Casada, Cothren defense lawyers seek mistrial in federal corruption case
The corruption case of former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada and his ex-chief of staff Cade Cothren hit a snag on May 6 as defense lawyers formally moved for a mistrial.
The issue came after prosecutors mistakenly played part of recorded interview between Casada and FBI agents that was supposed to be redacted for jurors.
Prosecutors admitted the error and jurors were sent home for the day, as defense lawyers for Casada and Cothren discussed whether to move for a mistrial.
Federal District Judge Eli Richardson, who will ultimately decide whether to declare a mistrial, said the error was understandable but seriousness.
'We just can't have an error like this,' he said.
Former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada arrives with his attorneys at the Fred D. Thompson Courthouse for his trial on federal charges ranging from theft to money laundering conspiracy Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Nashville, Tenn. Casada and his former top aide Cade Cothren face 20 fraud related charges that could to decades in prison.
Casada and Cothren each face up to 20 years in prison for charges connected to an alleged bribery scheme involving a shadowy political mailer company that was used by Republican state lawmakers.
Prosecutors allege that Cothren formed a mailer company called Phoenix Solutions to hide his identity after he was fired and blacklisted following a lewd and racist texting scandal. He then allegedly conspired with Casada to pressure fellow lawmakers into using the mailer company in return for kickbacks.
The defense has argued the case is a form of political payback from the current House speaker.
Jurors on May 5 heard a two-and-half hour recording of FBI agents grilling Casada in his home about Cothren and Phoenix Solutions.
In the FBI interview, Casada mentions that current House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, would not have approved the state's contract with Phoenix Solutions had he known that Cothren was involved.
Prosecutors had agreed not to play that part for jurors.
Defense lawyers were concerned that the statement could be prejudicial to Cothren under a legal term called the 'Bruton issue,' where the statement of one co-defendant implicates another co-defendant.
In lieu of pushing for a mistrial, attorneys were also considering possibly modifying juror instructions.
The trial is now in its third week. A mistrial would mean the case would start over with a new jury.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Glen Casada, Cade Cothren lawyers seek mistrial in TN corruption case
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