Every category of serious crime has decreased in Nashville compared to this point last year, according to the latest figures from the Metro Nashville Police Department. A report released Tuesday shows that as of Sept. 20, violent offenses in the city have dropped by 14.4% and property offenses have fallen by 10.6%. More specifically, homicides are down 29.6% compared to this point in 2024, while aggravated assaults are down 12.5% and street robberies are down 30.1%. The report also contains positive news when it comes to shootings: the number of gunshot victims is down 38.3% or by 131 people, according to the Nashville Banner newsletter.

Federal prosecutors are seeking to overturn a decision last month that granted a new trial to three former Memphis police officers charged in connection with the 2023 death of Tyre Nichols. The Daily Memphian reports that prosecutors are asking the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals to decide whether Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith should remain convicted of the charges they were found guilty of last year or face a jury again. U.S. District Judge Sheryl Lipman granted the three men a new trial in August after unsealing court records that revealed U.S. District Judge Mark Norris made disparaging comments about the Memphis Police Department and suggested one of the defendants was connected to the shooting of his law clerk just days after the trial ended. Norris has recused himself from the case. Bean, Haley and Smith are free on bond pending a new trial date.

The TBA will host its 2025 Environmental Law Forum on Dec. 5 in Nashville. The annual program, a staple for Tennessee lawyers and environmental professionals, will run from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CST and include lunch. Attendees can expect timely updates on issues affecting the practice area, with discounted registration available for section members. Stay tuned for more information on the TBA website.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti announced Tuesday that the state has joined 26 others in urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn laws in Washington and California that ban the possession of high-capacity magazines. The states argue the bans on so-called "plus-ten magazines" violate the Second Amendment. Briefs were filed for Gator’s Custom Guns v. Washington and Duncan v. Bonta. The first case was decided by the Washington Supreme Court, while the second was decided by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. The coalition contends the rulings ignore U.S. Supreme Court precedent and reflect a trend of lower courts eroding constitutional protections. “Courts should not strip away their fundamental rights by pretending these necessary components are not protected by the Second Amendment. Our office is proud to partner with our sister states in defending the Constitution,” Skrmetti said in a press release.

Attorney Lorenzo A. Ramunno, a probate and estate planning lawyer admitted to practice in Florida, New York and Tennessee, died Aug. 30, according to the Ramunno Law Firm. Born in Buffalo, New York, Ramunno was the son of a judge and city councilman who had an early influence on a legal career marked by integrity and service. He earned his law degree from Nova University Law School and since 2004 had served as a Florida circuit court mediator. His practice areas included probate, estate planning, wills, trusts, small business corporations, real estate, trust administration and general law.

The TBA will host a Court of Appeals Boot Camp on Oct. 8 in Nashville, offering lawyers the opportunity to observe oral arguments in real cases and hear analysis from participating attorneys on preparation and advocacy strategies. The program, designed to strengthen skills in both written and oral appellate advocacy, also will feature a networking lunch for participants. Speakers include Tennessee Court of Appeals Judges Andy Bennett, Frank Clement Jr., Neal McBrayer and Jeffrey Usman; Robert Parsley with Bradley Arant Boult Cummings in Chattanooga; and Jacob Vanzin with Dodson Parker Behm & Capparella in Nashville. The program will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. CDT at the Tennessee Court of Appeals. For more information and to register, visit the TBA website.

Gov. Bill Lee has appointed Judge Jim Todd to the 20th Judicial District Criminal Court, covering Davidson County. Todd currently serves as a judge in the Davidson County General Sessions Court. He will fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Cheryl Blackburn. Todd earned his bachelor’s degree at Vanderbilt University and law degree at the University of Memphis. “I am proud to announce the appointment of Judge Todd to the 20th Judicial District Criminal Court. Jim brings significant experience to the bench, and I appreciate his leadership and willingness to serve Tennesseans with integrity,” Lee said according to the Nashville Post.

The TBA has announced that staff member Chelsea Bennett has been promoted to director of access to justice (ATJ) and strategic initiatives. Bennett has been a senior education and professional development coordinator on the CLE team since 2018. TBA Assistant Executive Director Lanny Brown said of the move, “I’m thrilled that Chelsea has accepted this role. With nearly a decade of service at TBA, her experience, creativity and dedication make her an excellent fit to lead this important work.” Bennett will move into her new role working alongside current ATJ Director Liz Slagle Todaro as Todaro transitions out of the role she has held for the last 13 years. Of her replacement, Todaro said, “Chelsea is precisely the bar professional we need at exactly the right time, as TBA advances critical ATJ initiatives and strengthens community partnerships. Her leadership and skills will help guide us through this challenging and exciting era, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to support her and TBA during this transition.” Bennett received her bachelor’s degree in sociology from The Ohio State University and her master’s degree in teaching from Belmont University.

TBA's Administrative Law Section is hosting its annual forum virtually on Dec. 11 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CST. This year's program includes a discussion about warrantless searches by administrative agents, an ethics update and more. Register now!

U.S. District Judge John Fowlkes has sentenced Lisa Findley, the Missouri woman accused of trying to auction off Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion, to 57 months in prison, with three years supervised release. Findley was indicted last year on charges of mail fraud and identity theft, but the judge dismissed the identity theft charges as part of a plea deal with prosecutors. The Daily Memphian has the story.