In 2012, the Defendant, Jesse L. Kutrieb, pleaded guilty to two counts of vandalism of property valued at $500 or less, three counts of burglary other than a habitation, theft of property valued at $500 or less, and two counts of theft of property valued between $1,000 and $10,000. The trial court sentenced him to an effective sentence of four years of supervised probation. The Defendant moved out of state without notifying his probation officer and was arrested and convicted of multiple offenses in Michigan. On this basis, the trial court revoked his probation and ordered the Defendant to serve his sentence in confinement. On appeal, the Defendant asserts that the trial court erred when it revoked his probation because it did not rely on the facts set forth in the probation violation warrant, which only included absconding. After a thorough review, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.

In 2023, the Defendant, Aimee Lee Higby, entered a guilty plea to the facilitation of first degree felony murder, aggravated child abuse, and abuse of a corpse. By agreement, the trial court imposed an effective sentence of twenty-seven years. Thereafter, the Defendant filed a motion to withdraw her plea, which the trial court denied after a hearing. On appeal, the Defendant contends that the trial court erred when it denied her motion to withdraw her guilty plea. After review, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.

The Petitioner, Donavan Daniel, was convicted in the Weakley County Circuit Court of three counts of first degree felony murder, one count of first degree premeditated murder, one count of especially aggravated robbery, and one count of possession of marijuana with intent to sell or deliver. After a bifurcated sentencing hearing, the jury sentenced him to life without parole for two counts of first degree felony murder, life for the remaining count of first degree felony murder, and life for first degree premeditated murder. This court affirmed the convictions on direct appeal and affirmed the denial of post-conviction relief. Subsequently, the Petitioner filed a motion to reopen his post-conviction petition. After a hearing, the post-conviction court granted the motion to reopen, granted post-conviction relief, and reduced the Petitioner’s two sentences of life without parole to life. On appeal, the State contends that the post-conviction court erred in applying State v. Booker, 656 S.W.3d 49 (Tenn. 2022), to the Petitioner’s sentences of life without parole and, therefore, erred in reducing the Petitioner’s sentences to life. We agree with the State. Accordingly, the judgment of the post-conviction court is reversed, and the Petitioner’s sentences of life without parole for first degree felony murder in counts three and four are reinstated.

Tammy Cothren Dabbs, Defendant, pleaded guilty to possession of 0.5 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to sell, and the trial court sentenced her to eight years suspended to probation. The trial court subsequently issued a probation violation warrant and multiple amended warrants alleging violations of probation Rule 8 based upon Defendant’s multiple positive drug tests for amphetamine and methamphetamine. At an evidentiary hearing, Defendant admitted to violating the terms of her probation, and the trial court determined the consequences of the violation. Defendant appeals, claiming that the trial court erred by ordering her to serve the balance of her eight-year sentence. Following a review of the record and applicable law, we affirm the judgment of the trial court

This is an estate recovery action initiated by TennCare, the State of Tennessee’s Medicaid program. The trial court denied the estate’s administrator’s exception to TennCare’s claim. Discerning no error, we affirm.

This is a parental rights termination case. Nathaniel D. (“the Child”) is the minor child of Haleigh D. (“Mother”) and Richard L. (“Father”). Mother later married Zachary D. (“Stepfather”). Meanwhile, Father sought to be a part of the Child’s life. In an agreed order of paternity, the Juvenile Court for Knox County (“the Juvenile Court”) stated that “any and all issues related to Custody, visitation, and child support are reserved and referred to the Custody Magistrate.” The issue of child support remained unaddressed. Ultimately, Mother and Stepfather (“Petitioners,” collectively) filed a petition in the Chancery Court for Knox County (“the Trial Court”) seeking to terminate Father’s parental rights. The Trial Court terminated Father’s parental rights on the sole ground of abandonment by failure to support. Father appeals. It is uncontested that Father failed to pay any support even though he had the means to do so. However, Father has successfully asserted and proven by a preponderance of the evidence that his failure to support was not willful. We reverse.

A landlord filed a detainer action in general sessions court against a tenant, seeking possession of the property and unpaid rent. The tenant agreed to move out, and the rent obligation was later discharged by a third party. The tenant filed an appeal to circuit court, and the circuit court dismissed the case, finding that the tenant did not appeal within ten days of the general sessions court’s judgment. The tenant appealed. On appeal, the tenant, appearing pro se, does not address the basis of the circuit court’s dismissal of the case, an untimely appeal from general sessions court to circuit court. Because the tenant has not challenged the basis of the circuit court’s ruling, we dismiss the appeal.

A hearing panel of the Board of Professional Responsibility found that James B. Johnson violated Rules 1.6, 1.16, and 8.4(a) and (d) of the Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct when he publicly filed confidential communications between him and his client as an exhibit to a motion to withdraw. The panel suspended him from the practice of law for three months with thirty days as an active suspension and imposed additional continuing legal education requirements. Finding no abuse of discretion, we affirm.

The U.S. Senate confirmed 48 of President Donald Trump’s nominees with one vote under new rules designed to begin clearing a backlog of executive branch positions that had been delayed, WSMV reports. The new rules allow the Senate to move multiple nominees with a simple majority vote — a process that previously would have been blocked with just one objection. The rules do not apply to judicial nominations or high-level cabinet posts. The Senate voted 51-47 to confirm the four dozen nominees.

Four Middle Tennessee family law attorneys — David Garrett, Jacob T. Thorington, Jason A. Talley and Kayla Redmon — have launched a new firm, Garrett Talley & Thorington, with offices in Franklin. The firm’s family law services represent clients in divorces, including uncontested divorces and complex divorces with high assets or intellectual property assets, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, child custody and child support, alimony and spousal support. David Garrett and Jacob T. Thorington also provide Rule 31 listed family law mediations, the Williamson Herald reports. The lawyers bring a combined 70 years of family law experience to the new firm. “We’re excited to announce this new association. We bring tremendous experience in guiding clients through what can be some of the most difficult times in their lives and providing legal solutions that are specifically designed to meet their unique goals. We share not only experience, but the desire to provide the best guidance possible to our clients,” Garrett said.