Tennessee Case Commentaries

Stephenson v. State (Tenn. 1994): Establishing the Necessity of Correct Juror Instruction on Burden of Proof for Capital Sentencing

Date: Jun 21, 1994

Stephenson v. State (Tenn. 1994): Establishing the Necessity of Correct Juror Instruction on Burden of Proof for Capital Sentencing Introduction State v. Jonathan Wesley Stephenson, 878 S.W.2d 530...

Reinstating Jury Verdict Despite Ex Parte Communication: Insights from Spencer v. A-1 Crane Services

Date: Jun 21, 1994

Reinstating Jury Verdict Despite Ex Parte Communication: Insights from Spencer v. A-1 Crane Services Introduction The case of Cindy L. Spencer, as next friend and guardian of James Cody Spencer, a...

Harmless Error in Capital Sentencing: State of Tennessee v. Harold Wayne Nichols

Date: Jun 21, 1994

Harmless Error in Capital Sentencing: State of Tennessee v. Harold Wayne Nichols Introduction State of Tennessee v. Harold Wayne Nichols, 877 S.W.2d 722 (Tenn. 1994), is a pivotal case in Tennessee's...

Establishing Comparative Fault Standards in Negligence Per Se: COOK v. SPINNAKER'S OF RIVERGATE

Date: Jun 14, 1994

Establishing Comparative Fault Standards in Negligence Per Se: COOK v. SPINNAKER'S OF RIVERGATE Introduction Christy C. COOK v. SPINNAKER'S OF RIVERGATE, Inc., et al., 878 S.W.2d 934 (Tenn. 1994), is...

Entitlement to Salary Supplements for Multiple Jurisdictions: Wilson v. Johnson County

Date: Jun 14, 1994

Entitlement to Salary Supplements for Multiple Jurisdictions: Wilson v. Johnson County Introduction The case of O.H. Wilson v. Johnson County addresses a pivotal issue regarding the compensation of...

Discovery Rule Not Applicable to Slander Statute of Limitations in Tennessee

Date: May 17, 1994

Discovery Rule Not Applicable to Slander Statute of Limitations in Tennessee Introduction The case of Quality Auto Parts Co., Inc. v. Bluff City Buick Co., Inc. addresses critical issues surrounding...

Discovery Rule and Therapist-Patient Malpractice: Insights from Roe v. Dr. Jefferson

Date: May 10, 1994

Discovery Rule and Therapist-Patient Malpractice: Insights from Roe v. Dr. Jefferson Introduction The case of Jane Roe v. Dr. David Jefferson (875 S.W.2d 653) adjudicated by the Supreme Court of...

Tennessee Supreme Court Reinforces Standards for Jury Instructions in Capital Murder Cases

Date: May 3, 1994

Tennessee Supreme Court Reinforces Standards for Jury Instructions in Capital Murder Cases Introduction In the landmark case of State of Tennessee v. David Allen Brimmer, reported at 876 S.W.2d 75,...

Effective Assistance of Counsel in Plea Bargain Communications: Harris v. State of Tennessee

Date: Apr 19, 1994

Effective Assistance of Counsel in Plea Bargain Communications: Harris v. State of Tennessee Introduction In the landmark case of James D. Harris v. State of Tennessee, the Supreme Court of Tennessee...

Admissibility of Prior Sexual Crimes Evidence: Tennessee Supreme Court Reaffirms Strict Standards

Date: Apr 12, 1994

Admissibility of Prior Sexual Crimes Evidence: Tennessee Supreme Court Reaffirms Strict Standards Introduction In the landmark case of STATE of Tennessee v. John Rickman, decided on April 11, 1994,...

Death Penalty Affirmed Despite Invalid Aggravating Circumstance in Felony Murder: State v. Cazes (1994)

Date: Apr 5, 1994

Death Penalty Affirmed Despite Invalid Aggravating Circumstance in Felony Murder: State v. Cazes (1994) Introduction State of Tennessee v. Victor James Cazes, 875 S.W.2d 253 (Tenn. 1994), is a...

Non-Retroactivity of Statute of Limitations Amendments in Child Sexual Abuse Cases: Insights from Overton v. Tennessee

Date: Mar 29, 1994

Non-Retroactivity of Statute of Limitations Amendments in Child Sexual Abuse Cases: Insights from Overton v. Tennessee Introduction Overton v. Tennessee, 874 S.W.2d 6 (1994), is a pivotal case...

Affirmation of Defendant's Right to Contest Personal Jurisdiction in Juvenile Court Proceedings

Date: Feb 24, 1994

Affirmation of Defendant's Right to Contest Personal Jurisdiction in Juvenile Court Proceedings Introduction The case of Tina D. Landers v. Jay Byron Jones (872 S.W.2d 674) adjudicated by the Supreme...

Affirming Natural Fathers' Parental Rights in Adoption Proceedings: Nale v. Robertson

Date: Feb 19, 1994

Affirming Natural Fathers' Parental Rights in Adoption Proceedings: Nale v. Robertson Introduction The case of Randy Scott Nale and Wife v. Darrell Raymont Robertson (871 S.W.2d 674) adjudicated by...

Affirmation of Death Penalty in Tennessee Triple Murder Case: State v. Oscar Franklin Smith

Date: Jan 6, 1994

Affirmation of Death Penalty in Tennessee Triple Murder Case: State v. Oscar Franklin Smith Introduction The case of State of Tennessee v. Oscar Franklin Smith (868 S.W.2d 561) involves the appellate...

Clarifying Liability of Corporate Directors in Intentional Interference with At-Will Employment: Forrester v. Stockstill & Kisabeth

Date: Jan 4, 1994

Clarifying Liability of Corporate Directors in Intentional Interference with At-Will Employment: Forrester v. Stockstill & Kisabeth Introduction Eugene S. Forrester v. Ronald G. Stockstill, M.D.,...

Rejection of "Loss of Chance" Doctrine in Tennessee Medical Malpractice Jurisprudence

Date: Dec 23, 1993

Rejection of "Loss of Chance" Doctrine in Tennessee Medical Malpractice Jurisprudence Introduction The case of Sandra K. Kilpatrick and William Kilpatrick v. James W. Bryant, M.D. ([868 S.W.2d...

Harmless Error in Felony Murder Aggravating Circumstances: Comprehensive Analysis of State v. Howell (1993)

Date: Nov 11, 1993

Harmless Error in Felony Murder Aggravating Circumstances: Comprehensive Analysis of State v. Howell (1993) Introduction State of Tennessee v. Michael Wayne Howell is a landmark case adjudicated by...

State v. Davis-Kidd Booksellers: Upholding Tennessee's Display Statute through Narrow Construction

Date: Nov 9, 1993

State v. Davis-Kidd Booksellers: Upholding Tennessee's Display Statute through Narrow Construction Introduction In State v. Davis-Kidd Booksellers, Inc., the Supreme Court of Tennessee addressed the...

Clarifying Aggravating Circumstances in Felony Murder: Detailed Commentary on STATE of Tennessee v. Heck Van Tran

Date: Nov 2, 1993

Clarifying Aggravating Circumstances in Felony Murder: Detailed Commentary on STATE of Tennessee v. Heck Van Tran Introduction In the landmark case of STATE of Tennessee v. Heck Van Tran, 864 S.W.2d...