Coty Wamp is district attorney general in Chattanooga, in office since Sept. 1, 2022. David Tulis is “the blogger with the biggest pen” and “the smartest guy with a bow tie” in Chattanooga, running Copperhead Radio Network and covering law and courts. (Photos David Tulis, district attorney’s conference)
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 – Our good Tennessee law allows you and 9 other people to throw a corrupt official out of office.
Hamilton County court judge Amanda Dunn is waiting to hear from me — or from us — saying that the demands I’ve made against Hamilton County district attorney Coty Wamp are “in abeyance” until after State v. Ray Rzeplinski is heard. A jury convicted Mr. Rzeplinski of 55 felonies Aug. 2 in a case of vindictive prosecution riddled with irregularities.
I am preparing to file suit to oust a lawbreaker holding an office of trust since Sept. 1, 2022
Miss Wamp comes from a noted political family led by former long-time congressman Zach Wamp. She took office in the same election that installed her brother, Weston, as county mayor. He was the best choice for that office and appears to be doing a good job.
But for office of district attorney, “Gen. Wamp” is “conservative” disappointment.
In oppressive actions of which I am firsthand witness, Miss Wamp is willing to abrogate our right to open courts, press freedom, rights of religion, the right of free assembly and related rights of redress and remonstrance.
Every person holding any office of trust or profit, under and by virtue of any of the laws of the state, either state, county, or municipal, except such officers as are by the constitution removable only and exclusively by methods other than those provided in this chapter, who shall knowingly or willfully commit misconduct in office, or who shall knowingly or willfully neglect to perform any duty enjoined upon such officer by any of the laws of the state, or who shall in any public place be in a state of intoxication produced by strong drink voluntarily taken, or who shall engage in any form of illegal gambling, or who shall commit any act constituting a violation of any penal statute involving moral turpitude, shall forfeit such office and shall be ousted from such office in the manner hereinafter provided.
8-47-101. Who may be removed; grounds for removal (emphasis added)
Machinations against liberty and guaranteed limits by the state are in view in this action, nothing in the direction of “moral turpitude.”
Breaches of law, ouster for cause
I have four grounds. She sued me to close the courts building so I couldn’t cover the “2A Ray” trial that began July 30. She demanded, effectively, press censorship and closure of the courts in violation of Tenn. const. Art. 1 sects. 17 and 19. Her grounds were that as a proponent of jury nullification I am a disturber of the peace and the courtroom.
Separately, she is threatening to prosecute me for the “natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of [my] own conscience” in giving legal aid to oppressed and poor people such as Tamela Grace Massengale, violating our sect. 3 of the bill of rights. She has explicitly attacked our right of assembly to “apply to those invested with the powers of government for redress of grievances” and for “address or remonstrance,” art. 1, sect. 23. ‡
I am demanding in the pending action that she “forfeit such office” and that she “shall be ousted” as provided by chapter 47 of Title 8.
We represent the state itself
You are not acting in your own name, or in your own behalf if you join me. We are acting in the name of, and on behalf of, the state itself. That’s pretty high standing, with the injury complained of being against the law and constitution themselves.
State of Tennessee ex rel David Jonathan Tulis et al vs. Coty Wamp will be the styling of the action.
The “et al” refers to you “and others.” We are called relators. We are relating the grievance the state detects as against the law, which it generally intends to uphold. We represent a restraining public power against a rogue or knave.
Because the statute describes relators as being “citizens and freeholders,” I prefer my fellow plaintiffs own land and make their abode in the 11th judicial district encompassing Hamilton County.
There is no cost to participate. I as press member do all the legal work for God’s glory and man’s benefit. If I lose and am assigned to pay her costs, I will ask Miss Wamp to please send me the bill.