Local News

Robert Brian Arnett could have faced a jury of his peers, attempting to explain his actions of December 1, 2008.

He could have tried to tell the jury his version of what happened in the moments just before he fatally wounded Billy Mardis, Jr.

But he didn’t.

Instead Arnett stood in court on Monday and admitted he was guilty of voluntary manslaughter- a killing that occurs “in a state of passion” under state law.

Words like grand jury and indictment often cause people to take notice. However, take notice is the most they can do because this group is the exception to the open court rule.

Grand juries, who are impaneled by criminal court judges in Tennessee, conduct business behind closed doors. These bodies exist to uncover if crimes have been committed. They are the first stop for defendants who could eventually face a jury.

What goes on in a grand jury room is meant to stay there. The public is not allowed and state prosecutors can be asked to leave.

Adding seven more journalism awards to the ones already garnered this year, staffers at the LaFollette Press were among those honored on Friday at the Tennessee Press Association’s annual conference.

The Press brought home a first place award in editorial writing as well as in the sports writing category.

At Monday night’s special called meeting, the Jellico Utility Board passed the 2009-10 budget.

The budget proposed to the board by Jellico Utility General Manager Mike Bethurem was based mostly on last year’s budget, with only slight changes being made in various departments.

Changes to the budget for the water department include additional funding allotted for chemicals.

“The chemical costs have been increasing,” said Bethurem.