[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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",[32,76,88],{"_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",6088760,"mediaKeyId","2879683-5a6f65b7340ec9e244ec718463678a54","parentId",2879683,"title","Judge Wolfe denies DA-office disqualification in Gregory Hansard case, finds John Stephens screened; trial set for May 29","audioSeconds",2509,"startMs",1103000,"endMs",3612000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2879683-5a6f65b7340ec9e244ec718463678a54&start=1103&end=3612","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2879683-5a6f65b7340ec9e244ec718463678a54/thumbnail_1103000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6088760/Tennessee/Judge-Wolfe-denies-DA-office-disqualification-in-Gregory-Hansard-case-finds-John-Stephens-screened-trial-set-for-May-29","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088760-85829d744ac679325e9386cbc3977097/orig.mp4?Expires=1777210367&Signature=Wfn-Q-b3OlFAF4fiXSfapYYjekc~YCu6tYorerZGP0UFviEUXFTKAH3uVf~X6QjB~YJqxwqW532QS6M9rBnD-fInE5DZEBIXfgVVPO4VOia4Amee6RWjGWcl37yakcE0Rox5FaQlUXKajd24-mUR6BMBB702rkSZCJnxW-vAHTmvEcm2k6iJaqTIhukNqcG1ewnQh8vsTgFytBUK44LMwchFv46-5hmLy8SuHydXyCxwMGtxc1sIwnPwA9h1oXFTk4LEOHQTsKDcv1b~8jEcPchv2LfVryXvxE-~sshk-eX2Dh3ZdvsZTnDEUhXNn42YG9CvivY9Oz93VPJ22gcNLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Judge David D. Wolfe","date","2025-04-04T14:07:43Z","article","Judge David D. Wolfe denied a defense motion to disqualify the 20 Third Judicial District Attorney's Office from prosecuting the case against defendant Gregory Hansard, finding by clear and convincing evidence that the office had effectively screened former public defender John Stephens from participating in the prosecution. The court ruled that Stephens personally is disqualified from involvement but that the remainder of the district attorney's office may continue to prosecute. The case remains set for trial on May 29.

The motion was prompted by Hansard's claim that Stephens, who represented him while employed at the public defender's office, later joined the district attorney's office and posed a risk that confidential defense information could be disclosed. Hansard testified that Stephens represented him beginning in late 2023, that they met in the office about seven to eight times and discussed allegations, potential witnesses, pleas and strategy, and that he would not feel he could receive a fair trial if Stephens continued to play a prosecutorial role in his case; when asked whether he believed he could have a fair trial in that circumstance he answered, \"No, sir.\"

John Stephens (who spells his last name in the record as \"Stephens\") testified that upon hiring he provided District Attorney General Ray Crouch with a list of his prior public-defender cases, including Hansard's, and that Crouch instructed the office to screen him out. Stephens said files were moved so he could not access them and that at least one email (and possibly more) was circulated to staff reiterating not to discuss those matters with him. Brooke Allen, the lead prosecutor on Hansard's file, testified she retained the case since its inception in general sessions court and had not discussed the matter with Stephens since he joined the office; she confirmed at least one December 2024 email and a January 2025 reminder about screening procedures were circulated and that the office has not discussed the case with Stephens.

The state argued the office has implemented a \"Chinese wall\" and other procedures to prevent disclosure of former-client confidences and that the proof showed no information had been shared with Stephens. The court said it had reviewed the written pleadings, testimony, and applicable law, and concluded the state met the standard established in State v. Clayburg by showing clear and convincing evidence that Stephens had been screened from the prosecution. The judge ordered that if any inadvertent disclosure occurs, the state must notify the defendant immediately to allow renewal of the motion.

On the record, the court disqualified Stephens from participating in the case but declined to disqualify the entire district attorney's office. The transcript records that the trial date remains May 29. The hearing record includes testimony and cross-examination from both sides and the judge's explanation of the legal standard used to resolve the motion.

The transcript includes administrative details about office locations and file custody: Stephens said he is assigned to the Cheatham County (Ashland City) office; Allen said she keeps the file in the Charlotte office and that, going forward, the file will remain there and can be viewed in her office if co-counsel needs access. The transcript does not reflect any plea or trial rulings beyond the disqualification decision and the setting of the trial date.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4-4-25 Dickson Criminal","oneSentenceSummary","Judge David D. Wolfe denied a defense motion to disqualify the 20 Third Judicial District Attorney's Office from prosecuting the case against Gregory Hansard, finding John Stephens sufficiently screened; Stephens personally is disqualified and the trial remains set for May 29.","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":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6088765,"Judge Wolfe dismisses violation-of-probation case against James Brent Waller, cites lack of subject-matter jurisdiction",502,312000,814000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2879683-5a6f65b7340ec9e244ec718463678a54&start=312&end=814","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2879683-5a6f65b7340ec9e244ec718463678a54/thumbnail_312000.jpg","/articles/6088765/Tennessee/Judge-Wolfe-dismisses-violation-of-probation-case-against-James-Brent-Waller-cites-lack-of-subject-matter-jurisdiction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088765-ce85e761934e0a3647256dade1bf48e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1777210367&Signature=hX~o6hl3Rfg4MEtZBHCnXEzvOALEIJRIlt0M491ya3xwcTVk7Zetn0o0A6Cvlst8lkaASgIe9SYCQlXINDrtquGrtJHoBigFbr4aS9NqTMNROv9vDIx8TcD8otxYADp3ERqR61-RxFd7NWJ8QV3RZQzMMH8hDrxl53gmhA2FDh9Sozn9Sw49x3HCffvlDwpLRXIwo7M4EVJ8xI-m2H1z4J3IVe4KANCdHrUGW3~GnTAa90WLXXLV~mYaSjoReJ0H2BtLr7IqFMA~GEUtFHKCV~H0rZGRzAWe8hl7KZ8obTT5fcoxhO~zEY5UUvLceebGBW-abRaBvzfp8~eKF52tLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Judge David D. Wolfe dismissed the violation-of-probation proceedings against James Brent Waller (case P2Cc2017CR983), finding the court lacked subject-matter jurisdiction because Waller was not served with the violation-of-probation (VOP) warrants before they were recalled by the warrants clerk.

The dismissal follows a remand from the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals asking this court to make findings about whether the VOP warrants were recalled and whether the court had jurisdiction. The judge reviewed the record and noted a handwritten clerk notation dated Nov. 17, 2021, stating \"recall by circuit court due to alias capias issued warrant,\" attributed to Margaret Wilson, warrants clerk. The judge found the defendant was later arrested on a capias on Jan. 8, 2024, but the record contained no evidence Waller had been served with the underlying VOP warrants that had been recalled.

The court recited an earlier order entered Oct. 20, 2021, which struck the matter from the docket \"on the default of the defendant pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated 40-15-101(a) with a capias provided in Tennessee Code Annotated 40-15-101(b),\" and observed that the capias would lose effect if the warrants on which it was based had been recalled. Because the six-year sentence has expired, Judge Wolfe concluded the March 20, 2024 judgment finding a probation violation \"was null and void and ineffective due to a lack of subject matter jurisdictions,\" and ordered the case dismissed.

Defense counsel had argued the court lacked jurisdiction because Waller had never been served with the VOP warrants; the judge agreed and said the court would issue a written order reflecting the findings requested by the Court of Criminal Appeals. On the record, the judge stressed administrative lessons learned from the COVID era: \"if we're going to strike it from the docket, we don't recall the warrant. The warrant needs to remain on active basis out for them to serve.\" The transcript does not record any sentence or other post-dismissal directions beyond the court's statement that a written order would be issued and the defendant would be released upon entry of that order.

No objection from the state prevented entry of the dismissal after the court's findings.","The court found that Waller was never served with the violation-of-probation warrants, which had been recalled, and dismissed the case because the sentence had expired, rendering the March 20, 2024 judgment void.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6088770,"Judge David D. Wolfe admits Addison Blake Moulton as bonding agent for Lloyd Harris Bonding Company",85,79000,164000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2879683-5a6f65b7340ec9e244ec718463678a54&start=79&end=164","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2879683-5a6f65b7340ec9e244ec718463678a54/thumbnail_79000.jpg","/articles/6088770/Tennessee/Judge-David-D-Wolfe-admits-Addison-Blake-Moulton-as-bonding-agent-for-Lloyd-Harris-Bonding-Company","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088770-ac85e788dc3d15a7a422b73751d20d9e/orig.mp4?Expires=1777210367&Signature=B22FYnioSH3updy2-XRpobCBBdPHdYW7RZviPqh2pH0B~ckVo6J-c2O6XbOpFJZg7ZiJA0RrNjrxtjqipggEx8ZthEuPdjOD640Vt3fFmL2XXRvZqBpvry8EZltmEahQwSRaf52IQNb860mSuQ6nFT7pfe47Icrd0nGjGR8pzRFAC0gBT6Ovljcvp0OQqN9YkGwDqJYnbv6jCKOT-CyddyqaXFE~uRyb5-GSao7u3u5j28BcF41e~JkZfcDnswetnm8rkvbqQ~bGtRNgkTGKhfJHgBzaYMJk-vMnPO6R8X4GEiWZEpe0E2rf1WJzXk623fZT6NK25Ommed7KeFNiFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Judge David D. Wolfe signed an order admitting Addison Blake Moulton as an agent for Lloyd Harris Bonding Company in the 20 Third Judicial District, after Moulton was placed under oath and affirmed she had reviewed applicable Tennessee statutes and the district's local rules governing bonding agents.

Moulton, who gave her name on the record as Addison Blake Moulton, told the court she had \"familiarized\" herself with the laws and would comply with the statutes and local rules. The judge stated, \"I find that you are qualified in every way to be a bonding agent,\" and signed the order admitting her.

The court record shows the admission took place at the start of the session and that the judge directed Moulton to comport herself with the district's local rules. The transcript does not specify a start or expiration date for the appointment or any bond limits tied to the admission.

No objections or opposing comments were recorded on the record at the time of the admission.","Judge David D. Wolfe signed an order admitting Addison Blake Moulton as an agent for Lloyd Harris Bonding Company in the 20 Third Judicial District after Moulton affirmed she had reviewed state statutes and local rules.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Judge Wolfe denies DA-office disqualification in Gregory Hansard case, finds John Stephens screened; trial set for May 29

Judge Wolfe dismisses violation-of-probation case against James Brent Waller, cites lack of subject-matter jurisdiction

Judge David D. Wolfe admits Addison Blake Moulton as bonding agent for Lloyd Harris Bonding Company