Carrie Gasaway Pleads Guilty To Theft Today: Repays $49,000
SPRINGFIELD TENNESSEE: (Smokey Barn News) – Carrie Gasaway, wife of former Robertson County Circuit Court Judge John Gasaway who retired last year, was in Robertson County court this morning.
Carrie Gasaway arrived at the Robertson County court building this morning around 11:a.m. and by noon it was over, Carrie pled guilty to a class C Felony. The crime was theft over $10.000 but less than $60,000. According to Assistant District General Attorney Tom Lawson, “In Tennessee, that carries between three and six years. Carrie was given a three year split confinement sentence that will run after the four year sentence she was already given for an extortion charge last year, taking her out to 2022. She already has one year under her belt so she has six years left.
“As part of the sentence, Carrie has to serve 40 days in jail starting on August 10th. After she completes the 40 day sentence there will be 90 days of house arrest and as part of the plea agreement she had to pay restitution in three cases today. The total amount paid to victims was $49,000.”
Why was the prosecution handled by a District Attorney from outside the county?
In Tennessee, any time there is an actual or even perceived conflict of interest in a case, the District Attorney General’s Conference Office in Nashville will request an outside District Attorney Office to come in and prosecute the case.
Because local (Robertson County) D.A.’s practiced in front of Carrie’s husband, Circuit Court Judge John Gasaway, it was (at least) a perceived conflict of interest. Because of that, District Attorney General Tom P Thompson, Jr’s team, over in the 15th district, was asked to prosecute the case to avoid any improprieties or allegations.
After a jury trial last May in a different case, Carrie was convicted of extortion and received four years of probation. That case also involved restitution and an agreement to forfeit her law license for life and waive any right to appeal her case later on. Today’s plea wrapped up cases with three other victims.
The charges that Carrie pled guilty to today were based on acts that occurred in February 2015. The extortion charge goes back to acts that occurred back in 2010. MORE Carrie was under indictment for extortion when the theft case occurred.
Several months ago Carrie asked the court to allow her husbend John Gasaway to act as her attorney. Because of the facts of the case, the State filed a Motion to not allow it because of a perceived conflict of interest. Judge Paul Summers agreed and granted the motion to disqualify John Gasaway as Carrie’s attorney.
According to Lawson, the Gasaway’s were in bankruptcy at the time and could not afford to hire an attorney, so Judge Summers appointed 19th Judicial District of Tennessee Public Defender Roger Nell to act as Carrie’s attorney.
Judge Paul Summers formerly served as Attorney General for the State of Tennessee, which is Tennessee’s top legal advisory office. Most recently, Summers retired as a Judge of Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals but he still hears cases by designation, as he did in this case.
Had Judge Summers not excepted Carrie Gasaway’s plea of guilty today, then the case would have been tried to a jury in Montgomery County in February 2017.
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Mantorvis Young, 23, of Springfield and Shaquille Dunn, 26, also from Springfield are wanted in connection with the July 2 double shooting on 15th Ave West at Bessie Street. The incident started around 7:00 p.m. when two men showed up at NorthCrest Medical Center in Springfield seeking medical treatment for gunshot wounds. One of the men had been shot in the neck and the other in the leg, according to Springfield Police. 
The burglary attempt occurred around 2:30 a.m. Saturday morning. After making one last try at the reinforced door the thieves were panicked into a run by a passing vehicle that turned out to be an off duty officer. The officer quickly passed the pursuit off to other units but the suspects had too much of a head start and got away.
Mary Ellen Carr Mondt, 68, of Goodlettsville, died Wednesday July 27, 2016 at St. Thomas Mid-Town Hospital. Memorial services were conducted Saturday July 30th at 2:00 p.m. in the Oakhurst Chapel of the 
Mrs. Mondt is survived by her husband: Andrew Mondt of Goodlettville, sons and daughters-in-law: Stan and Rhonda Cherry of Hendersonville, David and Paula Cherry of Gallatin, daughters: Kathy Lamkin and Angela Hunt both of New Mexico, daughter-in-law: Jessie Richards of Cedar Hill, mother: Mary Elizabeth Gregory Carr Lipscomb of Springfield, sisters: Frances Adcock of Springfield, Doretha Carr of Springfield, and Mildred Groves of Portland, 15 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren.
Johnnie Clay Allen, 71, of White House, died Wednesday July 27, 2016 at his home. Funeral services were conducted Saturday July 30th at 10:00 a.m. in the Oakhurst Chapel of the 
Carl Edward Swann, age 88 of Cross Plains, TN, passed Tuesday, July 26, 2016, at his home while surrounded by loved ones. Funeral services were held at 12 noon on Saturday, July 30, 2016, at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, with Dr. T.J. Francis and Rev. Rick Robinson officiating. Burial followed in the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church Cemetery with Barry Faulkner, Stephen Hellmann, Josh Holman, Tommy Jackson, Samuel Osborne, Jimmy Pitt, Tom Swinbank, and Blake Williams serving as Pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearers were Bill Chatman, Jewel Clinard, Chuck Faulkner, James Earl Freeland, Lynn Keith, Wilson McKee, Michael Moore, and Will Ed Osborne.
Noralyn Adams Head, age 78, of Springfield, passed away Thursday, July 28, 2016 at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville. Funeral services will be held Sunday, July 31, 2016 at 2pm in the chapel of the Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Springfield with Larry Fletcher officiating. Burial will follow in the Springfield Memorial Gardens with Andy Gupton, Edmund Harris, James Lane, Jeff Baker, Bob Taylor and Adam Wilkerson serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Robert “Red” Harden, Mike Brown, Jack Williams and Ronnie Douglas.
Robert (Bob) Brock Briggs
Age 69 of Cottontown, TN passed away Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at her home. She was born February 12, 1947 in Nashville, TN to William Elbert and Annie Idella Adcock Lassiter. She worked for the Sumner County Board of Education and was a member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. She loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them. Preceded in death by her parents; sister, Inez McBroom; brother, Delpho Lassiter.
Buford Caleb Perry, age 73, of Pleasant View, passed away Monday, July 25, 2016 at St. Thomas West Hospital in Nashville. Funeral services were held Thursday, July 28, 2016 at 1pm in the Chapel of the Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Pleasant View with Brother Corey Minter and Bill Ezell officiating. Burial followed in EverRest of Cheatham with Larry Rediker, Chuck Baker, Chris Cox, Richard Jones, Matt Sparks and Bryson Cox serving as pallbearers. Visitation was held at the funeral home on Wednesday, July 27, 2016 from 3-8pm and again on Thursday from 11am until the hour of service at 1pm.
Michael Brindley, 31, of White House was arrested and charged with Facilitation of a Felony, Burglary, Theft of Property, and Driving on a Revoked License.
Mac Loran Wright, 23, of Springfield was charged with Aggravated Burglary x2, Burglary, Theft of Property x3, and Simple Possession of Marijuana.
Crystal L. Mears, 42, also of White House was charged with Burglary and Theft of Property.
