Tennessee Court Overturns Joshua Gibbons Conviction, Dismissing 1 Charge After 2022 Police Video
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 24
Tennessee Court Overturns Joshua Gibbons Conviction, Dismissing 1 Charge After 2022 Police Video
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 24
Summary
June's unanimous ruling by the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals erased Joshua Gibbons' disorderly-conduct conviction, with judges finding no evidence his criticism stopped anyone from lawful activity.
2022 footage of a Kingsport police SUV speeding without lights or sirens triggered the case after Gibbons followed the officer, criticized him at a drive-thru and later posted the video online.
Within 2 hours of learning about the post, police obtained a warrant from a court clerk and sent 8 armed officers to arrest Gibbons before dawn, according to his lawsuit and FIRE.
Two trials stretched the case across nearly 4 years: Gibbons was acquitted of speeding and phone-use charges, then convicted twice on disorderly conduct before the appellate court threw it out.
A 2023 civil suit against Kingsport, its police chief and officers now argues the arrest violated the First Amendment, potentially broadening the case from one overturned conviction to police-accountability reforms.