In 2012, it took a jury only a few hours to reach a verdict in the Tina Stewart murder trial. Stewart was the Lady Raider basketball player who was killed by her roommate Shanterrica Madden in 2011…

That was Circuit Court Judge Don Ash reading the jury's verdict against Madden in 2012.

Madden, who was sentenced to serve 29-years behind bars, later filed an appeal suggesting that Judge Ash should have recused himself because of his ties to MTSU and the fact that he was FaceBook friends with MTSU Lady Raider Coach Rick Insell. Madden also suggested that her sentence was excessive.

Judge John Everett Williams who oversaw the appeal, stated in court documents released on Tuesday afternoon…

“It is plain from the record that the defendant’s rage and lack of impulse control rendered her, and continues to render her, dangerous to herself and others around her. After full review, we conclude that the defendant’s twenty-nine year effective sentence fully comports with all relevant statutory principles and purposes of sentencing. The defendant’s claim that the trial court erred by imposing an excessive sentence is denied.”

“For the foregoing reasons, the judgments of the trial court are affirmed.”

In other words, Madden will remain behind bars and her appeal was denied.

Judge Camille R. McMullen wrote:

"A reasonable person in possession of the same facts and circumstances would conclude that there was no basis to question the judge’s impartiality in this case; therefore, the judge did not abuse his discretion in denying the motion to recuse."

Source:

Court of Criminal Appeals of Tennessee at Nashville

Original Case No. 66473

No. M2012-02473-CCA-R3-CD - Filed March 11, 2014