News
April 19, 2013
The Tennessee Supreme Court has affirmed the conviction and death sentence of Nickolus L. Johnson for the 2004 murder of Officer Mark Vance of the Bristol Police Department. The Court also affirmed several other lower court rulings regarding the trial.In the unanimous opinion authored by Justice…
April 19, 2013
In a unanimous opinion, the Tennessee Supreme Court today affirmed but modified the drug conviction of a Davidson County defendant after determining that the evidence was insufficient to support a conviction for possession with intent to sell cocaine found in the residence of a co-defendant.Bobby…
April 19, 2013
In a unanimous Opinion, the Tennessee Supreme Court today ordered a new trial for a Gibson County man after determining that statements he made during a police interrogation should not have been used as evidence at trial because the prosecution failed to prove that the defendant understood and…
April 16, 2013
Elizabethton attorney Stacy Street has been appointed by Governor Bill Haslam as Criminal Court judge in the 1st Judicial District. Street takes the seat held by Judge Lynn W. Brown, who retired March 31.Judge Street will be sworn in at 1:30 p.m. Thursday by Criminal Court Judge Robert Cupp at the…
April 15, 2013
The Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct has issued a public reprimand to Judge James McKenzie of Rhea County.Judge McKenzie’s reprimand is the result of his conduct in two incidents in late 2012, one concerning comments made regarding an attorney appearing in Judge McKenzie’s courtroom and another…
April 15, 2013
Tennessee’s newest judge was sworn in Tuesday.
Andrew Tillman was appointed Monday by Gov. Bill Haslam to the Chancery Court opening in the 8th Judicial District, which serves Campbell, Claiborne, Fentress, Scott and Union counties.
Tennessee Court of Appeals Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.…
April 12, 2013
The Judicial Nominating Commission met on April 12, 2013 in Greeneville, Tenn., to hold a public hearing for the Chancery Court vacancy in the 3rd Judicial District.After conducting a vote, they have submitted the following three as nominees to Gov. Bill Haslam for the vacancy in the district that…
April 12, 2013
Justice Sharon Lee met with Governor Bill Haslam and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Col. Leo Thorsness at the State Capitol on April 8, 2013. Thorsness serves on the board of directors of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation and Knoxville will be the host city for the 2014 Medal of…
April 11, 2013
The Judicial Nominating Commission met on April 11, 2013 in Greeneville, Tenn., to hold a public hearing and conduct interviews of candidates for the Circuit Court vacancy in the 3rd Judicial District.After interviewing the candidates and conducting a vote, they have submitted the following three…
April 11, 2013
The Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct has issued a public censure and a public reprimand to Circuit Court Judge John K. Wilson of the Third Judicial District.Judge Wilson’s censure is a result of his conduct at 2011 deposition in addition to failure to abide by a resolution and agreement…
April 8, 2013
Two Tennessee veterans courts are the recipients of $40,000 in total grants from the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education & Specialization. The move is a result of an ongoing effort on several fronts to address the issues facing veterans and service members, particularly in light…
April 1, 2013
Kathleen Gomes has been selected as interim probate judge by the Shelby County Commission.The selection was announced Monday. Gomes replaces retiring Probate Court Judge Robert Benham, who has served in that role since 1997.Gomes has practiced law in Tennessee since 1980 and is a partner with…
March 28, 2013
The Tennessee Supreme Court today upheld a trial court’s decision that it lacked jurisdiction over a lawsuit filed by the State of Tennessee against an Indonesian cigarette manufacturer to collect payments allegedly owed under the Tennessee Tobacco Manufacturers’ Escrow Fund Act.In 1998, Tennessee…
March 27, 2013
The Judicial Nominating Commission met on March 27, 2013 in Memhpis, Tenn., to hold a public hearing and conduct interviews of candidates for the Criminal Court vacancy in the 30th Judicial District. After interviewing the candidates and conducting a vote, they have submitted the following three as…
March 27, 2013
In a unanimous opinion, the Tennessee Supreme Court rejected the claim of the defendant that the district attorney in her trial for the kidnapping and murder of her husband’s ex-wife had improperly used a grand jury proceeding as an investigatory tool for pending indictments.On September 8, 2002,…
March 25, 2013
In an effort to provide beginning lawyers with access to more resources and to encourage seasoned attorneys to take new lawyers under their wings, the organization that runs Tennessee’s continuing legal education program has established a new formal mentoring program.The program will pair attorneys…
March 22, 2013
In a unanimous opinion, the Tennessee Supreme Court affirmed the conviction of Jereme Dannuel Little on one count of especially aggravated kidnapping, for which he received an 18-year sentence. The Court rejected each of Little’s claims, including his argument that the trial court, which had…
March 22, 2013
The Tennessee Supreme Court has affirmed a ruling by the Court of Criminal Appeals, which set aside the conviction of James David Moats for driving under the influence after a police officer discovered him parked in a grocery store parking lot.After observing that the arresting officer admitted…
March 22, 2013
The Tennessee Supreme Court today upheld a trial court’s decision invalidating a will because the will was contrary to a contract between the maker of the will and her deceased husband.Roy Brown, Jr. and Ina Brown were married in the 1980s. Both of them had children from previous marriages. In June…
March 21, 2013
The Tennessee Supreme Court today decided that a prisoner who missed the filing deadline for a post-conviction relief petition was entitled to have his petition considered because of the deficient conduct of his former lawyer.In 2003, a Shelby County jury convicted Artis Whitehead of various…