Toddler’s Body To Be Exhumed For Second Autopsy
By: Phil Williams https://www.newschannel5.com/ A 16-year-old mystery involving the death of a little boy may soon be solved. This week, in a dramatic turn-around, the mother of Jeffry Kelton Skaggs decided to stop fighting efforts to exhume his body. Kelton was 15 months old at the time of his questionable death in 2001. Under an agreed order filed this week in Maury County Circuit Court, a second autopsy will finally be conducted -- more than a decade after questions first raised by NewsChannel 5 Investigates. "This has been extremely difficult on her when she doesn't have anything to hide," said Columbia attorney Jason Whatley, who represents the mother, Brandy Eddlemon. "She concluded that the best course, the fastest course to just get through this was [...]
Agathos mock trial team gets standing ovation during celebration of national title
MIKE CHRISTEN mchristen@c-dh.net https://www.columbiadailyherald.com/ The Agathos Classical School mock trial team received a standing ovation from Maury County's elected officials and celebrated members of the local bar association on Monday as the students were recognized for their national championship victory. Josiah Burns, Ella Seago, Samuel Whatley, Asher Black, Luke Epley, Rebekah Epley, Fern Green and Annie Kelley were all applauded for representing Maury County on a national stage. In May, the students from the small Christian institution with less than 300 students made local history as they surpassed the competition to take home the National High School Mock Trial Championship. The victory marked Agathos as the second school in the state to earn the title. During the weekend tournament, the young Columbia lawyers [...]
Agathos mock trial students finish 3rd in nation
JAMES BENNETT jbennett@c-dh.net https://www.columbiadailyherald.com/ Agathos Classical School's Mock Trial Team wrapped up its year ranking third in the nation after the National Mock Trial Competition over the weekend in Reno, Nevada. The Agathos Classical team and Washington state were the two undefeated teams at the competition, winning trials at the regional, state and national level. Agathos' victories included defeating the two-time champion team from Georgia. The Reno competition also featured mock trial teams from as far away as South Korea. “They did all that could be asked of them,” Columbia attorney Jason Whatley, who served as one of the team's coaches, posted on Facebook on Sunday. “Our lead attorney, Luke Worsham, received an award for Best Attorney, top 10 in the nation.” The [...]
Agathos Classical school makes mock trial history
MIKE CHRISTEN mchristen@c-dh.net https://www.columbiadailyherald.com/ Columbia’s Agathos Classical School made history this weekend as it became the first local institution to earn the title of state champion in the Tennessee State High School Mock Trial competition. The students from the small private school of less than 180 students will go on to compete in the national championship set to be held in Reno, Nevada, this May. “We have a legitimate shot at winning the national title,” coach and Columbia attorney Jason Whatley said. “Our intent is to go win the national trial.” In front of nine scoring judges with Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Timothy Easter presiding, the Agathos Mock Trial team defeated St. Mary’s Episcopal School in the championship round to become [...]
Thomas family sues Maury County BOE and Tad Cummins
JAMES BENNETT jbennett@c-dh.net https://www.columbiadailyherald.com/ A federal lawsuit filed against the Maury County Board of Education and former teacher Tad Cummins revealed that he and a former student regularly engaged in oral sex inside his classroom’s closet. In the weeks leading up to Cummins’ alleged March abduction of Elizabeth Thomas, Culleoka Unit School “allowed conditions to exist [that] enabled a teacher to develop a controlling, manipulative relationship with a vulnerable and impressionable 15-year-old student,” the 17-page lawsuit says. Before Cummins was suspended after a reported kissing incident with Thomas, he convinced her to become his “his de facto wife and join him on a 39-day cross-country journey before being apprehended.” Thomas’ father, Anthony Thomas, hired Columbia attorney Jason Whatley on Feb. 3, the week [...]
Ogles takes the helm as new chairman of Maury County Republican Party
Mike Christen The Daily Herald Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles is taking on another job in local politics. More than two years into his four-year term as county mayor, Ogles was elected as chairman of the Maury County Republican Party during the party's reorganization meeting in March. A vocal conservative activist, Ogles said he took on the role because that is what the members of the local party wanted. “They asked me to do it,” Ogles said. He will now serve out a two-year term in the post alongside vice chairman Debbie Matthews, recording secretary Sandy Henson, corresponding secretary Brady Carrm treasurer Ken McArthur, Vice Treasurer Paula Sanders, chair of Maury County Republican Women Kathey Grodi. Ogles said he will continue the work carried out by outgoing chairman, Columbia attorney [...]
Family of Elizabeth Thomas: Time to Focus on Her Recovery
Natalie Neysa Alund USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee The family of a Middle Tennessee 15-year-old girl rescued after being allegedly abducted last month expressed thanks Tuesday for the public's support and said it's time to focus on the teenager's recovery. "The outpouring of love and support from the public for Elizabeth Thomas has been overwhelming," Attorney S. Jason Whatley wrote in a statement released on behalf of the girl and her family. "The family owes each group, law enforcement, the media, and the public, a debt of gratitude that cannot be repaid." Tad Cummins of Columbia, Tenn. is charged with kidnapping Thomas in early March, taking her from a restaurant near her home in Columbia, Tennessee and eluding law enforcement for 38 days before they were captured last week [...]
Missing Tennessee teen’s father seeks to depose witnesses in hopes of finding daughter
The legal move comes over three weeks after the teen was reported missing. By ABC News April 8, 2017, 1:48 PM The father of a Tennessee teenager who was allegedly kidnapped by her former teacher filed a petition in court Thursday, asking to depose witnesses who may know more about their purported relationship. Authorities believe 15-year-old Elizabeth Thomas may have been abducted by Tad Cummins, 50, who is wanted on allegations of aggravated kidnapping and sexual contact with a minor. The court filing is asking for witnesses who may have any information that could aid authorities in their search for Elizabeth to be deposed. "The family cannot simply wait for information to trickle in," Jason Whatley, the attorney representing Anthony Thomas, Elizabeth's father, told ABC News on [...]
Victim in Hohenwald Walmart stabbing case testifies
JAMES BENNETT jbennett@c-dh.net https://www.columbiadailyherald.com/ HOHENWALD - Samantha Clifft testified Thursday that her estranged husband stabbed her eight times after he pulled out a deer-hunting knife inside Walmart and she asked what he planned to do with it. Speaking publicly for the first time about the attempted-murder case in Lewis County General Sessions Court, Clifft testified that 26-year-old Airick Clifft stabbed her all over her body during the brutal attack just after midnight June 17. The suspect, who is being held without bond, was bound over to the grand jury by Judge Michael E. Hinson. Clifft listened less than 15 feet away as his wife described the incident on the witness stand. “On June 12, I left him. And on June 17, he walked [...]