Many supporters cheer appointment of Judge Street

ELIZABETHTON — Friends and associates of First Judicial District Judge Stacy Street responded with praise for his appointment to a vacancy on the Court of Criminal Appeals, Eastern Section. Gov. Bill Lee announced the appointment on Thursday, saying "I am proud to announce the appointment of Judge Street and value the significant experience he will bring to the bench." Street has served as a Criminal Court judge for the First Judicial District since 2013. Gov. Lee appointed Street to fill the vacancy created by Judge Kyle Hixson's elevation to the Tennessee Supreme Court. The appoint ment is effective on July 7, subject to legislative confirmation. Street was in his native Carter County on Friday morning, following Gov. Lee's announcement. He was preparing for a regular morning on bench in Carter County Criminal Court when he was asked by the Johnson City Press about his appointment. "I am honored by Gov. Lee." He said he planned to continue performing his regular duties as Criminal Court judge up to July 7, while the legislature prepares to vote on confirming the appointment. Several of the attorneys in the court on Friday morning expressed their thoughts on Street's appointment. "I am very happy for him, if this is what he wants," said Assistant District Attorney General Dennis Brooks, "but I am very sad we won't have him on our bench anymore." Defense attorney Jim Bowman was also in court and discussed his long association with Street when they worked together on the defense in many of the biggest and most publicized cases in the First District Criminal Court prior to Street becoming judge. "I don't know of a finer man and a better judge, or a better friend than Stacy Street," Bowman said. "I remember when I first met him," Bowman said. "It was at the Washington County Courthouse. I didn't know him. He came up to me and introduced himself. I asked him if he was a lawyer and he said he was." Bowman remembered that the young attorney was able to develop a strong connection with the defendant. "I credit him with being able to communicate effectively with him." From that start, Bowman said he and Street worked on many high-profile cases in the region. He said these included 30 murder cases in which the death penalty was a possible penalty. None of their defendants was ever executed. Bowman and Street were on the defense team in such cases as the Lillelid Murder case in Greene County in which three members of a family were murdered and a small boy badly injured and later on the Wendi Garrison trial in Carter County. As a judge, Street has become well known for forming another partnership, this time with fellow First Judicial District Criminal Court Judge Lisa Rice, as well as Second Judicial District Judge James Goodwin in establishing a drug recovery court. The team of judges went throughout the eight counties of Northeast Tennessee to convince the counties and municipalities to invest funds from the settlement of a pharmacy lawsuit to establish the Northeast Tennessee Regional Recovery Center. Because the judges had to appear at the meetings of each local government to talk to them about the plans, it took a considerable amount of their personal time to accomplish the funding for the center. Carter County Mayor Patty Woodby worked closely with the judges, especially with the effort to get the Tennessee Department of Corrections to turn over the former work camp in Roan Mountain to be the new men's residential facility for the recovery court. Woodby also knew Street before she became mayor, from her time working in the Carter County Criminal Court. Woodby said "This is a proud moment for our community- What has always stood out to me about Judge Street is the care with which he approaches every matter before him. Whether presiding over routine proceedings or complex, high-stakes jury cases, Judge Street treats each case as deserving of careful thought, full attention, and genuine respect for the people involved. That consistency — that sense that every litigant is truly being heard — is something that cannot be taught and speaks volumes about his readiness for appellate service." While Street's appointment must still be approved by the legislature, Sen. Rusty Crowe does not think that will be a problem. "I was ver proud to recommend Judge Street to Gov. Lee. Judge Street is not only one of the most respected judges in Northeast Tennessee, but holds the same level of respect throughout the state." Crowe said Judge Street "has taken so much of his time away from the bench to provide service without our communities." Street's family also praises the judge. His father, Jimmy Street, said "the way he has lived, he has allowed his mother and me to be very comfortable. I am proud of the way he has served his community." Street's sister, Dena Bass said "I am very proud of him and I love him very much. He has always been a great brother."