Kisha Caldwell got something she wasn’t expecting Thursday morning.
An apology.
Caldwell, Chattanooga State Community College’s director of enrollment services, came ready to testify at James Gaines’ preliminary hearing. He faced a possible three-year prison sentence after making statements that resulted in a two-hour lockdown the afternoon of Jan. 23 at Southern Adventist University.
Frustrated that he couldn’t get a transcript he needed from Southern to get into Chattanooga State on the final day to register for spring classes, Gaines told Caldwell that morning that he might have to “strap a bomb on me” and “put a gun to their head,” to get it, according to the affidavit for Gaines’ arrest. He also said, “I’m sorry. I’m just kidding.”
Gaines won’t do any time. He’ll continue counseling he already has begun and perform eight hours of community service. He also had to issue a letter of apology under an agreement with the Hamilton County District Attorney’s Office. Gaines will appear at a hearing in 90 days to make sure he has satisfied the requirements.