KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) — Knox County Commissioner Brandon Huckaby is requesting a public hearing to determine whether Robert Alex Moody, a member of the Knox County Board of Zoning Appeals, should be removed from his position following an assault citation stemming from an incident earlier this month.
According to Huckaby, police records indicate that on Oct. 10, protester William Wilson alleged that Moody punched him outside a political event at Jackson Terminal in downtown Knoxville. Following the investigation, the Knoxville Police Department issued Moody a citation for misdemeanor assault.
In a statement announcing the request, Huckaby emphasized that he is not seeking to predetermine the outcome of the matter.
“This is a request for a public hearing, not a request to prejudge the outcome. Mr. Moody deserves notice and a meaningful opportunity to respond.”
The next step in the process is for the Knox County Commission to vote on whether a hearing should be held. If commissioners approve the request, a formal hearing would be scheduled to examine the facts of the case and determine whether removal is warranted.
Huckaby’s proposed charges ask commissioners to determine whether Moody’s alleged physical strike was intentional and lacked legal justification. The commissioner noted that any claim of self-defense would need to be fully considered before a decision could be made.
In his filing, Huckaby argues that if the allegations are proven and no legal justification exists, the conduct could constitute cause for removal from the board.
“If established, the undersigned contends that this conduct constitutes cause for removal because unjustified physical violence against a member of the public demonstrates a serious failure of judgment and self-restraint relevant to continued service on a county board that hears and resolves disputes involving members of the public.”
At this stage, the request is only for a hearing and the filing of formal charges. Moody has not been removed from the board, and no hearing date has been set.
The matter is expected to come before the Knox County Commission, which will decide whether the hearing request moves forward.
