Former Sen. Haynes: ‘I look forward to being vindicated’ on sex charge

Attorney and former state Senate Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe M. Haynes, entered a not guilty plea Monday to charges of “unlawful sexual contact” with a former client, reports WKRN TV.

The arraignment hearing was held in Cheatham County Circuit Court after all Davidson County judges and the county district attorney recused themselves..

Haynes, an 80-year-old Nashville area attorney, was arrested in May for an incident in July 2016. The alleged female victim told Metro police she had hired Haynes to help her with the estate of her recently deceased mother. She told police that Haynes grabbed her buttocks and tried to French kiss her.

“I’m not guilty of the charge,” Haynes told WKRN after his arraignment Monday. “I have great faith in the judicial system and I look forward to being vindicated.”

Haynes’ wife, Barbara, a retired Davidson County General Sessions and Circuit Court judge, was by her husband’s side Monday.

…Cheatham County Judge David Wolfe, who heard Monday’s arraignment, will preside over the entire case. The prosecutor is District Attorney Stephen Crump of the 10th judicial district in East Tennessee.

Jim Weatherly, Haynes’ defense attorney, told WKRN that he hopes the trial will still take place in Nashville. A trial date has not been set yet.

Note: This post expands and replaces an earlier post.