Champion teen to appeal juvenile conviction
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The appeal will be heard by Circuit Court Judge Bart Stanley on Nov. 22. Champion’s conviction before Juvenile Court Judge Larry Ross will be suspended until that time. Stanley, whose court is the court of direct appeal from Juvenile Court, may opt to reinstate the sentence, change it, or strike it down. Champion had been sentenced to six months probation and public service work after he was found delinquent earlier this month on charges of assault and disorderly conduct for allegedly striking deputy Stuart Colwell.
During the hearing for Champion, who was 17 at the time of the offense, prosecutors brought two deputies and a business owner to testify they saw Champion slap Colwell’s hand during a dispute between the two in the parking lot of Tennessee Auto Sales. The dispute happened after Champion’s older brother, Lance Champion, 23, was arrested for disorderly conduct following a dispute with another deputy prompted when Champion accused the sheriff’s officer of speeding.
Stephen Champion maintains he never touched the deputy, but instead stepped between the deputy and his mother, whom the teen said the officer was disrespecting.
The teen was subsequently taken into custody as was his mother, Janice Champion, 48. His father, Hal Champion, 47, was tased by lawmen and arrested minutes later after an alleged confrontation.
In the case of Lance and Janice Champion, the grand jury has dismissed charges against both. Charges against Hal Champion were not presented during the last grand jury session, with prosecutors saying they intend to present Mr. Champion along with Lance and Janice again, at an upcoming meeting of the grand jury.
Prosecutors maintain grand jurors may have been confused by the law as it pertains to indictments they can return. The grand jury will also be under the direction of a new foreman, Jeff Golden, when it next convenes. He replaces Sandra Haynes, whose term has expired.