posted October 9, 2007
A group of 20 District 8 citizens led by Louise Hammonds of Oak Grove said they are filing a petition asking for the ouster of City Councilman Leamon Pierce on grounds of "moral turpitude."
The petition to City Attorney Randy Nelson refers to the arrest of Councilman Pierce for a 2005 incident in which he allegedly hit a handcuffed man in a police car who had spit on him. The councilman claimed that James Jones was dealing in drugs in his neighborhood.
Attorney Robin Flores said drug charges against Jones were dismissed.
The charges against Councilman Pierce have never gone to trial and come up again on Nov. 13 before Criminal Court Judge Rebecca Stern.
Councilman Pierce said Tuesday he had not heard about the petition, but "I have no problems with it at all. It's no problem at all. The city attorney can do with it what he wants, and I will have to deal with it."
He said the case is "a misdemeanor that is still in the courts."
A group of citizens of District 6 recently filed a complaint with City Attorney Nelson against Councilwoman Marti Rutherford over a residency issue. She wound up resigning after Attorney Nelson did an investigation and said the charges were valid.
Councilman Pierce said "a bunch of Marti Rutherford supporters" are behind the petition. Councilman Pierce was vocal in asking for Ms. Rutherford to leave the council over the residency issue.
The Pierce petition says, "A portion of Chattanooga residents and certain District 8 constituents in particular, per the attached petition, have suffered from ineffective representation by Councilman Leamon Pierce since his much-publicized altercation with an acquaintance of his being held in Chattanooga Police Department custody in 2005.
"Mr. Pierce's continued entanglement in this ongoing legal matter has adversely affected his ability to provide equal attention to all District 8 constituents. Mr. Pierce is presently facing a court date in Hamilton County Criminal Court on Nov. 13, 2007 concerning his assault. His actions appear to be in violation of TCA 8-17-101 involving moral turpitude. Moral turpitude is an act contrary to honesty, modesty and good morals. It appears that Mr. Pierce's actions are grounds for ouster from the City Council irregardless of his conviction and your office per TCA is requested to immediately investigate this complaint involving a suspected violation of moral turpitude by Councilman Leamon Pierce."
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