31st District Attorney General Chris Stanford said an audit requested by the Warren County Sheriff Jackie Matheny Jr.
On Target News spoke with Matheny and he said his department found irregularities in logging of evidence and said there were potential legal implications in a large number of criminal cases.
Due to a conflict of interest, he sought the appointment of a legal substitute and the TBI. The local DA and Sheriff’s Department have recused themselves from the investigation and will be overseen by Coffee County District Attorney Craig Northcott. As the investigation continues, more information by Northcott’s office will be release later.
Full press release from Warren County District Attorney Chris Stanford:
During an audit requested by Sheriff Matheny as a result of the change of administrations, some irregularities were found regarding certain records and the logging of evidence. Upon learning about these irregularities, I realized that there were potential legal implications for a large number of criminal cases being prosecuted by my office in Warren County. Due to the inherent appearance of a possible conflict of interest, I sought the appointment of a substitute District Attorney and assistance from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation in order to ensure a fair and thorough investigation of the initial findings.
The Warren County Sheriff‘s Department and the 31st Judicial District Attorney’s Office have recused themselves from this investigation to prevent any appearance of a conflict of interest. The investigation will be overseen by Craig Northcott, District Attorney General for the 14th Judicial District, who was appointed by the District Attorney General‘s Conference and Judge Bart Stanley. More information will be released by General Northcott when it becomes available as the investigation concludes. Please direct any necessary or specific inquiries to General Northcott‘s Office.
