2 words from judges Poole, Statom could solve jail crowding crisis today
Judge Lila Statom deals with defendant Taylor Satterfield in sessions court in a case that was sent to the grand jury. (Photo Dan Kennedy Wrcbtv.com) Criminalization of non-criminal behavior and examples of bad behavior and misjudgement is pushing Hamilton County into a jail funding and jail crowding crisis, the pressure of which is intensifying. The […]
McMinn criminal court judge seals Fitzpatrick’s public ‘grand jury’ report
By Sharon Rondeau / The Post & Email (Jul. 29, 2017) — On Saturday, Walter Francis Fitzpatrick, III received in the mail an order from McMinn County, Tenn., Criminal Court Judge Sandra Donaghy indicating that an alleged report produced by a three-person panel of the county grand jury was filed “under seal” so as to […]
TVA roadside traffic stops, arrests ‘provide value’ for people
TVA cop Scott E. Stone has used an LPR to seize a family traveling in Chattanooga to question them about a mismatched motor vehicle tag on their car July 22, 2017. (Photo David Tulis) A woman explains why a tag on the back of her car is mismatched on state records to an officer (barely […]
Marceaux says court loss really a win; ‘criminal’ case heard in civil court
Basil Marceaux, defendant provocateur, and town attorney Sam Elliott in Hamilton County circuit court. (Photo David Tulis) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (May 22, 2017) — Court reform activist Basil Marceaux’ offers a mix of high-flying, historical and quirky arguments in a court that would have instantly booted him if his attack on the legal status quo […]
Carefully executed Soddy-Daisy roadblocks nab no DUIs
Jeff Gann, acting chief of Soddy Daisy police, holds a hot pizza given his crew by a passing member of the public at a New Year’s Eve roadblock. (Photo David Tulis) The Soddy-Daisy police department runs a roadblock in full compliance with judicial rules requiring high visibility by use of signs, cones and lights. (Photo […]
Highway patrol insists vague roadblock PR obeys public notice rule
By refusing to publicize its roadblocks, Red Bank, Tenn., joins the state department of safety in violating a roadblock rule laid down in two high court opinions. (Photo city of Red Bank website) Tim Christol, police chief of Red Bank, Tenn., refuses to reveal when and where his department is imposing roadblocks this Labor Day […]
Highway patrol rejects high court rule for roadblock public notice
By refusing to publicize its roadblocks, Red Bank, Tenn., joins the state department of safety in violating a roadblock rule laid down in two high court opinions. (Photo city of Red Bank website) Tim Christol, police chief of Red Bank, Tenn., refuses to reveal when and where his department is imposing roadblocks this Labor Day […]
A night in Soddy-Daisy city court: Lasley corrals herd of petty defendants
A murder defendant stands before Judge Mart Lasley in Soddy-Daisy city court in 2012. Most defendants appear for victimless petty offenses. (Photo VLB Productions on YouTube) The ugly spat between Brittney Parker and Roy Corder, 29, continues in a neon-lit courtroom in Soddy-Daisy, with the judge playing uncle and scold and town cops tossing in […]
‘Let every man be armed’ a concept that boosts local economy, autonomy
Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga is a gun-free zone, and so it had a terrorism practice Wednesday in which the only defense for participants was flight, locked doors and barricades. (Photo wdeftv.com) Tommy Wiggonton of Memorial Hospital says had a drill Wednesday been a real “active shooter” event, 30 people would have been killed. The day […]
Cops traumatize innocent family in search for minor theft suspect
Greg Beck, Hamilton County commissioner (Photo Wrcbtv.com) By David Tulis A Hamilton County commissioner is angry at a police raid upon residents of property he owns in East Chattanooga off Tunnel Boulevard, a dwelling occupied by a granddaughter and her family. Greg Beck indicates at least eight officers took part of a Towerway Drive siege […]