Justin Whaley seeks bail while awaiting new trial for involuntary manslaughter

A judge ordered a retrial due to questions about Soddy Daisy's police

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – A former Hamilton County paramedic whose conviction in a fatal traffic accident between the ages of 20 and 18 was recently overturned was back in court this morning.

Justin Whaley was found guilty last October of intoxicated manslaughter in the death of James Brumlow in a wrong-way driving accident in Soddy-Daisy.

However, Hamilton County Judge Boyd Patterson recently ruled that Whaley was entitled to a retrial because the Soddy-Daisy police officer who arrested Whaley immediately after the accident failed to disclose that he was the subject of an internal investigation.

Although his primary convictions were overturned, Whaley still faces one felony and several misdemeanors, leaving him behind bars.

However, his lawyer argues that Whaley should be given a new bail.

“So we're in a predicament because he's been incarcerated since October. He would be released on parole in November for a Class C felony to receive an initial parole review. The offenses will be served by October.”

In addition, a lawsuit has been filed against the Soddy-Daisy Police Department in federal court for failing to disclose this internal investigation.