Attorneys for Lemaricus Davidson, who was convicted of the torture slayings of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom, are asking for a new trial due to outside influences on the jury during deliberations, WATE Knoxville News Channel 6 reports. In newly released, post-trial information, a juror blogged about his experience in 2009 during Davidson’s first trial stating the jurors had a “praise service” during the deliberations. Eight jurors believed Davidson should receive death, while four were unsure. The juror blogged that out of the five-plus hours spent deliberating, four hours were spent in prayer and reading the Bible. The judge will hear Davidson’s latest amended motions for a new trial on Jan. 10.

Members of the Chattanooga chapter of the American Inns of Court donated $11,250 to the Chattanooga Area Food Bank, the Hamilton County Herald reports. Most of the money was raised at an auction during the group's holiday party, with the rest coming from member donations. “Every dollar donated to the Food Bank buys five meals,” said Maeghan Jones, president of the Food Bank. “So, the Inn’s donation will allow us to provide 56,250 meals. I’m thrilled to know my colleagues in the legal community are so willing to give back by making sure their neighbors do not go hungry, especially during the holidays.”

State Sen. Roy Herron confirmed today that he is running for chairman of the Tennessee Democratic Party, the Tennessean reports. Herron, who decided to run after a family member’s health issue was resolved late last week, joins at least four other candidates for the position: Jane Hampton Bowen, Dave Garrison, Wade Munday and Ben Smith. The state party’s 72 executive committee members will decide on Jan. 26.

The Senate voted 73-23 today to reauthorize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), after rejecting amendments that would have required more disclosure of how the warrantless wiretapping program is used. The act was top legislative priority of the U.S. Department of Justice as a tool for collecting foreign intelligence, although it drew criticism from privacy groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union.

Anderson County Circuit Clerk Tyler Mayes has proposed a new fee to be tacked onto court costs in criminal cases as a way to supplement funding for school security measures. As a former teacher, Mayes says the idea was always on his mind, but the recent massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary pushed him to pursue the concept. In a news release this week Mayes said, “This is a fee that I will passionately fight for.” Knox News has more.

Dickson County General Sessions court closed Friday after Sheriff Jeff Bledsoe said his department received word of a potential threat to Judge Durwood Moore. Although court personnel secured the judge, courtroom and offices appropriately, Judge Moore chose to close the court. Deputies talked to the suspect accused of making the threatening statements and determined he likely posed no threat, according to the Tennessean.

Shuttleworth William PLLC recently announced it has moved to a new office in Knoxville. The firm is now located in the First Tennessee Plaza at 800 South Gay St., Suite 2031. The new space puts it closer to the Knox County Courthouse, state Supreme Court Building and U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. Read more from the firm

Universal Health Services of Pennsylvania won a $6.89 million jury verdict against Franklin-based Acadia Healthcare Co. and five former Universal employees for violating non-compete clauses and misappropriating confidential information, according to the Nashville Business Journal. Universal Health Services purchased Psychiatric Solutions Inc., also based in Franklin, in November 2010. Many of Pyschiatric Solutions' management team then went to work at Acadia.

Compliance with an agreement reached between the U.S Department of Justice (DOJ) and Memphis-Shelby County Juvenile Court last week is "well worth" the estimated cost the county government, the Memphis Flyer argues in an editorial today. However, the paper warns that the price tag of $4.5 to $6.5 million will strain the already financially strapped county government, and that Shelby County Mayor Mark Lutrell's bid for emergency funding from the state will exacerbate the existing shaky relationship he has with the county commission.

Bass Berry & Sims PLC has won the mergers and acquisitions “deal of the year” award in the $50 million to $100 million category from M&A Advisors for the deal in which Luminex Corp, a health care and life sciences research company, acquired privately held GenturaDX, a molecular diagnostics company focused on making nucleic acid testing affordable and practical. Bass Berry served as outside counsel to Luminex. The deal also was a finalist for the distinction of “sector deal of the year” in the category of health care/life sciences between $10 million and $100 million. The firm also was recognized for a deal it handled for Fidelity National Financial Inc., which purchased the Nashville-based restaurant chain O’Charley’s Inc. The Memphis Daily News has the story. Other businesses with Tennessee connections that were honored include Miller & Martin PLLC and International Paper Corporation. See the full list of companies recognized.