Newspaper sues to unseal settlement in Tennessee senator's child-abuse case

By The Associated Press

12.25.01

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessean newspaper has sued to open court records about the resolution of child-abuse charges against state Sen. Doug Jackson.

In the lawsuit filed Dec. 17 in Davidson County Chancery Court, the newspaper and reporter Emily Heffter say the Dickson County Circuit Court records should be opened under the terms of the Tennessee Public Records Act and the state and U.S. constitutions.

Jackson, a Dickson Democrat, was indicted on charges of physically abusing his 16-year-old daughter but reached a settlement with prosecutors just as his trial was to begin on Nov. 29.

Circuit Judge Allen Wallace of Waverly sealed the settlement agreement, saying he did so "for the benefit of the child."

Jackson and the Shelby County prosecutors who handled the case against him subsequently asked Wallace to unseal the records, but the judge refused to do so Dec. 6.

No hearing date has been set on the lawsuit, which was assigned to Chancellor Irvin Kilcrease.

"We filed this action because we believe there is an important public interest in knowing the outcome of a criminal case against a government official," said David Green, the newspaper's managing editor.

A source familiar with the case told the Associated Press that the settlement allowed the charges against Jackson to be dismissed but requires counseling for him and his family. The Tennessean also reported the same terms for the settlement, citing an anonymous source.

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Records sealed in Tennessee senator's child-abuse case
Judge refuses requests from prosecution, defense to open settlement, saying bids for access seem to be driven more by media interest than concern for lawmaker's daughter.  12.10.01

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