A judge this morning sent the murder case against Jesse Mathews, accused of killing Chattanooga police Sgt. Tim Chapin, to the grand jury.
Red Bank Judge Johnny Houston presided over Mathew's court hearing this morning after General Sessions Judge Bob Moon recused himself.
The state will request the death penalty. No bond was set for Mathews.
A witness testified this morning that Chapin used his Taser on the suspect before being shot on April 2.
Zach Brackin, 26, a clerk at US Money Shops, said that after running out of the shop he saw Chapin hit Mathews with his patrol car. Mathews stumbled, Chapin stepped out and fired the Taser.
“It didn’t phase him,” Brackin said.
Moments later Chapin was dead.
See this website later today for added details and read tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press for complete coverage.
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Ray Vance Mathews, father of accused cop-killer Jesse Mathews, is shown being taken in the the federal courthouse today in preparation for his arraignment this afternoon. He along with his wife, Kathleen Mathews, face charges of accessory after the fact, possession of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence and misprison of a felony, and withholding of knowledge about a committed felony to authorities. Staff photo by John Rawlston/Chattanooga Times Free Press
Todd South covers courts, poverty, technology, military and veterans for the Times Free Press. He has worked at the paper since 2008 and previously covered crime and safety in Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia. Todd’s hometown is Dodge City, Kan. He served five years in the U.S. Marine Corps and deployed to Iraq before returning to school for his journalism degree from the University of Georgia. Todd previously worked at the Anniston (Ala.) Star. Contact ...
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This is a very emotional case especially for those of us who knew Sgt. Chapin but I'm glad that the judicial system is confident enough to ensure a fair trial which is everyone's right that should be upheld regardless of obvious guilt or innocence. I don't think there's any doubt about his guilt but in doing this it will help ensure there will not be any technical loopholes in the verdict. Bravo Judge Moon! Your integrity shows. Also, my condolences to the Chapin family, friends, church family, and all Chattanooga PD Officers for this horrible tragedy. We know Tim is in a better place.
A rope and tree would be sufficient. I'm sure there would be a line of people wanting to pull the noose.
polarize, I agree with everything you wrote.
MasterChef and indian, many of us share your sentiments but the fates of the defendant and his lousy family are now in the hands of the courts. We may not like it but simply have to accept it.
The posts about Sergeant Chapin's murder are a clear reflection of how most in our community feel so very violated due to his death.
Let's stop using the word "accused" and it's sister "alledged"... This is one of the many things wrong with the justice system. Accused? Come on. We execute the innocent and we parole the guilty. And I read yesterday about "plea deals" for family members to testify against the choir boy and lessen their sentences. Come on. I'd personally like to see him chain to a tree in Coolidge Park and announce the time and put it on pay-per-view with all the money going to Tim's wife and kids. I hate to think we're gonna be reading about the Mathews crime syndicate for the next 20 years. End it. End it now for the family.
"See this website later today for added details and read tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press for complete coverage."
The Times Free Press has become the slowest media outlet in Chattanooga. Every other outlet in Chattanooga had the full story up on their site at 1:00pm.
I agree with the pay-per-view comment. Closed circuit executions will help offset lost tax revenue!
I live in chatt and am friends with some of the police. They said when they shot him they shot of his genitals. Life in prison for this "man" would be much, much worse than the death penalty. He'll always be the b*tch!
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