TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Apr 6, 2020

A Davidson County jail inmate has tested positive for the coronavirus, officials announced last week. The man is the first inmate in county custody to test positive for the virus, and was moved to isolation Wednesday after exhibiting symptoms, the Tennessean reports. The Nashville Public Defender’s office on Friday had filed a motion asking the Davidson County General Sessions Court to immediately release nonviolent inmates from custody to help slow the spread of the virus. Davidson County District Attorney General Glenn Funk said he does not support a wide release of inmates, preferring instead to review individual situations on a case by case basis. In related news, the Tennessean reported over the weekend that the state prison system also now has its first inmate testing positive for the virus. A spokesperson with the Tennessee Department of Correction confirmed the inmate is a male at the Turney Center Industrial Complex in Hickman County.