At a Nov. 23 post-commission meeting in Gatlinburg, two public commenters accused Hancock County’s chief deputy, Bill Evans, of failing to intervene when a man was beaten and urged the commission to investigate further. The session proceeded without a quorum, and commissioners said they would not take votes or formal action at the meeting.

Eric Scott, who identified himself as "a former employee with the Hancock County Sheriff's Office," told commissioners that "some of the testimony provided to the commissioners yesterday was untruthful." Scott said he was involved in a prior decertification process and described being contacted by Sheriff Brad Brewer about an overnight assault. According to Scott, the sheriff told him the chief deputy "was on scene" and that the chief deputy was "drunk on moonshine and had a bottle of moonshine in his hand," and that he "didn't care what was gonna happen." Scott said the chief deputy and another individual left the scene while the victim remained seriously injured.

Melinda Johnson, who identified herself as the victim’s mother and a Hancock County resident, said her son "was beaten," that the TBI conducted a full investigation, and that she witnessed or was told the chief deputy "refused to help." Johnson said her son suffered life-altering injuries and added, "I don't feel that he deserves to continue to be a police officer." Both speakers urged the commission to look further into the incident and the testimony provided at a related hearing.

Commission staff and the chair repeatedly noted the meeting did not have a quorum (seven members were present) and therefore could not take formal votes or impose discipline at that session. Staff advised the public commenters to file a formal complaint that the commission could review. Commissioners said the item could be added to the December agenda so the full commission could address it if members choose to pursue it.

No motions, votes, or formal findings were made at the Nov. 23 meeting. The session ended with the chair wishing attendees a safe Thanksgiving and adjourning the non-quorum meeting. Commissioners indicated the matter could be revisited at the next scheduled meeting if properly submitted for the agenda.