Accused former 911 dispatcher waives right to preliminary hearing Friday

Published 8:33 am Monday, June 10, 2019

Former Carter County 911 Dispatcher Garrett Birchfield was again back in General Sessions Court Friday with his attorney, Ryan Curtis. This time it was to waive a preliminary hearing regarding charges related to the killing of a neighbor’s dogs and dumping them on Teaberry Road in early April.

Except for affirming that he did want to waive his right to a preliminary hearing for Judge Keith Bowers, Birchfield was silent throughout the whole proceeding.

Birchfield is charged with four counts of intentional and unlawful killing of animals, aggravated burglary, criminal impersonation, theft over $1,000, and tampering with or fabricating evidence.

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Birchfield, who is free on $49,000 property bond, declined to comment on the charges.

Judge Bowers set Birchfield’s appearance in the higher criminal court for July 26.

Curtis, who also had no comment, did say that everything would come out in the higher court.