Free Republic

SMITHVILLE, Tenn. — State Rep. Rob Briley of Nashville has pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident and property damage prior to leading authorities on a high-speed chase last September. Briley, who has already been sentenced to 10 days in jail on separate charges of drunken driving, waived his right to a trial by jury Thursday morning in DeKalb County. Authorities said he struck the rear of a truck and then left the scene. No one was injured. Prosecutors dropped charges of following too closely and non immediate notification of an accident. Police records show Briley was arrested...

NASHVILLE — State Rep. Rob Briley has resigned as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, according to a statement issued today by House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh. Briley had earlier indicated he intended to remain in the leadership position, despite his arrest last weekend on charges of drunken driving, evading arrest, vandalism and lesser offenses. Briley, D-Nashville, had come under some pressure to resign the committee chair. Gov. Phil Bredesen yesterday joined those saying he should give up the seat. Briley was also removed as a member of a House study committee that will be reviewing the state’s DUI laws with...

Report: Briley finished drink at gunpoint after 100 mph chase -- Republican leaders are calling for state Rep. Rob Briley to resign after his arrest for drunken driving over the weekend, a move House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh called “pretty lowlife.” A heavily intoxicated State Rep. Rob Briley, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, fled the scene of an accident in DeKalb County on Saturday afternoon, then led police in Wilson County on a 100-mile-an-hour chase before finally stopping, according to police reports and court documents. The Nashville Democrat was arrested at gunpoint after stopping his SUV in the middle of...

NASHVILLE — Gov. Phil Bredesen on Thursday said that House Judiciary Chairman Rob Briley should resign from his leadership post following a weekend drunken-driving arrest. Bredesen said his fellow Nashville Democrat is “a good man who’s obviously got himself in a lot of trouble.” Briley, 40, was arrested Saturday after police said he took them on a 100 mph chase and failed a roadside sobriety test. Police said they found an empty bottle of whisky in Briley’s car and later charged him with vandalism for damage done to the back of a police cruiser. “Stepping back from the leadership positions...