http://www.tncourts.gov/opinionsview/all?c=All&ct=All&judge1=&judge2=&case=&date_filter[value]=&date_filter[min]=&date_filter[max]=&keyword1=&keyword2=&reset=Reset The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) provides information about all levels of state courts and searchable databases of opinions, state code, and other legal information. en http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/5LjK8DKTqKM/arlie-max-watson-et-al-v-larry-waters-et-al <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">E2010-01663-COA-R3-CV</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr. </span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge David R. Duggan </span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Monday, February 27, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/watsonam.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>This action was filed by Arlie “Max” Watson, an elected county commissioner of Sevier County, and three other citizens and taxpayers of Sevier County, Peggy Marshall, John A. Meyers and Gerra Davis-Mary (collectively “the Plaintiffs”). They purported to act both individually and on behalf of the State of Tennessee. They named as defendants the county mayor, Sevier County, and the county commission as a body (collectively “the Defendants”). They sought to invalidate certain actions – primarily the commission’s adoption of certain procedural rules at a meeting held June 23, 2008 – and to disgorge the mayor of benefits he “wrongly” received. The trial court initially dismissed all claims – except those made under the Open Meetings Act – for lack of standing. It ordered that the caption be amended toreflect that the Plaintiffs were acting individually and not on behalf of the State. The trial court allowed the Open Meetings Act claims to proceed through discovery. Both sides of the dispute filed a motion for summary judgment. With the exception of a finding that minutes of some committee meetings were not properly filed in both the office of the county clerk and the county mayor as required by a local rule, the court found no deficiencies in the challenged actions. It granted the Defendants summary judgment as to all of the Open Meetings Act claims. The Plaintiffs appeal. We affirm.</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/5LjK8DKTqKM" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Appeals Sevier Mon, 27 Feb 2012 19:26:29 +0000 Joanne.Newsome@tncourts.gov 994524 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-appeals/opinions/2012/02/27/arlie-max-watson-et-al-v-larry-waters-et-al http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/MkR23OlMrck/norman-redwing-v-catholic-bishop-diocese-memphis <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">W2009-00986-SC-R11-CV</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Justice William C. Koch, Jr.</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge D&#039;Army Bailey</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Monday, February 27, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/redwingnopn.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>This appeal involves a dispute regarding the civil liability of the Catholic Diocese of Memphis for acts of child sexual abuse allegedly perpetrated by one of its priests in the 1970s. A victim of this alleged abuse filed suit against the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Memphis in the Circuit Court for ShelbyCountyseeking monetarydamages. The Diocese moved to dismiss the complaint, arguing that the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine deprived state courts of subject matter jurisdiction and that the victim’s claims were barred by the statute of limitations. The trial court denied the Diocese’s motion. The Court of Appeals held that the statute of limitations had run on the victim’s claims and that the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine barred state courts from considering the victim’s negligent hiring and retention claims but not the negligent supervision claims. Redwing v. Catholic Bishop for Diocese of Memphis, No. W2009-00986-COA-R10-CV, 2010 WL 2106222 (Tenn. Ct. App. May 27, 2010). We granted the victim’s Tenn. R. App. P. 11 application for permission to appeal. We have concluded that the Court of Appeals erred by concluding that the state courts lack subject matter jurisdiction over the victim’s claims and that the victim’s claims are barred by the statute of limitations.<BR>&nbsp;</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/MkR23OlMrck" height="1" width="1"/> Supreme Court Shelby Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:43:01 +0000 Lisa.Marsh@tncourts.gov 994521 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/opinions/2012/02/27/norman-redwing-v-catholic-bishop-diocese-memphis http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/vPlPsLRmROM/alyson-leigh-amonette-eberting-v-jeffrey-jennings-eberting <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">E2010-02471-COA-R3-CV</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge D. Michael Swiney</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge John F. Weaver</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Monday, February 27, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/ebertingalaopn.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>After fourteen years of marriage, Alyson Leigh Amonette Eberting (“Wife”) sued Jeffrey Jennings Eberting (“Husband”) for divorce. After a trial, the Trial Court entered its Final Judgment for Divorce on August 12, 2010, which, inter alia, awarded Wife a divorce, distributed the marital property, entered a Permanent Parenting Plan, awarded Wife transitional alimony, and awarded Wife attorney’s fees as alimony in solido. Husband appeals raising issues regarding the valuation of his orthodontic practice, the parenting plan, and the award of Wife’s attorney’s fees. Wife raises issues concerning the overall property division, and the amount of attorney fees and expenses awarded to Wife as alimony in solido. We affirm.</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/vPlPsLRmROM" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Appeals Knox Mon, 27 Feb 2012 15:40:47 +0000 Joanne.Newsome@tncourts.gov 994518 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-appeals/opinions/2012/02/27/alyson-leigh-amonette-eberting-v-jeffrey-jennings-eberting http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/DxTl6fY5W3A/william-robert-lindsley-v-lisa-whitman-lindsley <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">E2011-00199-COA-R3-CV</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr. </span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood </span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Monday, February 27, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/lindsleywr.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>William Robert Lindsley (“the plaintiff’) filed this action for divorce against Lisa Whitman Lindsley (“the defendant”). The defendant, along with her answer, asserted a counterclaim asking that the marriage be declared void for bigamy predicated upon the fact that the plaintiff was married when he purported to marry her. The plaintiff obtained a divorce from his previous wife before the parties to this action separated. The defendant filed a motion for summary judgment asking that their marriage be declared void. The trial court granted the defendant summary judgment and the plaintiff appealed. In Lindsley v. Lindsley, No. E2008-02525-COA-R3-CV, 2010 WL 2349200 (Tenn. Ct. App. E.S., filed June 11, 2010) (“Lindsley I”) we held that “under Texas law where [the parties were] married, . . . they could, under the [Texas] statute, enter into a common- aw marriage after the spouse was divorced in the prior marriage.” Id. at *1. Accordingly, we reversed the trial court upon finding that there was a “disputed issue of fact . . . whether the parties entered into a common-law marriage after the plaintiff’s prior marriage ended.” Id. We remanded “for a determination of this factual issue.” Id. On remand, the trial court heard evidence and held that the plaintiff did not satisfy his burden of showing that the parties’ &nbsp; cohabitation established the elements of a common law marriage under Texas law. The plaintiff appeals. We affirm.</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/DxTl6fY5W3A" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Appeals Blount Mon, 27 Feb 2012 17:30:25 +0000 Joanne.Newsome@tncourts.gov 994523 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-appeals/opinions/2012/02/27/william-robert-lindsley-v-lisa-whitman-lindsley http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/SvO150h16zc/mary-catherine-gentry-v-tagner-h-bailey-et-al <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">E2011-01278-COA-R9-CV</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr. </span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Chancellor Jeffrey M. Atherton</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Monday, February 27, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/gentrymc.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>A jury awarded Mary Catherine Gentry (“the Plaintiff”) compensatory damages of $80,000 against four defendants involved in the sale to her of a condominium. It also awarded punitive damages in the amount of $30,000 – $10,000 each against three of the four defendants. The defendants (collectively referred to herein as “the Defendants”) are Battery Place Condominiums, LLC, the owner of the complex (“the Owner”); Tagner H. Bailey, the builder of the complex (“the Builder”); Gina Sakich, the realtor who handled the transaction (“the Realtor”); and Realty Center of Chattanooga, Inc., the agency for which the Realtor worked (“the Agency”). Before the trial court entered judgment on the verdict, the Builder and the Owner renewed their motion for directed verdict. The trial court entered an order on March 10, 2010, that purports to (1) grant a directed verdict on the issue of punitive damages; (2) grant the motion for directed verdict on the issue of compensatory damages; (3) grant a new trial limited to compensatory damages; and (4) deny the motion for directed verdict as to reasonable reliance. Thereafter the chancellor who presided over the trial retired and a new chancellor was appointed. Numerous motions and hearings later, the new chancellor entered an order setting the case for trial; the order also modified, pursuant to Tenn. R. Civ. P. 60.01, the first chancellor’s March 10, 2010, order by deleting the earlier order’s grant of a directed verdict as to compensatory damages. The trial court later granted the Tenn. R. App. P. 9 application of the Defendants and stayed all proceedings pending appeal. We likewise granted the Defendants’ request for an interlocutory appeal. Finding no error in the trial court’s judgment, we affirm.</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/SvO150h16zc" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Appeals Hamilton Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:25:24 +0000 Joanne.Newsome@tncourts.gov 994519 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-appeals/opinions/2012/02/27/mary-catherine-gentry-v-tagner-h-bailey-et-al http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/XtUZOYgyVmM/calvin-gray-mills-jr-et-al-v-fulmarque-inc-dissent <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">W2010-00933-SC-R11-CV</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Justice Gary R. Wade</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Lorrie K. Ridder</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Friday, February 24, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/millscg_dis.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>Because I would have affirmed the decision of the Court of Appeals, I respectfully dissent. Unlike the majority, I do not interpret Tennessee Code Annotated section 20-1-119 as precluding successive ninety-day windows for the purpose of adding additional parties identified as comparative tortfeasors by defendants already in the lawsuit.<BR>&nbsp;</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/XtUZOYgyVmM" height="1" width="1"/> Supreme Court Shelby Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:14:43 +0000 Lisa.Marsh@tncourts.gov 991770 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/opinions/2012/02/24/calvin-gray-mills-jr-et-al-v-fulmarque-inc-dissent http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/Hu6yDj_Uef4/christa-goddard-v-thomas-e-goddard <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">E2011-00777-COA-R3-CV</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge W. Neil Thomas</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Friday, February 24, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/goddardc.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><p>This is a post-divorce case. Thomas E. Goddard (“Father”) appeals the trial court’s order granting Christa Goddard (“Mother”) permission to move to Florida with the parties’ minor child, Emma Elizabeth (DOB: July 1, 2004)(“the Child”). Based upon finding that Mother was spending the greater amount of time with the Child, the court applied Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-108(d)(1)(2010). The court found that the proposed relocation (1) had a reasonable purpose, (2) posed no threat of specific and serious harm to the Child, and (3) was not motivated by a vindictive effort to defeat Father’s parenting rights. Father appeals. We affirm .</p></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/Hu6yDj_Uef4" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Appeals Hamilton Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:06:14 +0000 Francesca.Kraft@tncourts.gov 991767 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-appeals/opinions/2012/02/24/christa-goddard-v-thomas-e-goddard http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/iMt7L4xFYdQ/patrick-edward-reeder-v-jo-beth-curtis-reeder <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">M2011-00162-COA-R3-CV</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Frank G. Clement, Jr.</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge John T. Gwin</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Friday, February 24, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/reederpopn.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>In this post-divorce action, a father seeks to have his child support obligation reduced following the emancipation of the parties’ older child.Mother opposes a reduction due to the expense of the younger child’s extracurricular activities and Father’s failure to exercise visitation with the younger child. Mother also seeks payment for unpaid child support from 2002. The trial court held Father was entitled to a reduction in his child support obligation, and that the circumstances justified the creation of a new parenting plan with less visitation time for Father, and an upward deviation from the Child Support Guidelines for Father’s child support obligation for the younger child. Further, the court held Father in “willful civil contempt” for the unpaid support from 2002, and ordered Father to pay the arrearage and a portion of Mother’s attorney fees. We affirm the trial court in all but two respects. We reverse the decision holding Father in contempt for failing to satisfy his support obligation in 2002, because it was not willful. Father was out of work due to an injury. We also reverse the decision denying prejudgment interest on the child support arrearage from 2002, finding that Tennessee Code Annotated § 36-5-101(f)(1) mandates that interest on unpaid child support shall accrue from the date the ordered support was due, at a rate of 12% per year. We also find Mother is entitled to recover reasonable and necessary attorney fees incurred on appeal and remand for determination of the amount.<BR>&nbsp;</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/iMt7L4xFYdQ" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Appeals Wilson Mon, 27 Feb 2012 22:37:05 +0000 Lisa.Marsh@tncourts.gov 994526 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-appeals/opinions/2012/02/24/patrick-edward-reeder-v-jo-beth-curtis-reeder http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/dYeTzm1Ybs0/wilson-sporting-goods-co-v-us-golf-tennis-centers-inc-et-al <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">E2010-02651-COA-R3-CV</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr. </span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Amy Hollars</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Friday, February 24, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/wilsonsporting.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><p>Wilson Sporting Goods Company brought suit in the Cumberland County General Sessions Court on an open account against U.S. Golf &amp; Tennis Centers, Inc. (“the Company”) and its owners, Arthur H. Bell and Louise Bell (collectively “the Guarantors”). The account resulted from a large shipment of golf balls. After delivery, the Company questioned the price charged and refused and failed to make any payments. In response to Wilson’s suit, the defendants filed a counterclaim in which they denied owing the amount sought and moved the court to modify or rescind the contract with Wilson. Following a bench trial, the general sessions court entered judgment in favor of Wilson. On appeal to the trial court, both sides sought summary judgment; both motions were denied. After a bench trial, the court entered judgment in favor of Wilson for $33,099.28. The defendants appeal. We affirm. </p></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/dYeTzm1Ybs0" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Appeals Cumberland Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:44:48 +0000 Francesca.Kraft@tncourts.gov 991764 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-appeals/opinions/2012/02/24/wilson-sporting-goods-co-v-us-golf-tennis-centers-inc-et-al http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/wFccpEpzIp0/state-tennessee-v-tyeshia-stewart <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">E2011-00232-CCA-R3-CD</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge John Everett Williams </span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Richard R. Baumgartner</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Friday, February 24, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/stewarttopn.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>The defendant was convicted in a jury trial of voluntary manslaughter, a Class C felony, for killing her boyfriend following an altercation. She was sentenced as a Range I, standard offender to six years, split one year in jail with the balance to be served on probation. The defendant now appeals her conviction and sentence, claiming that the evidence was insufficient to support her conviction and that the trial court erred by failing to sentence her to the minimum sentence. After carefully reviewing the record and the arguments of the parties, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/wFccpEpzIp0" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Criminal Appeals Knox Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:07:45 +0000 Joanne.Newsome@tncourts.gov 991768 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-criminal-appeals/opinions/2012/02/24/state-tennessee-v-tyeshia-stewart http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/KurCqnWVM8Q/chris-allen-dykes-v-david-sexton-warden <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">E2011-00592-CCA-R3-HC</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Robert E. Cupp</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Friday, February 24, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/dykeschrisallenopn_0.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><p>The Petitioner, Chris Allen Dykes, appeals as of right from the Johnson County Circuit Court’s summary dismissal of his petition for writ of habeas corpus. The Petitioner contends (1) that the habeas corpus court erred by dismissing his petition on procedural grounds and (2) that the judgments against him are void because they reflect a conviction of criminal responsibility for first degree murder when he was indicted for criminal responsibility for attempted first degree murder. Following our review, we conclude that the habeas corpus court erred by summarily dismissing the petition on the grounds stated in its order. However, we affirm the summary dismissal based upon other grounds stated in this opinion.</p></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/KurCqnWVM8Q" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Criminal Appeals Johnson Fri, 24 Feb 2012 21:06:56 +0000 Joanne.Newsome@tncourts.gov 991774 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-criminal-appeals/opinions/2012/02/24/chris-allen-dykes-v-david-sexton-warden http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/yeeGqhZPumU/mario-thomas-v-state-tennessee <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">W2011-01635-CCA-R3-PC</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Roger A. Page</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge William B. Acree</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Friday, February 24, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/thomas_mario_r20.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><p>The Petitioner, Mario Thomas, appeals the Obion County Circuit Court’s denial of his motion to reopen post-conviction proceedings. The State has filed a motion requesting that this Court affirm the post-conviction court’s judgment pursuant to Rule 20 of the Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals. Following our review, we grant the State’s motion and affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.</p></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/yeeGqhZPumU" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Criminal Appeals Obion Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:47:24 +0000 Mia.Myles@tncourts.gov 991765 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-criminal-appeals/opinions/2012/02/24/mario-thomas-v-state-tennessee http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/yOfAhtDOWHI/calvin-gray-mills-jr-et-al-v-fulmarque-inc <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">W2010-00933-SC-R11-CV</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Chief Justice Cornelia A. Clark</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Lorrie K. Ridder</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Friday, February 24, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/millscg_opn.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>We accepted this appeal to determine whether the phrase “a defendant named . . . within the applicable statute of limitations” in Tennessee Code Annotated section 20-1-119(a) (2009) refers only to a defendant sued within the statute of limitations applicable to the plaintiff’s claim or also refers to defendants not sued within the statute of limitations applicable to the plaintiff’s claim, but added to the lawsuit during the ninety-day period provided by section 20-1-119(a). Whether section 20-1-119(a) affords successive ninety-day windows during which a plaintiff may amend a complaint to add a new nonparty defendant as a comparative tortfeasor is an issue of first impression. Because we answer that question in the negative, we reverse the Court of Appeals and reinstate the judgment of the trial court granting Fulmarque’s motion for summary judgment and dismissing this action.<BR>&nbsp;</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/yOfAhtDOWHI" height="1" width="1"/> Supreme Court Shelby Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:11:34 +0000 Lisa.Marsh@tncourts.gov 991769 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/opinions/2012/02/24/calvin-gray-mills-jr-et-al-v-fulmarque-inc http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/uE5tmgfBAx0/kenneth-ford-v-state-tennessee <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">W2010-01835-CCA-R3-PC</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Jerry L. Smith</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Donald H. Allen</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Friday, February 24, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/fordkennethopn.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><p>A Madison County Jury convicted Petitioner of three counts of aggravated assault and one count of reckless endangerment resulting from an altercation Petitioner had with his live-in girlfriend and her three daughters. State v. Kenneth Ford, No. W2007-02149-CCA-R3-CD, 2009 WL 1034522, at *1-3 (Tenn. Crim. App., at Jackson, Apr. 17, 2009). The trial court sentenced Petitioner to an effective sentence of twenty-two years. Id. at *3. Petitioner was unsuccessful in his direct appeal of his sentence to this Court. Id. at *1. Petitioner filed a timely petition for post-conviction relief arguing that he was afforded the ineffective assistance of counsel. The post-conviction court held a hearing and denied the petition. Petitioner now appeals the denial of his petition. After a thorough review of the record, we determine that the evidence does not preponderate against the post-conviction court’s findings. In addition, several issues raised by Petitioner were not raised in front of the post-conviction court. In addition they were not raised during direct appeal but could have been and are now waived; or were addressed on direct appeal. Therefore, we affirm the denial of the petition.</p></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/uE5tmgfBAx0" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Criminal Appeals Madison Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:42:18 +0000 Mia.Myles@tncourts.gov 991763 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-criminal-appeals/opinions/2012/02/24/kenneth-ford-v-state-tennessee http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/OvKb--8JyLY/re-rebekah-r-w <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">E2010-01786-COA-R3-PT</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr. </span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge J. Reed Dixon</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Friday, February 24, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/rebekahrw.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><p>Perley W. Jr., (“Father”) appeals the termination of his rights to his minor daughter, Rebekah R.W. (DOB: Oct. 7, 2005) (“the Child”). The petition to terminate was filed by Arlin H. and Emma H. (collectively “the Grandparents”), the Child’s maternal grandparents, who were the Child’s temporary custodians. At the time of the bench trial, Father was serving an effective 40-year prison sentence pursuant to two convictions for attempted murder and a conviction for attempted aggravated arson. The court terminated Father’s rights based upon the ground that Father was incarcerated under a sentence of ten or more years while the Child was under eight years of age, and its finding that termination was in the best interest of the Child. Father appeals the trial court’s best interest determination. Finding no error, we affirm the judgment.</p></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/OvKb--8JyLY" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Appeals Monroe Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:56:35 +0000 Francesca.Kraft@tncourts.gov 991766 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-appeals/opinions/2012/02/24/re-rebekah-r-w http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/ejzkNcNtNW0/shawn-harris-v-tennessee-department-correction-et-al <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">M2012-00086-COA-R3-CV</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Per Curiam</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Timothy Easter</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Thursday, February 23, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/harrisshawnopn.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>This is an appeal from a final judgment dismissing an inmate’s petition for writ of certiorari. Because the inmate did not file his notice of appeal with the trial court clerk within the time permitted by Tenn. R. App. P. 4, we dismiss the appeal.<BR>&nbsp;</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/ejzkNcNtNW0" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Appeals Hickman Fri, 24 Feb 2012 20:06:46 +0000 Lisa.Marsh@tncourts.gov 991772 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-appeals/opinions/2012/02/23/shawn-harris-v-tennessee-department-correction-et-al http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/DGdlHvFzIBw/stephen-bernard-wlodarz-v-state-tennessee-concur <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">E2008-02179-SC-R11-CO</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Justice William C. Koch, Jr.</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge John F. Dugger, Jr.</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Thursday, February 23, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/wlodarzstephen.con_.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>I concur with the majority’s conclusion that Mr. Wlodarz has not presented newly discovered evidence to support his effort to use a writ of error coram nobis to set aside his guilty plea. I write separately, however, because I cannot concur with the majority’s conclusion that Mr. Wlodarz is entitled to challenge his guilty plea using a writ of error coram nobis.<BR>&nbsp;</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/DGdlHvFzIBw" height="1" width="1"/> Supreme Court Hawkins Thu, 23 Feb 2012 21:28:16 +0000 Lisa.Marsh@tncourts.gov 989019 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/opinions/2012/02/23/stephen-bernard-wlodarz-v-state-tennessee-concur http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/TCPO-DcWNV8/re-estate-homer-p-norton <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">E2010-02304-COA-R3-CV</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge John W. McClarty</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Ben W. Hooper, II</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Thursday, February 23, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/nortonopn.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><p>This lawsuit was filed by the decedent’s nephew and the nephew’s wife alleging that the caretakers of the decedent improperly influenced him to change his will. The proponents of the decedent’s will filed a motion for summary judgment, asserting that no confidential relationship existed between the decedent and the caretakers in regard to the will. The trial court granted the proponents’ motion, finding that proof of a confidential relationship was necessary to pursue a will contest on the ground of undue influence, and that no such confidential relationship existed between decedent and the caretakers. The contestants appeal. Finding no reversible error, we affirm.</p></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/TCPO-DcWNV8" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Appeals Sevier Thu, 23 Feb 2012 19:41:29 +0000 Francesca.Kraft@tncourts.gov 989010 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-appeals/opinions/2012/02/23/re-estate-homer-p-norton http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/VizqSv-wmi0/davis-jeremy-uselton-v-tennessee-department-correction-et <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">M2012-00113-COA-R3-CV</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Per Curiam</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Robert L. Holloway, Jr.</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Thursday, February 23, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/useltondopn.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>This is an appeal from a final judgment dismissing an inmate’s petition for common law writ of certiorari. Because the inmate did not file his notice of appeal with the trial court clerk within the time permitted by Tenn. R. App. P. 4, we dismiss the appeal.<BR>&nbsp;</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/VizqSv-wmi0" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Appeals Wayne Fri, 24 Feb 2012 20:09:19 +0000 Lisa.Marsh@tncourts.gov 991773 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-appeals/opinions/2012/02/23/davis-jeremy-uselton-v-tennessee-department-correction-et http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/72ZzL8aD2xw/state-tennessee-v-tyrone-ralph-wright <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">M2010-02096-CCA-R3-CD</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge L. Craig Johnson</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Thursday, February 23, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/wrighttropn.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>A Coffee County jury convicted the Defendant, Tyrone Ralph Wright, of one count of theft of property under $500 and one count of forgery over $1000. The trial court sentenced the Defendant as a career offender to an effective sentence of twelve years. The Defendant appeals, arguing that: (1) the trial court erred when it denied his motion to suppress evidence obtained during the search of a vehicle in which the Defendant was a passenger; (2) the trial court erred when it admitted evidence of an uncharged forgery; (3) the trial court erred when it failed to charge the jury on a lesser included offense; (4) the identification of the Defendant submitted at trial violated the “physical facts rule;” (5) the evidence at trial was insufficient to sustain his convictions; (6) he was denied his right to allocution at the sentencing hearing; and (7) the trial court erred when it sentenced him. After a thorough review of the record and applicable law, we conclude that there is no error in the judgments of the trial court, and we affirm the trial court’s judgments.</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/72ZzL8aD2xw" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Criminal Appeals Coffee Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:25:38 +0000 Anita.Pace@tncourts.gov 988998 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-criminal-appeals/opinions/2012/02/23/state-tennessee-v-tyrone-ralph-wright http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/ZtJmtV3Feac/re-angela-t-ekene-t-and-ember-t <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">W2011-01588-COA-R3-PT</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge William C. Cole</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Thursday, February 23, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/angelatinreopn.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><p>This appeal involves a petition to terminate parental rights that was filed in 2005. At the hearing, the Father consented to the termination of his parental rights, so the trial court entered an order terminating his parental rights without making findings of fact and conclusions of law regarding grounds for termination and the children’s best interest. Father subsequently challenged the trial court’s order on appeal, and the Supreme Court reversed and remanded for the trial court to hold a new hearing and prepare an order with the requisite findings. On remand, the trial court found that Father had not abandoned the children by willfully failing to visit them or by willfully failing to support them, and therefore it declined to terminate his parental rights. We reverse and remand for further proceedings.</p></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/ZtJmtV3Feac" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Appeals Madison Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:01:40 +0000 Nancy.Acred@tncourts.gov 988995 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-appeals/opinions/2012/02/23/re-angela-t-ekene-t-and-ember-t http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/QMpVm7ZcYMU/stephen-bernard-wlodarz-v-state-tennessee <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">E2008-02179-SC-R11-CO</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Justice Gary R. Wade</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge John F. Dugger, Jr.</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Thursday, February 23, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/wlodarzstephen.opn_.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>The petitioner, charged with first degree premeditated murder and other crimes, entered best interest guilty pleas and received an effective sentence of life without parole. After an unsuccessful petition for post-conviction relief challenging the effectiveness of his trial counsel, he filed a petition for a writ of error coram nobis alleging newly discovered, exculpatory ballistic evidence. The trial court denied the petition, and the Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed. Wlodarz v. State, No. E2008-02179-CCA-R3-CO, 2010 WL 1998766 (Tenn. Crim. App. May 19, 2010). We granted the application for permission to appeal to consider whether a petitioner who has entered guilty pleas may challenge his convictions by writ of error coram nobis pursuant to the terms of our statute. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-26105(b) (2006). While we have determined that the petitioner did not forfeit the procedural remedy of writ of error coram nobis based on newly discovered evidence by entering the guiltypleas,the evidence in this instance does notqualifyas newlydiscovered. Accordingly, the judgment of the Court of Criminal Appeals is affirmed.<BR>&nbsp;</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/QMpVm7ZcYMU" height="1" width="1"/> Supreme Court Hawkins Thu, 23 Feb 2012 21:25:58 +0000 Lisa.Marsh@tncourts.gov 989018 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/opinions/2012/02/23/stephen-bernard-wlodarz-v-state-tennessee http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/-HuBS130md0/re-angela-t-ekene-t-and-ember-t-concurring-part-and-partial <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">W2011-01588-COA-R3-PT</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Holly M. Kirby</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge William C. Cole</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Thursday, February 23, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/angelatdis.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><p>I concur fully in the majority’s finding that Father abandoned his children by willful failure to visit them. I must reluctantly dissent from the majority’s finding that Father’s child support payments during the pivotal four-month period amounted to abandonment by willful failure to support. The trial court viewed Father’s testimony and considered his payment history during the four-month period, and found no willful intent to abandon. While Father clearly had the means to pay his full child support obligation, in view of the trial court’s finding and the evidence on his payments, I must respectfully disagree that the record shows by clear and convincing evidence abandonment by failure to support.</p></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/-HuBS130md0" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Appeals Madison Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:07:54 +0000 Nancy.Acred@tncourts.gov 988996 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-appeals/opinions/2012/02/23/re-angela-t-ekene-t-and-ember-t-concurring-part-and-partial http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/jzu5RhidQlU/julie-leamon-tomlin-v-nathan-leamon <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">E2011-01398-COA-R3-CV</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge D. Michael Swiney</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Lawrence Howard Puckett</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Thursday, February 23, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/tomlinjlopn.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><p>This case arises from a dispute over which parent should be the primary residential parent of two minor children, Julian and Tristen (“the Children,” collectively). Julie Leamon Tomlin (“Mother”) and Nathan Leamon (“Father”) are the parents of the Children. Mother and Father divorced several years ago and both have since remarried. Some time after the divorce, Mother, with whom the Children spent the majority of their time, filed a petition for correct child support and to modify the existing permanent parenting plan in the Circuit Court for McMinn County (“the Trial Court”). Father filed an answer and counterclaim, requesting that he be made the primary residential parent, or, in the alternative, that he have equal parenting time with the Children. Following trial, the Trial Court found that a material change of circumstances had occurred and that it was in the Children’s best interests that Father be made primary residential parent of the Children. Mother appeals, arguing, in part, that no material change of circumstances had occurred that could support making Father the primary residential parent. We reverse the judgment of the Trial Court.</p></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/jzu5RhidQlU" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Appeals McMinn Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:54:38 +0000 Francesca.Kraft@tncourts.gov 989004 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-appeals/opinions/2012/02/23/julie-leamon-tomlin-v-nathan-leamon http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/Y62yaR9QOS4/khalfani-s-marion-v-state-tennessee <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">W2011-00203-CCA-R3-PC</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Alan E. Glenn</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge James Lammey</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Wednesday, February 22, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/marionkhalfaniopn.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>The pro se petitioner, Khalfani Marion, appeals the summary dismissal of his petition for post-conviction relief, arguing that he should have been afforded an evidentiary hearing to consider whether due process tolled the statute of limitations in his case. The State concedes that an evidentiary hearing should have been held to determine whether the statute of limitations should be tolled due to the petitioner’s trial counsel’s having failed to timely inform him of our supreme court’s denial of his application for permission to appeal. We agree. Accordingly, we reverse the summary dismissal of the petition and remand for an evidentiary hearing to determine whether the circumstances require that the statute of limitations be tolled in this case.</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/Y62yaR9QOS4" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Criminal Appeals Shelby Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:15:04 +0000 Mia.Myles@tncourts.gov 988993 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-criminal-appeals/opinions/2012/02/22/khalfani-s-marion-v-state-tennessee http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/-sLrlEWjIww/carol-crisel-v-thomas-crisel <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">E2010-02042-COA-R3-CV</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge John W. McClarty</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge O. Duane Slone</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Wednesday, February 22, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/criselopn.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><p>This appeal involves the “spousal impoverishment” provision of the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988 (“MCCA”). Thomas Crisel (“Husband”) was placed in a nursing home for health-related problems. Subsequently, Carol Crisel (“Wife”) filed a complaint against Husband in which she sought spousal support in the form of a transfer of the family residence and all of his income. The trial court granted Wife’s request and filed an order reflecting its decision. Upon receiving notice of the order, the Tennessee Department of Human Services (“TDHS”) filed a motion to intervene and to set aside the order pursuant to Rule 60.02 of the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure. The trial court denied the motion. TDHS appeals. We reverse the judgment of the trial court and remand with instruction to the trial court to reconsider Wife’s complaint for spousal support with TDHS participating as an intervening party.</p></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/-sLrlEWjIww" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Appeals Jefferson Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:11:53 +0000 Francesca.Kraft@tncourts.gov 988997 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-appeals/opinions/2012/02/22/carol-crisel-v-thomas-crisel http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/GW7sZ4MwgeU/gerald-lee-powers-v-state-tennessee <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">W2009-01068-CCA-R3-PD</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Alan E. Glenn</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Carolyn Wade Blackett</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Wednesday, February 22, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/powersgeraldopn.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>The petitioner, Gerald Lee Powers, appeals the judgment of the Shelby County Criminal Court denying his petition for post-conviction relief. In 1998, he was convicted of first degree felony murder and aggravated robbery. His convictions and death sentence were affirmed on direct appeal by the Tennessee Supreme Court. See State v. Powers, 101 S.W.3d 383, 387 (Tenn. 2003), cert. denied, 538 U.S. 1038, 123 S. Ct. 2083 (2003). On appeal, the petitioner presents a number of issues: trial counsel were ineffective in selection of jurors; the trial court erred in not allowing individual voir dire and limiting counsel’s voir dire questioning; trial counsel were ineffective because they had excessive caseloads and did not object to long trial days; trial counsel failed to investigate certain evidence; trial counsel were ineffective as to expert witnesses; trial counsel were ineffective in presentation of other suspects to the homicide; trial counsel were ineffective in their witness interviews and failed to locate certain relevant witnesses; the trial court erred in instructing the jury as to reasonable doubt; the State failed to produce exculpatory evidence and to preserve certain evidence; the trial court should have disqualified itself; trial counsel failed to object to the applicability of Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-13-204(c); and imposition of the death penalty is unconstitutional. We have carefully reviewed each of these claims and conclude, as did the post-conviction court, that they are without merit. Accordingly, we affirm the order of that court denying the petition for post-conviction relief.</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/GW7sZ4MwgeU" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Criminal Appeals Shelby Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:18:55 +0000 Mia.Myles@tncourts.gov 988994 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-criminal-appeals/opinions/2012/02/22/gerald-lee-powers-v-state-tennessee http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/PnS2DPiQMws/state-tennessee-ex-rel-charmaine-eason-v-phillip-l-swinger <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">M2010-01347-COA-R3-CV</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Frank G. Clement, Jr.</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Betty Adams Green</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Wednesday, February 22, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/swingerpopn.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>Father appeals from his conviction of eighteen counts of criminalcontempt for willful failure to pay bi-weekly child support obligations over a thirteen-month period. The record demonstrates that Father was hospitalized and incarcerated for a portion of the relevant period, and unable to make some of the payments, but the evidence proves his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt to sixteen (16) counts. We therefore, affirm the conviction of sixteen (16) of the eighteen (18) counts of criminal contempt and revise the total sentence from 180 days to 160 days.<BR>&nbsp;</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/PnS2DPiQMws" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Appeals Davidson Thu, 23 Feb 2012 20:44:11 +0000 Lisa.Marsh@tncourts.gov 989017 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-appeals/opinions/2012/02/22/state-tennessee-ex-rel-charmaine-eason-v-phillip-l-swinger http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/4Ux8vWKk4zE/state-tennessee-v-christopher-m-foster <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">E2011-00589-CCA-R3-CD</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Norma McGee Ogle</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge David R. Duggan </span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Wednesday, February 22, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/fosterchristopheropn.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>The appellant, Christopher M. Foster, pled guilty in the Blount County Circuit Court to robbery and received a five-year sentence to be served on supervised probation. Subsequently, the trial court revoked his probation and ordered that he serve his sentence in confinement. On appeal, the appellant contends that the trial court abused its discretion by not granting him another alternative sentence. Based upon the record and the parties’ briefs, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/4Ux8vWKk4zE" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Criminal Appeals Blount Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:56:45 +0000 Joanne.Newsome@tncourts.gov 986244 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-criminal-appeals/opinions/2012/02/22/state-tennessee-v-christopher-m-foster http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/qljGcPi3ltw/re-alexia-rlh-and-tristan-smr <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">E2011-01063-COA-R3-CV</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Presiding Judge Herschel Pickens Franks</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Kurt Benson</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Wednesday, February 22, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/alexiarlhopn.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><p>In this case the grandparents were awarded temporary custody of the mother's two minor children after the Court determined the children were dependent and neglected in the mother's care. Subsequently, the Trial Court set child support payments from the mother to the grandparents based on the mother's social security disability benefits income. The mother has appealed to this Court, and argues that the Trial Court erred in setting the amount of the mother's child support payments and contends that social security benefits are not subject to garnishment. We affirm the Trial Judge on all issues and remand.</p></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/qljGcPi3ltw" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Appeals Bradley Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:45:05 +0000 Francesca.Kraft@tncourts.gov 989003 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-appeals/opinions/2012/02/22/re-alexia-rlh-and-tristan-smr http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/VMVW7huscTU/alstom-power-inc-v-sue-ann-head-administrator-tennessee <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">E2011-01122-COA-R3-CV</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Presiding Judge Herschel Pickens Franks</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Jacqueline S. Bolton</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Tuesday, February 21, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/alstompoweropn.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><p>Plaintiff employer confronted with a worker's compensation claim by its employee filed an action for declaratory judgment, injunction relief, and a petition for certiorari against the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the employee. Plaintiff's principal contention was that the Department of Labor prepared an order for medical benefits directing the employer to provide the employee with additional panels of physicians from which he could choose for treatment, and concluded by averring that it was threatened with a $10,000 penalty if it did not comply. The Trial Court initially issued a restraining order, but the Trial Court ultimately concluded that it did not have jurisdiction over the issues because suit had been filed before the administrative review process was exhausted. Plaintiff appealed and we affirm the Judgment of the Trial Court, and remand.</p></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/VMVW7huscTU" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Appeals Hamilton Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:26:08 +0000 Francesca.Kraft@tncourts.gov 983495 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-appeals/opinions/2012/02/21/alstom-power-inc-v-sue-ann-head-administrator-tennessee http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/3_DmdBfCRxc/bernie-cheatham-dba-universal-builders-et-al-v-federal <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">W2011-01155-COA-R3-CV</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge William B. Acree</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Tuesday, February 21, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/cheathambernieopn.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>Builder was hired to construct a commercial building, and it purchased the concrete for the building’s concrete slab from Supplier. The concrete slab developed major cracks, which led to this lawsuit between Builder and Supplier. After a two-day bench trial, the trial court found that Supplier had delivered defective concrete, and it entered judgment in favor of<BR>Builder for $60,000. We affirm.</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/3_DmdBfCRxc" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Appeals Weakley Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:38:11 +0000 Nancy.Acred@tncourts.gov 986241 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-appeals/opinions/2012/02/21/bernie-cheatham-dba-universal-builders-et-al-v-federal http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/YQRqsUM5vjk/fsgbank-na-v-sushan-k-anand <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">E2011-00168-COA-R3-CV</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Presiding Judge Herschel Pickens Franks</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Jacqueline S. Bolton</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Tuesday, February 21, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/fsgbankopn.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><p>In this action based on a contract, the Trial Court granted plaintiff summary judgment and ultimately certified the judgment as final, pursuant to Tenn. R. Civ. P. 54.02. Defendant had filed a counterclaim against plaintiff based on the same contracts that was the basis of plaintiff's summary judgment. Defendant has appealed, insisting the Trial Court abused its discretion in certifying the judgment as final. We hold the Trial Court abused its discretion in certifying the judgment as final and dismiss the appeal.</p></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/YQRqsUM5vjk" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Appeals Hamilton Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:15:43 +0000 Francesca.Kraft@tncourts.gov 983494 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-appeals/opinions/2012/02/21/fsgbank-na-v-sushan-k-anand http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/g5DAwvgQMKA/vonetta-mousseau-v-davita-inc <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">W2010-02612-SC-WCM-WC</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Walter C. Kurtz</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge William C. Cole</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Tuesday, February 21, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/mousseauvopn.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>The employee, a registered nurse, injured her neck and lower back when she slipped and fell in a pool of water. She had surgical fusions of the cervical and lumbar spine. She continued to have serious symptoms for which she received numerous medications. Her treating physician testified that she was incapable of performing any nursing functions, including those that required only sedentary work. The trial court found her to be permanently and totally disabled. Her employer has appealed, contending that the evidence preponderates against the trial court’s finding on disability and that the employee should be held to have been offered a meaningful return to work. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/g5DAwvgQMKA" height="1" width="1"/> Workers Compensation Panel Hardeman Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:51:53 +0000 Nancy.Acred@tncourts.gov 986242 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/workers-compensation-panel/opinions/2012/02/21/vonetta-mousseau-v-davita-inc http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/un7_D1hFzbs/state-tennessee-v-charles-jackson-and-willis <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">W2010-01133-CCA-R3-CD</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Norma McGee Ogle</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Lee V. Coffee</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Friday, February 17, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/jacksoncharleshollowaywillisopn.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>A Shelby County Criminal Court Jury convicted each of the appellants, Charles Jackson and Willis Holloway, of two counts of aggravated robbery, a Class B felony; two counts of aggravated kidnapping, a Class B felony; and one count of aggravated burglary, a Class C felony. After a sentencing hearing, they received effective forty-four-year sentences. On appeal, the appellants contend that (1) the trial court erred by refusing to allow them to cross-examine a co-defendant about her engaging in prostitution before the crimes; (2) the trial court erred by admitting the co-defendant’s complete written statement into evidence; (3) the trial court erred by giving each juror a copy of the statement; (4) the trial court erred by failing to redact the statement; and (5) the evidence is insufficient to support the convictions. Based upon the oral arguments, the record, and the parties’ briefs, we conclude that the trial court erred by admitting the co-defendant’s complete statement into evidence but that the error was harmless. Therefore, the appellants’ convictions are affirmed.</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/un7_D1hFzbs" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Criminal Appeals Shelby Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:19:36 +0000 Mia.Myles@tncourts.gov 983492 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-criminal-appeals/opinions/2012/02/17/state-tennessee-v-charles-jackson-and-willis http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/rVKqTqPZ-Ww/state-tennessee-v-angela-m-merriman <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">M2011-01682-CCA-R3-CD</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge James Curwood Witt, Jr.</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Larry B. Stanley, Jr.</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Friday, February 17, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/merrimanangelamopn.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>The State of Tennessee appeals as of right the Warren County Circuit Court’s dismissal of three counts of an indictment charging the defendant, Angela M. Merriman, with driving under the influence (DUI), second offense; felony reckless endangerment; and reckless driving. Following our review of a destruction of evidence issue under an abuse of discretion rather than a de novo standard, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.<BR>&nbsp;</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/rVKqTqPZ-Ww" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Criminal Appeals Warren Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:47:14 +0000 Vickie.Smith@tncourts.gov 978825 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-criminal-appeals/opinions/2012/02/17/state-tennessee-v-angela-m-merriman http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/6zBQnp8zPq4/jamaal-m-mayes-v-state-tennessee <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">E2011-01337-CCA-R3-CO</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Don W. Poole</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Friday, February 17, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/mayesjamaalopn.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>In 2006, the Defendant, Jamaal M. Mayes, pled guilty to one count of attempted second degree murder and one count of especially aggravated robbery, and the trial court entered the agreed upon sentence of fifteen years in the Tennessee Department of Correction, to be served as a multiple offender. In 2011, the Defendant filed a pro se “motion; application to void the judgment.” The trial court denied the motion, finding that it lacked jurisdiction. On appeal, the Defendant contends that the trial court erred when it denied his motion. After a thorough review of the record and applicable authorities, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/6zBQnp8zPq4" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Criminal Appeals Hamilton Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:48:28 +0000 Joanne.Newsome@tncourts.gov 978826 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-criminal-appeals/opinions/2012/02/17/jamaal-m-mayes-v-state-tennessee http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/y5RrJqKZlxw/state-tennessee-v-grover-l-parks <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">E2010-02557-CCA-R3-CD</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Carroll L. Ross</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Friday, February 17, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/parksgroveropn.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>A Polk County jury convicted the Defendant, Grover L. Parks, of theft of property valued over $10,000 and less than $60,000, and the trial court sentenced him to five years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the Defendant contends: (1) the evidence is insufficient to sustain his conviction; and (2) the trial court erred when it failed to disqualify the special prosecutor from prosecuting the case. After a thorough review of the record and applicable authorities, we conclude there exists no error. We, therefore, affirm the trial court’s judgment.</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/y5RrJqKZlxw" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Criminal Appeals Polk Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:36:21 +0000 Joanne.Newsome@tncourts.gov 978836 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-criminal-appeals/opinions/2012/02/17/state-tennessee-v-grover-l-parks http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/vUG9UDH4wsw/tony-scott-walker-v-state-tennessee <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">W2011-01668-CCA-R3-HC</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Alan E. Glenn</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Clayburn Peeples</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Friday, February 17, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/walker_tony_scott__r20.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>The Petitioner, Tony Scott Walker, appeals the Circuit Court of Gibson County’s dismissal of his pro se petition for writ of habeas corpus. The State has filed a motion requesting that this Court affirm the trial court’s judgment pursuant to Rule 20 of the Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals. Following our review, we grant the State’s motion and affirm the judgment of the trial court.</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/vUG9UDH4wsw" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Criminal Appeals Gibson Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:32:21 +0000 Mia.Myles@tncourts.gov 983493 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-criminal-appeals/opinions/2012/02/17/tony-scott-walker-v-state-tennessee http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/2Ad0Yu6zM7k/state-tennessee-v-terry-maples <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">E2011-01441-CCA-R3-CD</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Tammy Harrington</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Friday, February 17, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/maplesterryopn.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>A Blount County jury convicted the Defendant of theft of properly valued between $1,000 and $10,000, and the trial court sentenced him to three years on supervised probation. The Defendant’s probation officer filed a probation violation warrant, alleging that the Defendant had violated his probation by, among other things, committing new offenses. The trial court agreed and ordered him to serve 90 days in jail and then return to probation. The Defendant then pled guilty to forgery and identity theft and, pursuant to a plea agreement, was sentenced to probation. The Defendant’s probation officer then filed another probation violation warrant alleging that the Defendant had violated his probation in both cases by, among other things, committing theft. Following a hearing, the trial court revoked the Defendant’s probation and ordered him to serve his sentences in confinement. On appeal, the Defendant contends the trial court erred when it ordered him to serve his sentences in confinement. After reviewing the record, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/2Ad0Yu6zM7k" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Criminal Appeals Blount Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:32:42 +0000 Joanne.Newsome@tncourts.gov 978824 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-criminal-appeals/opinions/2012/02/17/state-tennessee-v-terry-maples http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/grUc9ftuunA/state-tennessee-department-childrens-services-v-misty-byrd <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">W2011-01249-COA-R3-JV</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge J. Weber McCraw</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Friday, February 17, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/byrdmistyopn.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>This appeal arises out of dependency and neglect proceedings regarding three minor children.&nbsp; The circuit court found all three children dependent and neglected, and it found the youngest child had been severely abused. We affirm</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/grUc9ftuunA" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Appeals Tipton Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:14:13 +0000 Nancy.Acred@tncourts.gov 983484 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-appeals/opinions/2012/02/17/state-tennessee-department-childrens-services-v-misty-byrd http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/fA1Ss2Mkeaw/kenneth-stewart-v-westfield-insurance-company <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">W2011-00327-SC-WCM-WC</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Walter C. Kurtz</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge James F. Butler</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Thursday, February 16, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/stewartkopn.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>The appellant insurance company asserts on appeal that the employee failed to prove that his spinal infection was causally related to any work-place injury and that he also failed to provide the employer with timely notice of his injury. Based upon our review of the record, we conclude that the expert medical proof establishes causation and that the evidence supports the trial court’s finding that the employee gave timely notice of his injury. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/fA1Ss2Mkeaw" height="1" width="1"/> Workers Compensation Panel Madison Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:25:54 +0000 Nancy.Acred@tncourts.gov 976077 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/workers-compensation-panel/opinions/2012/02/16/kenneth-stewart-v-westfield-insurance-company http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/ez1xK_YZru0/state-tennessee-v-myron-mcneal <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">W2010-01130-CCA-R3-CD</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Norma McGee Ogle</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge James C. Beasley Jr.</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Thursday, February 16, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/mcnealmyronopn.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>A Shelby County Criminal Court jury found the appellant, Myron McNeal, guilty of&nbsp;attempted second degree murder and employing a firearm during a felony. For the convictions, the trial court imposed a total effective sentence of thirty-eight years. On appeal, the appellant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence supporting his convictions and the sentences imposed by the trial court. Upon review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/ez1xK_YZru0" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Criminal Appeals Shelby Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:44:02 +0000 Mia.Myles@tncourts.gov 983488 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-criminal-appeals/opinions/2012/02/16/state-tennessee-v-myron-mcneal http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/XcfxmBEVpL0/larry-kenneth-hale-v-insurance-company-state-pennsylvania <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">M2011-00504-SC-WCM-WC</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Special Judge E. Riley Anderson</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Chancellor C. K. Smith</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Thursday, February 16, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/hale_v_ins_co_of_state_of_pa_opn.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>Pursuant to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 51, this workers’ compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers’ Compensation Appeals Panel for a hearing and a report of findings of fact and conclusions of law. The employee fell and struck both knees on a concrete landing in the course of his employment with the employer. His left knee required surgery and his right knee received limited medical treatment. The treating physician assigned 8% permanent impairment to the left leg. Employee’s evaluating physician assigned 13% impairment to the left leg and 20% impairment to the right leg. The trial court adopted the evaluating physician’s opinions and awarded 50% permanent partial disability to both legs. Employer argues on appeal that the trial court erred by finding that Employee sustained a permanent injury to his right knee, by adopting the impairment rating of Dr. Landsberg over that of Dr. Gavigan for the left knee injury, by failing to find that Employee had a meaningful return to work, and by granting an excessive award of benefits. We affirm the judgment.<BR>&nbsp;</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/XcfxmBEVpL0" height="1" width="1"/> Supreme Court Wilson Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:08:00 +0000 Sandra.Vance@tncourts.gov 976082 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/opinions/2012/02/16/larry-kenneth-hale-v-insurance-company-state-pennsylvania http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/OEyl1Ni4upk/state-tennessee-v-thomas-w-meadows <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">E2011-00708-CCA-R3-CD</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Robert H. Montgomery</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Thursday, February 16, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/meadowsthomasopn.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>The Defendant, Thomas W. Meadows, appeals as of right from his conviction for one count of indirect criminal contempt. The Defendant contends that the evidence was insufficient to sustain his conviction. Following our review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/OEyl1Ni4upk" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Criminal Appeals Sullivan Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:08:31 +0000 Joanne.Newsome@tncourts.gov 976074 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-criminal-appeals/opinions/2012/02/16/state-tennessee-v-thomas-w-meadows http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/lO1EjlXV9pM/state-tennessee-v-michael-shane-springer-1 <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">W2010-02153-CCA-R3-CD</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Alan E. Glenn</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Clayburn Peeples</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Thursday, February 16, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/springermichaelconglenn.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>I agree with the conclusion of the lead opinion that certain of the issues raised by the defendant are beyond the scope of this certified question. However, I would go a step further and hold that the certified question itself is deficient, meaning that this court is without jurisdiction and the appeal should be dismissed.</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/lO1EjlXV9pM" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Criminal Appeals Gibson Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:59:25 +0000 Mia.Myles@tncourts.gov 983491 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-criminal-appeals/opinions/2012/02/16/state-tennessee-v-michael-shane-springer-1 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/NEN8uYf28ho/marsha-mcdonald-v-paul-f-shea-md-and-shea-ear-clinic <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">W2010-02317-COA-R3-CV</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Holly M. Kirby</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge John R. McCarroll, Jr.</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Thursday, February 16, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/mcdonaldmopn.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>This is a medical malpractice appeal. The plaintiff patient was treated by the defendant&nbsp; physician for ear problems. After the treatment, she had a complete loss of hearing in one ear. The plaintiff patient filed this lawsuit against the physician, alleging medical malpractice and lack of informed consent. After potential experts in Tennessee and contiguous states declined to testify against the defendant physician, the trial court permitted the plaintiff to use an expert physician witness from a non-contiguous state. At the jury trial, after the jury was sworn and counsel gave opening statements, a juror notified the trial judge of the her concern about an upcoming social event she planned to attend, at which a relative of the defendant physician would be present. After voir dire, the trial judge noted that the plaintiff patient had unused remaining peremptory challenges and excused the juror. The trial court denied the defendant physician’s motion for directed verdict on informed consent. The jury awarded the plaintiff substantial compensatory damages. The defendant physician now appeals, arguing that the trial court erred in permitting the plaintiff to obtain an expert from a non-contiguous state, in allowing the plaintiff to exercise a peremptory challenge after trial was underway, in permitting the informed consent claim to go to the jury, and in denying the defendants’ motion to exclude the expert retained by the plaintiff. We affirm on all issues except the dismissal of the juror. We hold it would be error to permit the exercise of a peremptory challenge after the trial is underway, but find that any error was harmless under the facts of this case. Therefore, we affirm.</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/NEN8uYf28ho" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Appeals Madison Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:48:30 +0000 Nancy.Acred@tncourts.gov 976078 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-appeals/opinions/2012/02/16/marsha-mcdonald-v-paul-f-shea-md-and-shea-ear-clinic http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/bxw36cr8kbQ/state-tennessee-v-ledarren-s-hawkins <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">W2010-01687-CCA-R3-CD</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Roy B. Morgan Jr.</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Thursday, February 16, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/hawkinslsopn.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>A Madison County jury convicted the Defendant, LeDarren S. Hawkins, of first degree murder and tampering with evidence, and the trial court sentenced him to serve an effective life sentence in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the Defendant contends that the evidence is insufficient to support his convictions and that the trial court refused to instruct the jury regarding the defense of a third person as an affirmative defense. After a thorough review of the record and the applicable law, we affirm the trial court’s judgments.</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/bxw36cr8kbQ" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Criminal Appeals Madison Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:40:15 +0000 Mia.Myles@tncourts.gov 983487 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-criminal-appeals/opinions/2012/02/16/state-tennessee-v-ledarren-s-hawkins http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/TciKJkJ2FzI/danneil-edward-keith-v-western-express-inc-et-al <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">M2011-00653-SC-WCM-WC</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Justice Sharon G. lee</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Chancellor Robert E. Burch</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Thursday, February 16, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/keithdaniel_v_western_express_opn_0.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>The employee, a truck driver, was injured in the course and scope of his employment when his vehicle left the road and turned over. His employer denied his claim for workers’ compensation benefits, contending that the accident and resulting injuries were the direct result of the employee’s willful violation of the employer’s safetyrules. The trialcourt found that the employee had willfully and intentionally disregarded the safety rules and entered judgment for the employer. On appeal,the employee contends that the trial court erred because the evidence did not establish the perverseness of his conduct, a necessary element of the misconduct affirmative defense. We affirm the judgment.</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/TciKJkJ2FzI" height="1" width="1"/> Supreme Court Houston Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:11:53 +0000 Sandra.Vance@tncourts.gov 976083 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/opinions/2012/02/16/danneil-edward-keith-v-western-express-inc-et-al http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~3/xjX41elFxmo/state-tennessee-v-michael-shane-springer-0 <div class="field field-type-text field-field-case-number"> <b>Case Number: </b> <span class="field-item">W2010-02153-CCA-R3-CD</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-authoring-judge-txt"> <b>Authoring Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Thomas T. Woodall</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-originating-judge-txt"> <b>Originating Judge: </b> <span class="field-item">Judge Clayburn Peeples</span> </div> <div class="field field-type-date field-field-date"> <b>Date Filed: </b> <span class="field-item"><span class="date-display-single">Thursday, February 16, 2012</span></span> </div> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-pdf"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><a href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/springermcon.pdf" title="Download PDF Version">Download PDF Version</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-body"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item"><P>I agree with the portion of the lead opinion by Judge Bivins which holds that Defendant is not entitled to relief pursuant to Article III of the IAD. I also agree and concur with the section of the lead opinion headed “Other Arguments.” I disagree with and therefore dissent from the remaining part of the lead opinion, which addresses Defendant’s claim pursuant to Article IV of the IAD.</P></div> </div> </div> <br/><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tncourts/opinions/~4/xjX41elFxmo" height="1" width="1"/> Court of Criminal Appeals Gibson Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:55:55 +0000 Mia.Myles@tncourts.gov 983490 at http://www.tncourts.gov http://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-criminal-appeals/opinions/2012/02/16/state-tennessee-v-michael-shane-springer-0