‘It’s time we stand up’: Mother of murdered deputy pushes for Domestic Violence Offender Registry
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – In an effort to curb domestic violence, state lawmakers are considering a bill that would establish a domestic violence offender registry.
HB2898, sponsored by state Rep. Sabi Kumar (R-Springfield), aims to create a registry of people convicted of the criminal offense of domestic assault that would be maintained by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). The bill is named in honor of the late Deputy Savanna Puckett with the Robertson County Sheriff’s Office.
On Tuesday, the bill passed through the Criminal Justice Committee, moving one step closer to being placed on Gov. Bill Lee’s desk to be signed into law.
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Current data from the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) showed 2,217 domestic violence cases so far this year. MNPD reported 9,462 total domestic violence victims in 2023. The TBI said the state recorded 62,217 instances of domestic violence in 2022.
During a committee hearing, Kim Dodson, the mother of Deputy Savanna Puckett, testified before lawmakers to push the bill forward.
(Source: Robertson County Sheriff’s Office)
Puckett’s ex-boyfriend James Conn is the man responsible for shooting and killing the 22-year-old inside her home before setting the house on fire in January 2022. In August 2023, the 29-year-old pleaded guilty to three major counts in Puckett’s murder and has since been sentenced to life in prison.
“Savanna was shot times. Yes, 9 times and her house was intentionally set on fire. She was stalked and very afraid at times to even stay by herself. Not only did we lose Savanna, he also suffocated her dog” Dodson said, as she worked to fight back tears.
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Dodson said her daughter’s death could’ve been prevented had she been able to research Conn’s criminal history.
“Savanna had met her murderer online and they went on a few dates,” Dodson said. “When she felt things were starting to seem a little weird, she tried to look up information on Google. All she could find was a marijuana charge.”
(Source: Tennessee Department of Correction)
According to the TBI, Conn was arrested for trespassing in 2020 and two domestic assault charges in 2019.
“If she had known what we know now, she would more than likely have been here today,” Dodson said. “She had a good head on her shoulders and was loved by so many. She didn’t deserve any of this. No one does.”
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Although the proposed registry doesn’t bring her daughter back, Dodson said she’s confident this would be a life-saving resource for all Tennesseans.
“This is both men and women of all races,” Dodson said. “I don’t care what color you are, this is a problem in the state of Tennessee. Maybe we would have less domestic violence cases, court cases, less inmates and most importantly less funerals. It’s time we stand up for our victims.”
The proposed registry would consist of the person’s name, date of birth, conviction date, county or counties of convictions and a current photograph. It wouldn’t include the person’s address, social security number, driver’s license number, or any other state or federal identification number.
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Under the legislation, the defendant would only have to register if their victim consents.
The bill also requires the TBI to remove the defendant from the registry if:
One year after the date of the first conviction if the defendant has no prior convictions for the offense of domestic assault.
Two years after the date of the most recent conviction if the defendant has a previous conviction for the offense of domestic assault.
Five years after the date of the most recent conviction if the defendant has two previous convictions for the offense of domestic assault.
Ten years after the date of the most recent conviction if the defendant has four or more previous convictions for the offense of domestic assault.
Within five days of the TBI’s receipt of a written request from a victim of the offense to remove the defendant from the registry.
If the bill passes and is signed into law, it would apply to those convicted of domestic assault after Jan. 1, 2025.
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