Newly released video shows correctional officers punching, kicking, pepper spraying and eventually kneeling on the upper back of an inmate who died after attempting to run from a cell last fall. The video was released by the Nashville District Attorney's (DA) office, which was asked to conduct an independent investigation, the Commercial Appeal reports. According to Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner, Gershun Freeman, 33, “suffered from psychosis and cardiovascular disease and died of a heart attack while being restrained.” He said it is unfortunate that parts of the video “are being shown out of context” because the full video shows Freeman’s “erratic and violent behavior that led to the need to restrain.” Bonner said he will wait for additional information from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Nashville DA's office before taking further administrative action. Freeman was arrested Oct. 1, 2022, after he was accused of attacking, threatening and kidnapping his girlfriend.

The U.S. Justice Department started taking applications for President Joe Biden’s mass amnesty for marijuana convictions on Friday, Bloomberg Law reports. The program, announced last October, offers those convicted of certain federal marijuana offenses a “full, unconditional and categorical pardon.” Those seeking a pardon have to apply to the Office of the Pardon Attorney for a certificate of proof. To be eligible, applicants must have been convicted of simple possession in federal court or D.C. Superior Court. Immigrants without documentation and anyone convicted of a state marijuana offense may not apply.

Save the date for the 2023 Intellectual Property Forum set for April 28 in Nashville. The program will run from 9:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. CDT and offer a total of four credit hours, including one dual credit hour. Make plans now to join Ian McFarland and Lauren Sherwood with Merchant & Gould for this informative course, and don't miss the networking reception the night before the program from 5-7 p.m.

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The free legal advice clinic for nonprofits and Black-owned small businesses, originally planned for March 16, has been rescheduled to March 23. The clinic is sponsored by the Nashville Arts & Business Council's Volunteer Lawyers and Professionals for the Arts and the law firm of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings. Clients should sign up online by March 20. Email vlpa@abcnashville.org to volunteer.

Three Knoxville Police Department officers and a transportation officer are being investigated for their treatment of a woman whose pleas for help were ignored as they accused her of faking an illness, the Associated Press reports. The police officers, Brandon Wardlaw, Adam Barnett and Timothy Distasio, and transportation officer Danny Dugan are on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation into their conduct. Earlier this week, the Knox County District Attorney’s office announced it would not press criminal charges after an autopsy determined that “at no time did law enforcement interaction cause or contribute” to Lisa Edwards’ death. Video of the interactions shows the officers rebuff her many requests for help.

Members of the Tennessee Black Caucus are calling on legislative leaders to take action against Rep. Paul Sherrell, R-Sparta, following his remarks at a committee hearing about new execution procedures. The House Criminal Justice Committee was considering a bill to allow for use of the electric chair and firing squads in state executions when Sherrell suggested another option. “Can I put an amendment on that that would include hanging by a tree also?” The comment went viral with some calling on Sherrell to resign and others calling for him to be removed from his committees. Rep. Sam McKenzie, D-Knoxville, chair of the Black Caucus, also said the Republican Caucus should speak up. Yesterday, two days after the comment, Sherrell read an apology during a House session, WPLN reports. Rep. McKenzie said in response, “We lived a 15-generation nightmare in this country … This situation is not over.” WKRN has his comments.

The Tennessee Supreme Court issued a “housekeeping” amendment to Rule 4(A)(1) yesterday. The amendment changes the reference to “Southwestern Reporter” to “South Western Reporter” in language requiring opinions of the court to be published in the official reporter. The amendment will take effect immediately.

The Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law (LMU Law) has launched a new part-time/hybrid law degree program and is currently accepting applications for the fall of 2023. The school says that it won approval from the American Bar Association last week to create the program and offer distance education hours in excess of those currently permitted under ABA standards. The new program will replace the school’s flex-time enrollment option, which has allowed students to take a reduced load of credits for the past 10 years, but has still required in-person daytime classes. The new program will provide an option for individuals who need or want to work full-time. Associate Dean for Distance Education Vonda Laughlin will oversee the program.