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Besh v. Coppick
Citation: Not availableDocket: 01A01-9605-CH-00234
Court: Court of Appeals of Tennessee; January 27, 1998; Tennessee; State Appellate Court
Original Court Document: View Document
Deelicho Besh, a prisoner at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution, filed a lawsuit against correctional officers Ted Coppick and Les Harrison, claiming conversion of his walkman-style radio after it was seized during a routine inspection. The radio, purchased by Besh in 1993, was confiscated along with a power booster and earphones, which violated prison regulations. A disciplinary board found Besh guilty of possessing contraband on June 30, 1995, and did not return the radio. Besh sought $20,000 in compensatory and $10,000 in punitive damages. The defendants moved for dismissal or summary judgment, which the Chancery Court granted on January 8, 1996, dismissing the case. The appellate court affirmed the trial court's decision, citing precedent that prisoners do not hold a legally protected interest in contraband. Therefore, the seizure of the radio and accessories did not constitute conversion. The court remanded the case for any further proceedings and ordered Besh to bear the costs of the appeal.