Woman in car with Tallent testifies killings were intentional
Dorothy Cash, 33, a Knoxville prostitute, admitted crack addict and Tallent’s former lover, testified that Tallent said, “Watch this,” before plowing into Wilson County Sheriff’s Deputy John Musice, 43, and Mount Juliet Police Sgt. Jerry Mundy, 49, on July 9, 2003.
Tallent, 22, showed no reaction throughout most of the testimony from a series of witnesses that also included a tow-truck driver, a sheriff’s deputy and a Mount Juliet Police sergeant.
Tallent is charged with first-degree murder and vehicular homicide. If found guilty, she could face life in prison.
Charles Shafer, 35, said he stopped his tow truck along Interstate 40 to see what happens when a speeding car runs over spike strips, which were dropped on the road by authorities.
“The car was being steered toward the police officer’s car,” Shafer testified. “It appeared to be a deliberate turn … It aimed for them. There’s nothing that will ever change my mind. I witnessed it.”
Defense attorneys Craig Garrett and David Boyd contend that Tallent was trying to avoid the spike strips and lost control of the stolen 1986 Mercedes she was driving an estimated 120 mph.
Earlier Thursday, the Wilson County Courthouse was evacuated after the Lebanon Police Department received a bomb threat from a female caller using a cell phone, Wilson County Mayor Robert Dedman said.
The building was searched and people were let back in after about 30 minutes.
Circuit Court Judge John Wootten Jr. told jurors the threat likely had nothing to do with the Tallent trial.
“This particular caller has done this for several months,” he said.
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Information from: The Knoxville News Sentinel, http://www.knoxnews.com