State Creates New Judgeship in 13th Judicial District

May 6, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Another Circuit Court judge position is being added to the 13th Judicial District this fall.

According to State Representative Michael Hale, the Tennessee General Assembly has adopted and sent to the Governor legislation creating an additional trial court in the 13th, 22nd and 23rd judicial districts and two additional trial court judges in the 19th judicial district.

The 13th judicial district is made up of Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, and White Counties. 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.

The legislation (HB 0905 and companion SB1420) concerning the 13th judicial district states as follows:

“Effective September 1, 2023, there is created in the thirteenth judicial district one (1) additional circuit court to be designated as part III. The governor shall appoint a person to serve as judge of part III of the circuit court, and the person so appointed shall serve in that capacity until September 1, 2024, or until the person’s successor is elected and qualified. At the August 2024 general election, the qualified voters of the thirteenth judicial district shall elect, in accordance with § 16-2-505, one (1) person to serve as judge of part III of the circuit court created by this section. The person so elected at the August 2024 election shall hold office until September 1, 2030, or until the person’s successor is elected and qualified. Thereafter, the judge of part III of the circuit court shall be elected for a full eight-year term”.

According to the fiscal impact of the legislation, the salary and benefits for each new judge position is estimated to be $251,881 ($204,600 salary plus $47,281 benefits). Additionally, each of these positions will require recurring funding for supplies, legal subscriptions, rent, etc, estimated to be $33,800 per position.

Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated 16-2-505 (c), upon the election of a judicial district judge, a secretary position is created for that judge. This analysis assumes the secretary will be hired upon the appointment of the judge by the Governor. The salary and benefits for each secretary position is estimated to be $63,185 ($47,900 salary plus $15,285 benefits).

Additionally, each judge position will require recurring funding for travel estimated to be $4,500 per position.

The one time increase in state expenditures in the FY 23-24 budget associated with each of these created judge positions is $28,000 ($18,000 furniture and office set up plus $10,000 for computer and online software.

May 5, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

A man charged in a local kidnapping case almost three years ago was sentenced Monday, May 1 in Putnam County Criminal Court where he was making an appearance for a separate offense there.

22-year-old Anthony Emmanuel Hernandez, originally charged with especially aggravated kidnapping and theft over $2,500, entered a plea to a charge of aggravated kidnapping and received a 12-year prison sentence to serve at 100%. He was given jail credit from October 29, 2020 to May 1, 2023.

According to Lieutenant Detective James Cornelius of the Smithville Police Department, Hernandez and another man, 42-year-old Larry Payne, Jr. allegedly participated in the robbery, beating, and kidnapping of Terrance Martin on July 9, 2020 in Smithville. Payne was charged with the same offenses as Hernandez along with the charge of aggravated assault and violation of probation. The cases against Payne apparently remain pending.

Lt. Detective Cornelius explained Friday how the case unfolded.

“We (SPD) were called to a residence at 402 South Mountain Street on the night of July 9, 2020, by Christina Mayo who said she was asked by her boyfriend, Payne to go clean up the house but when we (police) arrived no one was there. We later learned that the renters of the home were in jail at the time but that their friends, including Payne and Mayo had access and used the residence as a hangout place.”

“The next day, July 10 I started an investigation and obtained a search warrant to enter the house. Inside the living room, we found a puddle of blood in the floor, blood on a couch, and observed blood on a door post outside. I then called TBI for assistance”.

“Before I finished at the house, Terrance Martin showed up at police department to report his vehicle had been stolen from that location (402 South Mountain Street). Although we later learned from him that he had been the victim of the attack, Martin initially didn’t want to talk about anything but the theft of his car, a white 2015 Buick Lacrosse. I later spoke with him in my vehicle and as we drove around, he gave me more details saying that he had met Hernandez and Payne the night of July 9 at Colonial Properties (formerly Short Mountain Villages) and that they attacked him as he approached them in the driveway. Martin said his assailants then forced him into the trunk of his car and drove to 402 South Mountain Street, where they got Martin out of the trunk and brought him into the living room of the residence. They then took his money and phone, pistol whipped him in the head, put a bag over his head and tied him up by the wrists before again putting him in the trunk of the car and driving outbound on West Broad Street. Around midnight and somewhere near the Wilson Bank and Trust location, Martin was able to free himself from his restraints, popped open the trunk, and escaped from the moving car. He walked to the hospital where he called for his girlfriend to come pick him up. Martin later returned to the hospital for treatment and then went to the police department,” said Lt. Detective Cornelius.

Martin’s car was later found abandoned on Holmes Creek Road.

“During the investigation, Mayo said she had been at the residence at 402 South Mountain Street earlier that night (July 9 and prior to the attack on Martin) but that she had been contacted by Payne and told to leave. Sometime after she left, Mayo said Payne called for her to return to the home to clean it up.”

“We (police) later contacted Hernandez and he gave a statement after which he was released. When we got more information, we took warrants on both Hernandez and Payne”.

“While trying to serve the warrants, we learned that Hernandez had left the state. We put out the information and found that he was at the home of his grandfather in Seguin, Texas. I reached out to the police department there and they picked him up. Sergeant Will Judkins and I later went there to bring Hernandez back here,” said Lt. Detective Cornelius.

Payne was subsequently served with the warrants against him and at the time was housed in Putnam County where he was wanted for probation violation. He is now in prison in the Bledsoe County Correctional Complex for felony offenses committed in Putnam and Shelby Counties.

May 5, 2023
By:

DTC Communications, a leading fiber internet provider, has been selected as one of thirty pilot partners for the launch of Fiber Gaming Network (FGN), a nationwide gaming platform that connects fiber internet users across the country for weekly community game nights and tournaments.

FGN, which is set to launch in May, will host a series of online gaming events every week featuring popular games such as Super Smash Bros Ultimate, Madden NFL 23, Brawlhalla, Fortnite, Rocket League, NBA2k23, and Valorant. Participating players must register beforehand and have the chance to win cash prizes of $500-$1,500 every week.

“We’re thrilled to partner with FGN to offer our customers a unique gaming experience that takes full advantage of our fiber network’s speed and reliability,” said Chris Townson, CEO DTC Communications. “With FGN, our customers can enjoy a seamless online gaming experience while competing with gamers from all over the country.”

According to a 2021 study, fiber internet is 10 times faster than cable and offers better latency, resulting in a smoother and more responsive online gaming experience. This partnership between DTC and FGN highlights the importance of fiber internet for online gaming and solidifies DTC’s position as a forerunner in providing top-quality internet service.

“FGN is excited to partner with DTC to offer gamers across the country access to high-speed, reliable fiber internet that allows for seamless online gaming experiences,” said Robert Gilbert, co-founder of Fiber Gaming Network. “We look forward to seeing how DTC’s customers will fare in our upcoming events.”

For more information on FGN and to register for the upcoming gaming events, visit https://FiberGamingNetwork.com.

DTC Communications is a member owned telecommunications cooperative established in 1951. DTC provides world-class broadband and technology solutions to improve the quality of life of our members and communities in the regions we serve.

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