DUANE SHERRILLEditor

The official misconduct case against Tullahoma Alderman Kurt Glick just got even more complicated as the special prosecutor who was trying to convict him has tendered his resignation, effective at the end of the month, as he faces his own felony charges for opening fire at a fleeing vehicle in DeKalb County, the errant rounds entering a nearby family home.

31^st Judicial District Attorney General Chris Stanford, through his attorney Jeff Cherry, made the revelation this past week in a resignation letter to Governor Bill Lee. His last day will be Oct. 31, and the governor will appoint a successor who will serve as prosecutor for Warren and Van Buren counties through the regular election next year. His replacement will also inherit the Kurt Glick case which was being handled by Stanford after he was named special prosecutor, as the court here recused itself. 31^st District Circuit Court Judge Bart Stanley will remain the trier of the Glick case if and when it comes to trial. It is unknown who the governor will pick to replace Stanford, although several hopefuls have already lined up, ready to take the position.

Glick was to face trial Sept. 15 on two counts of official misconduct for his allegedly not revealing he had a conflict of interest–namely a civil suit pending–when he voted on a measure that impacted the city’s former human resources director, Casta Brice. Prosecutors say his actions abused his power, while the defense maintained he was doing his elected duty and voting on a measure as an alderman.

During the early part of the Glick case, Stanford successfully argued and convinced the court not to dismiss charges against Glick during a hearing last year. However, since that time, Stanford has fallen into trouble with the law himself having been indicted in DeKalb County (Smithville) on two counts of reckless endangerment.

The incident, which Glick’s defense team pointed to in getting a delay of his case last month, happened last year as Warren County lawmen were trying to arrest a trio of alleged murderers in Smithville. At some point during the action, an officer was allegedly hit by one of the fleeing suspects, and Stanford allegedly pulled a gun and opened fire on the moving vehicle. The shots missed their target but allegedly hit a family’s home nearby. Prosecutors in DeKalb County found his actions to be reckless and returned an indictment against the DA. Stanford is still serving as DA.

“Without addressing or presuming the merits of those allegations, the fact remains that a sitting District Attorney Pro-Tem is prosecuting a felony case while himself facing felony prosecution,” the request for substituting the prosecutor argued, noting the quandary may distract potential jurors and that the integrity of proceedings against Glick could become compromised.

Glick had his case delayed to Nov. 12 as a result of the Stanford legal issues. It is believed the court will revisit the Glick case on that date, when a decision will be made as to continue prosecuting under the new 31^st District DA or dismiss the case altogether.

Meanwhile, the sudden resignation has legal circles assuming that it is a precursor to some type of plea deal for Stanford that would reduce his case down to a misdemeanor. Stanford is set to stand trial in a Smithville courtroom on Jan. 7.