Man arrested in Robertson County deputy's death has history of clashes with women

James Jackson Conn — the Smyrna man charged with first-degree murder in the death of Robertson County Sheriff's Deputy Savanna Puckett — has an arrest record in his hometown that is checkered with clashes against women.

This includes a call Puckett, 22, made to the sheriff department's administrative line four days before her death. (She did not call 911, according to local officials.) On Jan. 23, she alerted local authorities to Conn's "unwanted" presence at her home.

Conn, 27, is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 4, according to Robertson County Circuit Court Clerk Lisa Cavender.

August 2019: Conn struck his then-girlfriend in the head, pushed her down a flight of stairs and dragged her through the yard, according to a police report. The victim suffered minor abrasions and bruising to her arms and legs.

Less than a month later, Conn engaged in a heated argument a woman in his car. When she tried to exit his vehicle, Conn shoved her to the ground and ripped her shirt. She sustained injuries to her hand, ankle and foot, according to police.

After the September incident, Conn was arrested then released on bond, with the condition that he have no contact with the victim.

That didn't stop him from harassing her.

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In November, police received three reports of no contact violations, filed in response to three separate incidents that month — repeated phone calls.

One week before Christmas that year, Conn entered the home of his former girlfriend without permission. The victim told police he attempted to open a locked bedroom door where she was hiding.

When Conn failed to open door, he agreed to leave.

Once the woman inside felt it was safe, she exited her bedroom.

But Conn had not left the property. He forced his way back into her home.

Conn was arrested for criminal trespassing and violating bond conditions for a no contact order. He pled guilty to multiple domestic assault charges and criminal trespassing stemming from the 2019 incidents.

Now, he's facing a murder charge in connection with the Puckett case.

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A fellow deputy went to check on Puckett when she failed to show up for her shift at the Robertson County Sheriff's Department.

He arrived to find her home engulfed in flames. She was later found inside, where she suffered multiple gunshot wounds to her head and torso.

Fingerprints matching Conn's were discovered on lighter fluid bottlesinside the home.

Conn was arrested Monday after a standoff with law enforcement at his Odom Court home in Smyrna, according to TBI. He was booked into the Robertson County jail late Monday afternoon, and is being held without bond.

Reach reporter Nancy DeGennaro at degennaro@dnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: What we know about man charged in death of Deputy Savanna Puckett