State of Tennessee v. Anthony Phillip Geanes - Concurring

Case Number
W2007-02223-CCA-R3-CD

I write separately to set out unique factors used in my analysis concluding insufficient evidence  exists upon this record to support the defendant’s conviction of reckless endangerment. A notion widely held is that whenever people are arguing, participating in fisticuffs, or engaged in fights involving knives, bats, or chairs, the discharging of a firearm into the air has the immediate effect of alerting all participants that a higher and more powerful authority has been introduced into the situation and, therefore, the holder of the firearm is deserving of respect and attention. I feel this notion is misguided and outdated, and although I have found for this defendant, I do not wish to suggest that firing a weapon into the air is not reckless or is safe. Common sense tells us that what goes up must come down. I simply do not know where or with what force the bullet returns.

Authoring Judge
Judge John Everett Williams
Originating Judge
Judge J. Weber McCraw
Case Name
State of Tennessee v. Anthony Phillip Geanes - Concurring
Date Filed
Dissent or Concur
This is a dissenting opinion
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