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Case Law Database

Access over workers' compensation decisions, including En Banc, Significant Panel Decisions, and writ-denied cases.

Case No. M2002-00123-CCA-R3-CD
Regular Panel Decision
Sep 09, 2003

State of Tennessee v. William E. McCarver

William E. McCarver was convicted of first-degree premeditated murder in Sequatchie County Circuit Court for fatally shooting his wife's boyfriend. He received a life sentence. On appeal, McCarver challenged the sufficiency of the evidence, the admissibility of enhanced surveillance videotapes, and the trial court's jury instructions on intent and knowledge. The Court of Criminal Appeals of Tennessee affirmed the judgment, finding ample evidence for premeditation, no abuse of discretion in admitting the videotapes despite minor errors, and that any deficiency in jury instructions was harmless. The court rejected the diminished capacity argument, stating the jury could reasonably conclude the defendant's medical issues did not preclude premeditation.

Premeditated MurderFirst Degree MurderSufficiency of EvidenceEnhanced VideotapesJury InstructionsDiminished Capacity DefenseSelf-Defense ClaimAppellate ReviewCriminal ProcedureHomicide
References
35
Case No. M1998-00105-CCA-R3-CD
Regular Panel Decision
Oct 20, 2003

State v. Davidson

The defendant, Jerry Ray Davidson, was convicted of premeditated murder and aggravated kidnapping and sentenced to death. The Supreme Court of Tennessee reviewed the case after the Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the convictions and sentences. The Court addressed issues including denial of motions for change of venue and additional peremptory challenges, sufficiency of evidence for premeditated murder and aggravated kidnapping, admissibility of Darla Harvey's testimony, and the jury verdict form regarding aggravating circumstances. The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment, finding no reversible error and concluding that the death sentence was not arbitrarily imposed or disproportionate.

Criminal LawMurderAggravated KidnappingDeath PenaltyPremeditationSufficiency of EvidenceChange of VenueJury SelectionWitness TestimonyLay Opinion
References
61
Case No. M2017-02269-CCA-R3-CD
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 01, 2019

State of Tennessee v. Robert William Ward

Robert William Ward was convicted in Davidson County of attempted first-degree murder with serious bodily injury and possession of a firearm during a dangerous felony, stemming from shooting Valerie Carter in the head during a drug transaction. Ward appealed, arguing insufficient evidence for premeditation, errors in admitting prior conduct and hearsay, limits on cross-examination, and an excessive sentence. The Court of Criminal Appeals of Tennessee affirmed the judgments, finding the evidence sufficient for premeditation, no abuse of discretion in evidentiary rulings, and the sentence appropriate given the enhancement factors and lack of mitigating circumstances.

Attempted MurderFirearm PossessionSerious Bodily InjuryCriminal AppealSufficiency of EvidencePremeditationSelf-DefensePrior Bad Acts EvidenceHearsay TestimonyWitness Credibility
References
49
Case No. E2012-02233-CCA-R3-CD
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 10, 2014

State of Tennessee v. Robert Edward Fritts

Robert Edward Fritts appealed his conviction for first-degree premeditated murder, for which he received a life sentence without parole. He argued errors in allowing expert testimony on his gang affiliation and insufficient evidence for his conviction. The appellate court affirmed the trial court's judgment, finding the gang affiliation evidence relevant to motive and identity, citing his 'Hatchet man' tattoos, ICP lyrics, and white paint. The court also determined that the evidence, including blood on his clothing and a partial shoe print matching his, was sufficient to establish Fritts as the perpetrator and demonstrate premeditation.

First Degree MurderPremeditated MurderGang Affiliation EvidenceInsane Clown PosseExpert Witness TestimonySufficiency of EvidenceCircumstantial EvidenceAppellate ReviewTennessee LawHomicide Investigation
References
50
Case No. M2019-00091-CCA-R3-CD
Regular Panel Decision
Jul 29, 2020

State of Tennessee v. Yancey Lee Williams, II

The case involves the appeal of Yancey Lee Williams II, who was convicted of first-degree premeditated murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. On appeal, Williams challenged the sufficiency of the evidence for premeditation, the trial court's self-defense instruction regarding the duty to retreat, alleged prosecutorial misconduct during closing arguments concerning religion and race, and the State's failure to provide pretrial documentation of a witness's statement. The appellate court reviewed all presented issues, including the sufficiency of evidence, the trial court's finding of unlawful activity in relation to self-defense, and the prosecutorial comments. Ultimately, the court found no reversible error and affirmed the judgment of the trial court.

Criminal LawMurderFirst Degree MurderPremeditated MurderSelf-DefenseJury InstructionsProsecutorial MisconductClosing ArgumentsRacial EpithetAccomplice Testimony
References
56
Case No. E2008-02132-CCA-R3-CD
Regular Panel Decision
Jun 03, 2010

State of Tennessee v. Joe Maine

Joe Maine was convicted of first degree murder and conspiracy to commit first degree murder of Amy Lynn King in 1997, receiving a life sentence without parole. He appealed on several grounds, including the denial of his motion to suppress, the publication of inadmissible photographs, the use of the victim's skull as an exhibit, the sufficiency of premeditation evidence, and his sentencing. The Court of Criminal Appeals of Tennessee at Knoxville affirmed the judgments. The court found no errors in the trial court's rulings on the motion to suppress, the non-declaration of a mistrial, the use of the skull as evidence, or the sufficiency of the evidence for premeditation. The sentencing decision, which included two aggravating factors outweighing one mitigating factor (the defendant's youth), was also upheld.

Criminal LawFirst Degree MurderConspiracy to MurderSufficiency of EvidencePremeditationMotion to SuppressMiranda RightsJuvenile InterrogationAdmissibility of EvidenceDemonstrative Evidence
References
30
Case No. M1999-00784-CCA-R3-CD
Regular Panel Decision
Jun 26, 2001

State v. Larry Coulter

Larry Coulter appealed his first-degree premeditated murder conviction, stemming from the shooting death of his wife, Robin Coulter. Key issues on appeal included the trial court's denial of motions to disqualify the District Attorney General's office due to a former defense attorney joining the prosecution, and to suppress the appellant's statements and evidence from a warrantless search of his home. Coulter also challenged the admissibility of his letters to the victim, expert psychological testimony regarding his mental state, and jury instructions. The appellate court affirmed the conviction, finding no reversible errors and concluding that the evidence, including proof of marital discord and the appellant's pre-offense threats, was sufficient to support the finding of premeditation despite the defense's diminished capacity claim.

Criminal AppealFirst Degree MurderPremeditationDiminished Capacity DefensePsychological EvaluationClosed Head InjuryMiranda RightsWarrantless Search ExceptionPlain View DoctrineProsecutorial Conflict of Interest
References
185
Case No. M2000-00366-CCA-R3-CD
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 17, 2001

State v. Coulter

Larry Coulter appeals his conviction for first-degree premeditated murder of his wife, Robin Coulter, in Rutherford County. The appeal raises numerous issues, including the trial court's failure to disqualify the District Attorney General's office, denial of motions to suppress statements and evidence from a warrantless search, and evidentiary rulings regarding notes, letters, and witness testimony. The court details the troubled marital relationship, the appellant's threats, the order of protection, and the events leading to the murder and his surrender. Expert psychological testimonies regarding the appellant's mental state and closed head injury were presented and debated. Ultimately, the appellate court affirmed the trial court's judgment, finding no reversible errors and sufficient evidence to support the premeditation finding.

First Degree MurderPremeditated MurderCriminal AppealEvidentiary RulingsMotion to SuppressWarrantless SearchMiranda WarningSequestration of WitnessesExpert TestimonyForensic Psychology
References
134
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

State of Tennessee v. Dale Keith Larkin

This opinion addresses the appeal of Dale Keith Larkin, who was convicted of first degree premeditated murder and insurance fraud. The court reversed the convictions, finding that the trial court failed to adequately perform its duty as the thirteenth juror and erred by allowing a key expert witness, Dr. Mileusnic, to testify for the State after initially being retained by the defense. The appellate court further concluded that the State presented insufficient evidence to prove premeditation for the murder charge and insufficient proof for the insurance fraud conviction. Consequently, the first degree murder conviction was reversed and remanded for a new trial on second degree murder, and the insurance fraud conviction was reversed and dismissed. The opinion also addressed other issues raised by the defendant regarding jury sequestration and admission of evidence, finding no error in those aspects.

MurderInsurance FraudAppellate ReviewExpert Witness DisqualificationThirteenth Juror RulePremeditationSufficiency of EvidenceAutopsy PhotographsProsecutorial MisconductMedical Testimony
References
93
Case No. 03-S01-9604-CC-00047
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 07, 1997

Michael Dean Bush v. State of Tennessee

In this capital case, Michael Dean Bush was convicted of premeditated first-degree murder and first-degree burglary of Jodie Lefever, a 79-year-old widow. The jury imposed the death penalty, finding two aggravating circumstances: the murder involved torture or serious physical abuse beyond that necessary to produce death, and it was committed to avoid lawful arrest or prosecution for the burglary. Bush challenged his conviction and sentence on multiple grounds, including the suppression of his statements, sufficiency of evidence for premeditation, admission of psychiatric rebuttal testimony, jury instructions on parole eligibility and reasonable doubt, and the application of aggravating circumstances. The Supreme Court of Tennessee affirmed the trial court's judgment, finding no reversible errors and upholding the conviction and death sentence after a proportionality review.

Capital CasePremeditated MurderFirst Degree BurglaryDeath Sentence AffirmedAggravating CircumstancesMitigating CircumstancesMiranda Rights WaiverMental State DefenseProsecutorial MisconductJury Instructions Review
References
137
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