New Judge Assigned To Assault Case Against Former Officer

A new judge will oversee the assault case against former Cookeville Police officer Kyle Farley.

Farley faces aggravated assault and domestic assault charges for allegedly striking his wife during an argument last year.  An arrest report noted that the 29-year-old also used his CPD-issued taser on the woman.

Farley had a court date scheduled for Wednesday, but his name did not appear on Judge Gary McKenzie’s criminal court docket when the session began. A White County Circuit Court Clerk later confirmed the appointment of a new judge to the case.

District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway said Thursday that 15th Judicial District Criminal Court Judge Brody Kane would be taking over the case. Dunaway said Judge Mackenzie and newly appointed Criminal Court Judge Wesley Bray had recused themselves from the case. The reason as to why they recused themselves is not known.

In July, McKenzie modified bond for Farley, which allowed him to have peaceful contact with the victim. During that hearing, Prosecutors and Farley’s legal team had apparently come to terms with a plea deal that would result in Farley serving probation. At the time, McKenzie said he would take the deal under advisement until an August court date. McKenzie ended up continuing that court date until September 4.

Kane has not scheduled a date for Farley’s next court hearing.

The Cookeville Police Department placed Farley on administrative leave following his arrest. He resigned from the police department a few weeks later.