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Friday, November 6, 2026Nov 6

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Assault charge against former judge dropped

Lawrence Tunnell
Lawrence Tunnell Lawrence Tunnell
photo Lawrence Tunnell

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. — The state is dismissing an aggravated assault charge against a 94-year-old former acting city judge, saying the alleged victim earlier said he no longer wants to prosecute and now can’t be located.

The charge against Lawrence Tunnell was filed against him in January by Charles Smallwood in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred Nov. 21.

Tunnell, reported to be the state’s oldest practicing attorney, was accused of striking Smallwood with his car, knocking him to the ground.

View more at our news partner’s website, knoxnews.com.