The Truth Shall Set Us Free Donyell Dewayne Holland My Story, On the Record
Write to Donyell: GettingOut · TDOC #248453 · Morgan County Correctional Complex | Questions? TTI (904) 362-0842

Case Nos. 311081 & 317210 · Tenn. Ct. Crim. App. No. E2024-01809-CCA-R3-CD

How the Evidence Moved

This map follows each piece of evidence tied to Derik Brown from the agency that first held it to every agency it went to after. Each row is an agency. Each colored line is one piece of evidence, moving left to right in date order. A solid dot is a handoff a document shows. A dashed red ring is a step the record shows happened, but whose paperwork is not found in the discovery materials available to us. Not found is not the same as never existed; see Missing Records.

  • The bullet from Randall’s body
  • Derik Brown’s S&W Shield, serial HVV5306
  • Derik Brown’s Lorcin L9, serial L081039
  • Derik Brown’s three phones
  • Derik Brown’s interviews and federal case
  • The guns from Stockton Drive
  • The Grand Am and Item 177
  • The body and the scene
Coffee County SheriffChattanooga PoliceMedical ExaminerMarion CountyATFU.S. Attorney / Federal CourtTBI Crime LabHamilton County DATrial12/11/1920195/28/2020205/29/20no record6/3/20no record6/9/206/10/20no record6/19/20no record6/23/20no record8/3/2010/1/2010/2/201/12/2120212/9/212/22/213/10/2111/1/2112/27/21no record9/29/22202210/4/2210/10/222/21/2320234/8/2420245/15/242/12/2520257/31/256/23/2020: The medical examiner recovers a deformed bullet from the body in Nashville. (Autopsy MEC20-2121)6/23/2020 to 1/12/2021: The bullet goes from the medical examiner to Chattanooga Police. No receipt showing who took it, or when. (Not found in the discovery materials available to us)1/12/2021: Chattanooga Police hand “Projectile from Body” to ATF in the same transfer as Derik Brown’s S&W pistol, under CPD case 20-52168. (ATF letter, 1/12/2021, ATF 776025-20-0094)12/27/2021: Chattanooga Police Homicide first receives the autopsy report, eleven months after handing over the bullet. (Email, Herron to Legg and Emery, 12/27/2021)1/12/2021 to 10/10/2022: The bullet and Brown’s pistol sit in federal custody together for 21 months. No comparison report between them. (Not found in the discovery materials available to us)10/10/2022: TBI receives the bullet from Tommy Meeks, in the same delivery as Brown’s S&W and the Lorcin pistol. (TBI intake, Lab Case 201012860)2/21/2023: TBI biology report on the bullet: “No examination was performed. The contents of this exhibit were not verified.” (TBI report, 2/21/2023)Trial, May 2024: TBI firearms report: the bullet’s “damaged condition ... precludes a more conclusive determination.” (Trial Exhibit 53)5/28/2020: Federal charge: “seized ... May 28, 2020,” the day Coffee County stopped Brown. (U.S. v. Brown, 1:21-cr-1, Doc. 1)5/29/2020: Chattanooga Police evidence item 2, collected 5/29/2020 at 5:23 PM. Other police records place it at a Manchester tow yard or recovered 6/1. (CPD Evidence Inventory 20-052168; CAD 2020-05-41741)1/12/2021: Handed to ATF together with the bullet. (ATF letter, 1/12/2021)2/9/2021: Federal forfeiture notice: “seized ... February 09, 2021 in Chattanooga.” (Doc. 104-2 (21-ATF-011002))10/10/2022: To TBI through Tommy Meeks, with the bullet and the Lorcin. (TBI intake)7/31/2025: Final order of forfeiture: ATF “shall dispose of the forfeited property according to law.” (Doc. 105)12/11/2019: Federal charge: seized from Brown “December 11, 2019.” (Doc. 1)2/22/2021: Federal forfeiture notice: “seized ... February 22, 2021 in Chattanooga.” (Doc. 104-2 (21-ATF-013445))10/10/2022: To TBI through Tommy Meeks. Major DNA profile: an unknown man. Brown and Donyell excluded as the major contributor. (TBI report)7/31/2025: Forfeited with the Shield. (Docs. 98, 105)5/28/2020: Three phones booked as Brown’s property, Coffee County case 2020026754. (Coffee County Sheriff property receipt)6/10/2020: “Three phones listed above released to Chattanooga Police Dept.” (Coffee County Sheriff property receipt, 6/10/2020)6/19/2020: Phone search warrant sworn. It lists three different phones and “evidence of Aggravated Assault.” (Search warrant and return, 6/19/2020)6/23/2020: A phone released to ATF Agent Moon “for downloading.” No download report. (Stokes report; download not found in the discovery materials available to us)6/1/2020: Investigator Stokes interviews Brown at the Coffee County Jail. No report of this interview. (Brown plea agreement, Doc. 80 ¶4(f); report not found)6/18/2020: “ATF agent Gordy and I traveled to Coffee County Jail to interview Brown again.” No ATF report of this interview. (Stokes report; ATF report not found)2/9/2021: Federal case against Brown filed. The U.S. Attorney certifies it was pending in the office on or before 12/21/2020. (Docs. 1, 1-2)11/1/2021: Brown’s proffer, attended by Chattanooga Police, the Assistant U.S. Attorney, ATF, and two Hamilton County Assistant District Attorneys. (Stokes Supplement, 11/12/2021)4/8/2024: Prosecutor’s letter to defense counsel: “We did not learn of the proffer until the day before”; “Brown has entered a guilty plea.” The plea agreement was filed 9/13/2024. (Letter of 4/8/2024; Doc. 80)5/15/2024: Brown testifies for the State at Donyell’s trial. (Trial court rule docket)2/12/2025: Brown sentenced to 40 months, to run concurrent with “anticipated sentences in Coffee County Criminal Court, Docket No.: 2020-CR-46866F, Cts. 1-5.” That Coffee County case, filed 2020, is still open. (Sentencing minutes; Coffee County 16CC1-2020-CR-46866)5/29/2020: S&W SD40VE: ballistic database entry “Found 5013 Jarred Rd,” eleven days before the Stockton search. TBI later lists it as “from 6305 Stockton Dr.” (NIBIN lead (created 6/11/2020); TBI intake)6/9/2020: Stockton Drive search. SCCY, Canik and Taurus pistols seized. (Search warrant return)3/10/2021: Donyell indicted (311081). No gun had been sent to any lab. (Indictment; TBI intake dates)9/29/2022: Prosecutor’s email: no ballistic database reports “in the case file.” The lead existed since 6/11/2020. (Email, 9/29/2022)10/4/2022: First TBI receipt of the Stockton guns, 28 months after seizure. (TBI intake)2/21/2023: SCCY pistol, the State’s murder weapon: “No examination was performed.” Swab and magazine inconclusive. (TBI report, 2/21/2023)6/3/2020: Grand Am recovered, column punched, Marion County case 247492, towed to Precision Towing. (CAD 2020-05-41741)from 6/3/2020: Marion case 247492, the tow record, and any seal or hold record. (Not found in the discovery materials available to us)10/1/2020: Car processed. Item 177, 97 rounds in a gloves bag, logged from the trunk. (Evidence inventory “Updated 10-2-20”)10/2/2020: In the updated inventory, Item 177 sits above “END OF REPORT.” Items 178 to 180 never appear. (Both inventory versions (see Item 177 page))6/21/2020: Body found in Marion County, “discovered ... by law enforcement.” Recovery report, scene log and photographs. (Autopsy MEC20-2121; reports not found)6/23/2020: Autopsy: entry wound on the right side, path right to left. (Autopsy MEC20-2121)8/3/2020: Chattanooga Police submit Randall’s shirt and undershirt to TBI. The bullet is not in this submission. (TBI report, 10/30/2020)12/27/2021: Chattanooga Police receive the autopsy report. Autopsy photographs and X-rays. (Email, 12/27/2021; photos not found)BulletBulletBulletBulletBulletBulletBulletBrown’s S&W ShieldBrown’s S&W ShieldBrown’s S&W ShieldBrown’s S&W ShieldBrown’s S&W ShieldBrown’s S&W ShieldBrown’s LorcinBrown’s LorcinBrown’s LorcinBrown’s LorcinBrown’s phonesBrown’s phonesBrown’s phonesBrown interviews / federal caseBrown interviews / federal caseBrown interviews / federal caseBrown interviews / federal caseBrown interviews / federal caseBrown interviews / federal caseStockton gunsStockton gunsStockton gunsStockton gunsGrand Am / Item 177Grand Am / Item 177Grand Am / Item 177Body and sceneBody and sceneBody and sceneBody and scene

On a phone, scroll the map sideways. Columns are in date order, spaced evenly to read, not to scale. Hover or tap a dot to see the step.

Where the agencies meet

  • Coffee County to Chattanooga Police, 6/10/2020: Brown’s three phones released to Chattanooga Police.
  • Chattanooga Police with ATF, 6/18/2020: joint jail interview of Brown in Coffee County.
  • Chattanooga Police to ATF, 1/12/2021: the bullet from the body and Brown’s pistol handed over in one transfer.
  • Police, ATF, U.S. Attorney and Hamilton County DA, 11/1/2021: all four at Brown’s proffer.
  • Federal custody to TBI, 10/10/2022: the bullet, Brown’s pistol and the Lorcin arrive together.
  • Federal court and Coffee County, 2/12/2025: Brown’s federal sentence runs with “anticipated” Coffee County sentences, a case still open since 2020.

The bullet from Randall’s body (Trial Exh. 48, TBI 026-c)

The only physical link to the shooting, and the record of every hand that held it.

  1. 6/23/2020
    Medical Examiner. The medical examiner recovers a deformed bullet from the body in Nashville.Who: Dr. Carney, Center for Forensic MedicineWhat changed hands: Bullet removed from the bodySource: Autopsy MEC20-2121
  2. 6/23/2020 to 1/12/2021
    Chattanooga Police. The bullet goes from the medical examiner to Chattanooga Police. No receipt showing who took it, or when. Not foundWho: Not named in any recordWhat changed hands: Bullet, medical examiner to Chattanooga PoliceSource: Not found in the discovery materials available to us
  3. 1/12/2021
    ATF. Chattanooga Police hand “Projectile from Body” to ATF in the same transfer as Derik Brown’s S&W pistol, under CPD case 20-52168.Who: Chattanooga Police to ATF Special Agent Stephen GorWhat changed hands: Bullet + Brown’s S&W ShieldSource: ATF letter, 1/12/2021, ATF 776025-20-0094
  4. 12/27/2021
    Chattanooga Police. Chattanooga Police Homicide first receives the autopsy report, eleven months after handing over the bullet.Who: Medical examiner’s office to CPD Homicide (Legg, Emery)What changed hands: Autopsy reportSource: Email, Herron to Legg and Emery, 12/27/2021
  5. 1/12/2021 to 10/10/2022
    ATF. The bullet and Brown’s pistol sit in federal custody together for 21 months. No comparison report between them. Not foundWho: ATFWhat changed hands: Bullet + Brown’s Shield held togetherSource: Not found in the discovery materials available to us
  6. 10/10/2022
    TBI Crime Lab. TBI receives the bullet from Tommy Meeks, in the same delivery as Brown’s S&W and the Lorcin pistol.Who: Tommy Meeks to TBI (received by Leslie Hall)What changed hands: Bullet + Shield + LorcinSource: TBI intake, Lab Case 201012860
  7. 2/21/2023
    TBI Crime Lab. TBI biology report on the bullet: “No examination was performed. The contents of this exhibit were not verified.”Who: TBI biology unitWhat changed hands: Report on the bulletSource: TBI report, 2/21/2023
  8. Trial, May 2024
    Trial. TBI firearms report: the bullet’s “damaged condition ... precludes a more conclusive determination.”Who: TBI firearms examiner (State’s exhibit)What changed hands: Firearms report shown to the jurySource: Trial Exhibit 53

Derik Brown’s S&W Shield, serial HVV5306 (Trial Exh. 52)

Brown’s pistol. Government papers give it seven different seizure dates and places.

  1. 5/28/2020
    Coffee County Sheriff. Federal charge: “seized ... May 28, 2020,” the day Coffee County stopped Brown.Who: Coffee County stop; charge written by the U.S. AttorneyWhat changed hands: Seizure of the Shield (as the federal charge tells it)Source: U.S. v. Brown, 1:21-cr-1, Doc. 1
  2. 5/29/2020
    Chattanooga Police. Chattanooga Police evidence item 2, collected 5/29/2020 at 5:23 PM. Other police records place it at a Manchester tow yard or recovered 6/1.Who: Officer Shelor, Chattanooga PoliceWhat changed hands: Shield logged as CPD evidence item 2Source: CPD Evidence Inventory 20-052168; CAD 2020-05-41741
  3. 1/12/2021
    ATF. Handed to ATF together with the bullet.Who: Chattanooga Police to ATF SA Stephen GorWhat changed hands: Shield + bulletSource: ATF letter, 1/12/2021
  4. 2/9/2021
    U.S. Attorney / Federal Court. Federal forfeiture notice: “seized ... February 09, 2021 in Chattanooga.”Who: ATF / U.S. AttorneyWhat changed hands: Forfeiture notice with a new seizure dateSource: Doc. 104-2 (21-ATF-011002)
  5. 10/10/2022
    TBI Crime Lab. To TBI through Tommy Meeks, with the bullet and the Lorcin.Who: Tommy Meeks to TBIWhat changed hands: Shield + bullet + LorcinSource: TBI intake
  6. 7/31/2025
    U.S. Attorney / Federal Court. Final order of forfeiture: ATF “shall dispose of the forfeited property according to law.”Who: U.S. District Judge CollierWhat changed hands: Order: ATF to dispose of the ShieldSource: Doc. 105

Derik Brown’s Lorcin L9, serial L081039 (TBI 026-a)

Brown’s second pistol. Two seizure dates in the same federal file.

  1. 12/11/2019
    U.S. Attorney / Federal Court. Federal charge: seized from Brown “December 11, 2019.”Who: U.S. Attorney (charging paper)What changed hands: Lorcin seizure dateSource: Doc. 1
  2. 2/22/2021
    ATF. Federal forfeiture notice: “seized ... February 22, 2021 in Chattanooga.”Who: ATF / U.S. AttorneyWhat changed hands: Forfeiture notice with a second seizure dateSource: Doc. 104-2 (21-ATF-013445)
  3. 10/10/2022
    TBI Crime Lab. To TBI through Tommy Meeks. Major DNA profile: an unknown man. Brown and Donyell excluded as the major contributor.Who: Tommy Meeks to TBIWhat changed hands: Lorcin + Shield + bulletSource: TBI report
  4. 7/31/2025
    U.S. Attorney / Federal Court. Forfeited with the Shield.Who: U.S. District CourtWhat changed hands: Lorcin forfeitedSource: Docs. 98, 105

Derik Brown’s three phones

Taken in Coffee County, handed to Chattanooga Police, then sent to ATF for downloading.

  1. 5/28/2020
    Coffee County Sheriff. Three phones booked as Brown’s property, Coffee County case 2020026754.Who: Coffee County Sheriff’s OfficeWhat changed hands: Three phones taken into propertySource: Coffee County Sheriff property receipt
  2. 6/10/2020
    Chattanooga Police. “Three phones listed above released to Chattanooga Police Dept.”Who: Coffee County Inv. Kerry Farrar to Chattanooga PoliceWhat changed hands: Three phonesSource: Coffee County Sheriff property receipt, 6/10/2020
  3. 6/19/2020
    Chattanooga Police. Phone search warrant sworn. It lists three different phones and “evidence of Aggravated Assault.”Who: Investigator Stokes, Chattanooga PoliceWhat changed hands: Search warrant for phonesSource: Search warrant and return, 6/19/2020
  4. 6/23/2020
    ATF. A phone released to ATF Agent Moon “for downloading.” No download report. Not foundWho: Chattanooga Police to ATF Agent MoonWhat changed hands: A phone, for downloadingSource: Stokes report; download not found in the discovery materials available to us

Derik Brown’s interviews and federal case

Brown was interviewed by city, county and federal officers. This thread runs through nearly every agency on the map.

  1. 6/1/2020
    Coffee County Sheriff. Investigator Stokes interviews Brown at the Coffee County Jail. No report of this interview. Not foundWho: Investigator Stokes with BrownWhat changed hands: Interview (no report)Source: Brown plea agreement, Doc. 80 ¶4(f); report not found
  2. 6/18/2020
    ATF. “ATF agent Gordy and I traveled to Coffee County Jail to interview Brown again.” No ATF report of this interview. Not foundWho: ATF agent Gordy and Investigator Stokes with BrownWhat changed hands: Interview (no ATF report)Source: Stokes report; ATF report not found
  3. 2/9/2021
    U.S. Attorney / Federal Court. Federal case against Brown filed. The U.S. Attorney certifies it was pending in the office on or before 12/21/2020.Who: AUSA Frank ClarkWhat changed hands: Federal charges against BrownSource: Docs. 1, 1-2
  4. 11/1/2021
    U.S. Attorney / Federal Court. Brown’s proffer, attended by Chattanooga Police, the Assistant U.S. Attorney, ATF, and two Hamilton County Assistant District Attorneys.Who: Stokes, AUSA Clark, ATF SA Bagwell, ADAGs Longshore and Campbell, with BrownWhat changed hands: Brown’s proffer statementSource: Stokes Supplement, 11/12/2021
  5. 4/8/2024
    Hamilton County DA. Prosecutor’s letter to defense counsel: “We did not learn of the proffer until the day before”; “Brown has entered a guilty plea.” The plea agreement was filed 9/13/2024.Who: ADA Paul Moyle to defense counselWhat changed hands: Letter about the profferSource: Letter of 4/8/2024; Doc. 80
  6. 5/15/2024
    Trial. Brown testifies for the State at Donyell’s trial.Who: Brown, called by the StateWhat changed hands: Trial testimonySource: Trial court rule docket
  7. 2/12/2025
    U.S. Attorney / Federal Court. Brown sentenced to 40 months, to run concurrent with “anticipated sentences in Coffee County Criminal Court, Docket No.: 2020-CR-46866F, Cts. 1-5.” That Coffee County case, filed 2020, is still open.Who: Judge Collier; AUSA ClarkWhat changed hands: Brown’s federal sentenceSource: Sentencing minutes; Coffee County 16CC1-2020-CR-46866

The guns from Stockton Drive

Seized in June 2020. No gun went to a lab before Donyell was indicted.

  1. 5/29/2020
    Chattanooga Police. S&W SD40VE: ballistic database entry “Found 5013 Jarred Rd,” eleven days before the Stockton search. TBI later lists it as “from 6305 Stockton Dr.”Who: Database entry (entering officer not named)What changed hands: SD40VE ballistic leadSource: NIBIN lead (created 6/11/2020); TBI intake
  2. 6/9/2020
    Chattanooga Police. Stockton Drive search. SCCY, Canik and Taurus pistols seized.Who: Chattanooga PoliceWhat changed hands: Guns seized at Stockton DriveSource: Search warrant return
  3. 3/10/2021
    Hamilton County DA. Donyell indicted (311081). No gun had been sent to any lab.Who: Hamilton County DAWhat changed hands: Indictment 311081Source: Indictment; TBI intake dates
  4. 9/29/2022
    Hamilton County DA. Prosecutor’s email: no ballistic database reports “in the case file.” The lead existed since 6/11/2020.Who: ADA Leslie LongshoreWhat changed hands: Email about the case fileSource: Email, 9/29/2022
  5. 10/4/2022
    TBI Crime Lab. First TBI receipt of the Stockton guns, 28 months after seizure.Who: Sarah Brown to TBI (received by Allison Swift)What changed hands: Stockton guns and swabsSource: TBI intake
  6. 2/21/2023
    TBI Crime Lab. SCCY pistol, the State’s murder weapon: “No examination was performed.” Swab and magazine inconclusive.Who: TBIWhat changed hands: Report on the SCCY pistolSource: TBI report, 2/21/2023

The Grand Am and Item 177

Recovered in Marion County, held four months, then 97 rounds appear in its trunk.

  1. 6/3/2020
    Marion County. Grand Am recovered, column punched, Marion County case 247492, towed to Precision Towing.Who: Marion County dispatch; Precision TowingWhat changed hands: Grand Am recovered and towedSource: CAD 2020-05-41741
  2. from 6/3/2020
    Marion County. Marion case 247492, the tow record, and any seal or hold record. Not foundWho: Marion County; Precision TowingWhat changed hands: Case file and tow recordSource: Not found in the discovery materials available to us
  3. 10/1/2020
    Chattanooga Police. Car processed. Item 177, 97 rounds in a gloves bag, logged from the trunk.Who: Chattanooga Police crime scene unitWhat changed hands: Item 177, 97 rounds, loggedSource: Evidence inventory “Updated 10-2-20”
  4. 10/2/2020
    Trial. In the updated inventory, Item 177 sits above “END OF REPORT.” Items 178 to 180 never appear.Who: Chattanooga Police crime scene unitWhat changed hands: Updated evidence inventorySource: Both inventory versions (see Item 177 page)

The body and the scene

Found in Marion County. The records of how it was found are not in the file.

  1. 6/21/2020
    Marion County. Body found in Marion County, “discovered ... by law enforcement.” Recovery report, scene log and photographs. Not foundWho: Law enforcement (not named)What changed hands: Body recoveredSource: Autopsy MEC20-2121; reports not found
  2. 6/23/2020
    Medical Examiner. Autopsy: entry wound on the right side, path right to left.Who: Dr. Carney, Center for Forensic MedicineWhat changed hands: Autopsy findingsSource: Autopsy MEC20-2121
  3. 8/3/2020
    TBI Crime Lab. Chattanooga Police submit Randall’s shirt and undershirt to TBI. The bullet is not in this submission.Who: Michele Johnson (CPD) to TBI (received by Rudie McGowen)What changed hands: Randall’s shirt and undershirtSource: TBI report, 10/30/2020
  4. 12/27/2021
    Chattanooga Police. Chattanooga Police receive the autopsy report. Autopsy photographs and X-rays. Not foundWho: Medical examiner’s office to CPD HomicideWhat changed hands: Autopsy reportSource: Email, 12/27/2021; photos not found