JUDGE DENIES NEW TRIAL FOR ROD PENNINGTON IN 2019 SECOND-DEGREE MURDER CASE
According to a report by the Crossville Chronicle, on Tuesday, Rod Jude Pennington, a 46-year-old from Ryan Road, was denied a motion for a new trial following his September 2024 conviction for second-degree murder in the November 17, 2019, shooting death of 39-year-old Travis Allon Sinard at a residence on Colby Circle in Ashmore Estates, off Hwy. 127 North.
The incident stemmed from a domestic dispute that escalated into violence, with Pennington shooting Sinard, who was found mortally wounded in the front yard, while Pennington himself sustained gunshot wounds. During the trial, evidence included a Genie doorbell camera video, which corroborated eyewitness testimony, and an incriminating statement Pennington made to a sheriff’s deputy, admitting to shooting Sinard during an exchange of gunfire.
Defense attorney Randal Boston argued for a new trial, citing issues with the 22-year prison sentence, which was enhanced due to the use of a firearm, and the unavailability of the doorbell camera for authenticity verification. Assistant District Attorney Philip Hatch countered that the sentence was appropriately determined by Judge Gary McKenzie, who considered state guidelines and enhancement factors, and that the defense had sufficient opportunity to review the video evidence pretrial.
Boston contended that emphasizing the use of a gun unfairly increased the sentence compared to other methods of homicide and noted that Pennington was shot three times during the incident. With the motion denied, the case is now set to be appealed to the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals.
