JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – Due to Governor Lee’s extension of the “shelter-in-place” order, currently in effect through April 30, 2020, all Grand Jury sessions in the Eighth Judicial District (Campbell, Claiborne, Fentress, Scott, and Union counties) are postponed until further notice. When this order is lifted, we will reschedule these proceedings and will provide adequate notice to jurors, witnesses, and the general public who plan to participate.
Please disregard the letter below sent out on April 10. 
Shayne Sexton
(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 04/14/2020-1PM)

Due to the limited in-person mandate ordered by the Tennessee Supreme Court in mid-March, courts have been at a standstill with cases backing up on an unprecedented level.  However, some relief is in sight.  Campbell County Criminal Court Judge  Shayne Sexton notified grand jurors on Friday that courts have been given approval to reconvene under certain conditions.
Sexton did establish parameters for the grand jury. These include:
By order of the Tennessee Supreme Court, all courts have been under a “limited in-person” mandate since mid-March. This has prevented the Campbell County Grand Jury from convening in any fashion. We have now been given approval to reconvene under the following conditions:

1) Grand Jury proceedings are conducted using “social distancing” guidelines that are now commonly used in our current environment.

2) Any juror unwilling to appear under these conditions will not be subject to court reprisals for failing to carry out their civic duties.

Of course, anyone who has symptoms of illness or is particularly vulnerable due to preexisting conditions should not participate. We are leaving these decisions to your discretion.

To ensure your safety, Campbell County Government has taken extra steps to make a safe and contained place to conduct your proceedings. As alluded to, all courthouses have had very limited public traffic since the Supreme Court order took effect.  You will meet in a courtroom that has been thoroughly sanitized and has had no public exposure for a minimum of two days.  All witnesses and members of the district attorney’s staff will communicate with you remotely through teleconference software by computer screen or television monitor, further limiting your exposure to members of the public. Your health and safety is of greatest importance to all of us.

Understand that this reconvening is necessary. Courts have been at a standstill with cases backing up on an unprecedented level. The grand jury process is an integral part of criminal justice in Tennessee and we would not take these measures if we had an alternative method. We do not.

We would ask that you come to the Campbell County Justice Center on Friday, April 17, 2020, at 9 am, and help us restart the Criminal Court process.  Please notify Bobby Vann’s office of your intentions as soon as possible.

(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 04/13/2020-9:30AM)

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