Connor Daryani

Nashville

Journalist at Nashville Banner

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Articles

Slow progress in Glen Casada and Cade Cothren's trial

1 week ago | nashvillebanner.com | Connor Daryani

The trial of Glen Casada and Cade Cothren has reached the planned halfway point, and so far, it’s going slow and steady. The trial was originally allotted four weeks on Judge Eli Richardson’s calendar. On the first day of trial, Federal Prosecutor Taylor Phillips said the government was optimistic the trial would not take that long. But that optimism quickly disintegrated, and Phillips told Richardson they were behind schedule on the second day of the trial.
Judge permits campaign and caucus evidence in Cothren, Casada trial

2 weeks ago | nashvillebanner.com | Connor Daryani

The jury in the trial of Glen Casada and Cade Cothren did not enter the room until 11 a.m. on Tuesday. Throughout the trial, attorneys for Cothren and Casada have repeatedly raised objections to references to work done for the Republican Caucus and Republican campaigns by Phoenix Solutions, the company Cothren created under a fake name.
Casada Co-Conspirator Testifies About Origin, Implementation of Kickback Scheme

2 weeks ago | williamsonscene.com | Connor Daryani |Nashville Banner

Glen Casada and Cade Cothren’s alleged co-conspirator testified on Monday that the trio intentionally deceived the state legislature in an attempt to capture state funds. Former Rep. Robin Smith pleaded guilty to honest services wire fraud in March 2022.
Casada Co-Conspirator Testifies About Origin, Implementation of Kickback Scheme

2 weeks ago | nashvillescene.com | Connor Daryani |Nashville Banner

Glen Casada and Cade Cothren’s alleged co-conspirator testified on Monday that the trio intentionally deceived the state legislature in an attempt to capture state funds. Former Rep. Robin Smith pleaded guilty to honest services wire fraud in March 2022.
Trial reveals timing of Phoenix Solutions concerns

2 weeks ago | nashvillebanner.com | Connor Daryani

Testimony from former Director of the Office of Legislative Administration Connie Ridley in the trial of Glen Casada and Cade Cothren on Friday revealed details of how it was discovered that Cothren was behind the political mailer company Phoenix Solutions. When the state received invoices from the company for mailers printed for Rep. Jay Reedy (R-Erin) and former Rep.
Fraud or Junk Mail? Prosecutors Call First Witnesses in Casada Trial

3 weeks ago | nashvillescene.com | Connor Daryani |Nashville Banner

After two days of jury selection, the trial of former House Speaker Glen Casada and his chief of staff Cade Cothren dug into the heart of the case on Thursday. In his opening statement to the jury, Casada attorney Ed Yarborough painted the situation as a product of the machinations of Casada's political rival, Cameron Sexton, who succeeded him as speaker of the House, and argued that Sexton used his relationship with the FBI to take down Casada.
Fraud or Junk Mail? Prosecutors Call First Witnesses in Trial of Glen Casada

3 weeks ago | williamsonscene.com | Connor Daryani |Nashville Banner

After two days of jury selection, the trial of former House Speaker Glen Casada and his chief of staff, Cade Cothren, dug into the heart of the case. In his opening statement to the jury, Casada attorney Ed Yarborough painted the situation as a product of the machinations of Casada's political rival, Cameron Sexton, who succeeded him as Speaker of the House, and argued that Sexton used his relationship with the FBI to take down Casada.
Casada, Cothren trial: Political rivalry, fraud allegations

3 weeks ago | nashvillebanner.com | Connor Daryani

After two days of jury selection, the trial of former House Speaker Glen Casada and his chief of staff, Cade Cothren, dug into the heart of the case. In his opening statement to the jury, Casada attorney Ed Yarborough painted the situation as a product of the machinations of Casada’s political rival, Cameron Sexton, who succeeded him as Speaker of the House, and argued that Sexton used his relationship with the FBI to take down Casada.
Jury selection concludes in Glen Casada trial

3 weeks ago | nashvillebanner.com | Connor Daryani

A 12-person jury with four alternates has been set after two days in the trial of Glen Casada and Cade Cothren, the former Tennessee House Speaker and his one-time chief of staff. Opening remarks will take place on Thursday morning. The first panel of potential jurors consisted of 40 people, but after challenges from each side, the number was reduced to 22 by the end of Tuesday. On Wednesday, each side had the chance to strike 10 more people.
Jury Selection Begins in Trial of Former House Speaker Glen Casada

3 weeks ago | nashvillescene.com | Connor Daryani |Nashville Banner

Day one of the long-anticipated trial of Glen Casada and Cade Cothren was largely uneventful. The biggest revelation was that Casada had been offered a plea deal, which he confirmed to Judge Eli Richardson that he had rejected. Following some housekeeping items, the media and public were moved out of the courtroom to an overflow room for the jury-selection process. Despite the poor audio quality, one moment stood out loud and clear.