Cannon On Trial For Rape Based On DNA Match

Wednesday, May 12, 2004

A man is standing trial in Criminal Court on rape charges in a case in which authorities say a DNA test cleared another man and pinpointed him.

Kacy Cannon, 30, of 14th Avenue is charged with aggravated rape in the trial in the courtroom of Criminal Court Judge Rebecca Stern.

Authorities were seeking a young black man in the rape of an 80-year-old woman in East Lake in November 1999.

Elijah Ellington was first charged with the rape.

However, he was freed after his DNA was not consistent with semen found on the victim's pantyhose.

Prosecutor Mary Sullivan Moore said Cannon's DNA was entered into a computer pool after he was convicted of another crime.

She said the DNA from the semen on the pantyhose matched Cannon's, and he was then arrested and charged.

Mike Turbeville of the TBI Crime Lab in Nashville said the semen DNA did not match that of Elijah Ellington. But he said it was an exact match on all 13 points tested for Cannon.

The defendant is being represented by Public Defender Ardena Garth. She said no one saw Cannon at the woman's house that day.

Authorities said a man asked the elderly woman for a drink of water, then he pushed her inside and raped her on a couch.

A neighbor said that day he saw a young black man sitting on a chair on the woman's porch. He said he noted it because it was unusual.

He said a short time later police told him they were investigating a sexual assault on the elderly woman.

Officials said the woman is now in her mid-80s and has dementia and will not be able to testify.

The jury was to begin deliberations on Thursday morning.


Upcoming City Council Agendas

AGENDA FOR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2012   I.          Call to Order.   II.        Pledge of Allegiance/Invocation (Councilman McGary)   III.       Minute ... (click for more)

Wintry Mix Expected Monday Night; Some Closings Announced

A wintry mix is expected in the Chattanooga area on Monday night. There is a chance of rain before 1 a.m., then rain and snow are likely, possibly mixed with freezing rain between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. Rain is likely, possibly mixed with freezing rain, after 4 a.m. It will be cloudy, with a low around 34. The chance of precipitation is 70 percent. Little or no ice ... (click for more)

Thank You, Judge Mattice And Chattanooga

I would like to thank Judge Mattice for handing down a 30.5 year sentence for Kathleen Mathews.  Obviously, no amount of jail time, fines, or lashings can bring back Tim Chapin.   A 30-year sentence will, however, make the world just a little safer.  That's what Sgt. Chapin would have wanted.  He was a protector and sacrificed his life so the rest of ... (click for more)

Roy Exum: What 17 Pills Did To Me

Ah, step into my parlor of first-hand wisdom because, in the School of Hard Knocks, there are priceless lessons that you should know before it becomes your turn to dance. Never in my life have I ever had any back problems but, in early December, I came down with what is called sciatica and I have been a miserable man ever since. There are two big nerves that sprout out of the ... (click for more)

Lady Mocs Host Georgia Southern Monday On Autograph Night

The Lady Mocs will be gunning for their 13th SoCon victory Monday night when they host Georgia Southern at McKenzie Arena at 7 p. m. Following the game, the Lady Mocs players and coaches will be courtside for an autograph session. The Lady Mocs and the Eagles have met 48 times with UTC holding a 30-18 advantage. At home, Chattanooga is 18-4 against Georgia Southern but struggle ... (click for more)

Jay Fowler, Chris Walker To Speak at Quarterback Club

Jay Fowler and Chris Walker of Fellowship of Christian Athletes are the guest speakers for Monday's Chttanooga Quarterback Club at Finley Stadium at noon. Fowler, a Tyner and West Point graduate,  is the director of The Greater Chattanooga FCA, while Walker, a former University of Tennessee football player, is the FCA campus director for the Chattanooga ... (click for more)