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Third Alleged Attacker in Vandy Rape Case in Court Today

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on May 4, 2017
One of the four men charged in the Vanderbilt rape case was in court today for a motions hearing, indicating that his case will likely head to trial, the Tennessean reports. Brandon Banks and his attorney Mark Scruggs made arguments in the hearing that some case evidence should not be used against him in trial. Two others accused in the case, Brandon Vandenburg and Cory Batey, have already been convicted. The trial is set for June 19.

Bill Provides for Triple Legal Fees in Gun Rights Lawsuits

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on May 4, 2017
A proposal that would put cities and counties that ban guns in public buildings at risk of lawsuits passed the state House yesterday, the Times Free Press reports. The bill asks local authorities to choose between allowing those with handgun permits to bring guns to public locations or else buy metal detectors, hire security and check bags at those locations. It would also offer expanded protections for gun-rights groups to sue on behalf of those who feel slighted by gun restrictions, including being eligible for triple attorney’s fees. The Tennessee Journal reported that in House floor debate, Rep. Bill Dunn, R-Knoxville, and other critics said the provision for lawyers receiving triple the fees they are due for work on a lawsuit is unprecedented in Tennessee. Dunn's amendment to delete the fees provision was killed, 60-32.

Rutherford Sheriff Sentenced to 4 Years

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on May 4, 2017
Former Rutherford County Sheriff Robert Arnold was sentenced today to nearly four years behind bars for illegally selling e-cigarettes to inmates, the Tennessean reports. Arnold, his uncle John Vanderveer, and former sheriff's administration chief Joe Russell, were indicted in May 2016 for illegally profiting off inmates through their JailCigs business. Vanderveer and Russell will be sentenced in September. "Public corruption is a very serious offense," U.S. Judge Marvin Aspen said, adding that such crimes are even worse when involving law enforcement.

State House Halts After Bipartisan Insurrection on Budget

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on May 4, 2017
The legislature came to a halt this morning after a group of frustrated Republican House members held a meeting with Democrats to advance last-minute changes to the state’s budget, the Tennessean reports. The House did not take a vote on the budget bill and adjourned until tomorrow morning. The Senate, which had been awaiting House approval before taking up the measure, adjourned until Monday. Earlier today after going through a series of bills during a floor session, the House went into recess before taking up the various budget bills. A flurry of amendments to the budget were filed in the last 24 hours, many of them multi-million dollar changes to the $37 billion budget proposal. Read more about discussed amendments at The Tennessee Journal.

Nashville DA to Investigate Judicial Influence

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on May 4, 2017
Nashville District Attorney Glenn Funk has pledged to investigate when judges attempt to influence police officers, the Tennessean reports. The move comes after local leaders have raised concerns about Police Chief Steve Anderson’s decision not to discipline officers who let one of then-Judge Casey Moreland’s paramours leave a traffic stop after receiving a call from Moreland. "No judge should ever call a Metro officer in the middle of a traffic stop and instruct the officer not to issue a citation or make an arrest," Funk said.

Former Legislator Convicted in Financial Scheme

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on May 3, 2017
Former state legislator and CEO Larry Bates has been convicted alongside his two sons and daughter-in-law in a financial scheme involving the buying and selling of gold and silver coins, the Commercial Appeal reports. The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee said today that Bates and his family members were convicted on counts of mail and wire fraud and conspiracy. 

Famed Texas Defense Attorney Richard ‘Racehorse’ Haynes Dies

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on May 3, 2017
The famous Houston criminal defense lawyer Richard “Racehorse” Haynes died on Friday, the ABA Journal reports. Haynes was called “the master of courtroom theatrics,” and was known to have shocked himself with a cattle prod, cross-examined an empty witness chair and even threatened to drive a nail through his hand, all in attempts to prove a point in the courtroom. Haynes represented 40 clients in capital cases and none got death sentences, and he won all but two of 30 “Smith and Wesson divorce” cases, in which women were accused of killing abusive husbands in self-defense. Haynes was 90 years old.

McCain: Army Secretary Nominee’s Comments ‘Concerning’

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on May 3, 2017
Comments from Secretary of the Army nominee and Tennessee state Sen. Mark Green, are “very concerning,” Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Sen. John McCain said this week. The Nashville Post reports that the Arizona Republican cited comments Green made concerning Muslims, the LGBT community and others as reasons for his concern. Another member of the committee, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), said he has not decided whether he will support Green or not.

Bookkeeper Accused of Stealing $300k from Law Firm

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on May 3, 2017
A 72-year-old bookkeeper is accused of stealing nearly $300,000 from a Memphis law firm where she worked, the Commercial Appeal reports. Olive Wong, an employee of Spicer Rudstrom, was arrested and charged yesterday with theft of property greater than $250,000. She is accused of stealing $290,714 from the firm between January 2010 and January 2014.

Defense Attorney Accused of Rape Arrested for Bond Violation

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on May 3, 2017
Defense attorney Arthur Horne, accused of raping his former girlfriend, was arrested again today, this time for violating his bond because his GPS ankle bracelet was off for five days, the Commercial Appeal reports. Horne appeared in court today on charges of aggravated rape and aggravated assault stemming from a March 1 arrest, and was taken into custody as soon as the hearing got underway for the bond violation charge.
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