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Thread: James Jackson Conn Sentenced to Life With The Possibility of Parole in 2022 TN Slaying of Off-Duty Deputy Savanna Puckett

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    James Jackson Conn Sentenced to Life With The Possibility of Parole in 2022 TN Slaying of Off-Duty Deputy Savanna Puckett




    James Conn


    TBI: Man arrested after Robertson Co. deputy found shot, dead inside burning home

    By Rachel Wegner and Natalie Neysa Alund
    The Tennessean

    A man arrested after an hours-long standoff in Smyrna was wanted in connection with the death of a Robertson County Sheriff's Office deputy, officials reported.


    Deputy Savanna Puckett was found dead with a gunshot wound inside her burning home in Springfield Sunday night, the sheriff's office said in a news release. She was 22.


    The standoff ended around 11:30 a.m. Monday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation reported. The standoff was on Odom Court in Smyrna and stemmed from the execution of a search warrant, TBI said.


    Officials did not release any information about the man arrested or his relationship to Puckett.


    "The investigation remains active and ongoing, and we'll provide more details as soon as we're able to do so," TBI said in a tweet.


    Another deputy went to check on Puckett around 5 p.m. Sunday when she did not report for her shift and found her home in the 5100 block of Highway 41 in Springfield engulfed in flames, the release said. The deputy was not able to make it inside due to the extent of the fire. Once firefighters arrived, they found Puckett inside.


    She was a four-year veteran on the force, according to the release. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation confirmed it is investigating the fire and Puckett's death.


    “Words cannot express the sadness and grief that Savanna’s family and her Sheriff’s Office family are facing right now," Sheriff Michael Van Dyke said in the release. "This is a tragedy that we are processing minute by minute.

    Please keep Savanna, her family and the Sheriff’s Office in your thoughts and prayers."


    It was not immediately clear if the gunshot wound or the fire caused Puckett's death.


    The cause and origin of the fire remained under investigation Monday.

    'A mother hen'

    "We are all heartbroken and working to lay Deputy Puckett to rest," Robertson County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Jessica Drake said.

    The sheriff's office released the following statement Monday afternoon:

    "Patrol Deputy Savanna Puckett is a great loss to all of us here at the Sheriff’s Office. We will grieve her death today, tomorrow, and many days to come. Savanna started her career at the Sheriff’s Office as a Corrections Officer in December of 2017 at the age of 18 and was promoted to Booking Officer in the Detention Facility in November of 2018. Savanna had aspirations of advancing her career to the Patrol Division and made that dream a reality when she was promoted to Patrol Deputy in May 2020, and officially graduated from Walter State Law Enforcement Academy in September 2020. In the 4 years that Savanna was with the Sheriff’s Office, she touched the lives of everyone. Savanna was the one who always showed up early to her shift with a smile on her face. She was hardworking and cared deeply for each and every person here. She was a mother hen to us all and frequently cooked meals and baked goodies for her shift. She was tough, courageous, kind, compassionate, and had an infectious personality that will always be remembered."

    Sheriff: Escort of Puckett's body planned for afternoon

    Puckett's body will be escorted along Highway 41 South through Ridgetop, Greenbier and Springfield this afternoon, the sheriff's office said in a Facebook post.

    The escort will end at Springfield Memorial Gardens around 2:30 p.m.


    "All intersections will be blocked when the escort comes through," the post said. "Thank you to anyone who wants to pull over and pay their respects to Deputy Puckett."


    This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

    https://www.tennessean.com/story/new...me/6633848001/
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    Man charged with murder, arson in death of Robertson Co. Sheriff's deputy

    By Caroline Sutton
    WTVF News

    SMYRNA, Tenn. (WTVF) — A man has been taken into custody and charged with the murder of a Robertson County Sheriff's deputy after a more than 14-hour long standoff in Smyrna.

    TBI announced Monday evening 27-year-old James Conn was charged with murder and arson in the death of Robertson County Deputy Savanna Puckett.

    Puckett was found dead inside her burning home late Sunday evening after not reporting to her assigned shift.

    Several law enforcement agencies, led by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, had been outside a home on Odom Court since Sunday night.

    A neighbor who lived next-door described the scene as "just massive chaos, cops running around everywhere and he wouldn't come outside so they had to do what they had to do."

    The neighbor says the suspect lived in the home with his mother and was found hiding in the attic.

    "I've known him since he was a baby so they've lived here for over 20 years. So I've watched him grow up and it's just weird, it's just not him," said the man. "He came out with cops surrounded him so it was hard to see him, but they put him in the back of a vehicle and took him away."

    Conn was booked in to the Robertson County Jail where he is being held without bond.

    https://www.newschannel5.com/news/se...doff-in-smyrna
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    Affidavit: Fingerprints on lighter fluid bottles led investigators to man accused of killing deputy

    By Caroline Sutton
    channelnews5.com

    SPRINGFIELD, Tenn. (WTVF) — Fingerprints found on empty lighter fluid bottles led investigators to the suspect in the death of a Robertson County deputy, according to the arrest affidavit.

    Savanna Puckett was found dead in her home on Sunday evening with gunshot wounds to her head and torso. She was 22 years old.

    The Robertson County Sheriff's Office said Puckett did not report to her assigned shift at 5 p.m. on Sunday. Another deputy then went to check on her at her home on Highway 41 N. and found it on fire.

    Puckett was pulled from her home, which was damaged by fire, and pronounced dead at the scene. In the room she was found, investigators discovered a .40 caliber cartridge casing and two empty lighter fluid bottles. Puckett's Glock 22 .40 caliber service weapon was not found.

    After the bottles were forensically analyzed, the affidavit said two latent prints were discovered on one of the bottles, confirmed to 27-year-old James Conn.

    Conn was arrested on Monday afternoon after an hours-long standoff in Smyrna. He is facing charges of aggravated arson and first-degree murder in Puckett's death. He was previously convicted of domestic assault and aggravated criminal trespassing.

    https://www.newschannel5.com/news/af...killing-deputy
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    Edited:

    911 call: Accused murderer was told to stay away from Robertson Co. deputy days before she died

    By Caroline Sutton
    channelnews5.com

    SPRINGFIELD, Tenn. (WTVF) — Days before she was killed, a Robertson County deputy called police to report her ex-boyfriend showed up at her house uninvited after he was asked to stay away from her.

    In a 911 call made on January 19, Deputy Savanna Puckett is heard telling the dispatcher her ex-boyfriend James Conn was an "unwanted guest" who pulled into her driveway. Conn is accused of killing Puckett on January 23.

    Puckett told the dispatcher Conn showed up at her home uninvited the night before and was told to stay away from her house. She added no threats had been made at the time.

    The dispatcher remained on the line with Puckett until an officer arrived.

    Conn has previous convictions of aggravated criminal trespassing and domestic assault from 2019.

    https://www.newschannel5.com/news/91...efore-she-died
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    Judge finds probable cause to send James Conn's case to grand jury

    By Rebecca Cardenas and Joe Wenzel
    WSMV News

    SPRINGFIELD, TN (WSMV) - A Robertson County judge found probable cause to send the case of the man accused of killing a Robertson County deputy to the grand jury.

    On Jan. 23, Robertson County Deputy Savanna Puckett was shot to death and found inside her Springfield home set on fire. Investigators arrested 27-year-old James Conn, described as Puckett's acquaintance with her death.

    Authorities charged him with first-degree murder and aggravated arson.

    After the decision, Conn will continue to be held without bond. On Thursday, the state has yet to determine whether this will be a death penalty case.

    Puckett made the 911 call from her home on Jan. 19, just days before her death. TBI special agents arrested Conn at his Smyrna home the next day.

    The 911 call made by Puckett lasted 2 minutes and 45 seconds. It's the only 911 call received by Robertson County 911 from Puckett. In the ring, you notice the concern in Puckett's voice, fearing the man now charged in her death.

    "I need an officer at my house," Puckett told dispatchers during that call on Jan. 19.

    Puckett had only been with the Robertson County Sheriff's Office for four years.

    News4 put the timeline together based on testimony in Robertson County court:

    Jan. 19, 2022

    That morning, Sargeant Megan Ketchum testified to receiving a call from Deputy Savanna Puckett, a coworker, whom she considered a friend. "She seemed scared, and I immediately picked up on that," Puckett told her she was following a Honda Civic that had just pulled out of her driveway. She tailed it in her car to Tom Austin Highway in Springfield, where she got close enough to read the license plate. "I asked her, 'Who do you think it is before I do anything with it?'" Ketchum recalled from the witness stand. "And she then responded, 'I believe it may be James Jackson Conn.'" Ketchum said the plate was registered to Conn.

    Hours later that same day. Ketchum received another call from Puckett. "At that time, she seemed more scared, and her voice was shaking, and she was asking where I was and if I could help her." Puckett reportedly told her she had just made eye contact with Conn through the window of her home, where he had shown up a second time. Ketchum told Puckett to call dispatch, which she did, and then responded to the house herself. Once there, Ketchum intercepted Conn as he pulled out of the driveway.

    "He advised me that he wanted to apologize and to see Savanna and her dog, Chloe, one last time," Ketchum said. "I then asked him to leave the property and that that was his warning by law enforcement that he is not to be at the property." She testified that Puckett never filed an order of protection but that Conn was advised he could be charged if he contacted her again.

    Puckett spent that night at Ketchum's house, where Ketchum said she equipped her with new locks for her home and a different loaded firearm.

    Jan. 22, 2022

    Conn is spotted on surveillance footage around 7:30 p.m., walking into a Dollar General just over a mile from Puckett's home. He was wearing a Carhartt brand jacket and brown boots. He purchased Hot Hands and left his car in the parking lot until the following morning. Investigators believe he would spend the next 16 hours in and around Puckett's home.

    Jan. 23, 2022


    11:40 a.m.


    Once again, Conn is picked up by Dollar General surveillance cameras. He is no longer wearing the jacket and has on a red pair of shoes. He drives his car out of the parking lot.

    2:30 p.m.

    Investigators testified to obtaining surveillance footage from a Smyrna Walmart. Conn can be seen buying lighter fluid and tiki torch fuel, consistent with what would later be found inside Puckett's home.

    5 p.m.


    After she didn't report to work, firefighters were called to Puckett's home. The house was found engulfed in flames. Part-time Springfield firefighter Matthew Vogel testified that when he arrived, flames were coming out of the windows, and the fire had burned a crater-sized hole into the middle of the home, which he fell through more than once. He was eventually able to crawl down a hallway that led to Puckett's bedroom, where he found her lying on the floor with blood on her face.

    "I was going to see if she was responsive, to see if I could feel her pulse or see if she was breathing. I noticed at that time she had a blanket over top of her," he told a judge Thursday. Vogel was later told by EMS personnel that Pucket was shot and died.

    Vogel and TBI agents testified to finding two plastic bottles inside Puckett's room, collected and identified as charcoal lighter fluid and tiki torch fuel. TBI Fire Investigator Russell Robinson testified to seeing irregular burn patterns consistent with ignitable liquids.

    A certified latent prints examiner said she matched two prints found on the lighter fluid bottle to Conn's. A former Smyrna police officer testified to taking Conn's fingerprints in 2019 when he was arrested for an unrelated domestic incident.

    When TBI Special Agent James Scarbro arrived at the home on the 23rd, Puckett was advised to be shot eight times. He interviewed neighbors who told him Conn had been at the house days prior and caused a disturbance.

    Neighbors described him," 'She broke up with him, and he didn't like it."

    https://www.wsmv.com/news/judge-find...cff994e1d.html
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    Tennessee to seek death penalty for man accused of killing Robertson County deputy

    KIRSTEN FISCUS | NASHVILLE TENNESSEAN

    Tennessee will seek the death penalty for a man accused of killing a Robertson County deputy and setting her home on fire.

    19th District Attorney General Robert Nash confirmed his office filed paperwork Friday morning to seek the death penalty for James Jackson Conn.

    Savanna Puckett, 22, died Jan. 23 as a result of multiple gunshot wounds. Puckett was a four-year veteran of the Robertson County Sheriff's Office.

    Puckett called 911 days before her death to report Conn, 27, trespassing on her property.

    "He was told to stay away from my house," Puckett said in a call to Robertson County Dispatch recorded at 8:25 p.m. on Jan. 19.

    A fellow deputy, who responded to that 911 call, testified that she gave Puckett an additional firearm to protect herself.

    Puckett's service weapon was found on the scene in her holster, but the backup weapon, given to Puckett by Ketchum, was not found at the scene, officials said.

    On the day Puckett died, a deputy found her home engulfed in flames after she didn't clock in for work. A firefighter found her body on the bedroom floor of her home under a blanket with blood on her face, according to autopsy and police reports.

    After her body was removed from the home, it became apparent Puckett had been shot. An autopsy report shows she was shot eight times: in the head, right arm and right breast, left breast, left forearm, left hand and three times in the back.

    Conn was arrested the day after Puckett's death following an hourslong standoff with law enforcement at his Smyrna home. He was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated arson in connection with Puckett's death.

    https://amp.tennessean.com/amp/7249099001
    Thank you for the adventure - Axol

    Tried so hard and got so far, but in the end it doesn’t even matter - Linkin Park

    Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever. - Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekt

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  7. #7
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    New hearing date set for Conn murder case

    By Tyler Graves
    Robertson County Connection

    A new hearing date of Oct. 28 has been set for the case of James Jackson Conn, the man charged in the murder of Robertson County Sheriff Deputy Savanna Puckett in January.

    At a status hearing in Robertson County Circuit Court last Friday, the new date was agreed upon between Conn’s attorney, District Public Defender Roger Nell and Assistant District Attorney Jason White with presiding Circuit Court Judge Robert Bateman.

    Nell also stated that Conn has waived his right to appear at the next hearing. Conn also was not present Friday morning.

    Conn is facing up to six different charges, including aggravated arson and first-degree murder for his role in the death of Puckett.

    After an initial disposition hearing on Feb. 10, the case was bound over to Robertson County Circuit Court, where Conn appeared in front of a Grand Jury during a March 16 court hearing. At an arraignment held in front of Judge Bateman on this date, District Attorney Robert Nash filed to seek the death penalty.

    Conn is accused of killing Puckett inside her Springfield home on Hwy. 41 North and then setting it on fire on Jan. 23. He was eventually arrested on Jan. 24 at his Smyrna home after an hours-long standoff with law enforcement.

    Investigators in the case stated that Puckett was found dead inside her Springfield home by members of the local fire department with multiple gunshot wounds to her head and torso.

    According to court documents, TBI investigators recovered one .40 caliber cartridge casing and two empty lighter fluid bottles from inside the home. Investigators found latent fingerprints belonging to Conn on the bottles. Puckett’s .40 caliber service weapon was not found.

    According to Nash, a formal trial date will likely not occur until sometime next year.

    The Connection will continue to provide more updates as the case moves forward.

    https://www.robertsoncountyconnectio...b25186a89.html
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  8. #8
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    Man pleads guilty to murdering Robertson Co. deputy

    By Caleb Wethington

    NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - A man pleaded guilty to murdering a Robertson Co. deputy in court on Thursday morning.

    James Conn pleaded guilty to three major counts in the murder of Deputy Savanna Puckett inside her home in January of 2022.

    Conn pleaded guilty to first-degree premeditated murder, aggravated arson and aggravated burglary. His plea deal avoids the death penalty and sentences to life with the possibility of parole.

    He will not be eligible for parole for at least 75 years due to the severity of the charges.

    Conn killed Puckett inside her Springfield home and then set it on fire on Jan. 23, 2022. The next day, Conn was arrested at his Smyrna home after an hours-long standoff with law enforcement.

    Puckett had called 911 just days before her death. In the 911 call, she told dispatchers they needed an officer at her house on Jan. 19. She explained to dispatchers what was going on at her home on Highway 41 North.

    “I have an ex here that should not be here. An unwanted guest,” she said, taking a deep sigh. “He just pulled into my driveway. County did a report for me last night cause he was here and was not supposed to be here, and he just pulled into my driveway again.”

    Puckett was found dead on Jan. 23 with multiple gunshot wounds to her head and torso. Court documents said investigators recovered one .40 caliber cartridge casings and two empty lighter fluid bottles from inside the burning home. Investigators found latent fingerprints of Conn’s on the bottles. Puckett’s Glock 22 .40 caliber service weapon was not found.

    https://www.wsmv.com/2023/08/03/man-...outputType=amp
    Thank you for the adventure - Axol

    Tried so hard and got so far, but in the end it doesn’t even matter - Linkin Park

    Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever. - Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekt

    I’m going to the ghost McDonalds - Garcello

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