to aggravated assault without a recommended sentence. Following the sentencing hearing, the trial court sentenced him to serve five years in the Tennessee Department of Correction (“TDOC”). Appellant challenges the sentence as being excessive. Upon our review, we discern no error and affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Roger A. Page
Originating Judge:Judge Stella Hargrove
Marshall County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/28/13
Fred Barnes v. Herbert Hamm

W2011-02288-COA-R3-CV

This appeal concerns the circuit court’s dismissal of an appeal from the general sessions court. We dismiss the appeal for failure to comply with Rule 29 of the Tennessee Rules of Appellate Procedure.

Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Judge Robert L. Childers
Shelby County Court of Appeals 08/28/13
Darryl Jerome Moore v. State of Tennessee

M2012-01707-CCA-R3-PC

The Petitioner, Darryl Jerome Moore, appeals the Davidson County Criminal Court’s denial of his petition for post-conviction relief from his guilty pleas to conspiracy to deliver 300 grams or more of cocaine, possession with intent to deliver 300 grams or more of cocaine, conspiracy to deliver 300 pounds or more of marijuana, money laundering, possession with intent to deliver ten pounds or more of marijuana, and unlawful possession of a weapon after having been convicted previously of a felony drug offense, and his resulting effective sentence of ninety-three years in confinement. On appeal, the Petitioner contends that he received the ineffective assistance of trial counsel and that he pled guilty unknowingly and involuntarily. Based upon the record and the parties’ briefs, we affirm the post-conviction court’s denial of the petition.

Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Cheryl Blackburn
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/28/13
Shelvy Baker v. State of Tennessee

M2012-01559-CCA-R3-PC

The Petitioner, Shelvy Baker, appeals the Davidson County Criminal Court’s denial of his petition for post-conviction relief from his conviction of second degree murder and resulting twenty-five-year sentence. On appeal, the Petitioner contends that he received the ineffective assistance of trial counsel. Based upon the record and the parties’ briefs, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Cheryl A. Blackburn
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/28/13
Randy Clayton Norman v. State of Tennessee

M2012-01511-CCA-R3-PC

The Petitioner, Randy Clayton Norman, appeals the Maury County Circuit Court’s denial of his petition for post-conviction relief from his conviction of second degree murder and resulting fifteen-year sentence. On appeal, the Petitioner contends that he received the ineffective assistance of trial and appellate counsel. Based upon the record and the parties’ briefs, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Jim T. Hamilton
Maury County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/28/13
State of Tennessee v. Samuel Glass

E2012-01699-CCA-R3-CD

In this appeal as of right, the State contends that the trial court erred by setting aside the jury verdicts of attempted second degree murder and entering judgments of acquittal for those counts based upon the doctrine of transferred intent. Also in this appeal, the defendant challenges his convictions of first degree premeditated murder, felony murder, and attempted first degree murder on grounds that the evidence was insufficient to support those convictions. Because the trial court erred by setting aside the jury verdicts of attempted second degree murder, the judgments effecting those verdicts and the 12-year sentences are reinstated. The judgments of the trial court are affirmed in all other respects.

Authoring Judge: Judge James Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Bob R. McGee
Knox County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/28/13
Wilma Ann Vance v. Donah Howard Arnold

E2012-02252-COA-R3-CV

The trial court dismissed Husband’s post-judgment motion based on its conclusion that it lacked subject matter jurisdiction. We reverse.

Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Judge John D. McAfee
Campbell County Court of Appeals 08/28/13
William Paul Eblen v. State of Tennessee

E2012-01117-CCA-R3-CD

The Petitioner, William Paul Eblen, appeals from the Knox County Criminal Court’s denial of his petition for writ of error coram nobis. The Petitioner contends that the coram nobis court erred in concluding that testimony from two witnesses alleging that the victim later recanted her allegations against the Petitioner was not credible. Following our review, we affirm the judgment of the coram nobis court.

Authoring Judge: Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Steve W. Sword
Knox County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/28/13
In the Matter of Lakita E. P. and Michael A. P.

M2013-00384-COA-R3-PT

A father’s parental rights to his two children were terminated on the grounds of abandonment by engaging in conduct exhibiting a wanton disregard for the welfare of the children, non-compliance with the permanency plan, and severe child abuse against children who resided with Father. He appeals, contending that the Department of Children’s Services failed to expend reasonable efforts to reunite him with the children and that termination of his rights was not in the children’s best interest. Finding no error, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge Richard H. Dinkins
Originating Judge:Judge Jimmy White
Clay County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/28/13
Patsy Freeman, Personal Representative & Administratrix of the Estate of John R. Freeman v. CSX Transportation, Inc. et al.

M2012-01335-COA-R3-CV

After a lengthy trial, the trial court determined that the decedent was more than 50% at fault for the collision that resulted in his death. The evidence does not preponderate against the trial court’s findings and we therefore affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge Andy D. Bennett
Originating Judge:Judge Franklin L. Russell
Bedford County Court of Appeals 08/28/13
Amanda Marie Sykes v. Joshua Neal Sykes

M2012-01146-COA-R3-CV

In this divorce proceeding, Mother and Father entered into a Marital Dissolution Agreement and Permanent Parenting Plan, which were incorporated into the final decree of divorce; the parties shared equal parenting time with their two children and neither party was obligated to pay child support. Mother subsequently filed a petition to set support, as well as a motion for relief from the final decree, both of which sought to have the court set support in accordance with the child support guidelines. The court denied the petition and the motion on the grounds that the parties had agreed in the parenting plan that child support would not be paid and that a significant variance did not exist. Finding that relief to Mother is appropriate under the circumstances, we reverse the judgment and remand the case for further proceedings.

Authoring Judge: Judge Richard H. Dinkins
Originating Judge:Chancellor Stella L. Hargrove
Maury County Court of Appeals 08/28/13
Amanda Marie Sykes v. Joshua Neal Sykes - Concur/Dissent

M2012-01146-COA-R3-CV

This appeal involves a judgment by the trial court that dismissed two motions filed by Mother. The first was the Motion to Alter or Amend the trial court’s decision denying the Petition to Set Support. That petition was denied on the basis that no significant variance existed. The second was Mother’s motion for relief pursuant to Tenn. R. Civ. P. 60.02. That motion was directed to the original decree of divorce and, more specifically, to the original child support established in the parenting plan.

Authoring Judge: Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Chancellor Stella L. Hargrove
Maury County Court of Appeals 08/28/13
Aubrey Owens & The Estate of Louis Gernt v. Aleeta Tipton Evans, Timothy L. Goad et al.

M2013-00239-COA-R3-CV

This is an appeal from a judgment entered against one of four defendants. Because the judgment appealed does not resolve all the claims between all the parties, we dismiss the appeal for lack of a final judgment.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood
Fentress County Court of Appeals 08/28/13
The Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County, Tennessee v. Metropolitan Nashville Education Association

M2012-02006-COA-R3-CV

County board of education filed a declaratory judgment action seeking declaration that the high school principal’s decisions to re-assign certain extracurricular sponsorships were not subject to arbitration under the collective bargaining agreement between the board of education and the education association. The trial court entered judgment in the board of education’s favor and the education association appealed. We affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge Andy D. Bennett
Originating Judge:Chancellor Claudia Bonnyman
Davidson County Court of Appeals 08/27/13
Greg Parker, et al. v. Holiday Hospitality Franchising, Inc., et al.

E2013-00727-COA-R3-CV

This is a premises liability case in which Plaintiffs alleged that a shower bench in Hotel collapsed, causing Husband to fall and sustain injuries. Plaintiffs filed suit against Defendant, claiming negligence. Defendant filed a motion for summary judgment, asserting that he did not install the bench and did not have actual or constructive notice of the independent contractor’s negligent installation of the bench. The trial court granted the motion for summary judgment and dismissed the case. Plaintiffs appeal. We reverse the decision of the trial court and remand for further proceedings.

Authoring Judge: Judge John W. McClarty
Originating Judge:Judge Russell E. Simmons, Jr.
Roane County Court of Appeals 08/27/13
State of Tennessee v. Franklin D. Moore

W2012-02439-CCA-R3-CD

The Defendant-Appellant, Franklin D. Moore, was convicted by a Madison County jury of driving under the influence (DUI), fourth offense, and sentenced to two years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. The sole issue presented for our review is whether the evidence is sufficient to support the conviction. Upon our review, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Judge Camille R. McMullen
Originating Judge:Judge Donald H. Allen
Madison County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/27/13