FORMER LAWMAN JAILED

Citing a continuing drug problem and the potential danger to the community,
a judge revoked the bond of former Henderson County lawman Bryan Nutt and
ordered him jailed.

"You've become that which you once swore to abhor," 3rd District Judge Jim
Parsons said to Nutt at a hearing Thursday in Athens. "It's the courts
opinion you've lost the better angels of yourself."

Nutt was taken into the custody of Henderson County Sheriffs deputies, with
whom he once worked as the department's chief narcotics investigator. He was
not handcuffed as he was led out of the courtroom.

Because Parsons ordered Nutt to be held with no bond, he will remain in the
Henderson County Jail until the outcome of the cases pending against him.

Nutt was quiet throughout the hearing, occasionally wringing his hands
together under the counsel table and leaning over to consult with his
attorney. He was stoic as Parsons ordered him to jail.

Henderson County Sheriff Ronny Brownlow said because of Nutt's status as a
former peace officer, he will be kept in an isolated cell away from the
jail's general population.

Nutt has been indicted on counts of fraudulently obtaining prescription
drugs and for retaliation in connection to an alleged threat he made toward
an officer involved in his investigation. Since those charges have surfaced,
Nutt also has failed numerous drug tests and been accused of beating up a
former girlfriend and threatening to kill her.

The former girlfriend testified they had both been drinking the day of the
altercation, and that he ended up driving while intoxicated.

His behavior was described as that of a person in a downward spiral by
several who testified for special prosecutor Doug Lowe, the district
attorney in Anderson County.

"Mr. Nutt looks to me like he has spun completely out of control," Lowe
said. "He is not only a danger to himself, but a danger to our community."

This marked the second time Lowe had attempted to revoke Nutt's bond. The
first attempt came in April, with Lowe citing then, as now, failed drug
tests. Nutt initially had been released on a personal appearance bond
following his indictment on the drug charges. Drug tests were part of the
requirements for both his first and second bonds.

As a condition of the second bond, Nutt was allowed to remain free, but on a
$5,000 bond, and had to continue to submit for drug testing. Evidence
submitted to the court at Thursday's hearing indicated Nutt most recently
had tested positive for cocaine and other opiates.

Nutt's attorney, John Youngblood, asked Parsons to consider the fact that
his client had stayed in contact with the community supervision department
and reported as scheduled. Youngblood's arguments and questions seemed to
lean toward seeking some kind of drug treatment for Nutt.

"When you have somebody without a criminal history and who is not a danger
to abscond, I think as a rule we start with the least restrictive
treatment," said the attorney.

Parsons quickly pointed out Nutt had been given previous chances. He even
conceded the law (had) cut him some slack because of who he was before his
downward spiral.

"It's hard for me to be here," Parsons said before ordering Nutt jailed. "I
know you. I know your family. I know your children. I knew you before you
became that which you are now."

A number of Nutt's family members were on hand at the hearing. Several met
with him in private in the court's jury room just before he was taken to
jail.

"I have all the respect for Judge Parsons, but we've all made mistakes,"
said Robin McMahon, Nutt's sister. "Most of our better angels come from
overcoming our mistakes."