Tennessee
Tennessee woman baptized by sheriff’s deputy after traffic stop found dead
(RNS) — Per week after a federal decide dominated {that a} lawsuit may go ahead towards two former sheriff’s deputies for baptizing a girl in a lake after a visitors cease, the girl has been discovered useless.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation instructed a Chattanooga tv station that the physique of Shandele Marie Riley, 42, was present in Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee. Riley’s first identify is listed as Shandle within the lawsuit, and it couldn’t be instantly decided which spelling is appropriate.
Authorities are reportedly awaiting outcomes of an post-mortem.
The baptism, stated U.S. District Decide Travis McDonough of the East District of Tennessee, violated the First Modification. “Any cheap officer would have acknowledged that coerced participation in a Christian baptism — an overtly non secular act with no secular function — was illegal,” McDonough dominated in early April.
The ruling, first reported by The Chattanoogan and Courthouse Information Service, stems from an incident in February 2019, when Hamilton County sheriff’s Deputy Daniel Wilkey pulled Riley over exterior her ex-mother-in-law’s home. In the course of the visitors cease, in response to courtroom paperwork, Riley admitted she had a “marijuana roach in her cigarette pack.”
After Wilkey searched the automobile and located the marijuana, he supplied Riley a alternative: She could possibly be arrested or get baptized. If she selected baptism, Wilkey would give her a quotation however not take her to jail. He promised he would additionally communicate on her behalf in courtroom.
With ‘Christian hashish,’ a pastor is selling the religious facet of marijuana
Riley went alongside as a result of Wilkey was a “God-fearing, church like-man,” in response to the decide’s ruling.
When the 2 went into her ex-mother-in regulation’s home to get a towel for the baptism, in response to courtroom paperwork, Riley instructed her ex-mother-in-law, “I suppose I’m fixing to get baptized.”
The 2 had been met at a close-by lake by one other deputy, Jacob Goforth, whom Wilkey had referred to as to ask him to witness the baptism. Wilkey didn’t inform Goforth in regards to the visitors cease initially, the ruling stated, however even after Goforth realized Wilkey had cited Riley for possession of marijuana, he didn’t cease the baptism.
As a substitute, Wilkey stripped right down to his underwear and T-shirt and waded into the water, and Riley, absolutely clothed, adopted. Wilkey baptized her by immersion as Goforth filmed the occasion on his cellphone.
Gorforth later stated that he filmed the occasion “to guard all individuals current and doc the occasion,” in response to courtroom paperwork.
After the baptism, Wilkey and Riley hugged for a number of seconds and she or he left.
Riley later claimed that Goforth smirked at her — one thing he denies — and stated she felt the baptism was incorrect. The occasion had nothing to do with saving her soul, she stated, however as an alternative was about “energy and management.”
Riley initially pleaded responsible to possession of a managed substance however the fees had been dismissed. She finally sued the 2 deputies, alleging that that they had violated her freedom of faith, that that they had failed to guard her and that the search of her automobile had been unreasonable. She additionally accused them of battery, assault and intentional infliction of emotional misery.
Wilkey, in response to information experiences, faces at the least 5 federal lawsuits and has been indicted on 44 counts of alleged prison conduct. The Chattanooga Occasions Free Press has reported that Wilkey and Goforth are not deputies.
The decide rejected a number of of Riley’s claims, together with the allegation that the 2 deputies had conspired to baptize her, but in addition rejected Goforth’s declare that the baptism had been voluntary. “No authorities curiosity is furthered by the baptism of a detainee by an on-duty law-enforcement officer,” McDonough wrote.
Moreover, Goforth had an obligation to intervene to cease it, the decide wrote.
“And an inexpensive jury may conclude that Goforth had each discover of the violation and a chance to cease the baptism. Accordingly, Goforth isn’t entitled to abstract judgment on Riley’s First Modification declare,” the decide dominated.
Learn Extra: In Catholic Italy, ‘de-baptism’ is gaining recognition
Tennessee
New Tennessee law requires sexual assault and trafficking training for servers
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Starting in 2025, bartenders and servers in Tennessee will be required to take part in trainings with the goal to make everybody feel safe while out on the town.
“Requirement for these server permits to holders to be trained in understanding the role of alcohol and sexual assault and harassment and recognizing the role of drugs and assault and strategies that can hopefully help prevent patron drugging and establishments,” Russell Thomas, the Executive Director of Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission said.
The trainings will teach servers what signs to look out for, as well as what they need to do whenever they notice something that doesn’t look right.
“To identify people that might be in distress or how to deal with conflict resolution as far as customers being inside your establishment and needing some assistance to feel safe,” Yee-Haw Brewery General Manager Charles Ellis said.
Places such as Yee-Haw Brewery have a safe bar initiative. This means they train their staff to look out for those signs and have measures in place for anybody who feels unsafe at the bar.
“All of our staff has been trained on how to spot somebody in need of assistance,” Ellis said. “If there seems kind of fishy, or if they need some help with some domestic issues, we’re trained to be able to help them out.”
One of the big changes this year will be the length of how long one can hold a serving license. The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission says instead of every five years, they will need to renew every two years.
“By increasing the frequency of training that would increase the focus on preventing some of these things from occurring,” Thomas said.
Copyright 2024 WVLT. All rights reserved.
Tennessee
Analyst Sends Titans Sam Darnold Warning
The Tennessee Titans are going to need to make a quarterback move this offseason. It’s clear that Will Levis is not ready to be a starter and Mason Rudolph isn’t a starting caliber quarterback either.
With that being said, many have been urging the Titans to make a move for Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold.
Darnold has put together a massive season so far with the Vikings and has led the team to a 13-2 record entering Week 17 action. He has looked the part of a legitimate star so far this year.
Even though the numbers look great, one writer thinks that Tennessee should stay away from Darnold.
Sam Phalen of AtoZ Sports has warned the Titans to avoid Darnold “at all costs” this offseason.
“You could probably make compelling arguments for or against all of the quarterbacks on the market. But for me, there’s one option the Titans need to avoid at all costs: Paying Sam Darnold franchise quarterback money in free agency,” Phalen wrote.
His warning makes a lot of sense. Darnold has looked nothing close to being this kind of player with any of the other teams he has played with. He could very well be experiencing a big blowup due to the offense he is in and the weapons he is playing with.
So far this season in 15 games, Darnold has completed 67.2 percent of his pass attempts for 3,776 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He has also picked up 205 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
At just 27 years old, he is still young enough to end up being a franchise quarterback for a team if he keeps playing the way he has shown so far this year with Minnesota.
However, the truth of the matter is that Tennessee does not have a Justin Jefferson for him to throw to. Brian Callahan is a good offensive mind, the Kevin O’Connell’s offensive system fits Darnold perfectly.
There is a very good chance that he could end up falling flat immediately after leaving the Vikings.
That being said, the Titans simply cannot afford to miss on their next quarterback move. Another mistake at the position could lead to yet another all-out rebuild.
Expect to continue hearing Tennessee get linked as a fit for Darnold. Phalen certainly doesn’t think they should pay him big money, but the Titans could feel different.
It’s going to be very interesting to see what the upcoming offseason has in store for Tennessee.
Make sure you bookmark Tennessee Titans on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!
Tennessee
SEC transfer defender sets visit to Florida State
Tennessee transfer defensive lineman Jayson Jenkins set a visit to Florida State, his agents at A&P Sports Agency told CBS Sports. He will head to Tallahassee on Jan. 2.
Jenkins officially entered the transfer portal Thursday after announcing his plans to do so earlier this week. He spent three years with the Volunteers and appeared in all 13 games this past season before hitting the open market.
Jenkins totaled nine tackles in 2024, including four tackles for loss and a sack. That came after six appearances in 2023 with four total tackles as a sophomore. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.
To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.
The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and X account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.
Jayson Jenkins played high school football at Trenton (N.J.) Notre Dame, where he was. three-star prospect. He was the No. 1,066 overall player and No. 22-ranked player in the state from the 2022 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
Florida State is once again active in the transfer market as it looks to rebound from a two-win season in 2024. The Seminoles currently have 10 commits from the portal so far this cycle, headlined by former USC wide receiver Duce Robinson – the No. 6 overall player and No. 5-ranked player in the On3 Industry Transfer Rankings. Robinson spent two years with the Trojans, totaling 747 yards and seven touchdowns during that time.
Another notable addition came at quarterback. Former Boston College is also on his way to Tallahassee, reuniting him with Gus Malzahn. The two were together at UCF in 2022, providing familiarity as Malzahn takes over as Florida State’s offensive coordinator.
Castellanos put together a standout 2023 season at Boston College, totaling 2,248 yards and 15 touchdowns in the air while adding 1,113 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground. This past year, his numbers dropped following a coaching change and injuries. He threw for 1,366 yards along with a career-high 18 touchdowns in eight games.
FSU’s group of portal additions ranks No. 8, according to the On3 Team Transfer Portal Index. It appears Mike Norvell and Co. aren’t quite done yet, though, as they line up more visits.
-
Technology7 days ago
Google’s counteroffer to the government trying to break it up is unbundling Android apps
-
News1 week ago
Novo Nordisk shares tumble as weight-loss drug trial data disappoints
-
Politics1 week ago
Illegal immigrant sexually abused child in the U.S. after being removed from the country five times
-
Entertainment1 week ago
'It's a little holiday gift': Inside the Weeknd's free Santa Monica show for his biggest fans
-
Lifestyle1 week ago
Think you can't dance? Get up and try these tips in our comic. We dare you!
-
Technology3 days ago
There’s a reason Metaphor: ReFantanzio’s battle music sounds as cool as it does
-
Technology1 week ago
Fox News AI Newsletter: OpenAI responds to Elon Musk's lawsuit
-
News5 days ago
France’s new premier selects Eric Lombard as finance minister