I am glad that Jeff Styles presented the details of the event on his website.
Just because the government alleges a crime does not mean guilty. A criminal charge is an allegation by government. Sure, that allegation can be very serious, but the charge is still an unproven allegation until a court of law and Lady Justice has her review of the proof.
A person gets booked on the allegation of government and media publishes, so it all must be true. Right? Wrong, that is why we have defense attorneys. The government is no truth angel in so many regards.
Jeff is a public figure with a huge personality, and we are still a small town. Contrary to popular belief, being an unknown is much better in these situations. I think there is a huge price for being well known like Jeff.
The children and family of public figures are faced with this situation so often. The public figure equation is first order here.
This community has adored Jeff Styles for so long. I cannot remember when I first heard Jeff on the radio, but I have always enjoyed Jeff’s sense of justice. Jeff has always been about fairness and fact on the radio.
I read his website with some friends several times trying to sort out the details. We compared our thoughts. There are many questionable aspects to this event.
Jeff wrote on his website that he has enemies. That made me sad that he would allow any thought of enemies to consume even one minute of his time.
“You (Jeff) have enemies? Good. That means you’ve have stood up for something, sometime in your life.” Winston Churchill
Yes, Jeff may have enemies, because he has indeed stood up for the people in this community. Arrogance of power, an elected official, or developer mad, so what.
I hope Jeff remembers that his fans and admirers are “Yuge” in numbers, and his enemies are a big “nothing burger.”
Jeff, your fans know you will get through this, and justice will prevail.
April Eidson
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Folks always said you was one in a million, and this article proves it. You’re one in a million that believes that load of manure on his website. Perhaps it’s from a lack of tactical experience? Here’s some common sense questions to ask, and put yourself in Jeff’s shoes, which seem to be bigger than needed.
You’ve got a “tactical Tomahawk”, and two loaded firearms. You’re in an event with a man you see brandish a weapon. You choose to react confrontationally. Which weapon do you grab to neutralize the threat posed by a man with a gun? Do you grab the tomahawk or one of the two loaded firearms? (It’s a trick question don’t fall for it.) Now I can assure you, no sane person on the face of the planet grabs the tactical tomahawk. I mean, it’s like the ultimate pun to take a knife to a gunfight, see Indiana Jones...
Let’s pose the question a little differently. Let’s say you’re a narcissistic radio host that likes controlling people. You get into a road incident for miles and miles. You’re at a red light, do you pick up the phone and dial 911 or do you get out to intimidate a driver that you don’t know is armed? If you don’t know they’re armed, a tactical tomahawk should be very intimidating to someone as you approach a car with it.
Here’s the facts, at some point in time everyone else isn’t to blame. At a certain point, even the biggest narcissist must accept responsibility for their actions. What he’s doing is compounding the issue, and I must say it’s beautiful. He might have gotten away with a slap on the wrist if he’d said, you know what shame on me, I screwed up. And guess what, for my monumental screw up I took a bullet for it. Most would agree, even with his former narcotics arrest, he’d likely have gotten probation and maybe anger management class. But now guess what, he gets to relieve himself in the tall weeds with the big dogs. His case is headed to the grand jury. The grand jury is less likely to buy oceanfront property in Arizona as you clearly are.
On a serious note:
There’s no oceanfront property in Arizona either.
James Berry
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Well April, this is where we differ in opinions. For me it's not a matter of what I believe but what the facts are. There's always three sides to the story - yours, mine and the truth. I think we need to wait for all the facts rather than take sides simply because we like someone.
I'm an old lady but I still remember my Dad's advice to me 60 years ago. "If someone is following you or trying to do you harm, never stop, go straight to the nearest police department. I've done that a few times in my life and it's amazing how quickly you lose that person when the PD comes into view.
I have to agree with what I read that the judge said, that he was amazed Jeff hadn't been killed. Wrong place, wrong time, wrong technique. I wish Jeff well, I hope he heals and he's back to enjoy all of his heart stopping hobbies. There's a lesson here for everyone, becoming a ninja is a lot harder than what we think.
Sue White
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I don’t like Jeff styles, but I believe in justice.
Jeff could have handled things much differently by calling 911 during the "pursuit" but when I think about how I would react in that situation, I wouldn't call 911 either as a man defending myself. I would probably react the same. I am so glad that Jeff is finally able to express himself after weeks of suppression by radio and TV.
Look at the attacker, 14 driving violations including DUI, public intoxication, and theft. He was carrying a loaded handgun with no carry permit, then shot someone and fled to "a secure location" 18 minutes later. Jeff Styles called 911 only two minutes after the incident.
I believe Jeff Styles and I will stand up for justice and strongly recommend that everyone listen to Jeff's side of the story on his website JeffStylesAmerica.com
Jeremy Rardin
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While not wishing to express an opinion on the guilt or innocence of Jeff Styles, I think his attorney would have preferred that he not say anything about it in the public domain since the case has been bound over to the Hamilton County Grand Jury.
Mr. Styles should not be discussing his case in the public domain at this time. He can issue all the proclamations he wishes after the case has been adjudicated.
Donald Klasing
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Jeff, you got caught up in a road rage incident and the moment you exited your vehicle and approached a driver with a dangerous weapon in your hand, you were doomed.
Now it’s all a conspiracy and you're a victim.
What’s next? Let me guess, you were driving an older white Ford Bronco.
Please stop.
Michael Burns
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Hey Jeff,
jails and institutions are full with people who are proven to have low or no impulse control. That is a fact. I also know that Tennessee Criminal code does not have have any statutes that have a line that goes something like,” this law applies to all except Prentice Hicks.” I wish they did.
I pulled in front of this guy one time in heavy traffic to go past slower folks, this guy tailgates me, I pull into right lane, he goes right behind me, still tailgating, so I move onto the shoulder so he can go on. He doesn’t . He, a State Trooper in a marked cruiser, turns on his blue lights. I get out of my truck, angry with his driving style, I tell him such, I ask, “Why did you stop me? “ He says, “When you cut in front of me, I couldn’t help but see your registration was expired.” A year later I find from another trooper his dad and his brother both have died recently from cancer. So I haven’t walked in his shoes. And I renew my registration most times on time.
Your lawyer, if you have one, should be telling you to take your rant site down. He should be counseling you to be completely honest with whoever queries you about what transpired prior to your obvious unlawful act. And about your unlawful act. One guy I know says, “The problem is not the problem. The problem is how I respond to the problem.” Plainly said, it does not matter that you interacted with a psychopath who set you off. It matters that you interacted. Period.
God talks to us many times in our lives. If we listen, we can hear what is said. You have just one mouth. You have two ears. Use them also. Maybe you will get community service instead of the workhouse. Your problem is not some fruitcake you met on the road, it is that you didn’t deescalate, call the law, pull over, stop, slow down, or call a friend to calm you down.
From the slow lane, Prentice Hicks