Court of Appeals Published Opinions -
March 2005
Note: Beginning in June 2012, opinions will be posted as Adobe PDFs. You can download a free copy of Adobe Reader here.
The summary following each opinion is prepared to offer lawyers and the public a general overview of what a particular opinion decides. The summary is not necessarily a full description of the issues discussed in an opinion.
3-7-2005 - Opinions
In this criminal appeal, the appellate entity analyzes and considers the efficacy of Crawford v. Washington as juxtaposed to an excited utterance hearsay statement. Additionally, the appellant challenges the refusal of the Circuit Judge to instruct the jury on mere association and mere suspicion. Finally, appellant contends the Trial Judge erred in refusing to allow a witness to testify that a third party confessed to her that he shot the decedent.
Affirms the trial court's refusal to charge the jury the law of involuntary manslaughter and self-defense in this appeal from a murder conviction.
This is an appeal of an alimony award.
3-14-2005 - Opinions
Fassett obtained a default judgment from Evans in an action for damages for trespass and taking timber in violation of the timber statute. Evans appeals the trial court's refusal to set aside the default judgment, arguing that he was never served with the summons and complaint and that the judgment was the result of mistake or excusable neglect. We affirm.
3959 - Chapman v. Upstate RV & Marine
Boat dealership appeals the award of damages to buyers of defective boat. The dealer argues the trial court erred in failing to grant a new trial absolute or a new trial nisi remittitur because the buyers allegedly failed to prove damages. We affirm.
In affirming the circuit court's order confirming an arbitration award, determines there was no showing the arbitrator displayed a manifest disregard or perverse minsconstruction of the applicable law, the only issue presented on appeal.
In this criminal matter, Jones appeals his conviction for trafficking in crack cocaine. He contends the trial judge erred in failing to suppress the drug evidence because it was tainted fruit seized in an illegal detention following a traffic stop. Specifically, Jones asserts the officer's actions during the traffic stop amounted to an illegal detention exceeding the scope of the traffic stop.
This is an appeal from the entry of a default judgment. Hassiotis argues the magistrate's court erred in finding he was properly notified of his trial date.
3963 - McMillian v. SC Department of Agriculture
The South Carolina Department of Agriculture appeals the decision of the special referee finding Respondents were entitled to recover damages, pre-judgment interest, and attorney's fees from the Warehouse Receipts Guaranty Fund.
3-21-2005 - Opinions
3964 - Jones v. State Farm Mutual
In this civil appeal, the issue is whether section 38-77-120 mandates that an insurance company notify an insured that the insured has not been ceded to the Reinsurance Facility.
In this appeal from a criminal case, Appellant Karen Ann McCall argues that her conviction should be overturned on the ground that the State should be judicially estopped from prosecuting her.
In this domestic relations case, the court analyzes two issues: (1) whether the Family Court abused its discretion by failing to set aside a consent judgment under Rule 60(b)(2) on the basis of a prenuptial agreement; and (2) whether the Family Court erred in awarding the husband attorney’s fees.
In this criminal appeal, the appellant contends the trial judge erred: (1) in failing to grant a directed verdict where there was no direct or substantial circumstantial evidence that appellant killed the victim; (2) by refusing to instruct the jury on mere presence; and (3) in finding appellant failed to present evidence of juror misconduct and denying appellant’s motion for a new trial.
Affirms the trial court's grant of a JNOV motion because a release incorporated into the final order in a prior case unambiguously precludes future claims arising out of the same circumstances.
3-28-2005 - Opinions
3969 - Clinton v. West American Insurance
Debra Clinton appeals from the trial court's grant of summary judgment in favor of West American Insurance Company, finding West American made a meaningful offer of underinsured motorist coverage. Clinton argues the trial court erred in finding West American made a meaningful offer to Joy Clinton, because although she specifically rejected UIM coverage on the offer form, she filled in "25/50" on the blank line located on the UIM offer form and no premium amount was filled in by the agent or insurer. We affirm and adopt the trial court's order as part of the opinion of this court.
In this criminal appeal, the court reviews whether the trial judge’s admission of an out-of-court declaration violates Crawford v. Washington.
Karl Wallace was convicted of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor. He argues the trial court erred by admitting the testimony of the victim's sister regarding an alleged prior act of criminal sexual conduct with a minor under the common plan or scheme exception to State v. Lyle, 125 S.C. 406, 118 S.E. 803 (1923), and Rule 404(b), SCRE. We reverse and remand for a new trial, finding an insufficient connection between the crime charged and the prior bad act. Further, we found the trial court erred in redacting the sister's testimony to make it more similar to the crime charged.
3972 - Peoples v. Henry Company
This is an appeal from a workers' compensation award, compensating Samuel K. Peoples for sixty-eight percent permanent partial disability to his right lower extremity. Henry Company appeals arguing Peoples' injury to his Achilles tendon was an injury to the foot and not the leg. We affirm, finding sufficient evidence that Peoples suffered an injury to the leg.