Circuit Courtroom Decide Thomas W. Graham formally retired on June 30, 2022, after serving 4 phrases on the bench.

“l was elected the arduous means,” stated Decide Graham. “Once I say that, I imply I needed to defeat an opponent in a major after which defeat the incumbent within the common election. Not very many judges should undergo that gauntlet.”

Decide Graham was elected in 1990 to the Twelfth Judicial District Circuit Courtroom, which covers Bledsoe, Franklin, Grundy, Marion, Rhea and Sequatchie counties.

“It was very humbling,” stated Decide Graham. “We’ve a six county space that we cowl, so I needed to go to numerous courthouses, and go to numerous conferences and numerous suppers, numerous church gatherings, slightly little bit of every part.”

The truth is, he advises any candidate searching for a judicial emptiness to do the identical.

“In the event you actually need it, you have to rise up early and go in all places you may go,” stated Decide Graham. “l went to factories, courthouses, metropolis halls and houses. So, that is what I advised those who’ve requested me. In the event you work arduous sufficient, you may get elected.”

Sitting on the Bench

Decide Graham stated changing into a choose is one thing he felt strongly about early on in his profession.

“l suppose most likely deep down, I all the time thought that may be an excellent factor for me to do,” stated Decide Graham. “I all the time had loads of opinions. That is a spot the place no less than a few of your opinions could have actual pressure and impact. I believe most judges suppose they will most likely contribute one thing in the direction of justice extra instantly if they’re on the bench, so that is what I did.”

Decide Graham stated having a hand in justice is fairly self-fulfilling.

“It is one thing that not everyone will get an opportunity to take part in,” stated Decide Graham. “Day by day, you make selections that have an effect on peoples’ lives in nice methods and small methods. That is what I like about it, actually, simply having a hand in making an attempt to appropriate wrongs. Often, that is what the courtroom system is there for, to appropriate wrongs or remedy disputes in a means that is truthful to the events and the rule of legislation.”

Memorable Instances

As any choose will inform you, there are specific circumstances which might be extra memorable than others. For instance, Decide Graham heard Tennessee’s first DNA case.

“lt was a few fellow who kidnapped a girl from a comfort stand, sexually assaulted and killed her within the woods in Grundy County,” stated Decide Graham. “An important proof was DNA.

Assortment of DNA was an early science then. They did not have the form of possibilities that they do now. I believe the chance on this case, primarily based on what they’d, was about 1 in 15,000 individuals may have matched the defendant’s profile.”

One other memorable trial was held through the time the Tennessee Supreme Courtroom adopted Comparative Fault.

“The opinion got here down throughout a trial I had and we used that opinion to instruct the jury,” stated Decide

Graham. “I am not 100% positive if I made the very first determination underneath the newly adopted doctrine of Comparative Fault in Tennessee, nevertheless it needed to be one of many first.”

Nonetheless, he was the primary and solely choose, to date, to convey “Courtroom TV” to Marion County’s Jasper, Tenn. courthouse.

“l obtained a name from ‘Courtroom TV,”‘ stated Decide Graham. “On the time, that was the one courtroom television program on the market and so they wished to cowl a homicide case that I had ordered to be retried. After all, I did not suppose there was something all that thrilling about that case however they did. They requested if they might come up and put it on “Courtroom TV.” I stated sure as a result of I felt like no matter was happening in my courtroom was open for the entire world to see.”

So, their crew got here from New York Metropolis and arrange a management room in a small area subsequent to the courtroom. The trial, which lasted simply three days, turned out to be extra fascinating than Decide Graham had anticipated.

“We had a retired police officer who was performing because the courtroom officer in that trial and the problem got here up about how semi-automatic pistols labored,” stated Decide Graham. “l did not know this on the time, however our courtroom officer thought he would present the massive metropolis of us within the management room the way it works. Throughout a break, he was again there with all these technicians who’re broadcasting everywhere in the world with this trial. He exhibits them how his revolver works. He opens the cylinder and the entire bullets fall out everywhere in the flooring. It was identical to Barney Fife (from The Andy Griffith Present). I am positive they thought, ‘What on the planet are we doing right here?”‘

The case was additionally fascinating due to the attorneys concerned.

“Johnny Cochran was one of many play-by-play individuals throughout that trial and a few different huge title legal professionals,” stated Decide Graham. “We’re down right here in Jasper, Tenn. It was thrilling, and the case finally ended up actually the way in which I believed it ought to have with the defendant being convicted of a lesser offense.”

Coincidentally, the final day of the trial fell on election day. Each Decide Graham and the district legal professional have been on the poll.

“We each obtained elected,” stated Decide Graham. “Nonetheless the method of elections was working on the identical time the courtroom was working.”

Decide Graham’s movie star standing continued when Decide Perry, who sat on the bench with Decide Graham, known as to inform him he noticed him on “Courtroom TV.” Decide Graham even acquired a particular letter from now deceased College of Tennessee legislation professor and beloved legal professional, Donald Paine.

“Don Paine wrote the e-book on Tennessee proof and everyone has nice respect for him,” stated Decide Graham. “He wrote me a letter saying he was so pleased with Tennessee legal professionals and so they appeared so good throughout “Courtroom TV.” He simply wished to go with all of us on how we dealt with the trial. I believed, that is really excessive reward.”

Collegiality

Decide Graham additionally appreciates the assist he is acquired from his fellow judges through the years, particularly when one thing controversial occurred, such because the time a spiritual group requested county commissions in his district to put up the Ten Commandments within the courthouses and courtrooms.

“We did not learn about this, it simply occurred and I confirmed up one morning to see the Ten

Commandments proper behind me on the bench,” stated Decide Graham. “l took it down instantly and it form of astonished a few of the deputies there. Someone who possibly did not want me properly reported me to the native television stations, so all of them obtained in on that. It was a entrance web page story within the Chattanooga Occasions. It was extraordinarily clear that you possibly can not in any means promote faith in a courtroom. That is for one more place. All my fellow judges totally backed me on the removing and it labored out high quality. It was regarding on the time. I imagine in separation of church and state. It is arduous to take a place in opposition to the Ten Commandments, nevertheless it was the suitable factor to do and I am glad I did it. It may be fairly lonely typically on the bench. Help out of your colleagues is necessary.”

Over the previous 28 years, Decide Graham, now retired Decide Perry, retiring Decide Smith and Chancellor Stewart supported one another. It is time for the “outdated palms,” as Decide Graham calls them, to cross the torch.

“We now have Chancellor Melissa Willis,” stated Decide Graham. “She is a superb individual and fairly competent. We’re supporting her in every part she needs to do as we’ve completed for Decide Angel.

Retirement

Though Decide Graham is formally retired, he’s remaining on the bench on a particular designation via the top of August to cowl circumstances till his successor takes over September 1.

“l have not centered on retirement but,” stated Decide Graham. “Proper now, I’ve 4 grandsons. One is a senior in highschool and the opposite three are underneath six years outdated. Due to the ages I am positive I will probably be spending appreciable time with the three youngest grandsons.”

Decide Graham can be wanting ahead to doing yard work, one thing he actually enjoys.

“So far as different issues, I am going to simply have to attend that out,” stated Decide Graham. “1 used to get pleasure from mannequin trains, however I do not actually anticipate selecting that up once more. My high quality motor means and my imaginative and prescient would possibly make it harder to actually do a lot of that, however it’s a passion I all the time thought I might do after retirement.”

Whether or not or not mannequin trains are in his future stays to be seen. One factor that’s for sure is his time on the bench was fulfilling.

“l had a really optimistic expertise,” stated Decide Graham. “I far more loved the 32 years on the bench than the 17 previous years as a practising lawyer. I’ve loved the privilege of being a choose and dealing with the opposite members of the bar and bench.”

Expertise, Schooling, Honors & Memberships

Previous to being elected to the bench in 1990, Decide Graham held a non-public legislation follow, from 1976-1990.He additionally served because the Director for Authorized Companies, County Technical Advisory Service, College of Tennessee, from 1973-1976; County Lawyer for Marion County, from 1977-1990; and Metropolis Lawyer for the Metropolis of South Pittsburg, from 1985-1990.

Decide Graham acquired his undergraduate diploma from Vanderbilt College, in 1968, and his Juris Physician from the College of Tennessee, in 1973, the place he was President of the Scholar Bar Affiliation and a two time period member of the Dean’s Advisory Council. He additionally acquired the 1971 Excellent Appellate Crew Award, together with future Decide John W. Rollins.

He’s a recipient of the Rotary Worldwide Paul Harris Fellow Award; Excellent Service Award, South Pittsburg Rotary Membership; and the Military Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster for service in Vietnam.

Decide Graham is a Previous Member, Tennessee Bar Affiliation Home of Delegates; Member, South Pittsburg Rotary Membership; Member, Publish 62 American Legion; Member, Publish 6362 V.F.W.; Previous President, Marion County Chamber of Commerce; Previous President, South Pittsburg Rotary Membership; Chairman, Tutorial Awards Committee, South Pittsburg Excessive Faculty; Previous Chairman, Group Re-investment Committee of Nationwide Cornbread Pageant; and Previous Chairman, Board of Trustees of Holly Avenue United Methodist Church.