The Defendant, Billy Norman Forte, appeals from his jury conviction for second degree murder and his resulting twenty-one-year sentence. On appeal, the Defendant challenges (1) the trial court’s Ferguson remedy due to the State’s destruction of the recording of the Defendant’s 911 call; (2) the trial court’s ruling allowing the State to introduce evidence of the Defendant’s 1996 conviction for domestic assault against his ex-wife because the Defendant had opened the door to such evidence during his direct examination testimony; and (3) the trial court’s ruling prohibiting the Defendant from introducing certain evidence of the victim’s criminal history. After review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles is calling for federal investigations into Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell, alleging the mayor is interfering with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. Ogles, who represents Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District, said he will formally request that the House Judiciary and Homeland Security committees open inquiries into whether O’Connell directed city agencies to obstruct or monitor ICE activity. According to NewsChannel 5, Ogles claims O’Connell instructed local police to report any communication with federal immigration authorities and encouraged the public to file complaints against officers who cooperate with ICE. Ogles publicly accused O’Connell of using his office to shield undocumented immigrants and block lawful enforcement efforts, and said he has shared those concerns with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. A formal investigation has not been launched, but Ogles said he plans to move forward with the request.

Attorney well-being and burnout remain pressing concerns across corporate legal departments and law firms, according to the latest Bloomberg Law Attorney Workload and Hours Survey conducted in the second half of 2024. The survey gathered responses from attorneys on key issues including the gap between hours worked and billed, job satisfaction, retention trends, burnout rates and workflow efficiency. The findings offer insight into the current challenges facing the legal profession. A copy of the survey results is available for download at Bloomberg Law.

A federal jury on Friday found former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada guilty on 17 of 19 charges and his former chief of staff, Cade Cothren, guilty on all 19 counts. Casada and Cothren each face up to 20 years in prison at sentencing, and attorneys for both men said they plan to appeal, The Tennessean reports. Casada was acquitted on two fraud charges but convicted of conspiracy to commit theft and fraud, theft, bribery and kickbacks, honest services wire fraud, use of a fictitious name, money laundering conspiracy, and money laundering. The trial included key testimony from former Rep. Robin Smith, R-Hixson, an alleged co-conspirator, as well as Office of Legislative Administration Director Connie Ridley, both of whom played central roles in the prosecution’s case. Read more in a press release from the U.S. attorneys office.

The Tennessee Court of Appeals on Wednesday ruled in favor of the City of Memphis in a lawsuit brought by Alicia Franklin, who was raped by Cleotha Abston in 2021. The court affirmed that the city is protected from suit over Franklin’s claims that Memphis police failed to properly investigate her case. Abston later kidnapped and killed Memphis schoolteacher Eliza Fletcher in 2022. Franklin alleged in her lawsuit that the Memphis Police Department could have prevented Fletcher’s abduction had her rape been thoroughly investigated in the year prior, The Daily Memphian reports. Abston was convicted in April 2024 in Franklin’s case and pleaded guilty in October 2024 to Fletcher’s abduction and killing.

Gov. Bill Lee has signed a bill into law protecting educators and school contractors from disciplinary action and lawsuits if they misgender or deadname students, staff or others within their school district, WBIR reports. In addition, the new law shields public schools and districts from liability in such cases. Those who are disciplined may sue for monetary damages after going through a complaint process. The law, which was sponsored by Rep. Mark Cochran, R-Englewood, in the House and by Sen. Paul Rose, R-Covington, in the Senate, also prohibits schools and teachers from requiring students, employees or contractors to share preferred pronouns and names, and educators may not ask students to refer to them by a preferred pronoun. For institutions of higher education, the bill prohibits the disciplining of students, faculty, employees or contractors who refuse to provide preferred pronouns. The law went into effect on May 9.

The University of Tennessee (UT), Knoxville College of Law has been renamed the Frank Winston College of Law following approval by the UT Board of Trustees. The recognition honors Frank Winston, an alumnus of the college and former Tennessee lawmaker who served as counsel to Carol Martin “Bill” Gatton and supported numerous initiatives, including The Bill Gatton Foundation, where he also served as a trustee. The foundation’s $32.5 million gift establishes the Frank Winston Public Interest Law Fellows and the Frank Winston Business Law Fellows. These fellowships will award full scholarships covering three years of studies plus a generous stipend, paid summer work experience, and numerous enriching educational and professional activities. The gift also introduces Frank Winston Law Grants. These three-year scholarships will provide $1,000 annually to at least 50 students in each class to provide additional support for costs associated with law school. “UT has produced some of the brightest legal minds in our state and our country for well over a century. We are proud to have the Winston College of Law bear the name of one of our most distinguished alumni and look forward to the incredible impact a gift of this magnitude will have on our students for generations to come,” said UT Chancellor Donde Plowman. Read a news release from the school.

Tennessee’s unemployment rate declined for the second consecutive month, according to new data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.5% in April, down one-tenth of a percentage point from March. Tennessee’s rate remained well below the national unemployment rate, which held steady at 3.9% in April 2024. Total nonfarm employment in Tennessee increased by 8,600 jobs between March and April, with the largest gains in the trade, transportation and utilities sector, followed by professional and business services, and leisure and hospitality.

The General Sessions Court Clerk’s Office will host an expungement clinic from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT on May 24 at the Levi Branch of the Memphis Public Libraries, 3676 S 3rd St., Memphis 38109. Sponsored by the TBA Young Lawyers Division and other local groups, the event aims to help eligible individuals navigate the process of having certain criminal records sealed or erased from public view. Expunged records are generally inaccessible to the public, including employers, landlords and educational institutions, FOX13 reports. Participants will receive assistance determining eligibility, completing paperwork, understanding the legal process and connecting with legal resources. See a flier for the event.

The TBA YLD has an opening on its board for the 2025-26 bar year. Those interested in applying to be the District 12 representative should send a letter of interest and a bio to YLD and Law School Development Coordinator Laura Labenberg by June 1. District 12 covers Benton, Carroll, Crockett, Dyer, Gibson, Henry, Lake, Obion and Weakley counties. Learn more about the YLD board and this position.