Metro Council Appoints One Of Its Own To The Bench

NASHVILLE, TN — Sam Coleman said he'll reverse "the curse of the council."

After his fellow Metro Council members voted to appoint Coleman to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of embattled General Sessions Court judge Casey Moreland, the Antioch-area councilman vowed he won't become the fourth straight judge appointed by the council to lose a subsequent election.

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Coleman, more importantly, promised to be fair and to restore the integrity of the 10th General Sessions court in the wake of Moreland's federal indictment for allegedly bribing a woman to recant her allegations against him and scheming to have drugs planted in her car in an effort to discredit her.

Coleman, an attorney and long-time employee of the Department of Children's Services, was one of eight people who applied to fill the vacancy, though two withdrew before the vote. Coleman received 19 votes, Assistant District Attorney Ana Escobar 14 and Assistant Public Defender Martesha Johnson three. Two members — Larry Hagar and Kevin Rhoten, both attorneys who routinely appear in General Sessions court — abstained and two other members were absent.

Coleman will resign from the council when he is sworn in as a judge. Vice Mayor David Briley will appoint one of the five at-large councilmembers to take over Coleman's district-level duties until his council seat is filled in a special election.

The General Sessions election is set for August 2018 with a primary in May.