News Summary
Celeste Murphy, the former Chief of the Chattanooga Police Department, has been indicted on 17 felony and misdemeanor charges, including forgery and official misconduct. The indictment, revealed by a Grand Jury, follows a TBI investigation into allegations of illegal voter registration and falsifying government documents. Murphy has pleaded not guilty, and her trial is set for January 2026, raising concerns about the integrity of the police department as a whole.
Chattanooga – Celeste Murphy, the former Chief of the Chattanooga Police Department, faces serious legal challenges after being indicted on 17 felony and misdemeanor charges. The allegations against her include forgery, falsifying information in government documents, illegal voter registration, and official misconduct. The indictment was announced by a Hamilton County Grand Jury on June 25, 2024, following a lengthy investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).
Murphy has pleaded not guilty to all charges, which include one count of illegal voter registration, one count of false entries on official registration or election documents, three counts of false entries in governmental records, three counts of forgery, three counts of perjury, and six counts of official misconduct. The stakes are high as Judge Boyd Patterson indicated that an outside jury might be considered due to the case’s notoriety.
The trial is set to commence on January 20, 2026, with several important deadlines leading up to it. A final motion date has been established for January 12, 2026, and a deadline for notice of expert witnesses was set for December 16, 2025. Additionally, a meeting is scheduled for August 2025, where Murphy’s legal team will discuss jury questions.
Murphy’s legal troubles began in April 2024 when TBI agents launched an investigation into concerns regarding her residency in Chattanooga. The findings indicated that she had knowingly provided false information on government documents related to her residency. Due to the ongoing investigation, Mayor Tim Kelly accepted Murphy’s resignation on June 26, 2024, just one day before the indictment was announced.
After resigning, Murphy was booked by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and released on a $19,000 bond. In light of her departure, Harry Sommers has stepped in as the Acting Chief of Police during this transitional period. Mayor Kelly has expressed his commitment to maintaining the integrity of the police department throughout this situation.
This indictment has raised significant concerns not only regarding Murphy’s actions but also about the impact on the Chattanooga Police Department as a whole. Following the investigation’s initiation, Mayor Tim Kelly reiterated the importance of integrity within the department and emphasized the commitment to addressing any issues that arise from this case.
The details of the ongoing TBI investigation remain under wraps, and additional findings may still emerge as the case continues to develop. Legal analysts suggest that the nature of the allegations against Murphy and her role as a public figure could have a lasting impact on public trust and the functioning of the police department.
As the date for Murphy’s trial approaches, the community and officials alike will be awaiting the outcome of these serious charges involving one of their city’s top law enforcement officers. The case emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability in public service roles, as well as the legal process that will unfold in the coming months.
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