Judge Freiberg: Selective Justice in Monroe County
The High Stakes of a "Fixed" Referee
"Judge Freiberg is currently presiding over the criminal trials of the Isbill 7—the officers and nurses accused in the homicide of Lester Isbill. The public is asking: How can a judge with a history of protecting the Sheriff’s inner circle be trusted to hold the Sheriff’s own jailers accountable for a death in custody?"
When a judge with a documented history of "slow-walking" cases for the Sheriff’s inner circle refuses to recuse himself, the eventualities for both sides are predictable and devastating. The Isbill 7 and the family of the victim are not just fighting a case; they are in a Custom and Policy that has successfully "erased" felonies for over ten years.
The Eventualities FOR and Against the Isbill 7 Supporters
If Judge Freiberg remains on the bench, the "Standard Operating Procedure" of Monroe County will likely follow the Daddy Jones and Wormy Hodge blueprints.
The "Slow-Walk" to Exhaustion: Just as the narcotics case against the Sheriff's father was delayed for three years until it was dismissed, the Isbill 7 face a "death by a thousand continuances." The goal of the "Slow-Walk" is to drain the families’ financial resources and emotional resolve until the public forgets the original crime.
The "Humbug Chaos" Shield: Freiberg has already shown he is sensitive to "Humbug Chaos"—the administrative mess that occurs when a Sheriff’s Department is actually held accountable. Supporters fear he will suppress evidence or limit discovery to prevent a "worst-case scenario" for the MCSO, effectively protecting the department's "administrative track record."
A Pre-Determined "Whistle": Because Freiberg recused himself from the Miranda Cheatham case to protect his "buddy" Stephen Crump, supporters see his refusal to recuse here as a strategic choice. He is staying on the bench because he is the only one who knows how to "manage" the outcome for the Sheriff’s Office.
For those standing with the Sheriff’s Department and the old guard, keeping Freiberg is the ultimate "Insurance Policy":
The "Wormy" Hodge Precedent: By keeping Sheriff’s ally Brian "Wormy" Hodge in a perpetual state of "pending litigation," the court creates a legal limbo. This strategic delay allows a high-profile defendant to avoid a jury, walk free, and maintain his political influence indefinitely without ever facing the consequences of his indictment.
Preserving the Nashville Promotion: If Freiberg were to rule against the Sheriff’s Department or recuse himself, it would validate the "toxic" nature of the 10th District. This would be a direct blow to Stephen Crump’s new role as the Ethics Director in Nashville. Keeping the Isbill case "quiet" and "local" protects the reputation of the man who now writes the state’s ethics rules.
The Legal "Safe Harbor": By keeping a judge who has a history of "pointing the finger" at the DA while simultaneously dismissing the charges (as seen in the Jones case), the MCSO ensures that even if a "foul" is called, there will be no real penalty. It is a system of "accountability in name only."
"Daddy Jones" and the Art of the Slow-Walk
In 2014, Constable Tommy Jones Sr.—the father of the sitting Sheriff—was indicted on eight felony counts for selling narcotics and carrying a firearm during a dangerous felony [
The Eraser — Benny Byrum and the Vanishing Felony
Years later, the system used the same "eraser." In 2018, Captain Benny Byrum was indicted by the TBI for Sexual Contact with an Inmate and Bringing Contraband into a Jail. Because a prisoner cannot give consent, this was a predatory crime.Yet, by July 2020—the same month the DA was embroiled in a blackmail scandal—the Byrum case simply disappeared. He was spared the Sex Offender Registry and reportedly kept on a "Part-Time" payroll. The system protected the "Class of People" with badges, while regular citizens were hammered. Pic shows recent facebook posting 2006--to present day.
