DA: No Prices For Ridgetop Mayor/Vice Mayor
RIDGETOP TENNESSEE: (Smokey Barn Information) – After a evaluate of the proof and the one regulation that pertains to setting ticket quotas for regulation enforcement in Tennessee, particular prosecutor Tommy Thompson has determined that Ridgetop Mayor Tony Reasoner and Vice-Mayor McCaw Johnson won’t face prosecution as a result of what they did was not a “felony act,” in keeping with a letter launched by the DA this week.
In keeping with Thompson, the one actual relevant statute (39-16-516) does deal with ticket quotas however solely as a directive. “This statute doesn’t create a felony act however is just a prohibition towards the town within the type of a legislative directive.” – (Moreover) “The statute prescribes the conduct of the town solely, and never any individual of their particular person capability.”
Thompson reiterates this level a complete of 3 times within the letter, “It’s also noteworthy that the violator of this act isn’t any individual of their particular person capability however slightly the town collectively.” (In different phrases, the town is perhaps responsible beneath the statute however nobody individual may be.) The third instance was taken from the Court docket of Appeals Of Tennessee. You’ll be able to learn the insert within the DA’s letter beneath. – Thompson’s conclusion; “As such, felony prosecution beneath the statute is unattainable, violation however.” As well as, Thompson says the statute by no means addresses punishment, so you haven’t any crime and no assigned penalty.
The DA additionally checked out the opportunity of official misconduct on the a part of the Mayor and Vice-Mayor, nonetheless, to get there the DA must show officers deliberately or knowingly meant to personally “achieve a profit or hurt one other.” In keeping with Thompson, there was no proof to that impact. A full unedited copy of the DA’s letter has been added to our story beneath.
In keeping with Thompson, that is the primary time in Tennessee that this statute has come beneath such scrutiny. Now that so many eyeballs are trying on the statute, time will inform if the regulation will probably be modified or if a brand new regulation will probably be placed on the books to handle ticket quotas. As a citizen, if you happen to really feel that ticket quotas needs to be unlawful, this is able to be the time to succeed in out to your legislator. It’s additionally vital to notice that if the regulation is modified to handle people and a penalty is connected, it might not apply retroactively.
“Particular Prosecutor” Thompson was introduced in to have a look at the case merely to keep away from a battle of curiosity with private in Robertson County. Thompson’s task to the case had nothing to do with the benefit of the case.
The longer term for Ridgetop…
The metropolis of Ridgetop is now dealing with a precipice. Ridgetop Police Chief Bryan Morris has been with the Ridgetop Police Division for 9 years, 3 of that as Chief. Morris informed Smokey Barn Information that his working relationship with the town’s Mayor Tony Reasoner and Vice Mayor McCaw Johnson has soured within the final 12 months and a half. Now that Morris has come out publically towards metropolis leaders and made it clear he wished to arrest them, the query is, how can they carve out a future collectively. Once more, solely time will inform.
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