Three east Tennessee men are facing charges in connection with the burglaries and thefts from businesses located in a local Wal-Mart shopping center earlier this year. Clifford Mitchell and Richard Mitchell both of Cleveland and Anthony Cordell of Chattanooga have been arrested in Tupelo MS on burglary charges and now face charges here, Winchester, Murfreesboro, and Smyrna. According to police, the three are being held in jail Tupelo and their arrest came about after police in Murfreesboro were able to obtain pictures of the trio during a burglary there last month. Investigators from Winchester Police Department traveled to Tupelo to interview the trio. “Investigator Ronnie Durm, Kelly Gass and Don Hall interviewed the suspects and collected evidence connecting the three to burglaries here in Winchester February 19 and also those in Tullahoma. Winchester Police Chief Dennis Young stated Wednesday that his investigators were glad to conduct interviews for the Tullahoma Police Department as well and gather information about burglaries there. According to the police chief evidence against the three will be presented to the May term of the Franklin County Grand Jury and reportedly similar evidence will be presented to the Coffee County Grand Jury in the near future.

Dianne Black

Former congressional candidate Lou Ann Zelenik has prevailed in a lawsuit that accused her of defamation for a campaign advertisement attacking rival Diane Black. The suit was filed by Aegis Sciences Corp., a drug-testing company owned by David Black. He is the husband of Diane Black, who won the congressional election for the 6th District seat. The advertisement in claimed that Aegis Sciences benefited from votes by Diane Black when she was serving in the state Senate. The Daily News Journal reports that on Wednesday, a judge granted Zelenik summary judgment in the case. David Black announced immediately that he would appeal the ruling. He noted that other defendants had agreed to a settlement. With a change in districts Black will soon be the congresswoman for Coffee County.

Police looking over stolen items

A multi-state was broken up and thousands of dollars worth of stolen items recovered Tuesday at a Manchester motel, according to Coffee County sheriff’s investigators. Although other arrests are expected, only one person, John Docherty, 46, of Virginia, has been charged. According to sheriff’s investigator Sgt. Danny Ferrell, the break came when a Manchester resident reported that his iPad had been stolen during a burglary and that his 8-year-old son knew how to trace it through the iPad’s security tracking system. The investigator said that the boy provided the location where the iPad could be found and when we went to the Ambassador Motel where the suspects were staying and found their room full items. He noted that among the dozens of items found in the room were guns, cameras, jewelry, computers, iPads, guitars, Xboxes, weed trimmers and numerous other articles. Ferrell said they have also found items that were stolen in Franklin, Brentwood and Maury County. He said they are continuing to find more items stolen from other areas, including Virginia and Florida.” Deputies Kerry Farrar, James Sherrill and Jason Dendy joined Ferrell in confiscating the items from the motel room. Docherty is being held under $100,000 bond on a charge of aggravated burglary and under a $500,000 fugitive from justice bond. He is scheduled to appear in Coffee County General Sessions Court April 9.

John Docherty

Thomas Greenwood

Jury selection begins today for a 22-year-old man accused of killing his girlfriend’s 2-year-old son Coffee County Circuit Court. Jury selection is expected to take most of today with the trial starting Friday. Thomas Greenwood, 22, has been housed in the Coffee County Jail since his arrest March 9, 2010 for the murder of Hayden Gage West of Circle Drive, Tullahoma while he was babysitting for the child’s mother.

Joseph Muncey

A Warren County man is suspected in as many as nine smash-and-grab break-ins just since the start of the year. The grand jury indicted Joseph Muncey on several charges this week. Investigators say Muncey broke into the Smoke Shop, a barbecue restaurant, and the same gas station twice, then he hit three other businesses. In every case, he allegedly smashed a window and then stole whatever items he could carry away. After the first burglary, the barbecue restaurant installed a surveillance system, and that helped lead to Muncey’s arrest.

A “nervous” driver told officers he didn’t realize a small bag of marijuana would lead to his arrest, Shelbyville police said. Robert James Benson, 23, of Tullahoma was stopped recently for allegedly speeding at 47 mph in a 30 mph zone on Depot Street. Officer David Dye said Benson was “shaking very bad” and said he was nervous about being stopped. Officer Tracey Nelson and drug dog Rena were called. The dog detected drugs and Dye said he found a bag and pieces of foil containing marijuana. Benson was charged with simple possession of a schedule VI drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and speeding. He was released on $2,000 bond.-Times-Gazette-

A new bill that is gaining momentum in the state senate would make it illegal for a registered sex offender to live within 1,000 feet of the property line of a senior day care facility or a senior living facility. Right now, it is only illegal for a sex offender to live within 1,000 feet of a school, child care facility, park or recreation facility. Senate bill 2437 is now being reviewed by a senate judiciary committee. The companion bill is house bill 2590 and if it passes, the law will go in effect on July 1st of this year.