State says fentanyl mix killed Jordan Knight; defendant Curtis Day pleads not guilty in Cheatham County trial

The state told jurors on the first day of trial that it will present evidence that Curtis Day sold a Schedule II drug mixture that caused the death of Jordan Knight, who was found unresponsive at 178 Yates Lane on Oct. 3, 2020. The defendant pleaded not guilty.

The state’s opening described how, prosecutors said, Knight and a companion obtained drugs and ingested them while returning to Cheatham County; first responders arrived to find Knight unresponsive, deputies and paramedics performed resuscitation measures and he was later pronounced dead after being transferred to a hospital. "The state's case here will show that this Schedule 2 drugs was sold, that it was sold by the defendant Curtis Day, and that Jordan Knight did die," the prosecutor told jurors during opening statements.

The defense urged jurors to hold the state to its high burden. "Tragedy does not equal murder," defense counsel said, arguing the evidence will show multiple substances were present and that others may have distributed drugs.

Why this matters: The indictment charges Day under Tennessee law with unlawful distribution of a Schedule II drug that was the proximate cause of a death. If the jury finds the elements the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt, the charge carries serious criminal consequences.

What the court heard - Jury instructions and procedure: The presiding judge explained jurors’ duties and legal standards before evidence began, including the presumption of innocence and the state’s burden of proof. The judge also instructed jurors on how they may submit questions and reminded them to avoid outside information or media about the case.

- Grand-jury indictment: The indictment read into the record alleges that on or about Oct. 3, 2020, in Cheatham County, the defendant unlawfully caused the death of Jordan Knight by distributing a Schedule II drug; the indictment text as read includes a reference to Tennessee Code Annotated (as stated in the record).

- Witness accounts of the scene: Penny Williamson, the victim’s mother, identified her son and confirmed he lived at 178 Yates Lane in Cheatham County. Deputy Randall Smith, the first law-enforcement responder who testified, said he administered naloxone (Narcan) on arrival: "I grabbed Narcan out of my patrol bag, went over to him, and administered it to his left nostril and then his right nostril." Smith said he did not feel a pulse and began chest compressions.

- EMS care and timeline: Paramedic Carlos Elliott testified that Cheatham County EMS was dispatched at 21:11:35 and arrived on scene at about 21:22. Elliott said Knight had no pulse and was not breathing on arrival; EMS administered medications, intubated the patient and provided advanced cardiac life support during transport. Elliott recorded leaving the scene at about 21:46 and arriving at Northcrest Medical Center in Robertson County at about 22:04. "Pretty much for sure he was dead," Elliott testified, describing the victim’s condition on initial assessment.

- Forensic pathology and toxicology: Dr. Shannon Crook, a forensic pathologist for the Davidson County medical examiner’s office, testified she performed the autopsy and reviewed hospital records and laboratory testing. Dr. Crook said the pathologic diagnosis listed "toxic effects of fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, and methamphetamine," and she testified that hospital admission blood tested positive for those substances. She told the court the laboratory detected fentanyl at 29 nanograms per milliliter in the blood sample reviewed for the autopsy and explained the combined pharmacologic effects: fentanyl and acetylfentanyl depress respiration while methamphetamine is a stimulant that can cause other organ stress.

- Resuscitation and hospital course: Witnesses described prolonged resuscitation at the scene and in transport, including CPR and defibrillation. Medical and EMS reports referenced a period of pulseless electrical activity and later return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after resuscitative efforts; Knight was later transferred to a hospital in Davidson County.

What was not decided The trial record from this day contains opening statements and testimony but no verdict. The defense emphasized that multiple substances were present and questioned whether the state can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Day knowingly supplied the drugs that caused Knight’s death. The jury was excused at the end of the day and instructed not to research or discuss the case; the court indicated additional witnesses will be called at the next session.

Quotes (selected and attributed) "The state's case here will show that this Schedule 2 drugs was sold, that it was sold by the defendant Curtis Day, and that Jordan Knight did die," the prosecutor said during opening statements. "Tragedy does not equal murder," defense counsel said in his opening. "I grabbed Narcan out of my patrol bag, went over to him, and administered it to his left nostril and then his right nostril," Deputy Randall Smith testified about first response. "Pretty much for sure he was dead," Paramedic Carlos Elliott testified describing his initial impression on the scene. "[T]he cause of death in this case was due to the toxic effects of fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, and methamphetamine," Dr. Shannon Crook testified.

Next steps The court recessed for the day after the state presented several witnesses. The prosecution indicated additional witnesses are available for the next session; jurors were reminded of the court’s instructions and told where to report the following day. No ruling or verdict was reached on the charge during this session.

Reporting note: The article summarizes testimony and statements given in open court and does not infer guilt or innocence beyond what was presented to the jury during this day of the trial.