
Here is today's issue of TBALink Opinion-Flash. What follows is the document name, first paragraph and the names of the attorneys for the parties (If you know one of them you might want to give them a call, chances are they don't know about the opinion yet) of each electronic opinion/rules released TODAY from the three appellate courts.
- 00-New Opinons From TSC
- 00-New Opinons From TSC-Rules
- 02-New Opinons From TSC-Workers Comp Panel
- 00-New Opinons From TCA
- 16-New Opinons From TCCA
There are three ways to get the full opinion from the Web: (TBALink members only)
George Dean
TBALink Chief Editor

BELINDA DUNLAP vs. NAGLE INDUSTRIES Court:TSC - Workers Comp Panel Attorneys: For Appellant: For Appellee: William G. McCaskill Stacy A. Turner Taylor, Philbin, Pigue, Marchetti Clarksville, Tennessee & Bennett Nashville, Tennessee Judge:Loser First Paragraph: This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. section 50-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting of findings of fact and conclusions of law. The appellant contends the evidence preponderates against the trial court's award of permanent partial disability benefits based on twenty-five percent to the body as a whole. As discussed below, the panel has concluded the judgment should be modified and affirmed. URL:http://www.tba.org/tba_files/TSC_WCP/dunlapb_opn.WP6DAVID RICHARDS vs. SATURN CORPORATION Court:TSC - Workers Comp Panel Attorneys: For Appellant: For Appellee: Thomas H. Peebles J. Anthony Arena Brian A. Lapps Schulman, LeRoy & Bennett Mark W. Peters Nashville, Tennessee Waller, Lansden, Dortch & Davis Columbia, Tennessee Judge:Loser First Paragraph: This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. section 50-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting of findings of fact and conclusions of law. The appellant states the issues. URL:http://www.tba.org/tba_files/TSC_WCP/richards_opn.WP6
STATE OF TENNESSEE vs. PAT BONDURANT Court:TCCA Attorneys: FOR APPELLANT: FOR THE APPELLEE: (On Appeal and Motion for New Trial) John Knox Walkup William P. Redick, Jr. Attorney General & Reporter P.O. Box 187 Whites Creek, TN 37189 Darian B. Taylor Asst Attorney General Peter D. Heil Criminal Justice Division 866 Battery Lane 450 James Robertson Parkway Nashville, TN 37220 Nashville, TN 37243-0485 (At Trial) T. Michael Bottoms Jerry C. Colley District Attorney General John Colley Colley & Colley James C. Sanders P.O. Box 1476 Asst District Atty General Columbia, TN 38402-1476 James G. White, II Asst District Atty General P.O. Box 1619 Columbia, TN 38402-1619 Judge:WITT First Paragraph: In this capital case, the defendant, Pat Bondurant, was convicted by a jury of first-degree premeditated murder and arson. At a separate sentencing hearing, the jury found the following aggravating factors: (1) the defendant was previously convicted of one or more felonies involving the use or threat of violence, and (2) the murder was especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel in that it involved torture or depravity of mind. See Tenn. Code Ann. S 39-2-203(i)(2) and (5) (1982). The jury found that there were no mitigating circumstances sufficiently substantial to outweigh the aggravating circumstances and sentenced the defendant to death by electrocution. URL:http://www.tba.org/tba_files/TCCA/bondur_opn.WP6
JOSEPH L. BROWN vs. STATE OF TENNESSEE Court:TCCA Attorneys: FOR THE APPELLANT: FOR THE APPELLEE: Howard B. Manis John Knox Walkup Attorney at Law Attorney General & Reporter 200 Jefferson Ave., Ste 1313 425 Fifth Avenue, North Memphis, TN 38103 Nashville, TN 37243-0493 Clinton J. Morgan Counsel for the State 425 Fifth Avenue, North Nashville, TN 37243-0493 William L. Gibbons District Attorney General 201 Poplar Ave., Suite 3-01 Memphis, TN 38103 Daniel R. Woody Asst District Attorney General 201 Poplar Avenue, Suite 3-01 Memphis, TN 38103 Judge:Jones First Paragraph: The appellant, Joseph L. Brown (petitioner), appeals as of right from a judgment of the trial court dismissing his post-conviction action after an evidentiary hearing. In this court, the petitioner contends the trial court "erred in failing to Sustain your Petitioner's Petition for Post Conviction Relief, and grant him a new trial in his case." After a thorough review of the record, the briefs submitted by the parties, and the law governing the issues presented for review, it is the opinion of this court that the judgment of the trial court should be affirmed pursuant to Rule 20, Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals. The evidence contained in the record does not preponderate against the trial court's findings of fact. URL:http://www.tba.org/tba_files/TCCA/brownjl_opn.WP6
STATE OF TENNESSEE vs. HELEN K. DAVIS Court:TCCA Attorneys: FOR THE APPELLANT: A. C. WHARTON, JR. Shelby County Public Defender TONY BRAYTON (on appeal) Assistant Public Defender 201 Poplar Avenue, Suite 201 Memphis, TN 38103 TERESA JONES (at trial) Assistant Public Defender 201 Poplar Avenue, Suite 201 Memphis, TN 38103 FOR THE APPELLEE: JOHN KNOX WALKUP Attorney General and Reporter KENNETH W. RUCKER Assistant Attorney General Cordell Hull Building, 2nd Floor 425 Fifth Avenue North Nashville, TN 37243-0493 WILLIAM L. GIBBONS District Attorney General LEE COFFEE Assistant District Attorney General 201 Poplar Avenue, Suite 301 Memphis, TN 38103 Judge:SMITH First Paragraph: The defendant, Helen K. Davis, appeals as of right from convictions of three (3) counts of simple robbery, Class C felonies. She pled guilty and agreed to concurrent terms of eight (8) years as a Range II offender. The sole issue presented for review is whether the trial court erred in denying the defendant probation. We affirm the judgment of the trial court. URL:http://www.tba.org/tba_files/TCCA/davishk_opn.WP6
CHARLES E. DORSE, JR. and EDDIE L. WILLIAMS vs. STATE OF TENNESSEE Court:TCCA Attorneys: FOR APPELLANT DORSE: C. ANNE TIPTON 140 North Third Street Memphis, TN 38103-2007 FOR APPELLANT WILLIAMS: JIM N. HALE (At Hearing) 147 Jefferson Avenue, Suite 1204 Memphis, TN 38103 GERALD STANLEY GREEN (On Appeal) 147 Jefferson Avenue, Suite 1115 Memphis, TN 38103 FOR THE APPELLEE: JOHN KNOX WALKUP Attorney General and Reporter DEBORAH A. TULLIS Assistant Attorney General Cordell Hull Building, 2nd Floor 425 Fifth Avenue North Nashville, TN 37243-0493 WILLIAM L. GIBBONS District Attorney General DANIEL R. WOODY Assistant District Attorney General 201 Poplar Avenue, Suite 301 Memphis, TN 38103-1947 Judge:SMITH First Paragraph: The petitioners, Charles E. Dorse, Jr. and Eddie L. Williams, appeal the order of the Shelby County Criminal Court denying their respective petitions for post-conviction relief after an evidentiary hearing. On appeal, petitioners allege ineffective assistance of both trial and appellate counsel. Dorse further argues that, at trial, the jury was charged with an unconstitutional reasonable doubt instruction. Williams presents three additional issues: (1) whether the original trial court properly refused to suppress his statement to the police; (2) whether the original trial court properly refused to sever the defendants; and (3) whether the post-conviction court properly consolidated the subject petitions at the hearing. Because we agree with the trial court's finding that Dorse's trial counsel failed to notify him of his right to seek second tier appellate review, we grant him the right to seek a delayed appeal to the Tennessee Supreme Court. In all other respects, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed. URL:http://www.tba.org/tba_files/TCCA/dorsece_opn.WP6
JERRY DALE DUFFEY vs. STATE OF TENNESSEE Court:TCCA Attorneys: FOR THE APPELLANT: FOR THE APPELLEE: Curtis H. Gann John Knox Walkup Assistant Public Defender Attorney General & Reporter P.O. Box 1119 425 Fifth Avenue, North Fayetteville, TN 37334 Nashville, TN 37243-0493 (Appeal Only) Ellen H. Pollack Michael D. Randles Assistant Attorney General Assistant Public Defender 450 James Robertson Parkway P.O. Box 1119 Nashville, TN 37243-0493 Fayetteville, TN 37334 (Trial Only) W. Michael McCown District Attorney General OF COUNSEL: P.O. Box 904 Fayetteville, TN 37334 John H. Dickey District Public Defender Weakley E. Barnard P.O. Box 1119 Asst District Attorney General Fayetteville, TN 37334 Marshall County Courthouse Lewisburg, TN 37091 Judge:Jones First Paragraph: The appellant, Jerry Dale Duffey (petitioner), appeals as of right from a judgment of the trial court dismissing his post-conviction action following an evidentiary hearing. The petitioner contends (a) the trial judge committed error of prejudicial dimensions by refusing to recuse himself and (b) the evidence contained in the record establishes the petitioner was denied his constitutional right to the effective assistance of counsel. After a thorough review of the record, the briefs submitted by the parties, and the law governing the issues presented for review, it is the opinion of this court that the judgment of the trial court should be affirmed. URL:http://www.tba.org/tba_files/TCCA/duffeyjd_opn.WP6
STATE OF TENNESSEE vs. GENE GRUZELLA Court:TCCA Attorneys: FOR THE APPELLANT: FOR THE APPELLEE: D. STUART CAULKINS JOHN KNOX WALKUP 212 E. Main St. Attorney General & Reporter Franklin, TN 37064 ELIZABETH B. MARNEY Asst. Attorney General 425 Fifth Ave., N. Nashville, TN 37243-0493 JOSEPH D. BAUGH District Attorney General RONALD L. DAVIS Asst. District Attorney General P.O. Box 937 Franklin, TN 37065-0937 Judge:PEAY First Paragraph: The defendant was charged with unlawfully disposing of a corpse and with mistreating a corpse. A jury acquitted him of the first offense but convicted him of the latter. The defendant was subsequently sentenced to six years incarceration. In this appeal as of right, the defendant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence and the constitutionality of the statute which he was convicted of violating. Upon our review of the record, we reverse the defendant's conviction and dismiss the charge against him. URL:http://www.tba.org/tba_files/TCCA/gruzella_opn.WP6
STATE OF TENNESSEE vs. CLARENCE JACKSON Court:TCCA Attorneys: FOR THE APPELLANT: FOR THE APPELLEE: H. Marshall Judd John Knox Walkup Assistant Public Defender Attorney General & Reporter 215 Reagan Street 425 Fifth Avenue, North Cookeville, TN 38501 Nashville, TN 37243-0493 OF COUNSEL: Georgia Blythe Felner Counsel for the State David N. Brady 425 Fifth Avenue, North District Public Defender Nashville, TN 37243-0493 215 Reagan Street Cookeville, TN 38501 William E. Gibson District Attorney General 145 South Jefferson Avenue Cookeville, TN 38501-3424 Lillie Ann Sells Asst District Attorney General 145 South Jefferson Avenue Cookeville, TN 38501-3424 Judge:Jones First Paragraph: The appellant, Clarence Jackson (defendant), was convicted of two (2) counts of sexual battery, a Class E felony, by a jury of his peers. The trial court, finding the defendant to be a standard offender, imposed a Range I sentence consisting of confinement for two (2) years in the Department of Correction in each count. The sentences were ordered to be served consecutively for an effective sentence of four (4) years. The defendant presents nine issues for review. However, this court finds there are only three issues presented for review. The defendant contends (a) the evidence is insufficient, as a matter of law, to support his convictions, (b) the trial court erred by admitting into evidence his statement to a law enforcement officer because it contained inadmissible hearsay, and (c) the sentences imposed by the trial court are excessive. After a thorough review of the record, the briefs submitted by the parties, and the law governing the issues presented for review, it is the opinion of this court that the two convictions for sexual battery should be affirmed. However, the sentences are modified. The sentences are to be served concurrently rather than consecutively. URL:http://www.tba.org/tba_files/TCCA/jacksonc_opn.WP6
VITO ANTHONY LICARI vs. STATE OF TENNESSEE Court:TCCA Attorneys: FOR THE APPELLANT: FOR THE APPELLEE: Phillip G. Hollis John Knox Walkup Attorney at Law Attorney General & Reporter 39 North Court Square 425 Fifth Avenue, North Camden, TN 38320 Nashville, TN 37243-0493 Georgia B. Felner Counsel for the State 425 Fifth Avenue, North Nashville, TN 37243-0493 G. Robert Radford District Attorney General P. O. Box 686 Huntingdon, TN 38344-0686 Todd A. Rose Asst District Attorney General P. O. Box 94 Paris, TN 38242 Judge:Jones First Paragraph: The appellant, Vito Anthony Licari (petitioner), appeals as of right from a judgment of the trial court dismissing his post-conviction action. In this court, the petitioner contends his plea of guilty failed to pass constitutional muster because the trial court's explanation regarding the right to confront the State of Tennessee's witnesses was inaccurate. He argues his plea is infirm due to a misstatement made by the trial court during the submission hearing, and this same error rendered the guilty plea involuntary. The petitioner also contends the trial court failed to determine that his guilty plea was freely and voluntarily given. The petitioner raises a third issue that "the court fail[ed] to follow the directions of Rule 11 to the extent that the defendant is entitled to post-conviction relief." After a thorough review of the record, the briefs submitted by the parties, and the law governing the issues presented for review, it is the opinion of this court that the judgment of the trial court should be affirmed pursuant to Rule 20, Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals. The evidence contained in the record does not preponderate against the findings of fact made by the trial court. Clenny v. State, 576 S.W.2d 12, 14 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1978), cert. denied, 441 U.S. 947, 99 S.Ct. 2170, 60 L.Ed.2d 1050 (1979). URL:http://www.tba.org/tba_files/TCCA/licariva_opn.WP6
STATE OF TENNESSEE vs. ANTONIO S. MOORE Court:TCCA Attorneys: FOR THE APPELLANT: FOR THE APPELLEE: J. C. McLin John Knox Walkup Attorney at Law Attorney General & Reporter 301 Washington Ave., Ste 201 Memphis, TN 38103 Georgia Blythe Felner Counsel for the State Lee Wilson Criminal Justice Division Attorney at Law 450 James Robertson Parkway 200 Jefferson Nashville, TN 37243-0493 Memphis, TN 38103 (At Trial) William L. Gibbons District Attorney General Perry Hayes Asst District Attorney General 201 Poplar Avenue, Suite 301 Memphis, TN 38103 Judge:SUMMERS First Paragraph: Antonio Moore, the appellant, pled guilty to possession of cocaine with intent to sell in an amount less than one-half of a gram. The appellant agreed to a three-year sentence, with the court to determine whether the appellant should receive probation. The court ordered the appellant to serve eleven months twenty-nine days in jail followed by two years of community corrections. Appellant appeals, and the sole issue for our review is whether the court should have granted the appellant full probation. He requests a nonincarcerative alternative sentence. URL:http://www.tba.org/tba_files/TCCA/mooreant_opn.WP6
STATE OF TENNESSEE vs. HARVEY D'HATI MOORE Court:TCCA Attorneys: For Appellant: For Appellee: William L. Brown John Knox Walkup 706 Walnut Street, Ste 902 Attorney General and Reporter Knoxville, TN 37902 450 James Robertson Parkway (at trial and on appeal) Nashville, TN 37243-0493 M. Jeffrey Whitt Sandy C. Patrick 706 Walnut Street, Ste 902 Assistant Attorney General Knoxville, TN 37902 Cordell Hull Building, Second Fl. (at trial only) 425 Fifth Avenue North Nashville, TN 37243-0943 Randall E. Nichols District Attorney General and Fred Bright, Jr. Asst District Attorney General City-County Building Knoxville, TN 37902 Judge:WADE First Paragraph: The defendant, Harvey D'Hati Moore, was indicted for the first-degree child abuse murder of Kadijah Hopewell. See Tenn. Code Ann. S 39-13-202(a)(4) (Supp. 1993). The jury returned a verdict of guilt of the lesser grade offense of criminally negligent homicide. See Tenn.Code Ann. S 39-13-212. The trial court imposed a sentence of 452 days, which the defendant had already served by the time of trial. URL:http://www.tba.org/tba_files/TCCA/moorehd_opn.WP6
STATE OF TENNESSEE vs. DANIEL D. NAUGHTON, SR. Court:TCCA Attorneys: For the Appellant: For the Appellee: A C Wharton John Knox Walkup Public Defender Attorney General and Reporter Tony N. Brayton Elizabeth T. Ryan Asst. Public Defender Assistant Attorney General 201 Poplar St., Suite 201 Criminal Justice Division Memphis, TN 38103 450 James Robertson Parkway Nashville, TN 37243-0493 William L. Gibbons District Attorney General Robert Carter Asst. District Attorney General Criminal Justice Complex, Ste 301 201 Poplar Street Memphis, TN 38103 Judge:Hayes First Paragraph: The appellant, Daniel D. Naughton, was found guilty of one count of aggravated child abuse by a Shelby County jury. Following this verdict, the trial court imposed the maximum sentence of twelve years confinement in the Tennessee Department of Correction. URL:http://www.tba.org/tba_files/TCCA/naughtnd_opn.WP6 URL:http://www.tba.org/tba_files/TCCA/naughtnd_dis.WP6
STATE OF TENNESSEE vs. RICHARD D. SAWYER Court:TCCA Attorneys: For Appellant: For Appellee: Robert S. Peters John Knox Walkup Swafford, Peters & Priest Attorney General and Reporter 100 First Avenue, Southwest Winchester, TN 37398 Ruth Anne Thompson (at trial and on appeal) Counsel for the State 425 Fifth Avenue North Timothy Priest Cordell Hull Bldg, Second Fl. Swafford, Peters & Priest Nashville, TN 37243-0493 100 First Avenue, Southwest Winchester, TN 37398 Stephen M. Blount (at sentencing) Asst District Attorney General 324 Dinah Shore Boulevard Winchester, TN 37398 Judge:WADE First Paragraph: The defendant, Richard D. Sawyer, was convicted of driving under the influence, third offense, and driving on a revoked license, second offense. The trial court imposed concurrent sentences of eleven months and twenty-nine days for driving under the influence and ninety days for driving on a revoked license. See Tenn. Code Ann. SS 55-10-401(a) and 55-50-504(a)(1). The defendant was fined $1,050.00. URL:http://www.tba.org/tba_files/TCCA/sawyerrd_opn.WP6
STATE OF TENNESSEE vs. MARY SCHWARTZ Court:TCCA Attorneys: FOR THE APPELLANT: FOR THE APPELLEE: LARRY D. DROLSUM JOHN KNOX WALKUP Assistant Public Defender Attorney General and Reporter 407 C Main Street P.O. Box 68 RUTH A. THOMPSON Franklin, TN 37065-0068 Assistant Attorney General 425 5th Avenue North Nashville, TN 37243 JOSEPH D. BAUGH, JR. District Attorney General JOHN BARRINGER Asst District Attorney General P.O. Box 937 Franklin, TN 37065-0937 Judge:WELLES First Paragraph: The Defendant, Mary Schwartz, appeals as of right pursuant to Rule 3 of the Tennessee Rules of Appellate Procedure. She was convicted at a bench trial of driving under the influence of an intoxicant ("DUI"). The trial court sentenced her to thirty days in the county jail, all suspended except for forty-eight hours, and eleven months and twenty-nine days of probation. The trial court also imposed a fine of three hundred fifty dollars ($350), ordered the Defendant to attend alcohol safety school, and revoked her driver's license for one year. In this appeal, the Defendant argues that the evidence was legally insufficient to support her conviction. After reviewing the record, we conclude that the Defendant's issue lacks merit. Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of the trial court. URL:http://www.tba.org/tba_files/TCCA/schwarma_opn.WP6
KENNETH A. STEELE vs. STATE OF TENNESSEE Court:TCCA Attorneys: For Appellant: For Appellee: Jeffery S. Frensley, Attorney John Knox Walkup 211 Third Avenue North Attorney General and Reporter P.O. Box 198288 Nashville, TN 37219-8288 Daryl J. Brand Assistant Attorney General 450 James Robertson Parkway Nashville, TN 37243-0493 Stan Lanzo H.C. Bright Asst District Attys General Hamilton County Justice Bldg Chattanooga, TN 37402 Judge:WADE First Paragraph: Indicted on twenty-one separate indictments involving eight victims, the petitioner, Kenneth Alan Steele, was convicted on each count. The charges included burglary, armed robbery, aggravated robbery, rape, aggravated assault, assault with intent to commit rape, and theft of property. The Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the convictions. State v. Kenneth Alan Steele, No. 03C01-9207 CR-00233 (Tenn. Crim. App., at Knoxville, Oct. 13, 1993). Application for permission to appeal to the supreme court was denied. URL:http://www.tba.org/tba_files/TCCA/steeleka_opn.WP6
DANIEL B. TAYLOR vs. STATE OF TENNESSEE Court:TCCA Attorneys: FOR THE APPELLANT: FOR THE APPELLEE: Daniel B. Taylor, pro se John Knox Walkup Northwest Correctional Center Attorney General & Reporter Route 1, Box 660 425 Fifth Avenue, North Tiptonville, TN 38079 Nashville, TN 37243-0493 Wayne Chastain Kenneth W. Rucker Attorney at Law Assistant Attorney General 66 Monroe Avenue, Suite 804 425 Fifth Avenue, North Memphis, TN 38103 Nashville, TN 37234-0493 (Trial Only) William L. Gibbons District Attorney General 201 Poplar Avenue, Suite 3-01 Memphis, TN 38103 C. Alanda Horne Asst District Attorney General 201 Poplar Avenue, Suite 3-01 Memphis, TN 38103 Judge:Jones First Paragraph: The appellant, Daniel B. Taylor (petitioner), appeals as of right from a judgment of the trial court summarily dismissing his post-conviction action. The trial court found the petitioner "has failed to raise any issue which has not been previously determined" and "an evidentiary hearing is not necessary for a resolution of any issue before this Court." The petitioner presents four issues for review. He contends (a) the dismissal of his action on the ground the issues were previously determined violated his constitutional rights, (b) the State of Tennessee (state) failed to respond to each ground alleged in his petition, (c) the order of dismissal was incomplete because it does not address all of the grounds alleged in his petition, and (d) the dismissal of his petition "resulted in denial of meaningful access to justice, and the fundamental fairness, to an adequate opportunity to present issues fairly within the post-conviction adversary system." After a thorough review of the record, the briefs submitted by the parties, and the law governing the issues presented for review, it is the opinion of this court that the judgment of the trial court should be affirmed. URL:http://www.tba.org/tba_files/TCCA/taylordb_opn.WP6

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