Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) claimed in a Wednesday appearance on SuperTalk 99.7 WTN’s “The Matt Murphy Show” that Davidson County District Attorney Glenn Funk (D) is “doing everything he can to put people behind bars,” but said he could not comment on why Funk decided against launching appeals against court rulings in a bid to keep career criminal Shaquille Taylor in jail prior to the death of Belmont freshman Jillian Ludwig.
“I think he’s doing everything he can to put people behind bars,” Sexton said of Funk to host Murphy.
“Just like when he was talking about the misdemeanor bill, now it had a different effective date than the others ones I just talk about, but he was talking about what that means to the court systems and why it was important to have free mandatory mental health evaluations for individuals who are creating misdemeanors. And so he’s doing all he can, but the issue is when you have someone who you know is a danger to themselves, or to society, but is not an immediate risk, law enforcement’s hands are tied,” Sexton added.
After endorsing Funk’s job performance, Murphy questioned Sexton about why Funk did not appeal decisions that could have kept Taylor behind bars. Funk did not appeal the May 19 decision of Judge Angelita Dalton to release Taylor after declaring him mentally incompetent to stand trial, nor did Funk appeal the September 21 decision by Davidson County magistrate Steve Holzapfel to set Taylor’s bond at just $10,000.
“I have no idea on that aspect,” Sexton admitted, before highlighting his “many conversations” with Funk about “things that need help.”
Sexton seemed to indicate he was unfamiliar with the circumstances that would have allowed Funk to appeal those decisions, but an investigation by The Tennessee Star previously determined Funk could have appealed both decisions and chose not to.
“What I do know is he’s trying to put violent criminals, career criminals, and individuals in jail to protect society,” Sexton claimed of the Democrat. Sexton claimed the “details” of Funk’s position and whether he is “exploring every single opportunity,” to incarcerate criminals are “a question for him.”
Prior to his defense of the attorney general, Sexton offered new details about his false claim that HB 7036 would have prevented Ludwig’s death.
Contrary to Sexton’s initial claim that Ludwig’s death could have been prevented by a bill passed by the Tennessee House, The Star reported on Tuesday that HB 7036 was not passed by the House, but instead was on the calendar for a House vote on the final day of the special session. The Tennessee General Assembly adjourned before that vote was held. Sexton claimed the bill’s change of the word “immediate” to “imminent” in the Tennessee law determining when a person can be involuntarily committed would result in more criminals off the streets.
Murphy also asked Sexton about whether he engages in strategy meetings with Tennessee Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-District 27), whose Senate colleagues he blamed for Ludwig’s death.
Sexton claimed the Senate and House were “working together” during the special session, but “at the end the Senate decided, as a body, that they didn’t want to” pass any additional legislation.
Watch the full segment:
– – –
Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Georgia Star News, The Virginia Star, and the Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Cameron Sexton” by Cameron Sexton.Â
What profoundly odd stands to take.
Even some Democrats will concede that Funk is a worthless Soros prosecutor.
Here he is years ago wanting to import Oakland, California’s “restorative justice” tactics to Nashville because it’s worked out so well there.
https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/da-funk-wants-to-bring-restorative-justice-program-to-nashville/
He’s also under active investigation feom the TBI for placing cameras and listening devices outside of his office.
https://www.newschannel5.com/news/newschannel-5-investigates/the-das-deals/tbi-raid-included-nashville-da-glenn-funks-office-computers-and-briefcase-search-documents-reveal
He was caught forcing city employees to campaign for him while on duty.
https://www.newschannel5.com/news/newschannel-5-investigates/questions-surround-da-employees-involvement-in-glenn-funks-re-election-campaign
This doesn’t even touch on his collusion with certain judges to accept insanely reduced plea deals and sending violent repeat criminals to diversion programs that personally enrich certain judges.
https://www.newschannel5.com/news/newschannel-5-investigates/victims-mother-questions-judge-rachel-bells-care-court
So what does he have on Sexton because there is no reason for him to make these crazy, positive statements about what a good job he’s doing.
What’s Funk got on the Conman?
Cameron Sexton must have need for that mental evaluation that was mentioned in the article. I believe that Mr. Funk is failing the citizens and should be replaced…… along with Sexton. And the GOP wonders why we do not trust the super majority GOP in the state Assembly.
It is the ease with which Cameron Sexton misleads the public that makes him unfit for public office. He lacks a rudimentary understanding of “the public trust”.
bullcr@p pure and simple