Tennessee
Tennessee to launch first-in-the-nation domestic violence offender registry Jan. 1
Tennessee will become the first state in the nation to launch a public domestic violence offender registry, a new tool supporters say could help prevent future violence by making repeat abusers easier to identify.
The registry, created under Savanna’s Law, takes effect Jan. 1 and applies to people convicted of domestic violence offenses at least twice. It is named after Savanna Puckett, a Robertson County sheriff’s deputy who was found shot to death inside her burning home in 2022.
Puckett, 22, died at the hands of her ex-boyfriend James Jackson Conn, who pleaded guilty to first-degree premeditated murder, among other charges, and is serving a life sentence.
It wasn’t until after the tragedy that investigators discovered Conn had a history of domestic violence and stalking.
“Tennessee is number four in states where men kill women,” said Verna Wyatt with Tennessee Voices for Victims. “So, we have a domestic violence epidemic.”
A procession is held following a celebration of life for fallen Deputy Savanna Puckett. (WZTV)
What the registry includes
Under the new law, the registry will be managed by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and will include:
- The offender’s name
- Photograph
- Date of birth
- Date and county of conviction
It will not include home addresses, Social Security numbers, or driver’s license information.
Offenders could remain on the registry anywhere from two to 20 years, depending on the number of qualifying convictions.
A law shaped by tragedy
The legislation was sponsored in the House by Sabi Kumar of Springfield and passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in both chambers back in April.
During debate, Kumar told lawmakers the registry could have changed the outcome for Puckett, who worked in law enforcement but was unable to easily find domestic violence-related charges connected to her partner before her death.
“If there was a registry for such violent offenders, Savannah being involved with law enforcement would have checked it, and a tragedy could have been avoided,” Kumar said on the House floor.
Senate sponsor Becky Massey echoed that concern, noting that despite Puckett’s position as a deputy sheriff, critical information about her partner’s past was not readily accessible.
Support from victim advocates
Advocates for survivors say the registry offers an additional layer of protection, not just for victims, but for the public at large.
“Victims always have a fear about their offender going back out and doing the same thing to someone else,” Wyatt said. “It gives you a heads up. Domestic violence doesn’t make sense, but the patterns do.”
Wyatt said the registry could help people make informed decisions when dating, hiring, or trying to protect loved ones, similar to how sex offender registries are already used.
Governor Bill Lee signs “Savanna’s Law”{ }
First of its kind
Tennessee is the first state to establish a registry specifically for repeat domestic violence offenders. While a few states maintain broader violent offender registries, none are tailored solely to domestic violence. Past efforts in states like Texas and New York failed to gain traction.
Lawmakers behind Savanna’s Law say the goal is prevention, not punishment, and giving people access to information that previously required digging through court records across multiple jurisdictions.
The registry officially goes live Jan. 1, 2025.
Sam Purcell felt good about the game plan for Mississippi State women’s basketball’s matchup with Tennessee.
But the Bulldogs gave up 26 points in the first quarter and trailed by seven points. It was a deficit they never recovered from in a 90-80 loss to the Lady Vols at Humphrey Coliseum on Jan. 8.
“You look at that that first quarter, I thought it was crucial. We had a great scout, a great game plan, but we didn’t talk on ball screens,” Purcell said. “Their largest quarter was that first quarter, and we’re going to watch back and go, dang it, we need to be more vocal. And you got to give them credit – top to bottom, they’re probably as good as anybody in the country with athleticism. So you can’t let those athletic kids turn the corner for wide open layups, and we did.”
Kharyssa Richardson and Madison Francis led the Bulldogs with 22 points each, but MSU didn’t have enough defense to pull off the upset.
Had Mississippi State been able to slow down Tennessee’s drivers in the first quarter, it may have been a different result. But once the Bulldogs started slowing that down, the Lady Vols were “phenomenal hitting some big-time shots,” Purcell said.
Tennessee only had the edge in points in the paint, 42-40, but it also went 10-for-27 on 3-pointers, which was an area Mississippi State couldn’t match. The Bulldogs shot 2-for-13 from deep.
MSU also couldn’t stop Tennessee freshman point guard Mia Pauldo, who scored a game-high 26 points on 8-for-12 shooting. The Bulldogs sent her to the foul line time and time again, and she went 8-for-9 on free throws.
“I thought (Pauldo) was poised, she was clutch,” Purcell said. “Obviously, that’s what you need in games like this that are gonna come down the to the wire. You need players to step up, and I thought she was the X factor for them.”
The Tennessee Volunteers have been one of the main teams when it comes to producing talent and sending talent to the NFL, which is something that has often been discovered as a standard for the football program. This is something that has been going on for quite some time and isn’t anything new to the news cycle, as the Vols have been able to produce plenty of talented prospects.
Tennessee is the home of many stars, including some of the best defensive players in SEC history. Guys like Eric Berry have found their way through the Tennessee program and onto the NFL, where they would have legendary careers. However, the defensive side of the football is the only side that has produced plenty of talent, as Tennessee has produced a lot of offensive talent as well. With the likes of Peyton Manning and company, the Vols have shown a great track record in getting talent drafted.
The Vols have produced someone who could be considered as one of the best players to play the Tide end position, as the Knoxville, Tennessee program is the home to Dallas Cowboys legend, Jason Witten. Witten is someone who made the most of his career and has been viewed as a top player at the Tide in position, and someone who is often referred to as a legend for the Cowboys, along with being a legend in the game of football as a whole.
Jason Witten Accepts TE Coach Position For Oklahoma
Witten is now taking a new gig, which has him in a huge role inside the Southeastern Conference. The Vols legend is now the tight end coach for the Oklahoma Sooners. The Sooners have had some success out of their tight ends in the past, but the sky is the limit with a guy like Witten coaching up the players. Witten has the opportunity to do really well, as coaching tight ends won’t be an issue, and you have to imagine that he will be able to recruit very well, considering he has a huge name around him, as this is something that we have seen from positional coaches as well as head coaches who have done great work in the league. You have to imagine that the Vols will now have stiff competition for his son, Cooper, who is a five-star recruit for the upcoming 2027 class at the linebacker position.
More Vols News
The Tennessee Volunteers are looking to land many of the nation’s best players in the transfer portal to replace the players who have already announced they are transferring away from Tennessee. One of the players they lost very early on to the portal, and his plans of entering the portal is Boo Carter.
Carter is someone who has quickly made a name for himself, as he played for the Vols as a freshman. He also played for the Tennessee Vols this past season before suffering an injury that sidelined him for the rest of the season. Carter entered the portal and left an announcement on his X page for those interested. Here is what was said.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank The University of Tennessee Coaches, administrators and fans for a wonderful 2 years. Unfortunately my season has been cut short due to injury. I have decided to enter the transfer portal and I am excited about the opportunities going forward!-Boo Carter”
Boo Carter Visits Vanderbilt
Now that the portal is here, he has started to hear from many teams, including a team many anticipated to be in the picture. The Vols DB heard from the Vanderbilt staff and is now reportedly visiting them. This is a school where many of his friends go currently, and a school that has been doing well, but it is no secret that this is one of the Vols’ biggest rivalries.
He is undecided on a possible commitment somewhere, but the reports have started to indicate that the Commodores are a team to watch moving forward. This will be one to watch for the Vols, as there is a good chance they may see Carter next season.
“Dynamic athlete who quickly made an impact on defense and special teams as a true freshman … Earned the starting STAR position and shined while becoming a dangerous weapon as a punt returner as a true freshman in 2024 … Saw action as a slot receiver as well during 2025 spring practices … Early enrollee in January 2024 who participated in Citrus Bowl practices and spring practice before his true freshman season … Has compiled 63 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, three forced fumbles, three pass breakups and one interception on defense in his career … Dynamic punt returner who averages 16.0 yards per return in his career … Played in 21 career games and made five starts,” the Tennessee Vols athletics website stated.
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