A jury convicted the defendant, Keith Bates, of aggravated robbery, a Class B felony, and he was sentenced to twelve years’ imprisonment. The defendant testified that he had been in jail around the time of the crime, and the State then questioned him about the timing of his imprisonment and release. On appeal, the defendant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence and the trial court’s decision to allow the State to question him about the timing of his release from jail. After a thorough review of the record, we conclude there was no error and affirm the judgment of the trial court.

U.S. District Court Judge Sean Lane has ruled that this month's settlement of an antitrust lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice did not upset American Airlines’ bankruptcy reorganization plan, which is built around the merger of American Airlines and US Airways into the world’s largest airline. The judge rejected a request by a group of consumers to temporarily block the deal. WRCB Channel 3 has the story.

The Tennessee Supreme Court yesterday unanimously decided that a lawsuit filed by Jeffrey R. Cooper against a movie start-up could proceed in state court. Cooper’s suit claims Phillip, Richard and David Glasser misrepresented facts to induce him to invest $500,000 in their production company, Hi Def Entertainment. After Cooper requested dismissal of a similar action filed in California and a suit filed in federal court, the defendants sought to block the case based on a federal rule that precludes proceeding on a claim after two dismissals. The high court determined that the voluntary federal dismissals did not address the merits of the case and that the claims raised by Cooper were still viable in state court. The Administrative Office of the Courts has more.

Metro Nashville Councilman Jason Holleman announced today that he is dropping out of the race for the Democratic nomination for a state Senate seat. The campaign has “given me the opportunity to take stock, to understand the demands that would be placed on me as senator and to recognize that those demands, while necessary for the progress of the state, would be shared by my children and family,” Holleman wrote in an email to supporters. Holleman, an attorney and second-term councilman representing the Sylvan Park area, had been expected to compete in Senate District 21 and face political activist Mary Mancini and attorney Jeff Yarbro for the Democratic nomination to succeed longtime state Sen. Douglas Henry, who plans to retire. The Tennesseean has more.

Beware of Black Friday discounts this holiday season, consumer advocates warn. According to the ABA Journal, unhappy shoppers have filed lawsuits claiming they bought merchandise touting discounts that turned out to be illusory. The Wall Street Journal reports that retailers often set starting retail prices so high that the discounted price will give them the profit margins they want— a strategy that isn’t deceptive according to Federal Trade Commission guidelines. Among the retailers facing suit over alleged phantom discounts are J.C. Penney, Kohl’s and Jos A. Banks Clothiers.

Rutherford County Commissioner Matthew Young said he intends to return to attending commission meetings after missing three while facing criminal charges of domestic assault, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping and extortion pertaining to counterfeit Justin Bieber concert tickets. Young, who represents the 16th District in central Murfreesboro, also faces two counts of felony theft charges from police in Nashville. The Daily News Journal has the story.

Spend Cyber Monday (Dec. 2) at the TBA for a CLE program on “Old Law New Technology.” Sessions include discussions on Internet technology, intellectual property and related issues, the Global Online Freedom Act, recent ethical issues pertaining to computers and the Internet, and how attorneys can avoid becoming victims of cybercrime and protect their law practice. Lunch will be provided in addition to free Starbucks coffee and free Wifi. Can’t make it in person? Learn more or sign up now for the live webcast. Contact CLE Director Mindy Fulks for more information.

The Catholic Diocese of Nashville and other related groups have filed suit against the federal government over health care reform, the Nashville Business Journal reports. The suit argues that the groups do not qualify under the government’s narrow definition of “religious employers” in the guidelines defining exemption from coverage requirements, such as birth-control coverage. The U.S. Supreme Court yesterday agreed to hear arguments from for-profit companies Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Specialties Corp., which also are objecting to being forced to provide coverage for contraceptives on religious grounds. 

Legal Aid of East Tennessee will host a holiday Open House Friday from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at 502 South Gay St., Suite 404 in downtown Knoxville. Local lawyers are invited to enjoy the Krutch Park tree lighting at 6 p.m. and then stop by Legal Aid’s office to warm up and enjoy holiday goodies. Admission is free with a business card. Families are welcome! Visit www.laet.org for more information.

In honor of the late Don Paine, the Tennessee Judicial Conference Foundation is accepting donations for the Donald Franklin Paine Scholarship. The scholarship is the organization’s largest endowment and rotates annually among students at each of the law schools in Tennessee. In a recent email, foundation president and retired judge Eddie Beckner encouraged Tennessee judges and lawyers to honor Paine's memory with a contribution to the fund. Those wishing to donate, should make checks payable to the Tennessee Judicial Conference Foundation and mail them to the attention of Suzanne Keith, Treasurer, 1903 Division St., Nashville, TN 37203.