ÿWPCÛ( ™Œ9“Ô3¤QÛ£œ»¨6 U NI %— 0cw@4@Tc 0§k 0DQV:§ UNáZ/ {D‰ZÍ 0D'# {Gk# {(²#UNÚ#($U:*%d%U:f&f&f&f&f&f&f& AQ &Æñ& 0D·' Bû' 0D(( D/\(\( B‹( D3¨(˜HP LaserJet 4000 Series PCL 6HPBXLBÈÈÈÈÈÈÈÈ0nLlÎ(ÈhH  Z 6Times New Roman RegularX(;Ðs$¡¡Ñ‡ˆÑчˆÑÔ€V`·8VXXÔ = E> [? [@ A DB C DD Ó€N Q n~<$3|xQ (W(30'$¤¤Ý ƒÐs!Ýч°Ñч°ÑÔ€V°ŠVXXÔÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó GÝ ƒ /x$ÝÔ€Và„VXXÔà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ýà ` àOn€July€6,€1998,€the€Commissioner€determined€that€Reid€could€proceed€as€a€poorÐ ‡ Ðperson.€€Although€this€ruling€was€entered€after€the€notice€of€appeal,€the€trial€court€retainsÏjurisdiction€to€make€this€determination.€€òòò òSee€Watler€v.€Watleró óóó,€1994€WL€111023,€at€*2€(Mar.€30,Ð cÜ Ð1994);€òòò òDepððt€of€Human€Serv.€v.€Harrisóóó ó,€No.€01A01-9203„CV„00109,€1992€WL€259288,€at€*2Ð QÊ Ð(Tenn.€App.€Oct.€7,€1992)€.€€€€ 0Ý ƒ üÝ$Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ýà ` àThe€relevant€portions€of€9„8„403€read:Ð ° ÐÌÓ  ÓÒ°ÒÒ°Òà ` àà ¸ à(a)€€The€commission€shall€maintain€two€(2)€separate€dockets.€.€.€.Ìà ` à(1)€A€regular€docket€similar€to€those€maintained€by€courts€of€record.€A€courtÏreporter€shall€be€utilized€at€all€hearings€on€claims€on€the€regular€docket€and€a€recordÏof€such€proceedings€shall€be€made.€These€proceedings€shall€be€conducted€pursuantÏto€rules€of€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Civil€Procedure€where€applicable€and€otherwiseÏpursuant€to€rules€and€regulations€promulgated€by€the€commission.€.€.€.€Ìà ` à(2)€A€small€claims€docket€consisting€of€claims€satisfying€the€monetary€limitÏapplicable€to€the€general€sessions€court€of€Davidson€County.€No€court€reporter€shallÏbe€utilized€nor€any€record€made€of€these€proceedings.€These€proceedings€shall€beÏconducted€pursuant€to€rules€and€regulations€promulgated€by€the€commission.€If€aÏclaimant€consents€to€having€the€claimant's€claim€proceed€upon€affidavits€filed€withÏthe€commission€without€a€hearing,€the€state€shall€be€deemed€to€have€waived€a€hearingÏon€the€claim€unless€the€state€requests€a€hearing€within€sixty€(60)€days€after€the€claimÏis€filed€with,€or€transferred€to,€the€commission.€No€appeal€may€be€taken€from€aÏcommissioner's€decision€regarding€claims€appearing€on€the€small€claims€docket.€Ì*€*€*€*Ìà ` àà ¸ à(c)€€At€the€discretion€of€either€party€at€any€time€prior€to€a€hearing,€aÏclaim€may€be€removed€from€the€small€claims€docket€to€the€regular€docket.€OnceÏremoved,€the€claim€shall€be€treated€like€any€other€claim€on€the€regular€docket.€Ð pÀ  Ð*€*€*€*€Ìà ` àà ¸ à(h)€€Claims€based€on€the€negligent€care,€custody€or€control€of€personalÏproperty€by€persons€in€the€legal€custody€of€the€state€shall€proceed€on€affidavits€only,Ïexcept€where€the€commission€determines€that€witnesses€should€be€heard.€ÌÒ°¥ÒÒ°—ÒÓ‹ÓÌTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€9„8„403(a),€(c),€(h)€(Supp.€1998).(ÖÃ9 Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular PÝ ƒ /x$ÝÔ€Và„VXXÔà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ýà ` àThe€relevant€portions€of€9„8„403€read:Ð ‡ ÐÌÓ  ÓÒ°ÒÒ°Òà ` àà ¸ à(a)€€The€commission€shall€maintain€two€(2)€separate€dockets.€.€.€.Ìà ` à(1)€A€regular€docket€similar€to€those€maintained€by€courts€of€record.€A€courtÏreporter€shall€be€utilized€at€all€hearings€on€claims€on€the€regular€docket€and€a€recordÏof€such€proceedings€shall€be€made.€These€proceedings€shall€be€conducted€pursuantÏto€rules€of€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Civil€Procedure€where€applicable€and€otherwiseÏpursuant€to€rules€and€regulations€promulgated€by€the€commission.€.€.€.€Ìà ` à(2)€A€small€claims€docket€consisting€of€claims€satisfying€the€monetary€limitÏapplicable€to€the€general€sessions€court€of€Davidson€County.€No€court€reporter€shallÏbe€utilized€nor€any€record€made€of€these€proceedings.€These€proceedings€shall€beÏconducted€pursuant€to€rules€and€regulations€promulgated€by€the€commission.€If€aÏclaimant€consents€to€having€the€claimant's€claim€proceed€upon€affidavits€filed€withÏthe€commission€without€a€hearing,€the€state€shall€be€deemed€to€have€waived€a€hearingÏon€the€claim€unless€the€state€requests€a€hearing€within€sixty€(60)€days€after€the€claimÏis€filed€with,€or€transferred€to,€the€commission.€No€appeal€may€be€taken€from€aÏcommissioner's€decision€regarding€claims€appearing€on€the€small€claims€docket.€Ì*€*€*€*Ìà ` àà ¸ à(c)€€At€the€discretion€of€either€party€at€any€time€prior€to€a€hearing,€aÏclaim€may€be€removed€from€the€small€claims€docket€to€the€regular€docket.€OnceÏremoved,€the€claim€shall€be€treated€like€any€other€claim€on€the€regular€docket.€Ì*€*€*€*€Ð  †  Ðà ` àà ¸ à(h)€€Claims€based€on€the€negligent€care,€custody€or€control€of€personalÏproperty€by€persons€in€the€legal€custody€of€the€state€shall€proceed€on€affidavits€only,Ïexcept€where€the€commission€determines€that€witnesses€should€be€heard.€ÌÒ°ÄÒÒ°¶ÒÓªÓÌTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€9„8„403(a),€(c),€(h)€›(Supp.€1998).(Za$¡¡ÑLHÑÑLHÑ PÝ ƒ g’$ÝÔ€Uà¶1UXXÔà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ýà ` àThe€relevant€portions€of€9„8„403€read:Ð J ÐÌÓ  ÓÒ°ÒÒ°Òà ` àà ¸ à(a)€€The€commission€shall€maintain€two€(2)€separate€dockets.€.€.€.Ìà ` à(1)€A€regular€docket€similar€to€those€maintained€by€courts€of€record.€A€courtÏreporter€shall€be€utilized€at€all€hearings€on€claims€on€the€regular€docket€and€a€recordÏof€such€proceedings€shall€be€made.€These€proceedings€shall€be€conducted€pursuantÏto€rules€of€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Civil€Procedure€where€applicable€and€otherwiseÏpursuant€to€rules€and€regulations€promulgated€by€the€commission.€.€.€.€Ìà ` à(2)€A€small€claims€docket€consisting€of€claims€satisfying€the€monetary€limitÏapplicable€to€the€general€sessions€court€of€Davidson€County.€No€court€reporter€shallÏbe€utilized€nor€any€record€made€of€these€proceedings.€These€proceedings€shall€beÏconducted€pursuant€to€rules€and€regulations€promulgated€by€the€commission.€If€aÏclaimant€consents€to€having€the€claimant's€claim€proceed€upon€affidavits€filed€withÏthe€commission€without€a€hearing,€the€state€shall€be€deemed€to€have€waived€a€hearingÏon€the€claim€unless€the€state€requests€a€hearing€within€sixty€(60)€days€after€the€claimÏis€filed€with,€or€transferred€to,€the€commission.€No€appeal€may€be€taken€from€aÏcommissioner's€decision€regarding€claims€appearing€on€the€small€claims€docket.€Ì*€*€*€*Ìà ` àà ¸ à(c)€€At€the€discretion€of€either€party€at€any€time€prior€to€a€hearing,€aÏclaim€may€be€removed€from€the€small€claims€docket€to€the€regular€docket.€OnceÏremoved,€the€claim€shall€be€treated€like€any€other€claim€on€the€regular€docket.€Ì*€*€*€*€Ìà ` àà ¸ à(h)€€Claims€based€on€the€negligent€care,€custody€or€control€of€personalÏproperty€by€persons€in€the€legal€custody€of€the€state€shall€proceed€on€affidavits€only,Ð ¬b  Ðexcept€where€the€commission€determines€that€witnesses€should€be€heard.€ÌÒ°ÄÒÒ°¶ÒÓªÓÌTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€9„8„403(a),€(c),€(h)€›(Supp.€1998).(3¯$££Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý(?Ó$¡¡Ô€x5Y*xXXÔ($¡¡(ÈhH  Z 6Times New Roman Regular øÝ ƒ!¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ€Xã1XXXÔÔ€­„XXã1ÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€Xã1X­„ÔÐ  ÐÌJuly€26,€1999ÌÌCecil€Crowson,€Jr.ÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdAhÔó ó,–ûyAZ‹"Arial Regular øÝ ƒ!¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ€Xã1XXXÔÔ€­„XXã1ÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€Xã1X­„ÔÐ  ÐÌJuly€23,€1999ÌÌCecil€Crowson,€Jr.ÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdAhÔó ó,–ûyAZ‹"Arial Regular !#%Cþÿ<< CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(3¯$¢¢Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý d($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó ó'''÷ÿ dxdüÿP Pd""""'ÿÿdxdÝ ƒÐs!Ýч°Ñч°ÑÔ€VP‚VXXÔÝ  ÝÔT€ÔñD ñ›ñD ñÑTR[¤ AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÑ7€ÓÉXXdæXXdæ7ÑÑ  ÑñN ññD ñßr€(<,(j 8` `€€@EȈ` ttx0‡ð árßñD ññN ññQ ññN ñßr€(<,(j 8` `€€@EȈ` ttx0‡ð árßñN ññQ ññQ ññQ ññQ ññD ñ›ñD ññQ ññQ ññQ ññQ ñ›ñQ ññQ ññQ ññQ ñ›ñQ ññQ ñßt€(>.*jxÜ` `€€@EØc` ttx0›ð ¨ tß›ñQ ñà@} } ìàò òIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÌà@jj%ìàAT€JACKSONˆÌ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€òò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð KÄ ÐÌóóÌE.€L.€REID,à ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)Ð ñj Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)Ìó ó€€€€€€€€€€€Claimant/Appellantà  àà h àà À àò ò)à  àó óClaims€Commission€No.€97„003„192Ð µ . Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àò ò)Ð —  Ðv.à  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)Ð y ò  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)à  àó óAppeal€No.€02A01„9807„BC„00191ò òÐ [ Ô  ÐSTATE€OF€TENNESSEE,€€€€€€€€€à h àà À à)Ð =¶  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)Ìà  àó óDefendant/Appellee.à  àà h àò òà À à)ó óà  àÐ z  ÐÌÌÌà0  àà ° àà@¢ ¢ ì(#(#àAPPEAL€FROM€THE€TENNESSEE€CLAIMS€COMMISSION€€€ˆÌà@Ãà ìàWESTERN€DIVISION€€€€€à@@ìì*ìàˆÌÌÌÌà@ÿÿìàTHE€HONORABLE€MARTHA€B.€BRASFIELD,€COMMISSIONERˆÌòòÌÌÌFor€the€Claimant/Appellantóó:òòà  àà h àà À àFor€the€Respondent/Appelleeóó:òòÐ {ô Ðóóà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àÌE.€L.€Reid,€Pro€Seà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àJohn€Knox€Walkup€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð ?¸ ÐNashville,€Tennessee€€€€€à  àà h àà À àSohnia€W.€Hong€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð !š Ѐ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€à ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àNashville,€TennesseeÐ | ÐÌÌÌò òà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àAFFIRMEDó óÐ ‹"" ÐÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àHOLLY€KIRBY€LILLARD,€J.ÌÌÌCONCUR:ÌÌW.€FRANK€CRAWFORD,€P.J.,€W.J.ÌÌALAN€E.€HIGHERS,€J.òòÐ A,º'- ÐóóÐ  #-œ(. ÐØØÑ7€ÓÉXXdæXXdæ7ÑÑ  Ñà@55'ìàò òOPINIONó óÓӈР‡ ÐÓ  Óà  àThis€is€a€prisoner€property€loss€claim.€€The€Tennessee€Claims€Commission€dismissed€theÏclaim.€€We€affirm.ò ò€€ó óÐ ˆ Ðà  àClaimant/Appellant€E.€L.€(Eldred)€Reid€(ð ðReidðð)€is€an€inmate;€during€the€events€relevant€toÏthis€appeal,€he€was€housed€at€the€Northwest€Correctional€Center€(ð ðNWCCðð)€in€Tiptonville,ÏTennessee.€He€has€since€been€moved€to€a€different€correctional€facility.Ìà  àOn€April€22,€1996,€Reid€left€his€cell€to€eat€his€evening€meal€at€about€6:00€p.m.€€He€claimsÏthat€his€cell€door€was€locked€and€that€he€was€the€only€inmate€with€a€key€to€the€cell.€€His€cellmate€didÏnot€,€have€a€key.€€When€Reid€returned,€commissary€items,€tobacco,€and€a€lamp€were€missing.€Ìà  àOn€May€15,€1996,€Reid€filed€a€notice€of€claim€with€the€Division€of€Claims€AdministrationÏ(ð ðDCAðð)€alleging€that€his€cell€was€burglarized€due€to€the€negligence€of€Tennessee€Department€ofÏCorrections€(ð ðTDOCðð)€officials.€€Reid€requested€relief€in€the€amount€of€$110€for€the€loss€of€hisÏpersonal€property,€including€$75€for€the€loss€of€the€commissary€items,€and€$35€for€the€loss€of€theÏlight€and€light€bulb.€€Reid€also€sought€$100€per€day€in€damages€for€the€loss€of€the€use€of€his€property.€ÏIn€his€notice€of€claim,€Reid€alleged€that€TDOC€officials€were€solely€responsible€for€the€security€ofÏhis€cell€and€possessed€the€only€other€key.€€He€asserted€that,€but€for€the€Stateððs€negligence,€hisÏpersonal€property€could€not€have€been€stolen.€€He€also€claims€that€the€TDOC€failed€to€investigateÏthe€theft.Ìà  àOn€February€14,€1997,€the€DCA€denied€Reidððs€claim.€€Reid€then€filed€a€notice€of€appeal€withÏthe€Claims€Commission€(ð ðCommissionðð).€€In€his€pleadings€before€the€Claims€Commission,€ReidÏattached€an€affidavit€in€which€he€alleged€that€the€correctional€centerððs€cell€doors€have€faulty€locksÏthat€can€be€picked€by€other€inmates,€and€that€the€corrections€staff€fails€to€adequately€watch€cellsÏwhen€inmates€are€not€in€their€cells,€and€fails€to€obtain€proper€inmate€identification€before€allowingÏinmates€into€cells.€€He€also€alleged€that€the€TDOC€officials€are€retaliating€against€him€for€his€activityÏin€the€legal€system€by€denying€him€the€ability€to€make€copies€of€legal€documents€and€denying€himÏmedical€treatment.€€He€claimed€the€loss€of€his€clip„on€lamp€with€its€special€light€interfered€with€hisÏability€to€litigate€against€the€defendants.€€Ìà  àThe€State€filed€a€motion€for€summary€judgment€on€July€18,€1997.€€In€its€memorandum€inÏsupport€of€its€motion€for€summary€judgment,€the€State€argued€that€it€was€entitled€to€summaryÏjudgment€because€Reid€failed€to€prove€that€the€State€was€negligent€in€the€care,€custody€and€controlÏof€his€property.€€Although€the€State€admitted€that€Reid€provided€several€possible€scenarios€of€howÏthieves€could€have€entered€his€cell,€the€State€asserted€that€Reid€failed€to€state€with€specificity€an€actÐ C;¼6> Ðor€omission€showing€that€TDOC€officials€were€responsible€for€the€loss€of€his€property.€€The€StateÏattached€an€affidavit€of€Ricky€Choate,€a€correctional€officer€who€was€supervising€the€inmates€onÏApril€22,€1996.€€ñ2 ñœñ2 ñChoateñ2 ñ›ñ2 ñ€noted€that€Reidððs€cellmate€spent€the€evening€braiding€another€inmateððs€hair.€ÏHe€asserted€that€an€investigation€was€not€conducted€to€search€for€the€missing€items€because€theyÏwere€all€commissary€items,€which€ð ðcannot€be€labeled€or€permanently€engraved.ðð€€Ìà  àReid€filed€a€motion€to€deny€the€Stateððs€ñ2 ñœñ2 ñmotion€forñ2 ñ›ñ2 ñ€summary€judgment€and€attached€anÏaffidavit€of€his€cellmate,€Tony€S.€Maxwell.€€Maxwell€stated€that€he€had€been€braiding€anotherÏinmateððs€hair€when€the€evening€meal€was€called.€€Maxwell€went€to€his€cell,€had€the€officer€unlockÏthe€door€since€he€did€not€have€a€key,€washed€his€hands,€and€then€left€the€cell.€€Maxwell€stated€thatÏhe€made€sure€that€the€door€was€locked€by€ð ðpulling€and€shaking€the€door.ðð€€ñ2 ñœñ2 ñWhen€Maxwell€returnedñ2 ñ›ñ2 ñÏfrom€dinner,€Reid€approached€Maxwell€and€asked€if€he€ñ2 ñœñ2 ññ2 ñœñ2 ñhad€hadñ2 ñ›ñ2 ññ2 ñ›ñ2 ñ€anything€stolen€from€the€cell.€€NoneÏof€Maxwellððs€personal€property€had€been€stolen.€€Maxwell€asserted€that€no€investigation€was€done,Ïbut€that€ñ2 ñœñ2 ñReidððs€lightñ2 ñ›ñ2 ñ€could€have€been€identified€because€it€had€a€name€and€number€scratched€on€theÏbase.€Ìà  àOn€November€3,€1997,€the€Commission€entered€an€order€pursuant€to€Tennessee€CodeÏAnnotated€ðð€9„8„403€transferring€the€case€to€the€regular€docket.ñ2 ñœñ2 ññ2 ññ6 ñ׃×ñ6 ññ6 ñ׃×ñ6 ññ2 ññ2 ñ׃ ×ñ2 ñÝ ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€€€The€Commissioner€determinedÐ #$œ" Ðthat€ð ð[œi]t›€would€be€œ[a]›€waste€of€judicial€time€and€economy€to€rule€on€the€motion€for€summaryÏjudgment€and€then€issue€a€ruling€on€the€merits€of€the€case.€€The€motions€of€the€parties€will€beÏconsidered€as€arguments€to€support€that€partyððs€position.ðð€€The€Commissioner€noted€that€an€orderÏwould€then€be€issued€based€on€the€merits€of€the€claim.€€Ìà  àOn€February€19,€1998,€the€Commissioner€dismissed€Reidððs€œclaim.€€The›€CommissionerÏdetermined€that€the€request€for€$100€per€day€in€damages€was€not€a€proper€measure€of€damages€andÏtherefore€would€not€be€considered.€€The€Commissioner€also€concluded€that€Reidððs€€request€for€$110Ïin€damages€was€without€merit€since€ð ð[t]he€State€is€not€an€insurer€of€personal€property.ðð€€TheÏCommissioner€stated€that€ð ð[t]he€Commission€has€consistently€held€that€property€of€an€inmate€whichÏis€located€in€his€cell€is€not€under€the€care,€custody€or€control€of€the€TDOC€œofficials,›€but€is€under€theÏcare,€custody€or€control€of€the€Claimant.ðð€€The€Commissioner€noted€that€thieves€could€have€enteredÏReidððs€œcell€in›€many€ways€without€negligence€by€the€TDOC,€and€concluded€that€Reid€had€failed€toÏprove€negligence€by€TDOC.€€Ìà  àReid€then€filed€a€motion€to€reconsider€or,€in€the€alternative,€a€notice€of€appeal€as€of€right.€ÏHe€conceded€that€there€were€many€ways€that€his€property€could€have€been€stolen,€but€asserted€thatÏthe€only€way€his€property€could€be€removed€from€his€cell€was€by€TDOC€officialsðð€gross€negligence.€ÏœFor›€the€first€time,€Reid€asserted€that€he€was€denied€discovery,€but€œpointed›€to€œno›€discovery€requestsÏin€the€record.€€Reid€also€sought€an€òòen€banc€óóhearing€before€the€entire€Claims€Commission.€€Ð #$œ" Ðà  àReidððs€motion€was€denied€by€the€œCommissioner.€€The›€Commissioner€concluded€that€an€òòenÐ ÿ%x!$ Ðbanc€óóhearing€was€not€appropriate€since€Reid€failed€to€allege€that€the€ruling€was€divergent€from€theÐ Û'T#& Ðruling€of€another€commissioner€or€otherwise€needed€to€be€reconciled€with€other€authority.€Ìà  àOn€April€22,€1998,€Reid€filed€a€notice€of€appeal€to€the€appellate€court€as€a€poor€œperson.›ÏœAttached›€to€this€motion€was€a€document€titled€œð ðMotion›€for€œDiscovery›€œAlready›€œRequested.ðð€€The›Ïcertification€of€service€on€the€discovery€request€contains€the€date€of€February€21,€1997.€€TheÏâ âdocument€contains€no€file€stamp€by€the€Claims€Commissioner.€€€Ð '1 ,0 Ðà  àOn€May€19,€1998,€Reid€filed€a€motion€for€Rule€11€sanctions,€alleging€that€the€State€had€failedÏâ âto€provide€him€copies€of€unpublished€opinions€cited€in€its€memorandum€in€support€of€its€motion€forÏsummary€œjudgment.›€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ìà  àOn€July€6,€1998,€the€Commissioner€determined€that€Reid€was€a€poor€œperson€for€purposes€ofÏhis€appeal.€€On›€the€same€day,€the€Commissioner€entered€an€order€ruling€that€it€did€not€haveÏjurisdiction€to€rule€on€Reidððs€motion€for€Rule€11€sanctions€because€the€claim€was€already€on€appealÏto€this€Court€and€œbecause›€the€motion€was€not€timely€œfiled.€€In›€the€alternative,€the€Commissioner€ruledÏthat€if€it€did€have€jurisdiction,€then€the€motion€for€sanctions€should€be€œdenied.€€The›€CommissionerÏfound€that€the€State€had€attached€copies€of€the€unreported€cases€to€the€motion€it€filed€with€theÏCommission€and€that€ð ð[i]t€is€not€credible€that€the€Clerk€and€this€Commissioner€would€receive€theirÏcopies€of€these€unreported€cases€and€the€Claimant€not€receive€his€œcopies.ðð€€The›€claim€wasÏsubsequently€transferred€to€this€Court€for€appeal.Ìà  àOn€appeal,€Reid€presents€twenty„three€issues€for€our€consideration.€€These€can€beÏconsolidated€into€three€issues€for€appeal:€€whether€the€Commissioner€erroneously€denied€ReidððsÏdiscovery€request,€whether€the€Commissioner€erred€in€dismissing€Reidððs€claim,€and€whether€theÏCommissioner€erred€in€ruling€that€it€had€no€jurisdiction€over€Reidððs€Rule€11€sanctions€motion.€€€€€Ìà  à€This€case€is€properly€before€this€Court€on€direct€appeal€from€the€Commission€and€isÏgoverned€by€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Appellate€Procedure.€€òòò òSee€ó óóóTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€9-8-403(a)(1)Ð #$œ" М(Supp.€1998).›€€Our€review€of€the€Commissioner's€findings€is€òòde€novo€óóupon€the€record€of€theÐ ÿ%x!$ Ðcommission€with€a€presumption€of€the€correctness€of€the€commissioner's€factual€findings.€€TheÏdecision€of€the€commissioner€will€be€affirmed,€unless€there€is€an€error€of€law€or€the€evidenceÏpreponderates€against€the€factual€findings€of€the€commissioner.€€òòò òSee€œó óóóTenn.€R.€App.€P.›€13(d);òòò ò€SandersÐ “+ '* Ðv.€Stateó óóó,€783€S.W.2d€œ948,€951›€(Tenn.€App.€œ1989).›Ð o-è(, ЀÔ‡ V)KVVVà„Ô€Ô#†Và„VV V)Kx1#Ôà  àReid€argues€that€the€Commissioner€erred€in€not€allowing€him€discovery€of€various€matters,Ð K/Ä*. Ðsuch€as€rules€and€regulations€for€the€TDOC€and€œthe€Claims›€œCommission,›€operating€procedures€ofÏthe€correctional€facility,€staffing€requirements,€reports€or€paperwork€on€his€claim,€grievances€filedÏfor€similar€thefts,€and€hiring€and€training€procedures€for€corrections€officers.€€Reid€attached€a€requestÏfor€discovery€with€his€notice€of€appeal€filed€on€April€22,€1998,€after€the€Commissioner€had€ruled€onÏthe€merits€of€his€claim.€€Although€the€certification€of€service€on€the€discovery€request€showed€theÐ ¯8(48 Ðdate€of€February€21,€1997,€the€request€was€not€file€stamped€by€the€Claims€Commissioner.€€ReidÏasserts€that€he€sent€the€request€through€the€prison€mail€system,€but€that€there€was€a€conspiracyÏbetween€the€Commissioner€and€the€State€in€which€they€ð ðmess[ed]€with€his€U.S.€mail€placed€in€theÏprison€œmail.ðð€€The›€record€shows€that€the€Commission€did€not€rule€or€make€any€œfindings›€on€ReidððsÏpurported€discovery€request.€€à h àÐ ÷ p Ðà  àThe€record€contains€nothing€which€would€indicate€that€the€discovery€request€was€ever€filedÏwith€the€Commission,€such€as€a€file€stamped€copy€of€the€discovery€request,€an€objection€to€theÏdiscovery€request€by€the€State,€or€a€motion€by€Reid€seeking€to€compel€discovery.€€Reid€has€providedÏno€evidence€to€this€Court€that€the€State€or€Commission€interfered€with€the€prison€mail€service.€€NorÏhas€Reid€provided€evidence€that€he€ever€placed€the€discovery€request€in€the€mail€system,€such€as€aÏreceipt€or€log€book.€€There€is€a€presumption€at€law€that€court€officials€have€adequately€performedÏtheir€duty.€òòò òSee€Cox€v.€City€of€Bristoló óóó,€183€Tenn.€82,€191€S.W.2d€œ160,€164›€(Tenn.€1945);€òòò òBurns€v.Ð ût ÐDuncanó óóó,€23€Tenn.€App.€374,€133€S.W.2d€1000€œ(1939).›€€"In€the€absence€of€proof€to€the€œcontrary,€...›Ð ×P Ðit€will€be€presumed€that€official€acts€or€duties€have€been€properly€œperformed€.€.€.€."›€òòò òBurnsó óóó,€133Ð ³, ÐS.W.2d€at€1006.€€There€is€a€œpresumption›€œthat,›€if€the€discovery€request€had€arrived€at€the€Commission,Ïit€would€have€been€properly€file€stamped€and€entered€into€the€record.€€Reid€has€made€no€showingÏto€rebut€this€presumption.€€This€issue€is€without€merit.€€€€€€à p àÐ G"À  Ѐ€€€€à  àReid€next€argues€that€the€Commissioner€erred€in€dismissing€his€property€loss€claim.€€As€inÐ #$œ" Ðthe€proceeding€below,€Reid€argues€that€the€State€had€the€sole€responsibility€to€hire€and€trainÏcorrections€officers,€maintain€control€over€all€keys€and€electronic€locks,€provide€security€in€theÏfacility,€and€create€procedures€to€be€used€by€security€personnel.€€He€denies€having€any€control€overÏhis€property€after€he€left€the€cell.€€He€argues€that€he€alleged€specific€acts€or€omissions€by€the€StateÏin€his€complaint€by€alleging€that,€ð ðThe€pod€officer€was€left€to€secure€the€area€including€cellsðð€andÏthen€that€ð ðon€returning€from€chow,€I€descovered€[sic]€al[sic]€œcommissary›€.€.€.€had€been€stolen€fromÏthe€cell€under€the€officerððs€supervision/security.ðð€€Ìà  àIn€addition,€Reid€argues€that€the€Stateððs€failure€to€immediately€investigate€the€crime€wasÏnegligent.€€He€contends€that€there€would€have€been€a€high€likelihood€of€recovering€the€stolenÏproperty€had€there€been€an€immediate€investigation,€because€the€light€had€a€serial€number€and€ReidððsÏprison€identification€number€marked€on€the€base€and€many€of€the€commissary€items€were€similarlyÏmarked.€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð s:ì5: Ѐà  àTennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€9„8„307(a)(1)(F)€gives€the€Tennessee€Claims€CommissionÐ ‡ Ðjurisdiction€over€monetary€claims€against€the€State€arising€from€the€care,€custody€and€control€ofÏpersonal€property€where€the€State€is€negligent€in€its€care,€custody€and€control.€€òòò òSee€óóó óTenn.€Code€Ann.Ð ?¸ Ððð€9„8„307(a)(1)(F)€œ(Supp.€1998).›€€Absent€negligence€by€the€State,€it€is€not€liable€for€an€inmateððsÏpersonal€property€losses.€€€€Ìà  àThe€State€cites€several€Tennessee€Claims€Commission€cases€for€the€proposition€that,€in€theÏabsence€of€negligence,€the€State€is€not€liable€for€claims€involving€theft€of€property€by€other€œinmates.Ì€òòò òSee€Clarke€v.€Stateóóó ó,€Claim€No.€105455€(Claims€Commððn€Dec.€1,€1993)€(holding€that€ð ðproperty€inÐ ‹  Ðan€inmateððs€cell€is€not€in€the€care,€custody€or€control€of€the€State€and€an€inmate€is€responsible€for€hisÏown€personal€property,€unless€it€is€stored€in€the€institutionððs€property€room€.€.€.€[t]he€State€is€not€theÏinsurer€of€the€personal€property€of€inmatesðð);€òòò òWheeler›€v.€Stateóóó ó,€Claim€No.€96„222S€(ClaimsÐ ˜ ÐCommððn€Dec.€15,€1989)€(holding€that€ð ð[t]he€State€is€not€an€insurer€of€property.€€The€act€of€theft€wasÏan€independent,€intervening€cause€over€which€the€State€had€no€control€and,€therefore,€it€cannot€beÏheld€liable.ðð);€œòòò òHolmes›€v.€Stateó óóó,€Claim€No.€04„124€(Claims€Commððn€Mar.€14,€1986)€(dismissingÐ ³, Ðclaim€for€stolen€property€for€lack€of€jurisdiction€where€inmate€failed€to€allege€the€loss€of€his€propertyÏwas€the€result€of€negligence);€œòòò òHopper€v.€Stateóóó ó,€Claim€No.€51„461€(Claims€Commððn€June€23,€1986)Ð k ä Ð(finding€that€personal€property€stolen€from€inmateððs€cell€was€within€the€possession,€custody€andÏcontrol€of€inmate,€not€the€defendant);€òòò òBays›€v.€Stateóóó ó,€Claim€No.€70260€(Claims€Commððn€Dec.€3,Ð #$œ" Ð1986)€(dismissing€claim€because€inmate€failed€to€allege€any€act€of€negligence€by€the€œState).òòò òÐ ÿ%x!$ Ðóóó ó›à  àReid€distinguishes€òòò òBays€óóó óby€noting€that€the€cell€door€in€that€case€consisted€of€bars€throughÐ Û'T#& Ðwhich€someone€could€reach€in€and€take€property,€while€the€cell€door€in€this€case€was€solid,€thusÏpreventing€anyone€from€entering€without€a€key.€€He€distinguishes€òòò òHooper€óóó óand€òòò òClarkeóóó ó€because€theÐ “+ '* Ðclaimants€in€those€cases€failed€to€allege€that€a€corrections€officer€was€in€control€of€the€area€in€which€Ïthe€theft€occurred.€€Ìà  àœEssentially,€Reid€attempts€to€argue€the€theory€of€res€ipsa€loquitur.€€Under€the€doctrine€of€resÏipsa€loquitur,€the€plaintiff€need€not€prove€specific€facts€of€negligence.€€ò òòòSee€Summitt€Hill€Assocs.€v.Ð 3|.2 ÐKnoxville€Utils.€Bd.óóó ó,€667€S.W.2d€91,€96€(Tenn.€App.€1983);€òòò òParker€v.€Warrenóóó ó,€503€S.W.2d€938,€942Ð ß4X04 Ð(Tenn.€App.€1973).€€The€requirements€for€the€application€of€res€ipsa€loquitur€are:€(1)€there€must€beÏa€ð ðthingðð€causing€the€injury;€(2)€the€ð ðthingðð€must€be€under€the€exclusive€control€of€the€defendant,Ïand€(3)€the€ð ðthingðð€must€be€shown€to€be€of€such€a€nature€that€injury€does€not€ordinarily€result€fromÐ s:ì5: Ðits€careful€management.€€òòò òSee€Armes€v.€Hulettóóó ó,€843€S.W.2d€427,€432€(Tenn.€App.€1992).€€€PlaintiffððsÐ ‡ Ðevidence€must€be€sufficient€to€enable€the€fact„finder€to€conclude€that€the€injury€was€caused,€moreÏprobable€than€not,€by€the€defendantððs€negligence.€€òòò òSee€Stinnett€v.€Wrightóóó ó,€59€Tenn.€App.€118,€126,Ð ?¸ Ð438€S.W.2d€357,€361€(1963);€òòò òRoberts€v.€Rayóóó ó,€45€Tenn.€App.€280,€284,€322€S.W.2d€435,€437€(1958).€Ð  ” ÐThus,€the€res€ipsa€loquitur€doctrine€does€not€apply€where€the€plaintiffððs€injury€could€have€reasonablyÏoccurred€without€the€defendantððs€negligence.€€òòò òSee€Cockrum€v.€Stateóóó ó,€843€S.W.2d€433,€438€(Tenn.Ð Ó L  ÐApp.€1992);€òòò òBrown€v.€University€Nursing€Home,€Inc.óóó ó,€496€S.W.2d€503,€509€(Tenn.€App.€1972).€Ð ¯(  Ðà  àIn€this€case,€it€is€undisputed€that€the€security€of€his€cell€and€the€possessions€therein€were€notÏunder€the€exclusive€control€of€the€State.€€Sole€control€by€the€defendant€is€an€ð ðessentialðð€element€toÏthe€res€ipsa€loquitur€doctrine.€€òòò òSee€Towle€v.€Phillipsóóó ó,€180€Tenn.€1121,€172€S.W.2d€806,€808€(1943).€Ð C¼ ÐReid€possessed€a€key€to€the€cell,€and€his€cellmate€had€access€to€the€cell€and€thus€the€State€did€notÏhave€sole€control€over€the€cell€and€its€contents.€€Reid€cannot€invoke€the€doctrine€of€res€ipsa€loquiturÏby€alleging€that€one€of€the€parties€with€access€to€the€cell€was€negligent,€but€that€ñ: ññ7 ñòòñ7 ññ: ññ> ññ; ñòòñ; ññ> ññ= ññ< ñheñ< ññ= ññ? ñòòñ? ññ@ ñheóóñ@ ññ@ ññ? ñóóñ? ññ@ ññ> ññ; ñóóñ; ññ> ññ: ññ7 ñóóñ7 ññ: ññA ñitñA ñ€was€not€ñB ñnegligentñB ññC ñhimñC ñ.€Ð ×P Ðð ð[T]he€proof€in€this€case€does€not€meet€the€standard€for€it€to€be€a€case€in€which€the€doctrine€of€resÏipsa€loquitor€[sic]€would€be€applicable.ðð€€òòò òGerman€v.€Nichopoulosóóó ó,€577€S.W.2d€197,€204€(Tenn.€App.Ð  Ð1978).€€In€the€absence€of€proof€that€the€Stateððs€negligence€caused€Reidððs€loss€of€personal€property,Ïhis€claim€must€be€dismissed.€€Ìà  àReid€also€argues€that€the€Commissioner€erred€in€not€granting€his€Rule€11€motion€forÏsanctions€based€on€the€Stateððs€alleged€failure€to€provide€him€with€copies€of€unpublished€opinionsÏused€in€its€motion.€€Reid€cites€Rule€4€of€the€Tennessee€Supreme€Court€Rules,€stating€thatÏunpublished€opinions€shall€not€be€cited€in€court€unless€a€copy€is€furnished€to€the€court€and€adversaryÏcounsel.€€òòò òSee€óóó óRules›€S.€Ct.€Tenn.€4(5).€€As€stated€above,€the€Commissioner€concluded€that€ReidððsÐ “+ '* ÐRule€11€motion€was€filed€after€Reid€filed€his€notice€of€appeal€and€that€therefore€the€Commission€didÏnot€have€jurisdiction€to€rule€on€the€motion.€€In€the€alternative,€the€Commissioner€noted€that€theÏunpublished€cases€were€attached€to€the€Stateððs€motion€filed€with€the€Commission€and€found€thatÏReidððs€contention€that€he€did€not€receive€the€cases€was€not€credible.€€Reid€asserts€that€his€failure€toÏreceive€the€cases€œprejudiced›€œhim.›€€He€argues€that€the€Commissioner€ruled€on€the€sanctions€issueÏbefore€he€perfected€his€appeal,€and€that€therefore€the€Commission€had€jurisdiction€pursuant€toÏTennessee€Code€Annotated€9„8„403(a)(1),€directing€that€claims€before€the€Commission€be€conductedÏin€accordance€with€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Civil€Procedure.€€€€€€€€€€€Ð s:ì5: Ðà  àThis€Court€has€held€that€ð ð€the€filing€of€the€notice€of€appeal€transfers€jurisdiction€to€the€CourtÏof€Appeals.ðð€€òòò òSteele€v.€Wolfe€Sales€Co.óóó ó,€663€S.W.2d€799,€802€(Tenn.€App.€1983);€òòò òsee€alsoÐ cÜ ÐGranderson€v.€Hicksóóó ó,€No.€02A01-9801-JV-00007,€1998€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€849€(December€18,Ð ?¸ Ð1998).€€ð ðConsequently,€the€trial€court€is€deprived€of€jurisdiction€to€take€further€action€on€the€case,Ïand€an€order€entered€thereafter€by€the€lower€court€is€of€no€effect.ðð€€òòò òRoberts€v.€Loweóóó ó,€No.Ð ÷ p Ð03A01-9610-CC-00333,€1997€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€256€(April€16,€1997).€€€Reid€filed€his€notice€ofÏappeal€on€April€22,€1998.€€The€motion€for€sanctions€was€filed€on€May€19,€1998.€€Therefore,€theÏCommission€no€longer€had€jurisdiction€and€correctly€declined€to€rule€on€the€motion.œ×ƒ ×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×›€Ð ‹  Ðà  àIn€sum,€we€find€that€Reid€has€not€shown€œthat€he›€made€a€discovery€request€at€the€trial€level,Ïand€that€his€argument€that€he€was€improperly€denied€discovery€is€therefore€without€merit.€€TheÏdecision€of€the€Claims€Commissioner€in€dismissing€Reidððs€claim€for€the€loss€of€his€property€isÏaffirmed.€€œThe›€Commissionerððs€dismissal€of€Reidððs€motion€for€Rule€11€sanctions€based€on€lack€ofÏjurisdiction€is€affirmed.€€Ìà  àThe€decision€of€the€Commissioner€is€affirmed.€€Costs€are€taxed€to€œAppellant,€for€whichÏexecution€may€issue€if€necessary.›ÌÌÓÓÔ‡ V)KVVVà„Ôà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð G"À  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àò òóóHOLLY€KIRBY€LILLARD,€J.Ð /#¨! Ðó óà  àò òÌCONCUR:ÌÌÌòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð ­'&#& ÐóóW.€FRANK€CRAWFORD,€P.€J.,€W.S.Ð “( $' ÐÌÌòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóÐ E+¾&* ÐALAN€E.€HIGHERS,€J.ó óÐ +,¤'+ ÐÔ#†Và„VV V)KS`#Ô