DA: Deadly Force Still Requires Imminent Life Threat
District Attorney Bryant Dunaway said it will be important residents understand the legal requirements for the use of deadly force as a new law takes effect July 1. Public Chapter 1100 addresses the use of force to protect real or personal property. Dunaway said he issued a formal clarification because several media reports have inaccurately […]
Governor Will Appoint New DA For Warren, Van Buren
District Attorney Bryant Dunaway said the Governor would appoint a new district attorney for Van Buren and Warren Counties since the position will become vacant mid-term. This comes on the heels of 31st District Attorney Christopher Stanford resigning Friday. Dunaway said the bare minimum requirements to be eligible are that you must be a licensed […]
31st Judicial District Attorney Resigns After Indictment
31st Judicial District Attorney Christopher Stanford has resigned after being indicted and charged with the offense of Reckless Endangerment. Stanford was indicted in December of 2024 by the DeKalb County Grand Jury for a shots-fired incident that happened in Smithville last November. As part of the resolution to the case, Stanford submitted his resignation letter […]
Child Support Month Reminds Parents Of DA Help
Child support payments are critical to the children dealing with separation, according to 8th District Attorney Jared Effler. August is Child Support Awareness Month. Effler said child support establishes support for custodial families across the state. Effler said his district is one of many with a child support division, which operate in addition to the […]
Sheriff Pushing For New Inmate Work Program
Putnam County Commissioners will consider a new work release program for inmates who wish to gain employment while incarcerated. Sheriff Eddie Farris said the jail renovations are designed to allow this type of program. He said the department would receive an administrative fee from participating businesses and another chunk of the money inmates earn would […]
Maryland Man Shot Dead In Cookeville Monday Morning
The Cookeville Police Department responded to a call early Monday morning at 586 South Jefferson Avenue where they found the deceased victim of an apparent gunshot wound. Lieutenant Anthony Leonard said detectives believe that they located all parties involved, including 36-year-old Christopher Posey of Maryland, who was dead on arrival. He said he believes this […]
Algood Fire Chief And Public Works Director Charged With Aggravated Sexual Battery
Algood Public Works Director Victor Jones charged with aggravated sexual battery against a victim less than 13-years-old Thursday. According to investigators with the Cookeville Police Department began looking into allegations of sexual misconduct in September 2022. As the investigation progressed, investigators found sufficient information to charge 61-year-old Jones. Jones was arrested and booked into the […]
DA With New Cookeville Location
The district attorney has a new Cookeville office on South Walnut Avenue. District Attorney Bryant Dunaway said the Cookeville office needed the extra space. The new location will better serve the staff as well as the community. “The opportunity arose to have a little bit more square footage, which is really going to serve to […]
Knight: Lee Investigation Should Shift To School Board
The attorney for two former Livingston Academy students said the school board should follow through on the investigation of inappropriate conduct by teacher Mark Lee. “I hope that this isn’t the end of this investigation,” Attorney Brett Knight said. “It’s just a removal of that detour and getting it back where it really needs to […]
Courts to Slowly Resume Operations
Courts across the state are preparing to slowly resume normal operations. District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway said the influx of new cases will be a challenge for local officials. “For the last couple of months grand juries have not met in our district,” Dunaway said. “They resumed meeting last week, so that will begin the […]
