A special judge has dismissed all charges against Tawana "Tart" Blair in the 1999 triple murder in Cleveland, Tn.
Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood, in a 13-page ruling, noted that a jury in 2009 had deadlocked on most of the charges facing Ms. Blair. Then she faced new charges four years later.
The state at one time was seeking the death penalty against her.
Judge Blackwood also removed former prosecutor Richard Fisher from the case and put Steve Crump in his place.
After the jury deadlock in 2009, Judge Amy Reedy proceeded to dismiss all counts of first-degree murder and second-degree murder (three of each) against Ms. Blair.
Ms. Blair had been shot herself in the Valentine's Day triple slaying along with the three people who died - O.J. Blair, 18; Cayci Higgins, 19; and Dawn Rogers, 25.
The judge also acquitted Ms. Blair on especially aggravated robbery charges.
The only remaining charge had been facilitation of murder.
Her attorney, Lee Davis of Chattanooga, said, “In 2009 Tawana Blair was acquitted of all charges after a jury trial. Today Judge Blackwood again dismissed all charges against her in this latest prosecution launched in 2014 by District Attorney Steve Bebb and carried forward by assistant Richard Fisher. Tawana Blair is not guilty and never was guilty of anything in this case. Tawana Blair is a victim in this horrible tragedy.
"On Valentine’s Day in 1999 she was shot in the back and left for dead, while her cousin and two friends lay murdered in the next room. Over the last 15 years Ms. Blair has been subjected to multiple indictments and a jury trial. At every turn she has been vindicated as not being involved in these senseless murders. With today’s order again dismissing all charges against her, we hope the matter is finally concluded.”
Maurice Johnson earlier was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life without parole.
Michael Younger went to trial, but a mistrial was declared based on prosecutorial misconduct.
Click here to read the order of dismissal.