September 28, 2023
By:
Governor Bill Lee has made his appointment for the newly created criminal court judgeship in the 13th Judicial District.
54-year-old Shawn Fry of Cookeville will soon take the bench serving the court in Part III of the district which includes Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Overton, Pickett, Putnam and White counties.
“I am proud to announce the appointment of this highly qualified individual and value the significant experience he will bring to this role,” said Gov. Lee. “I appreciate his leadership and am confident he will serve Tennesseans with integrity.”
Fry currently serves as an attorney at Fry, Fry, Knight & Looper. Fry earned his bachelor’s degree at Tennessee Technological University and juris doctor at Nashville School of Law.
Fry was one of three nominees recommended to the governor for the appointment by the Tennessee Trial Court Vacancy Commission in July. The other nominees were Brandon Scott Griffin of Sparta and Benjamin Marsee of Cookeville.
The new judicial position was created by the Tennessee General Assembly this year.
Fry will serve as an appointee until the next regular election in August, 2024. The person so elected shall hold office until September 1, 2030. Thereafter, the judge of part III of the circuit court shall be elected for a full eight-year term.
Other judges currently serving in the district are Republicans Chancellor-Ronald Thurman, Circuit Court Judge Part I- William T. “Will” Ridley, Circuit Court Judge Part II- Caroline E. Knight, Criminal Court Judge Part I- Gary S. McKenzie, and Criminal Court Judge Part II-Wesley Bray.