Davenport's request for a new trial denied in Tennessee
Tony Charles Davenport has been denied a new trial for his conviction related to a fatal shooting in Fairfield Glade. This ruling came during a recent brief motion hearing. Davenport, who is 60 years old, was found guilty last year of reckless homicide and two counts of attempted homicide. A jury in Cumberland County sentenced Davenport to a total of 25 years in prison. This includes 17 years for reckless homicide and 8 years for attempted homicide, which will be served back-to-back. Because he is classified as a Range II offender, he will serve 35% of his sentence. During the hearing, defense attorney Joe Wyatt argued that the jury's verdict was unreasonable. He claimed it showed conflicting viewpoints on the same crime. Wyatt also disagreed with the reasoning behind Davenport’s consecutive sentencing as a dangerous offender. However, Assistant District Attorney Philip Hatch defended the jury's decision. He explained that the evidence presented in the trial described a violent confrontation that lasted two days, leading up to the shooting. The judge, Gary McKenzie, noted that the jury’s verdict seemed to be a compromise but did not impose the maximum sentences. The motion for a new trial was ultimately denied. Following this decision, Judge McKenzie appointed Wyatt to assist Davenport in deciding whether to appeal the convictions to the Tennessee Criminal Court of Appeals.