Case: Thomas v. Montgomery

3:23-cv-01204 | U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee

Filed Date: Nov. 15, 2023

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This is a case about the Tennessee Board of Parole’s use of a flawed computer program (the Strong-R Assessment) to determine parole eligibility. On November 15, 2023, two imprisoned individuals who were denied parole based on their Strong-R results filed this putative class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee. Plaintiffs sued the Chairman and other members of the Tennessee Board of Parole under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Represented by private counsel, plaintif…

This is a case about the Tennessee Board of Parole’s use of a flawed computer program (the Strong-R Assessment) to determine parole eligibility. On November 15, 2023, two imprisoned individuals who were denied parole based on their Strong-R results filed this putative class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee. Plaintiffs sued the Chairman and other members of the Tennessee Board of Parole under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Represented by private counsel, plaintiffs sought class certification for all individuals eligible for parole hearings in Tennessee, a declaratory judgment of Fourteenth Amendment violations, injunctive relief prohibiting the use of the Strong-R assessment, attorney's fees, and any other remedies deemed appropriate by the court. 

They claimed that the Tennessee Board of Parole’s practice of relying on the flawed and unreliable Strong-R assessment to determine parole eligibility denied them a fair parole hearing, in violation of their liberty interest under Tennessee law. The complaint provided a detailed account of the alleged shortcomings of the Strong-R assessment, citing instances where Tennessee courts deemed it unreliable. Plaintiffs contended that correctional employees who administered the assessment were often inadequately trained, leading to inaccurate results. Plaintiffs also alleged that the Board prohibited imprisoned individuals from effectively challenging the rulings made by this computer program by keeping the results a secret, thereby violating their Fourteenth Amendment procedural due process rights. They argued that the Board's discretion in denying parole was limited to specific criteria outlined in Tennessee statutes, and the denial was required to be supported by a written reason.

As of December 2023, litigation remains ongoing.

Summary Authors

Simran Takhar (12/26/2023)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/68017130/parties/thomas-v-montgomery/


Judge(s)

Campbell, William Lynn (Tennessee)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Justice, Drew (Tennessee)

Attorney for Defendant

Tune, Adam Nicholas (Tennessee)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

3:23-cv-01204

Complaint

Nov. 15, 2023

Nov. 15, 2023

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/68017130/thomas-v-montgomery/

Last updated Aug. 8, 2025, 6:04 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against Mae Beavers, Zane Duncan, Gary Faulcon, Tim Gobble, Roberta Kustoff, Richard Montgomery, Barrett Rich (Filing fee $402, Receipt number ATNMDC-3955502), filed by Terrell Lawrence, Carvin Thomas. (Attachments: # 1 Attachment - Civil Cover Sheet)(kc) (Entered: 11/16/2023)

1 Attachment - Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

Nov. 15, 2023

Nov. 15, 2023

Clearinghouse
2

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 217 to parties re obligation of counsel to keep Court apprised of current contact information. (kc) (Entered: 11/16/2023)

Nov. 16, 2023

Nov. 16, 2023

PACER

Annotation - Bar Status

Nov. 16, 2023

Nov. 16, 2023

PACER
3

NOTICE/INFORMATION regarding Consent of the Parties to the Magistrate Judge. (kc) (Entered: 11/16/2023)

Nov. 16, 2023

Nov. 16, 2023

PACER

TN State Bar status verified as active for Drew Justice admitted to this court. (kc)

Nov. 16, 2023

Nov. 16, 2023

PACER
4

NOTICE of Initial Case Management Conference by Telephone is set for 3/5/2024 at 09:30 AM before Magistrate Judge Jeffery S. Frensley. (kc) (Entered: 11/17/2023)

Nov. 17, 2023

Nov. 17, 2023

PACER
5

NOTICE of Summons to be Issued as to MONTGOMERY, and all the others. (Attachments: # 1 Attachment Summons to issue (DUNCAN), # 2 Attachment Summons to issue (FAULCON), # 3 Attachment Summons to issue (GOBBLE), # 4 Attachment Summons to issue (BEAVERS), # 5 Attachment Summons to issue (KUSTOFF), # 6 Attachment Summons to issue (RICH))(Justice, Drew) (Entered: 11/21/2023)

Nov. 21, 2023

Nov. 21, 2023

PACER
6

ORDER: This case is REFERRED to the Magistrate Judge for customized case management in accordance with Local Rule 16.01 and 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(A). Lead counsel for the parties shall attend the initial case management conference. Signed by District Judge William L. Campbell, Jr on 11/21/23. (DOCKET TEXT SUMMARY ONLY-ATTORNEYS MUST OPEN THE PDF AND READ THE ORDER.)(ad) (Entered: 11/21/2023)

Nov. 21, 2023

Nov. 21, 2023

PACER
7

Summons issued as to Mae Beavers, Zane Duncan, Gary Faulcon, Tim Gobble, Roberta Kustoff, Richard Montgomery, Barrett Rich. Service copies will be picked up by counsel at intake. (ad) (Entered: 11/21/2023)

Nov. 21, 2023

Nov. 21, 2023

PACER
8

NOTICE of Appearance by Adam Nicholas Tune on behalf of All Defendants (Tune, Adam) (Entered: 12/18/2023)

Dec. 18, 2023

Dec. 18, 2023

PACER
9

Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer re 1 Complaint, by Mae Beavers, Zane Duncan, Gary Faulcon, Tim Gobble, Roberta Kustoff, Richard Montgomery, Barrett Rich. (Tune, Adam) (Entered: 12/18/2023)

Dec. 18, 2023

Dec. 18, 2023

PACER

TN State Bar status verified as active for Adam Nicholas Tune admitted to this court. (ad)

Dec. 19, 2023

Dec. 19, 2023

PACER
10

ORDER: DEFENDANTS' UNOPPOSED MOTION 9 FOR AN EXTENSION OF TIME GRANTED. Signed by Magistrate Judge Jeffery S. Frensley on 12/19/23. (ad) (Entered: 12/19/2023)

Dec. 19, 2023

Dec. 19, 2023

PACER
11

MOTION to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim by Mae Beavers, Zane Duncan, Gary Faulcon, Tim Gobble, Roberta Kustoff, Richard Montgomery, Barrett Rich. (Attachments: # 1 Attachment Memorandum of Law)(Tune, Adam) (Entered: 01/09/2024)

Jan. 9, 2024

Jan. 9, 2024

PACER
12

AMENDED COMPLAINT against All Defendants, filed by Terrell Lawrence, Carvin Thomas.(Justice, Drew) (Entered: 01/23/2024)

Jan. 23, 2024

Jan. 23, 2024

PACER
13

***DISREGARD***Defendants' ANSWER to 12 Amended Complaint by Mae Beavers, Zane Duncan, Gary Faulcon, Tim Gobble, Roberta Kustoff, Richard Montgomery, Barrett Rich.(Tune, Adam) Modified on 2/8/2024 (ad). (Entered: 02/05/2024)

Feb. 5, 2024

Feb. 5, 2024

PACER

NOTICE TO FILER re DE# 13 : The wrong event was used. The correct event should be Response to Amended Complaint. Counsel shall re-file the document. (ad)

Feb. 8, 2024

Feb. 8, 2024

PACER
14

MOTION to Dismiss Amended Complaint by Mae Beavers, Zane Duncan, Gary Faulcon, Tim Gobble, Roberta Kustoff, Richard Montgomery, Barrett Rich. (Attachments: # 1 Attachment Memorandum of Law)(Tune, Adam) (Entered: 02/08/2024)

Feb. 8, 2024

Feb. 8, 2024

PACER
15

RESPONSE in Opposition re 14 MOTION to Dismiss Amended Complaint filed by Terrell Lawrence, Carvin Thomas. (Justice, Drew) (Entered: 02/22/2024)

Feb. 22, 2024

Feb. 22, 2024

PACER
16

MOTION to Continue Case Management Conference by Terrell Lawrence, Carvin Thomas. (Justice, Drew) (Entered: 02/29/2024)

Feb. 29, 2024

Feb. 29, 2024

PACER
17

ORDER: MOTION 16 GRANTED. The Initial Case Management Conference is hereby reset to March 21, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. via telephone. All parties shall call 1-877-336-1831, and when prompted for the access code, enter 7039387# to participate. If a party has difficulty connecting to the call or has been on hold for more than five (5) minutes, please call 615-736-7344. Signed by Magistrate Judge Jeffery S. Frensley on 03/01/24. (ad) (Entered: 03/01/2024)

March 1, 2024

March 1, 2024

PACER

Reset Hearing: Initial Case Management Conference by Telephone set for 3/21/2024 at 08:30 AM before Magistrate Judge Jeffery S. Frensley. (ad)

March 1, 2024

March 1, 2024

PACER
18

Second MOTION to Continue Conference (or Change the Time) by Terrell Lawrence, Carvin Thomas. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Oral argument docket)(Justice, Drew) (Entered: 03/05/2024)

March 5, 2024

March 5, 2024

PACER
19

ORDER: MOTION 18 GRANTED. The Initial Case Management Conference is hereby reset to 9:00 a.m. on March 22, 2024. All parties shall call 1-877-336-1831, and when prompted for the access code, enter 7039387# to participate. If a party has difficulty connecting to the call or has been on hold for more than five (5)minutes, please call 615-736-7344. Signed by Magistrate Judge Jeffery S. Frensley on 03/06/24. (ad) (Entered: 03/06/2024)

March 6, 2024

March 6, 2024

PACER

Reset Hearing: Case Management Conference by Telephone set for 3/22/2024 at 09:00 AM before Magistrate Judge Jeffery S. Frensley. (ad)

March 6, 2024

March 6, 2024

PACER
20

PROPOSED CASE MANAGEMENT ORDER filed by All Defendants. (Tune, Adam) (Entered: 03/19/2024)

March 19, 2024

March 19, 2024

PACER

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Jeffery S. Frensley: Case Management Conference by Telephone held on 3/22/2024. (Hearing lasted :8)(sm)

March 22, 2024

March 22, 2024

PACER
21

INITIAL CASE MANAGEMENT ORDER: Amended Pleadings due by 8/30/2024. Discovery due by 12/6/2024. Dispositive Motions due by 3/10/2025. Telephone Conference set for 11/4/2024 at 09:00 AM before Magistrate Judge Jeffery S. Frensley. Signed by Magistrate Judge Jeffery S. Frensley on 03/22/24. (DOCKET TEXT SUMMARY ONLY-ATTORNEYS MUST OPEN THE PDF AND READ THE ORDER.)(ad) (Entered: 03/22/2024)

March 22, 2024

March 22, 2024

PACER
22

ORDER: Pending before the Court is Defendants' Motion to Dismiss the Amended Complaint. (Doc. No. 14 ). In their response, Plaintiffs state that "both Thomas and Lawrence currently have pending cases before the Davidson County Chancery Court, seeking to reverse the parole hearings on writ of certiorari." (Doc. No. 15 at 7, n. 2). On or before May 10, 2024, Plaintiffs shall file copies with this Court of any petitions filed by either of them in Davidson County Chancery Court related to their parole. Signed by Chief Judge William L. Campbell, Jr on 05/03/24. (ad) (Entered: 05/03/2024)

May 3, 2024

May 3, 2024

PACER
23

NOTICE of Filing by Terrell Lawrence re 22 Order,, re: Chancery Filings (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Thomas - Petition, # 2 Exhibit Thomas - Transfer, # 3 Exhibit Thomas - Petitioner Brief, # 4 Exhibit Lawrence - Petition, # 5 Exhibit Lawrence - Response, # 6 Exhibit Lawrence - Reply, # 7 Exhibit Lawrence - Further Response)(Justice, Drew) (Entered: 05/10/2024)

May 10, 2024

May 10, 2024

PACER
24

***DISREGARD, ORDER DUPLICATED, REFER TO ORDER 25 ***ORDER SETTING CASE FOR TRIAL: Bench Trial set for 9/16/2025 at 09:00 AM in Courtroom 6B before Chief Judge William L. Campbell Jr. Pretrial Conference set for 9/8/2025 at 10:00 AM in Courtroom 6B before Chief Judge William L. Campbell Jr. Joint Proposed Pretrial Order due by 9/2/2025; Exhibit List due by 9/2/2025; and Witness List due by 9/2/2025. All lawyers who will participate in the trial must attend the Pretrial Conference. Signed by Chief Judge William L. Campbell, Jr on 5/16/2024. (DOCKET TEXT SUMMARY ONLY-ATTORNEYS MUST OPEN THE PDF AND READ THE ORDER.)(mg) Modified on 5/20/2024 (mg). (Entered: 05/16/2024)

May 16, 2024

May 16, 2024

PACER
25

ORDER SETTING CASE FOR TRIAL: Bench Trial set for 9/16/2025 09:00 AM in Courtroom 6B before Chief Judge William L. Campbell Jr. Exhibit List due by 9/2/2025. Witness List due by 9/2/2025. Pretrial Conference set for 9/8/2025 10:00 AM in Courtroom 6B before Chief Judge William L. Campbell Jr. Proposed Pretrial Order due by 9/2/2025. All lawyers who will participate in the trial must attend the PretrialConference. Signed by Chief Judge William L. Campbell, Jr on 5/16/2024. (DOCKET TEXT SUMMARY ONLY-ATTORNEYS MUST OPEN THE PDF AND READ THE ORDER.)(ch) (Entered: 05/16/2024)

May 16, 2024

May 16, 2024

PACER
26

MEMORANDUM OPINION OF THE COURT Signed by Chief Judge William L. Campbell, Jr on 6/17/2024. (DOCKET TEXT SUMMARY ONLY-ATTORNEYS MUST OPEN THE PDF AND READ THE ORDER.)(ch)

June 17, 2024

June 17, 2024

RECAP
27

ORDER DISMISSING CASE: For the reasons stated in the accompanying Memorandum 26, Defendants' Motion to Dismiss (Doc. No. 14 ) is GRANTED and this case is hereby DISMISSED. Signed by Chief Judge William L. Campbell, Jr on 6/17/2024. (ch) (Entered: 06/17/2024)

June 17, 2024

June 17, 2024

PACER
28

NOTICE OF APPEAL as to 26 Memorandum Opinion of the Court, 27 Order Dismissing Case, Terminate Deadlines and Hearings, Terminate Motions by Terrell Lawrence, Carvin Thomas. Filing fee $ 605, receipt number ATNMDC-4118978. (Justice, Drew) (Entered: 07/12/2024)

July 12, 2024

July 12, 2024

PACER
29

USCA Case Number 24-5637 for 28 Notice of Appeal, filed by Terrell Lawrence, Carvin Thomas. Case Manager - Gretchen S. Abruzzo. (am) (Entered: 07/16/2024)

July 16, 2024

July 16, 2024

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: Tennessee

Case Type(s):

Criminal Justice (Other)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Nov. 15, 2023

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Two imprisoned individuals denied parole filed on behalf of a putative class of imprisoned people eligible for parole

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Pending

Defendants

Tennessee Board of Parole, State

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Facility Type(s):

Government-run

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

State law

Ex parte Young (federal or state officials)

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Due Process: Procedural Due Process

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Nature of Relief:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General/Misc.:

Access to lawyers or judicial system

Failure to train

Government services

Parole grant/revocation

Records Disclosure

Staff (number, training, qualifications, wages)

Test or device