State of Tennessee v. Sheryl Ann Marshall, Jessica Pickett, and Monica Butler

Case Number
M2007-02718-SC-R11-CO

Three tenants of the Gallatin Housing Authority were indicted under the theft of services statute, Tenn. Code Ann. _ 39-14-104, for failing to report to the housing authority earnings that would have increased their rent. On the tenants' motion, the trial court dismissed the indictments, and the Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the dismissal. Applying the canon of statutory construction ejusdem generis, we hold that the definition of services in section 39-11-106(a)(35) does not include public housing. We therefore affirm the Court of Criminal Appeals.

Authoring Judge
Chief Justice Janice M. Holder
Originating Judge
Judge Dee David Gay
Case Name
State of Tennessee v. Sheryl Ann Marshall, Jessica Pickett, and Monica Butler
Date Filed
Dissent or Concur
No