James Patrick Stout, Defendant, appeals the summary dismissal of his motion to correct an illegal sentence filed pursuant to Tennessee Rule of Criminal Procedure 36.1 as well as the denial of his motion for recusal and motion for contempt. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

The Petitioner, Keinesa Lillard, appeals the Davidson County Criminal Court’s denial of her petition for post-conviction relief challenging her convictions for attempted second degree murder, employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, especially aggravated robbery, evading arrest by use of a motor vehicle involving risk of death or serious bodily injury to others, and four counts of simple possession of a controlled substance. On appeal, the Petitioner contends that the post-conviction court erred by denying relief on her claim that she received ineffective assistance of trial counsel. Specifically, the Petitioner argues that trial counsel was ineffective for (1) failing to communicate with her regarding the State’s proof; (2) failing to review discovery materials with her; and (3) failing to discuss pretrial motions and strategy with her. After review, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

The Defendant, Lacey Jones, appeals the trial court’s summary dismissal of his motion1 to correct an illegal sentence pursuant to Tennessee Rule of Criminal Procedure 36.1 based on his claim that he was illegally sentenced as a Range II, multiple offender. Discerning no error, we affirm.

The defendant, Christopher Alan Ayotte, pled guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor with greater than one hundred images, two counts of rape of a child, two counts of aggravated sexual battery, and one count of rape. After a sentencing hearing, the trial court ordered an effective sentence of one hundred and twenty-four years in confinement. On appeal, the defendant contends the trial court erred in sentencing him. Upon review of the record, the parties’ briefs, and the applicable law, we affirm the judgments of the trial court but remand for entry of a corrected judgment form as to Count One of Case No. 2023-B- 1260 reflecting the defendant’s multiple offender status.

In this interlocutory appeal, the employer challenges the trial court’s order compelling it to authorize a psychiatric evaluation and treatment with a specialist from whom the employee had sought unauthorized care. The employee alleged injuries as a result of two incidents while working in the course and scope of her employment as a childcare provider. The employer provided the employee a panel of physicians, and the employee selected a treating physician who, in turn, referred the employee to a psychiatrist for further evaluation and treatment. The employer declined to authorize that referral, and the employee sought treatment from a psychiatrist recommended by her primary care physician. Following an expedited hearing, the trial court ordered the employer to authorize further evaluation and treatment with the employee’s current treating psychiatrist, and the employer has appealed. Having carefully reviewed the record, we affirm the trial court’s order and remand the case.

More than 150 patients have been admitted in Middle Tennessee under Jillian’s Law since it took effect in July 2024, prompting the state to expand hospital capacity, FOX 17 reports. The 2024 legislation — named after Jillian Ludwig, a Belmont University student who was killed after she was hit by a stray bullet while walking near campus in Nashville — requires defendants deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial to be committed for treatment rather than released. To accommodate the additional patients, the Harold Jordan Center increased its staffed beds from six to 12, and the Middle Tennessee Mental Health Institute added 25 beds, funded through more than $6 million in new state allocations. Officials said there is currently no waiting list, and about 125 of the admitted patients would likely have been hospitalized even without Jillian’s Law. Lawmakers and mental health advocates say the expansion improves public safety and ensures the law is implemented effectively.

Cade Cothren, who resigned as chief of staff to former Tennessee Speaker of the House Glen Casada in 2019, on Tuesday was sentenced to 30 months in prison for his role in a scheme using the state’s constituent mailer program. The Tennessee Lookout reports he was ordered to pay a $25,000 fine and will also be required to remain on probation for one year after serving his time in federal prison. Cothren was convicted alongside Casada of secretly running Phoenix Solutions, a company that funneled taxpayer-funded mailer business for profit. U.S. District Judge Eli Richardson handed down the sentence after rejecting defense objections, finding Cothren used “intricate” money laundering to conceal the scheme. Attorneys for Cothren said they plan to appeal. Casada’s sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 23.

The Tennessee Supreme Court on Sept. 9 denied a petition from Knox County lawyer Mark Steven Graham to dissolve a temporary suspension imposed on him by the court on May 20, 2022. The court found that Graham has not complied with a Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP) monitoring agreement or the recommendations of TLAP-approved evaluations he previously has undergone. It determined that Graham failed to establish good cause for a hearing on the matter and denied the petition.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Tennessee on Tuesday announced the appointment of Miriam R. Nemeth as its new executive director. Nemeth, a civil rights attorney and nonprofit leader, began the role Monday, succeeding Phyllida Burlingame, who has served as interim executive director since November 2024. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School, Nemeth most recently was deputy litigation director and chief counsel at Rights Behind Bars, a legal advocacy group focused on eliminating inhumane conditions of confinement for incarcerated people. “I am honored to lead the ACLU of Tennessee as we navigate the critical civil rights challenges facing our state and country,” Nemeth said in a press release. “I look forward to partnering with the dedicated staff, board, supporters and community members to champion the rights and dignity of all in Tennessee.”

The Tennessee Supreme Court on Sept. 4 denied a petition from Hamilton County lawyer Arthur C. Grisham to transfer his law license to disability inactive status. The court said that Grisham failed to establish that any age-related or physical infirmity or illness makes it impossible for him to respond to or defend against an ethics complaint against him. Grisham is currently suspended from the practice of law for five years effective May 13.