Monday, September 16, 6-7 p.m., Hamilton County Courthouse
Judge Neil Thomas, III and Linda Moss Mines, Chattanooga and Hamilton County historian, will lead the first of four Constitutional Issues seminars on “Contempt of Court: The Ed Johnson case.” “Contempt of Court,” published in 1999, was written by Leroy Phillips, Jr., and Mark Curriden. Phillips was a prominent Chattanooga trial attorney and active CBA Member who passed away in 2011. Curriden is the legal affairs writer for the Dallas Morning News and lives in Dallas. The Johnson case was the first criminal case heard on appeal by the United States Supreme Court. Unfortunately, a mob surrounded the Hamilton County jail and Johnson was hanged before the Court’s ruling could be enacted.
Additional seminars in October and November will focus on other “trials of the century” as a part of the Hamilton County Courthouse Centennial Celebration.
Tuesday, September 17, noon to 12:30 p.m.,
Hamilton County Courthouse
Join Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger and members of the Hamilton County Commission, the Chattanooga DAR Chapters, and local citizens as they “ring the bells” celebrating our constitutionally guaranteed freedoms. Jessica Mines Dumitru, TNDAR Constitution Week Chairman, will preside; Mayor Coppinger will speak on the significance of our federal system and the benefits of national, state and local governments functioning in a balance of power and responsibility.
Join students from local schools as they read the Preamble to the U. S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Rumors suggest they might “Schoolhouse Rock” the Preamble.