New judge sought in Blackburn case
AOC will appoint judge to oversee case after Gregory recuses
11:48 a.m. Jan. 20, 2026
DUANE CROSS
MCO Publisher•Editor
Judge Terry Gregory recused himself Tuesday, Jan. 20, from a case involving Metro Council member Peggy Sue Blackburn during a hearing in Moore County General Sessions Court.
Gregory and Blackburn, a District 4 Metro Council member, are both Moore County officials, so recusal was not unexpected. The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts will appoint a judge to oversee the case.
Blackburn was not present for the hearing, and a court date will not be set until after the AOC appoints a judge. Blackburn is represented by attorney Ray Fraley.
Blackburn is charged with one count of animal cruelty under Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-14-202 in connection with an investigation by the Moore County Sheriff’s Department.
According to an incident report, the investigation began Dec. 16, 2025, after an anonymous complaint regarding the condition of cattle at a property on Dog Tail Road and Womack Ridge Road. State veterinarian Dr. Jill Johnson responded to the scene during the investigation.
The incident report lists three individuals – Billy Joe Blackburn and daughters, Billie Patrice Blackburn and Peggy Sue Blackburn – each charged with one count of animal cruelty.
The father owns the cattle operation; the daughters work for him.
Blackburn issued criminal summons
Peggy Sue Blackburn, a District 4 council member in Metro Moore County, and two of her relatives face animal cruelty charges after authorities looked into reports of dead and injured cattle on Dog Tail Road and Womack Ridge Road. Blackburn denies the accusations, saying they are the result of politics and a misunderstanding of how her family runs their cattle operation, not neglect.
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