Attorneys for death row inmate Christa Pike filed a motion in Knox County yesterday to reopen her petition for post-conviction relief, citing a recent court opinion that her youth should have served as a factor in sentencing, the Tennessean reports. Pike, now 47, was sentenced to death in 1996 for torturing and killing fellow Knoxville Job Corps member Colleen Slemmer. Pike is the last person in Tennessee to receive a death sentence for a crime committed as an 18-year-old and has been the only woman on Tennessee's death row since 2010. A U.S. district judge upheld the conviction in 2012 ruling there were not “valid grounds” for an appeal to proceed. Pike was also convicted in 2004 for attempting to strangle a fellow inmate. 

Former Tennessee state Sen. Brian Kelsey, R-Germantown, and his new attorneys have asked a judge to allow Kelsey to avoid reporting to federal prison until a higher court rules on his appeal, the Tennessean reports. Kelsey argued in a new filing this week that prosecutors breached a plea agreement by "advocating" during sentencing for an upward adjustment under federal sentencing guidelines. Kelsey was sentenced earlier this month to 21 months in prison for campaign finance violations after pleading guilty to felonies related to illegal campaign funding maneuvers. Kelsey's attempt to retract his guilty plea were unsuccessful, leading to a longer sentence recommendation from prosecutors.

The Tennessee Supreme Court is unfamiliar territory for most lawyers and success in this court requires not only thorough preparation, but mastery of oral and written advocacy as well. The Tennessee Supreme Court Boot Camp allows lawyers to observe oral arguments in real cases being presented to the court, followed by analysis and discussion on the preparation and considerations for deciding to seek review in the court. Join colleagues at the Tennessee Supreme Court in Nashville Oct. 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CDT and earn one dual and 3.75 general credits.

The TBA YLD in partnership with the Tennessee Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission hosted two Essential Documents for Essential Workers Clinics this past Saturday. The clinics in Cookeville and Murfreesboro aided first responders and their families in drafting wills, powers of attorney and advanced health care directives. In all, 20 volunteer attorneys and notaries assisted 26 first responders in drafting these essential documents; 19 Belmont law students served as witnesses. The two events resulted in more than $13,000 of free legal services to first responders. Thanks to YLD District Representatives Morgan Hanna and Amber Vargas for hosting these events. See photos here.

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission meeting today in Murfreesboro selected three nominees to forward to Gov. Bill Lee for his consideration in filling a vacancy in the 16th Judicial District. They are: Murfreesboro lawyers Terry A. Fann, Derek R. Howard and R. Michelle Howser. The vacancy on the court, which serves Rutherford and Cannon counties, is due to the Sept. 1 retirement of Circuit Court Judge J. Mark Rogers. Read the announcement from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today appointed former judges D. Kelly Thomas and Vanessa Agee Jackson as new senior judges for the state. They will take office on Sept. 1. Thomas replaces Judge Thomas Wright, who is stepping down from the bench, for a term of two years. He has more than 30 years of judicial experience, having served on the Court of Criminal Appeals from 2006-2022 and as a circuit court judge in the Fifth Judicial District from 1990-2006. Jackson is being appointed for a term of four years. She previously was a circuit court judge in the 14th Judicial District from 2009-2022. Under Tennessee law, the court may appoint senior judges when one or more judicial districts require additional resources and the appointment will promote the effective administration of justice.

Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sharon G. Lee received a warm farewell from colleagues and friends during a retirement dinner held by the Bradley County Bar Association last week, the Cleveland Banner reports. The dinner, held at the Museum & Cultural Center Friday, honored Lee for her years of judicial service, including as the state’s first female chief justice from 2014 to 2016. Lee is retiring from the court tomorrow. A number of events across the state this month have honored her work.

Gov. Bill Lee is calling his special-called legislative session on public safety a success that is giving him hope for the future of Tennessee, WSMV reports. He also said that while he does not have a plan for legislation he wants lawmakers to pass when they reconvene in January, he wants to keep talking about ways to keep Tennesseans safe. “This has been an important week for Tennessee, a difficult week, but a week that’s hopeful,” he said. In a video statement released last night, Lee thanked Tennesseans, especially family members from the Covenant School, for engaging in efforts to strengthen safety across the state. He also highlighted the four bills that passed the General Assembly during the special session, saying, “Significant funding was focused on issues that matter to public safety. We improved the background check system, attacked human trafficking, made more access for safe storage. We funded mental health resources across the state. We made progress.”

Judge Thomas J. Wright, who has served as a senior judge for the last two years, will join Collins Shipley PLLC on Sept. 1, the Citizen Tribune reports. According to a release from the Greeneville personal injury firm, Wright will focus on litigation and alternative dispute resolution services. Wright was named a senior judge in 2021. He previously was a circuit court judge for the Third Judicial District from 2006 to 2021 and served as Greene County General Sessions and Juvenile Court judge from 1998 to 2006. He also was the federal defender in Greeneville and spent a number of years in private practice. The Greeneville Sun has more on his decision to move into private practice.

Memphis Area Legal Services will host its Attorney of the Day clinic on Sept. 7 beginning at 1 p.m. CDT. During the clinic, volunteer attorneys will meet with pro se litigants to provide help and make referrals. Clients are seen on a first come first serve basis. The clinic takes place in Room 134 of the Judge D'Army Bailey Courthouse, 140 Adams Ave., Memphis 38103. Volunteer attorneys are needed to help. Sign up here to volunteer.