Farley wants new judge, new DA, new trial

A woman serving 37 years for her part in the murder of an Old Smithville Road man wants a clean slate, asking the court to recuse everyone associated with her case.

Margie Farley, 36, is serving her sentence at the Tennessee Prison for Women in Nashville awaiting her next date before the parole board in 2010. She was turned down during her last early release request and has now filed a motion for post-conviction relief in hopes the court will hear her plea for a new trial.

Farley is serving her sentence for assisting in the murder of Louie Johnson, 63, at his home in 2000. Prosecutors say Farley, who sometimes prostituted herself for Johnson, lured him outside his trailer where he was attacked, robbed and fatally beaten by Braddie Eric Sullivan, who is serving a 35-year sentence for his part in the homicide.

Farley would later turn on her partner in crime, fingering him as the killer. She then changed her story just before the end of Sullivan?s trial, telling prosecutors she saw someone else commit the crime. However, prosecutors did not forward the change of story information to Sullivan?s defense, leading to his conviction being overturned. He later entered a guilty plea to reduced charges.

Given the fact Farley could actually serve more time than the man who was convicted of actually beating Johnson to death, she has filed a motion for post-conviction relief which most offenders file in hopes of early release. In doing so, Farley wants the judge and prosecutor to stay out of the case given possible conflicts, something which will likely happen since they both represented persons involved in the case.

First, Judge Bart Stanley was the original attorney for Sullivan. It was Stanley before whom Sullivan reportedly confessed to killing Johnson, a confession which was overheard by a deputy on the jail?s intercom system. The overheard confession was not allowed into evidence due to attorney-client privilege, but it was enough to prompt the then-private attorney Stanley to recuse himself.

Next, District Attorney General Lisa Zavogiannis was handed the Sullivan defense. The then-private defense attorney would earn her client a new trial by uncovering Farley?s reversal of stories and bringing it to the court?s attention.

Farley maintains that due to their involvement in the case, Stanley and Zavogiannis should both be removed from any part in her post-conviction motion.

In addition to their recusal, her present attorney Rick Stacey wants out of the case. In asking for his own recusal, Stacey points out he works in the office of Stanley?s father, Larry Stanley, and that there could be an appearance of conflict should he remain.

A decision on the motion is expected in the near future, although it is likely Farley?s request, as well as that of her attorney, will be sustained and new attorneys appointed for the recused roles.