163-year sentence reinstated after appeals court questions local judge’s motives
Shelby County Criminal Court Division I Judge Paula Skahan (pictured) had originally amended Courtney Anderson’s 163-year sentence to 25 years of time served during a Dec. 13 hearing, but the state appealed. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)
Courtney Anderson was sentenced to 163 years in prison, but a local judge amended his sentence to time served. The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals overturned the ruling that freed him.
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Subscriber Only Courtney Anderson Tennessee Court of Criminal appeals Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti Judge Paula Skahan2025 is almost over. Now is the time to support your trusted local news source.
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Aarron Fleming
Aarron Fleming covers public safety for The Daily Memphian, focusing on crime and the local court system. He earned his bachelor’s in journalism and strategic media from the University of Memphis.
Julia Baker
A lifelong Memphian, Julia Baker graduated from the University of Memphis in 2021. Other publications and organizations she has written for include Chalkbeat, Memphis Flyer, Memphis Parent magazine and Memphis magazine.
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