[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6313194,"mediaKeyId","2388644-cc9446aa81ad26bc7c4d0b5d76efbbd1","parentId",2388644,"title","Judge allows lawful contact between accused and alleged victim but keeps weapon, alcohol and no-threat conditions","audioSeconds",337,"startMs",2165000,"endMs",2502000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2388644-cc9446aa81ad26bc7c4d0b5d76efbbd1&start=2165&end=2502","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2388644-cc9446aa81ad26bc7c4d0b5d76efbbd1/thumbnail_2165000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6313194/Tennessee/Judge-allows-lawful-contact-between-accused-and-alleged-victim-but-keeps-weapon-alcohol-and-no-threat-conditions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313194-a1d0364c46787f9e65e90db2bc340b52/orig.mp4?Expires=1774840345&Signature=iXhr9A1WoVWPp2rIInzBxKNKlAt1PteEvVS6Bxy1p1ZtCCB9khFmVWkdxaUR4LLJ~aoM5EcGrR2Ql9sMeG0V6Ri~gwosFZWmlJaF~~4lYTVIDNhw5hvk-wshHK--RWDBE9iKvw39ah7tSenATdsVkW1y38gGQTchG2sIQ~2GqKzBqALl-IIOCE0JE3kkdxLB4GtWSm-cOEa64Ip2C6WWpaeu1JyHVRk-I5sjX29w7DGc1-zyCNwlt-HBe-s1sTYZRHojW4Q1hOWpcCwlR8kEg40pHi6Pw6UVflIFv2NXJqVCx5TMVM0XdvAM-iuW8tmnKPuTXVNJXTz7PO1tyXQUDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Judge David D. Wolfe","date","2025-02-25T20:43:25Z","article","A Humphreys County judge modified bond conditions in a domestic-assault case to allow lawful contact between the defendant and the alleged victim, who said she wanted to reconcile and asked the court to remove contact restrictions. The court kept in place prohibitions on firearms, weapons, alcohol and controlled substances, and an explicit prohibition against abuse or threats.

The motion to modify bond came from the alleged victim, identified in the record as Miss Moore, who told the court she was not afraid of the defendant and wanted to “fix our marriage.” The prosecution opposed the change on the record, citing prior preliminary-hearing testimony that the victim had been strangled and had visible bruising.

Defense counsel (Mr. Odu) told the court the defense did not oppose “lawful contact” and noted a related domestic-case order in the family-divorce docket addressing contact. The judge said he had “severe misgivings” but accepted the victim’s request to allow lawful contact. He emphasized restrictions that would remain: the defendant must not possess firearms or other weapons, must not consume alcohol or controlled substances, must not abuse, threaten, hurt or frighten the alleged victim, and must continue to stay away from locations where the victim is likely to be unless contact is lawful.

Why it matters: Bond conditions protect victims and manage public-safety risks while a criminal case proceeds. Because the alleged victim asked for contact to be allowed, the judge made a narrow modification but preserved safety-related prohibitions and warned that a future violation could prompt new charges.

Court language and warning: The judge told the parties that allowing lawful contact “may turn out to be a terrible mistake,” and warned that if the defendant later is arrested again or violates conditions, penalties could follow. The state recorded its opposition on the record based on earlier testimony that documented injuries to the victim.

Next steps: The defendant remains under the remaining bond prohibitions, and the court left other conditions, including a prohibition on threatening conduct, in place. The record shows the court will monitor compliance; any alleged violation can lead to further charges or revocation of the modified contact permission.

Ending: The court balanced the alleged victim’s request with continuing safety prohibitions, allowing lawful contact for now while retaining strict weapon, substance and anti-threat conditions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2-25-25 Humphreys Criminal VOP/VOCC Docket","oneSentenceSummary","In a domestic-assault case the court modified bond to allow lawful contact between the defendant and the alleged victim at her request, while keeping strict prohibitions on weapons, alcohol, and abusive or threatening conduct.","taxTitle","Judge David D. Wolfe State of Tennessee, Judicial, Tennessee","taxId",66321,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6313199,"Multiple no-contest pleas, probation revocations and diversion orders approved in Humphreys County docket",0,10433000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2388644-cc9446aa81ad26bc7c4d0b5d76efbbd1&start=10433&end=10433","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2388644-cc9446aa81ad26bc7c4d0b5d76efbbd1/thumbnail_10433000.jpg","/articles/6313199/Tennessee/Multiple-no-contest-pleas-probation-revocations-and-diversion-orders-approved-in-Humphreys-County-docket","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313199-379ece8a4f99e025d71f533a25baa461/orig.mp4?Expires=1774840345&Signature=a5GgOqj3wme7WzK7~oxD-NilOPWXVnaeZsukyGbz6--6JrJvS8svmXnkmiUumcoaYPougyelrjSIUvF5gRO7D2GrU67-BhYzm8h~V923Nc2fUFJ3B6q3WcLAhXFguMv-X305rnY-YwrOGjTlKvnwmcRsagZgmd5IvH9a4JC20dvTEKGPjAczU85y2yW0t-1eL3d~IT1MkAHWdFM8lAezyTWMA~x1eHY-eIIfMY0pDbNhWEeCdzCiKnpvho8YWTyxiZyS2xOg6Cb11UJWiq42iBK8obTudrEGn~JqYz87-V0HVUDilt77oAE9RbkXxAcVBvw1ghxc8L9z1kKHD9inwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Humphreys County criminal docket produced a string of plea agreements and dispositions on a range of charges including theft, drug offenses, probation violations and domestic-related charges. Judges approved plea petitions, suspended sentences to probation in several cases and ordered restitution and special conditions in others.

Among the court-approved agreements:
- Michael J. Simpson pleaded no contest to an amended class D felony theft charge under statutory diversion procedures; the court ordered two years of probation and restitution to the Humphreys County Fire Department in the amount of $48,084.77 as reflected on the plea petition.
- Ryan Andrew Lancaster pleaded no contest to a felony count related to an alleged homeowner fraud; the court sentenced him to five years suspended to supervised probation, ordered restitution (the parties noted a victims’ claim of about $40,000), barred contact with the named victim Joseph Clark as a probation condition, and required zero-tolerance drug testing.
- Ronald Reed pleaded no contest to a possession charge; the judge sentenced him to 11 months and 29 days, suspended the balance on time served, imposed a $750 fine and required drug-screening conditions and credit for time served.
- A number of defendants admitted violations of community-corrections or probation terms and were revoked to serve a period in the county jail and then reinstated or transferred to community corrections (examples recorded on the docket include Michael J. Simpson-related VOP resolutions, several community-corrections admissions and transfers of custody to drug-treatment or community corrections).
- Donald Shane Miller entered pleas or admitted violations across multiple dockets; dispositions included a revocation with transfer to community corrections and concurrent misdemeanor sentences suspended to probation, along with domestic-violence conditions and a one-year driver’s-license revocation and interlock requirement after a DUI plea.
- Rachel Lee Hartman pleaded no contest to an offender-registry violation; the court imposed a two-year sentence suspended to probation, court costs, and allowed potential transfer of supervision to Washington state subject to interstate-compact procedures.

Why it matters: The docket resolved multiple pending matters by negotiated dispositions, shifting numerous defendants from jail custody to supervised probation or to community corrections and imposing restitution and special conditions that will affect enforcement and supervision by probation and correctional agencies.

Quotes and court language: During the docket the judge summarized agreements and the consequences on the record, routinely asking defendants to confirm they understood rights and the consequences of a no-contest plea. For example, the court told Michael J. Simpson that judicial diversion would allow him to be placed on probation for two years and later seek expungement if he completed terms and did not violate probation.

What comes next: Several matters were set for future status or restitution hearings. The court flagged June dates for final plea or restitution review in multiple files. Probation officers, community-corrections staff and the clerk were directed to process transfers, ensure defendants complete court-ordered programming (drug screens, interlock installations, domestic-violence classes) and prepare pre-sentence reports where required.

Ending: The docket demonstrates the court’s use of negotiated pleas and community-corrections options to resolve cases while imposing restitution and tailored supervision conditions to address public-safety and rehabilitation concerns.","The court approved a series of plea agreements, revocations to community corrections, and a judicial-diversion probation in cases heard at a Humphreys County criminal docket; notable outcomes include a $48,084.77 restitution order in a theft case and multiple supervised-probation terms with special conditions.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6313205,"Judge orders second forensic evaluation after defendant testifies about interplanetary ‘portals’",2768,16262000,19030000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2388644-cc9446aa81ad26bc7c4d0b5d76efbbd1&start=16262&end=19030","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2388644-cc9446aa81ad26bc7c4d0b5d76efbbd1/thumbnail_16262000.jpg","/articles/6313205/Tennessee/Judge-orders-second-forensic-evaluation-after-defendant-testifies-about-interplanetary-portals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313205-d472eb6de240f3c92be59609cd128f5d/orig.mp4?Expires=1774840345&Signature=IADOxUvX6uTOg8JSW~hDi1~Vl8JAT1dvnjBVUOe3jglY0DX1jSVg1iXal1v6FAq4TBN8Rq40~R1CeCbe2xdm4WZwiRtaZcjQpBWgKeQyEinhWk1xDpTuuCGqQa5YQjd1PYwa3E-HM2flZJYxTImBCEmlT9BoUw47ZEd-ZM0NsJevV~E8eH2VYOyv19wU10eXg00vPOpGNNGxiL55o7kV6aZb7SflB94f8x-I2bkZZtqmirHoBxrexNkNVj6~vAoUx2928LpyMs20SlLqsJjlGijQVfVQBFm6O1Gfixyz~u9QuSzZEdX~JcA0N9CJUR43WvJEuTBxz3am3r63EtUZLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Humphreys County judge ordered a second forensic competency evaluation at the state’s expense after hearing testimony that a defendant, William Scott Burns, describes traveling to other galaxies through “portals.” The court said the new evaluation must address whether Burns’s persistent beliefs interfere with his ability to assist counsel and stand trial.

The new evaluation follows testimony at a competency hearing in which Burns described “portals” and trips to other galaxies and said he works on space-shuttle technology and artificial-intelligence systems. Burns’s brother, James Burns, and his mother, Jennifer Burns, told the court they have observed the defendant expressing similar beliefs for years and that the beliefs intensified in the last seven to 10 years.

The judge said the initial forensic report found Burns competent but that the family’s testimony and Burns’s statements at the hearing warranted a more focused evaluation. “I’m going to order that a second evaluation take place,” the judge said on the record, directing the new examination to consider the content and persistence of Burns’s claims and whether they constitute malingering or a true psychiatric disorder. The court set a status date for June 17 to review the second evaluation’s results.

Why it matters: A competency determination affects whether a criminal case proceeds to trial. If the evaluator finds Burns cannot understand the proceedings or assist his lawyer, the court may order treatment before any trial. If the evaluator concludes he is competent, the case will move forward on its current schedule.

What the hearing showed: Burns spoke at length about “portals,” “equivalent matter” and travel to named star systems, language the judge and attorneys called unusual. Defense counsel, Mr. Lockhart, told the court he was concerned Burns’s beliefs prevent effective consultation and preparation: “I just don’t believe at this point that he’s competent to assist me,” Lockhart said. The state told the court it would not oppose a second examination and noted a prior evaluation had found Burns competent.

Family testimony: Burns’s brother said the beliefs had escalated in the past decade and that family members had tried to help him obtain care. His mother said Burns has been diagnosed in the past with serious mental-health conditions and that his behavior has become more concerning in recent years.

Court orders and next steps: The judge ordered a second forensic evaluation focused on the themes raised in testimony (the portal/galaxy claims and related symptoms), directed that the state bear the evaluation cost, and scheduled a June 17 status hearing to review results. The court asked defense counsel to file a signed order promptly so the evaluator can begin work.

Ending: The second evaluation will determine whether Burns will proceed to trial on the pending charges or whether the court must take other steps before trial.","A judge ordered a second, state-funded forensic evaluation for William Scott Burns to determine whether longstanding delusional beliefs about intergalactic travel impair his ability to assist counsel; the court set a June status date.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Judge allows lawful contact between accused and alleged victim but keeps weapon, alcohol and no-threat conditions

Multiple no-contest pleas, probation revocations and diversion orders approved in Humphreys County docket

Judge orders second forensic evaluation after defendant testifies about interplanetary ‘portals’