TN Conduct Board Scolds Judge Casey Moreland Over Handing Of Domestic Assault Case

Judge Casey Moreland is pushing on on calls for him to resign. Credit: Nashville.gov

The Tennessee Board of Judicial conduct has leveled a public reprimand against Judge Casey Moreland for his role in a recent domestic violence case.

In June, real estate developer David Chase was arrested for allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend. He was seen as a potential threat to the victim, so a 12-hour holding period was ordered, known as a “cooling off” period.

Soon after, attorney Bryan Lewis, who was representing Chase, gave Judge Moreland a call. Lewis, a friend of the judge, told him that his client was not in a domestic relationship with the alleged victim, and therefore the cooling off period was unnecessary — this claim later proved to be untrue.

Still, Moreland was able to get Chase released early. “No Domestic Relationship Per Judge Moreland,” a court official wrote on the arrest warrant.

Once out, police say Chase went back to his apartment and again attacked the woman.

Moreland’s involvement in the episode, according to the conduct board, amounted to an abuse of judicial prestige in an effort to advance a personal interest. He’s the ninth judge to be publicly reprimanded in the past six years.

The board of conduct does not have the ability to remove a judge from the bench, but state lawmakers can move to do so. The last time that action was taken was in 1993, against Judge David Lanier. Federal prosecutors charged Lanier with sexually assaulting five women in his courthouse.

Moreland is facing pressure from some state lawmakers to resign. In turn, Moreland has defended himself, saying given what he thought he knew at the time, it was it was the right thing to do. He did, however, express remorse for his actions to The Tennessean. “I regret it. I apologize for it, and I will make sure to get more information next time.”

Last month, developer Chase, 37, stepped down from his role as the lead developer for a Virgin Hotel project slated to open on Music Row. Police have arrested Chase a number of times for implied consent and DUI charges. He has a scheduled court date on some of the charges in November.