Judge David Patterson Holds Court One Last Time in DeKalb County (VIEW VIDEO HERE)

June 18, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Criminal Court Judge David Patterson has heard his last case in DeKalb County.

The veteran judge held court here for the final time Tuesday. After 13 years on the bench, serving the seven counties of the 13^th Judicial District, Patterson has decided to step down as of June 30. He announced his retirement plans in a letter to Governor Bill Lee in March.

The Governor has not yet named anyone to succeed Patterson.

Four people initially applied with the Trial Court Vacancy Commission to be recommended for the appointment including Rebecca Brady, Wesley Thomas Bray, and J. Michael Shipman all of Cookeville, and Jeffrey A. Vires of Crossville. The commission recently interviewed the candidates and has submitted to the Governor the names of Brady, Bray, and Shipman for consideration. The appointee will serve until a special election in 2020. The winner of that election will serve the remaining years of Patterson’s unexpired term which ends on August 31, 2022.

Asked why he chose to retire midway through his second term, Patterson said he felt the time was right.

“It’s just time. I am 70 years old. I’m trying to do it before I’ve lasted too long and wear out. I think at times there are those who maybe stay longer than they are welcome and I sort of wanted to do it on my own terms when I feel good. I have two grandchildren and another one coming and I want to have some energy for them. I really enjoy being with them and there are some other things I still want to do. I’m happy to be retiring,” said Judge Patterson.

Patterson spent 35 years serving the 13th Judicial District, including 16 years as a prosecutor and seven years as the Putnam County Youth Services Officer.

“Bill Griffith was the General Sessions Judge in Putnam County and he hired me in 1983. A couple of years into that he said you need to go to law school. I didn’t know how I was going to do that until he said I am going to pay for your law school and he did. Bill Griffith paid for four years at the Nashville School of Law for me. He also told me that one day both of us would be judges. He passed away at age 56 and never got to see me be a judge but I became a youth service officer to begin with in the juvenile court system in 1983,” Patterson said.

It was during his years working for former District Attorney General Bill Gibson as Chief Assistant that Patterson helped prosecute several noteworthy cases including one in DeKalb County.

“It was the case where several boys were charged (in 1995) with killing two young men here in DeKalb County (John Harry and Roger Zammitt of Dry Creek). It was a prosecution we had to move away from here. The primary defendant in that case was Chris Tatrow (still serving time in prison). That (trial) got moved to Cumberland County to be tried (in 1996),” said Patterson

“As a prosecutor one of the other cases that was real notable was when Byron Looper killed State Senator Tommy Burks in Cumberland County (1998). We had to bring a jury in from East Tennessee to Cumberland County to try that case. As a prosecutor those are the two of the biggest cases but we’ve had some cases as a judge that I have presided over that have been notable too including several murder cases. Those are the ones that stick with you and you consider as being the big ones,” he added.

In 2006, Patterson pulled off a rare upset when he unseated a sitting judge (Lillie Ann Sells) in a hotly contested election to win his first 8 year term as Criminal Court Judge.

“That was a very tight race. I won by 10 votes. There was an election contest and 1 vote was taken from me so out of 40,000 votes that were cast I won by 9 votes. I was known to other Circuit level judges at the time as landslide Patterson,” he said.

Patterson won that first term as an Independent and was re-elected as a Republican in 2014 to a second 8 year term.

Judge Patterson said he has no plans to ever seek political office again although he will miss being judge at least for a while.

“I’m sure I will miss it. I have always enjoyed all the counties I have served in and had some very close relationships with the lawyers of this district as well as other Circuit level judges. I will also miss my clerks including Ms. (Susan) Martin who has just been elected here.  I very much enjoyed my relationship with her and Ms Katherine Pack (former Circuit Court Clerk). I felt very close to her. She is a wonderful person,” added Judge Patterson.

While he hasn’t ruled out practicing law a little on the side, Patterson said he is looking forward to taking things a little slower.

“When the weather gets cold and I’m going to be in the house more my wife is going to be looking at me and saying what are you going to do? I am still an attorney and it may be that I do a little bit of work as an attorney. I don’t know why not. I am not adverse to doing some other things on my own time and cases I might take myself,” he said

“Looking back it has really been a good run for me. I have been treated very well. I believe things happen with purpose. I believe there is a good creator and I think He sustains us well. He has done very well for me,” Judge Patterson concluded.

The 13th Judicial District includes Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Overton, Putnam, Smith and White counties.

Other judges in the district are Republican Gary McKenzie, Criminal Court Judge; Republican Jonathan Young, Circuit Court Judge; Democrat Amy Hollars, Circuit Court Judge;  and Democrat Chancellor Ronald Thurman. The District Attorney General is Republican Bryant Dunaway and the District Public Defender is Republican Craig Fickling.

June 18, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Wilson Bank & Trust has announced the line-up of entertainment on Memory Lane Stage during the 2019 DeKalb County Fair Monday through Saturday, July 15-20.

Come see and hear this year’s performers:

Monday, July 15:

6:30 p.m.   David Turner & Friends

Tuesday, July 16:

6:30 p.m.   Dessa Ray

Wednesday, July 17:

7:00 p.m.  Youth Alive

(Presented by Smithville AG and Area Churches)

Thursday, July 18:

6:30 p.m.   Sassy Smithville Stompers & The DeKalb Dancin’ Delights

7:45 p.m.   Terri Lynn Weaver

Friday, July 19:

6:30 p.m.   By Grace

7:45 p.m.   Funky Cowboys

Saturday, July 20:

6:30 p.m. Mid State Cloggers Team

7:45  p.m. Sadie Faith

June 18, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

“Rudy “ currently makes his home at the DeKalb Animal Shelter but he would like to make a move to your home.

This loveable 10 month old Labrador-golden retriever mix, is the WJLE/DeKalb Animal Coalition featured “Pet of the Week”.

“His fur is as soft as can be, the perfect golden shade, and he loves to go on walks. This guy is the whole package-loves to snuggle but is just as happy chasing a ball. He would be great with kids with his sweet disposition. Won’t you make him part of your home? Rudy will be waiting,” said Shelter Director Megan Moore.

For more information call 615-597-1363.

The shelter, located at 186 Transfer Station Road behind Tenneco Automotive, is open Thursday and Friday from noon until 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. until noon.

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