Fisher to be sentenced Tuesday for Voluntary Manslaughter

January 7, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

A Liberty man tried and convicted two months ago in the voluntary manslaughter of his stepson may learn his fate next week.

(Read the WJLE story about the trial at the link below)

https://www.wjle.com/news/jury-selection-begins-today-wednesday-in-2019-halloween-murder-trial/

51-year-old Albert Wayne Fisher, Jr. is facing a possible prison sentence of from 3-6 years as a range one offender in the death of 37-year-old Tyler Durden. The shooting occurred outside the Fisher residence on Eckles Heights in Liberty on October 31, 2019.

The sentencing hearing is set for Tuesday, January 11 in DeKalb County Criminal Court.

Fisher stood trial on the more serious charge of second-degree murder which carries a range of punishment as a Class A felony of 15-25 years, but the jury found him guilty of the lesser crime of voluntary manslaughter.

Because of a Halloween disguise he was wearing at the time, the Fishers didn’t recognize Durden until he removed his mask after being shot and called out “Mom I have been hit”.

It took the jury of eight men and four women about an hour and fifteen minutes to reach the verdict after a six-hour trial that featured six witnesses for the state and Fisher himself, who testified claiming his motive for the shooting was in self-defense.

After the verdict, Judge Wesley Bray granted a motion by state prosecutors that Fisher’s bond be revoked and that he be sent to the county jail, pending the outcome of a sentencing hearing scheduled for January 11, 2022.

“The Department of Corrections has done a pre-sentencing report that encompasses all his (Fisher’s) criminal history and all the facts related to this case. We will now go back in front of Judge Bray and he will fix the sentence on January 11”, said Assistant District Attorney General Greg Strong.

January 7, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

It’s time to pay your 2021 county property taxes!

The deadline for payment is February 28, 2022 before any interest becomes due on March 1, 2022. If you choose to mail in your tax payment, it must be postmarked on or prior to February 28, 2022 to avoid any accrued interest.

The DeKalb County Trustee’s office offers up to 6 different options to pay your property taxes:

*Come in person to the office to pay

*Mail in your payment

*Pay online @ www.tennesseetrustee.org, then select DeKalb and follow the instructions to the next screens. The Vendor BIS (Business Information Systems) accepts Visa, Discover, MasterCard, or American Express-The Vendor convenience fee of 2.75% on the total tax bill will apply and fees are subject to change for using credit/debit cards. Also, a $2.75 fee will be assessed on an e-check payment of any amount.

* A QR (Quick Response Code) is also on your notice to access the website with your I-phone, smartphone, etc @ www.tennesseetrustee.org.

* Dropbox located on the outside of the building at the County Complex (County Offices Section) for your convenience after hours or on weekends.

*Partial Payments are accepted and you the taxpayer sets the amount to pay until full payment is made.

The Trustee’s office is also accepting applications for the Property Tax Relief Program through April 5, 2022. If you would like to inquire more about a possible tax relief for property taxes, come by the Trustee’s office in the County Complex at 732 S Congress Boulevard-Room 103, Smithville or call 615-597-5176.

Eligibility for Property Tax Relief:

*The State of Tennessee offers qualified property owners tax relief on property taxes. This program was implemented in 1973 and has a few changes every year. At this time, DeKalb County has 412 applicants on the program for 2021. As a property owner for 2021, you can qualify for Tax Relief if:
( A.) Your DeKalb County home is your primary residence, ( B.) You are 65 years old (or older) on or before December 31, 2020, (C.) Under 65 years of age with a total and permanent disability per the SSA or another qualifying agency, and (D.) The 2020 Annual Income of all living owners on the deed and their spouses DID NOT exceed $31,190. If the State of Tennessee qualifies you for Tax Relief, then you can receive a rebate up to $126 for 2021. You must pay your 2021 tax bill IN FULL to start the application process.

* Also, the State of Tennessee offers TAX RELIEF to Disabled Veterans and the surviving spouses of a disabled veteran. You must provide proof from the Veteran’s Administration that you have a total and permanent disability rating that was service connected. You and your spouse will NOT have to report any income to apply as a disabled veteran or the widow or widower of a disabled veteran. If the State of Tennessee qualifies you as a disabled veteran or the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran, then you can receive a rebate up to $757 for 2021.

January 7, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

This week’s snow storms and plummeting temperatures pose enhanced fire-related risks to homeowners.

During winter, fire deaths increase by almost 75 percent across the Volunteer State, according to state fire data. Heating equipment is the leading cause of home fire deaths nationally and among the leading known causes for home fire deaths in Tennessee.

The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) remind you to focus on fire safety in order to help reduce home fires and save lives this winter.

“Tennessee homeowners can stay warm and safe this winter by remembering to take a few simple steps,” said TDCI Assistant Commissioner Gary Farley. “By making sure to always turn off space heaters when leaving a room and using working smoke alarms all year long, Tennesseans can reduce risk to themselves and emergency responders.”

A homeowner’s first line of defense against home fires in any season is a working smoke alarm. To help protect Tennesseans and save lives, the SFMO’s “Get Alarmed, Tennessee!” smoke alarm program continues to be a critical resource in helping Tennessee fire departments and fire safety partners reduce risk from home fires. Alarms installed through the “Get Alarmed” program now have 324 verified saves since the program began in 2012. Over 254,000 working smoke alarms have been distributed through this program to the SFMO’s fire service partners.

•Keep flammable items like blankets, rugs, or furniture at least three feet away from space heaters and wood stoves.

•Practice a home fire escape plan with your family. Everyone should know two ways out of each room.

•Always turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.

•Never use your oven to heat your home.

•Have heating equipment and chimneys inspected every year.

•Burn only dry, seasoned wood in fireplaces and wood stoves. Never burn garbage or use flammable liquids to start a fire.

•Make sure any fireplace has a sturdy screen to reduce the risk of flying sparks.

•Install wood-burning stoves following manufacturer’s instructions or have a professional perform the installation. All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

•If you smell gas coming from your gas heater, do not light the appliance. Leave the home immediately and call your local fire department or gas company.

For more fire safety information, visit tn.gov/fire.

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