Among all the bombshell moments of the expulsion hearings of the three lawmakers now known as the Tennessee Three, former Rep. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, comment about an “admitted child molester” in the House raised a lot of eyebrows.
“For years, one of your colleagues, an admitted child molester, sat in this chamber. No expulsion,” Jones said.
Jones was referring to former Rep. David Byrd, R-Waynesboro.
A series of WSMV4 Investigations revealed that three women accuse Byrd of sexual misconduct when they were teenagers and he was their basketball coach. First reported by former WSMV4 investigative reporter Alanna Autler, one of the women, Christie Rice, made a recording of her conversation with Byrd, where he apologized profusely, but never said what exact for. “But I hope you believe me when I say that it’s one of those things that I think about it all the time, and I always ask forgiveness for it and I hope you forgive me,” Byrd said in the recording. A series of WSMV4 Investigation then revealed that Michael Edwards, the boys’ basketball coach at the time Byrd was coaching the girls, said that Byrd admitted to him more than 30 years ago that he was inappropriate with a student inside the school.
Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, then filed a motion to expel Byrd from the House, writing that “disorderly behavior as described by credible victims in multiple reports.” The motion was ultimately moved to a subcommittee and was never re-introduced. (WSMV 4, Nashville)
But the Tennessee Trump Republicans expelled state representatives, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, because they participated in a peaceful protest against GUN VIOLENCE and the murder of children. Two Black legislators, trying to save the lives of children. But one White legislator an admitted child molester ruining the lives of children is fine and dandy to have remained in office. Nah, Nope, Nada, DO NOT TELL ME THIS IS NOT BLATANT RACISM, based on anything but RACISM!
