Evan Mealins

6 days ago | tennessean.com | Evan Mealins

The group is asking Gov. Bill Lee to call off executions before they are scheduled to resume in the state on May 22. Several family members of murder victims spoke at a news conference opposing the death penalty on May 8. They argue putting the perpetrator to death does not help victims heal. A group of murder victims’ families delivered a letter to Tennessee Gov.

6 days ago | tennessean.com | Evan Mealins

The Metro Nashville government alleges it was the victim of a "sleight of hand" by the company that ran its juvenile detention facility. It is seeking nearly $2 million in damages. The same company was overseeing the facility when four teenagers escaped in 2019, prompting heavy criticism. Nashville's troubled history with a company that formerly managed its juvenile detention facility — and allowed multiple children to escape — is resurfacing again, as the city now accuses the company of fraud.

1 week ago | tennessean.com | Evan Mealins

The judge denied the motion for a mistrial brought by Casada and Cothren's attorneys. The concern centered around one sentence in a 2.5-hour recording that was supposed to be redacted. The judge ruled the recording was not so prejudicial to warrant a new trial. An unredacted audio snippet nearly derailed the weekslong criminal trial of former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada and his former chief of staff Cade Cothren, but the judge decided it was not prejudicial enough to warrant a new trial.

1 week ago | tennessean.com | Evan Mealins

The company accuses the state of repeatedly pulling out of plans to give a lucrative contract to a company other than the current contractor. The Tennessee Department of Correction's history trying to procure contracts has been "to say the least, troubled," according to the company suing TDOC. The company says the state's actions hurt competition in the bidding process.

1 week ago | tennessean.com | Austin Hornbostel |Evan Mealins

The $4.2 million paid out in settlements in 2024 is a decrease from the year before. The largest was a settlement for a sexual assault lawsuit filed by a former high school student. The most impactful legal payout the council considered in 2024 may end up being one the group refused to pay. The Metro Nashville Public Schools board approved a settlement early last year that would end up being the city’s single-highest legal payout of 2024.