NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Charges against former District Attorney Chris Stanford have been dismissed, ending the case stemming from accusations that he fired shots during a police pursuit of a triple-murder suspect.
Stanford was indicted after prosecutors said he improperly intervened in a police pursuit of a triple-murder suspect in Smithville last year. According to the indictment, Stanford fired several rounds during the chase — including one that went into a nearby home — leading to a reckless endangerment charge.
A new order from the judge dismisses the case entirely, noting that Stanford resigned from his post as District Attorney General in October. Because he is no longer serving in office, the court found the statutory basis for pursuing the charge no longer applied.
Stanford had originally been scheduled to stand trial in January.
The pursuit at the center of the case unfolded when officers were chasing a suspect wanted in a triple homicide. Prosecutors alleged Stanford arrived on scene, drew his weapon, and discharged multiple shots without proper authority or coordination with responding law enforcement.
Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at Jessica.Genader@newschannel5.com.
This is a story I immediately went home and showed my boys - young athletes with big dreams. The Vanderbilt football team's success has stolen the spotlight - what I love about Steve Layman's story is he reveals the individual hardships it took to get there. As Clark Lea says, "we all have scuff marks." This team proves perseverance pays off!
- Carrie Sharp
