Drummond found guilty on attempted voluntary manslaughter charges

CARROLL COUNTY, Tenn. (WMC) - A jury has returned guilty verdicts in the attempted murder trial of Austin Drummond and his codefendant Andre Brown on Friday.

This came after prosecutors and the defense rested their cases Friday and concluded their final arguments.

Jury deliberation lasted around two hours and returned guilty verdicts for Drummond on charges of attempted voluntary manslaughter and possessing contraband in a penal facility.

His codefendant was found guilty on attempted facilitation and not guilty of possessing contraband in a penal facility.

Sentencing is scheduled for August 31 in Lake County.

“I didn’t think the evidence supported that position. Particularly when there was no evidence that the weapon in question was even capable of causing anyone’s death,” said Drew Farmer, Drummond’s defense attorney.

Action News 5’s Michaela Redmond spoke with Drummond’s father, Gregory Drummond, following the verdict.

“I find it tragically ironic that twelve people with no experience of being incarcerated can pass judgment on the intentions of someone who has. To ignore the violent conditions and threats Tennessee inmates must live with on a daily basis is turning a blind eye to a systemic problem,” he said.

Drummond’s father carried on sending a message to the prosecution.

“To the prosecution who sees these types of encounters weekly, if not daily: some questions. Why wait so long to bring charges? Why increase the charge from aggravated assault to attempted murder some 13 months later, and why, if you felt so strongly, did you offer a plea of eight years for this case and the contraband case combined just a few weeks ago,” Gregory said. “I certainly ask that the DOJ look into this case immediately.”

Drummond and Brown were charged with attempted murder and a weapons charge stemming from a prison fight at Northwest Correctional Complex in 2023.

The defense made a final motion for acquittal Friday, but it was denied.

On Thursday, the first day of trial, the alleged victim took the stand to testify he was stabbed 17 times.

Nurse describes stab wounds

David Mathis, a registered nurse at Northwest Correctional Complex, was called as the next witness.

Before he testified before the jury, Judge Mark Hayes removed jurors from the courtroom to question Mathis on his qualifications at the defense’s request.

Mathis holds an associate degree in nursing and no further education beyond that.

The defense argued he was not qualified to testify as an expert. The state argued he was qualified based on the volume of stabbings he has treated in his experience—testimony the state said would help establish intent to kill rather than a routine stabbing.

The judge ruled Mathis is qualified to testify about the diagnosis and treatment of stab wounds based on his experience, but said it is up to the jury to determine whether the person responsible for the wounds intended to kill the victim.

Mathis then testified about the specific wounds documented in the case. According to his testimony, the victim sustained:

• A wound between the thumb and forefinger, which Mathis described as a common defensive wound
• A wound on the arm
• A cut to the shoulder
• A laceration across the scalp measuring 12 centimeters
• Two stab wounds to the back of the head
• Four stab wounds to the back

Mathis said the victim was afraid and had an elevated heart rate consistent with significant blood loss, with the body compensating for that loss. He described some wounds as deep—requiring stitches—and others as superficial, meaning surface-level cuts not requiring stitches.

The victim was transported to a hospital and returned to prison the following day.

Mathis said the incident report classifies the event as an assault with no mention of death or puncture wounds. The report also noted the victim was alert and oriented times three at the time of the incident.

Investigator testifies on case timeline

Thomas Tharp, an investigator with the Tennessee Department of Corrections, was called as the next witness. Tharp works in the department’s investigative unit, which handles criminal investigations into criminal conduct within the prison system.

Tharp said the case was brought to his attention because it had not been worked, the incident occurred in 2023, and he did not begin working the case until 2024.

He said the initial referral to the district attorney was for aggravated assault.

Tharp also testified about video evidence in the case, saying he believes what is seen falling from the alleged victim’s hand in the video is what people are describing as Brown’s weapon and handle, which Brown’s side has characterized as something Brown carried for self-protection.

Former medical officer testifies

Tiffany Payte, a medical officer and Obion County Sheriff’s Office employee, also went up to testify. She also used to work at the Northwest facility for almost 10 years.

Payte stated that it is very common for people to possess shanks, knives, or other weapons while incarcerated.

She mentioned she did not feel safe working there and could not always rely on coworkers.

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