Source: https://janeslawblog.com/2019/03/21/decisions-coa-3-19-2019/
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 11:46:45+00:00

Document:
Stephen Demond Anderson Sr. v. Emmarie G. Flaggs Anderson – cruel and inhumane treatment divorce – Stephen and Emmarie married in 2007. Unsure of their commitment to each other, they had two children before they married: N.F., born in 2000, S.F., born in 2006. And then A.F., born in 2008 after they married. Sick of being physically abused, Emmarie filed for divorce in 2012. In 2016, with Emmarie’s case about to be dismissed for failure to prosecute, Stephen filed for divorce. The chancellor granted Emmarie a divorce on the grounds of habitual cruel and inhuman treatment. He held that Emmarie and the children should continue living in the marital home, with Stephen continuing to pay the mortgage. THey could sell the home when the youngest reached age 21 or was emancipated, with Emmarie receiving one-third equity and Stephen receiving two-thirds equity. Stephen appeals. The COA affirms.
Joni Warner v. Larry Thomas – modification – Joni and Larry had a child, L.J., in 2016. Four years later they broke up and Larry filed a petition for filiation. He was found to be the father and the chancellor granted joint legal and physical custody with the parents alternating weeks of custody. Three months later Joni filed a petition to modify claiming that after one of their child’s basketball games, Larry tried to assault her and ended up assaulting L.J. The court ended up denying the motion finding that there were no impartial witnesses to the alleged assault. Joni appeals. The COA affirms.
Angela Vermillion v. Robyn Perkett and Douglas P. Vermillion – grandparent visitation – Angela’s son Douglas had a baby, Chella Rose, with Robyn Perkett is the natural mother of Douglas. When Chella Rose was born in 2014, Angela visited the hospital and was allowed to hold her. Angela next saw Chella Rose when the baby was forty-nine days old. Angela claims that at that time, Robyn informed Angela that she would never see Chella Rose again and has denied her access to the child since then. In 2016, Angela filed a complaint for grandparent visitation. The chancellor granted a directed verdict for Robyn and Douglas and awarded them over $7,000 in attorneys fees. Angela appealed. The COA recognizes that “the appropriate motion in a case tried without a jury is not a motion for directed verdict, but for involuntary dismissal . . . .” However, the chancellor did not err because Angela failed to meet the statutory minimum – occasional overnight visitation and financial support in whole or in part for not less than six months – to be able to request grandparent visitation. The COA affirms.
Fabiyonne Peel v. State of Mississippi – hearsay/double jeopardy – A man named Pates was caught on video using a stolen credit card. When questioned, he implicated Peel and three others in a burglary and theft. Peel was indicted for burglary of a dwelling, motor-vehicle theft, and conspiracy to commit motor vehicle theft. He was found guilty of the burglary and motor vehicle theft. On appeal, Peel argues that the trial court erred in limiting Peel’s cross examination of Investigator Adrian Ready after the state adduced evidence that Peel had asserted he had an alibi when questioned by Ready. Peel wanted to question Ready regarding statements Peel made about where he had lawfully obtained the stolen ipad. The COA finds that the trial court did not err in finding this inadmissible hearsay. Peel also argues insufficient evidence and that the conviction of motor vehicle theft was double jeopardy because the jury acquitted him of conspiracy to commit motor-vehicle theft. “The record indicates that one of Peel’s co-defendants spontaneously decided to steal the motor vehicle only after he happened upon its keys during the burglary. A rational jury could have found that Peel never agreed to enter into a conspiracy to accomplish this unplanned motor-vehicle theft. However, a rational jury could also have found that Peel “consciously share[d] in [the] criminal act, regardless of the existence of a conspiracy.” Pereira, 347 U.S. at 11.” The COA affirms.
William Dotie Jackson v. Lori Duperier Jackson – modification of custody – When Dotie and Lori Beth divorced in July 2012, they agreed Lori Beth would have primary physical custody of their son and daughter, WGJ and ADJ. In 2015, Dotie petitioned the Hinds County Chancery Court to find Lori Beth in contempt and to grant him increased access to parenting time with the children. Lori Beth filed a motion for emergency relief alleging that Dotie had abused WGJ and asking that Dotie’s visitation rights be temporarily suspended. Following trial, the chancellor determined there was no material change in circumstances in the custodial home that would warrant a change in custody and denied both motions. Dotie appeals. the COA affirms.
Columbus Light & Water Department v. Mississippi Department of Employment Security – unemployment – Teresa Darby began working for Columbus Light & Water in 2010 as a payroll clerk. She was fired in 2016 for dishonesty, insubordination, etc. She applied for unemployment benefits and she was found eligible. Columbus Light and Water appealed. The COA affirms.
of $1,500. Watts appealed. The COA reverses finding that to obtain a prescriptive easement, one must prove the same elements as adverse possession. Since Jackson had been using the road with permission, he cannot establish that his use was hostile and under a claim of ownership.

References: v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v.