Cheatham County Criminal Court denied a motion to reinstate bond in case 2023019390 (State v. Willis) after a multi-hour hearing in which defense counsel and the defendant presented medical records and testimony about a recent car wreck and concussion.

The defendant testified he was treated at TriStar Centennial for a concussion and follow-up care and said he contacted the clerk’s office when he believed he had a court date. “I was in a car wreck on the interstate on 10/19/2025,” the defendant testified, according to the record. Defense counsel offered those records and argued they explained the defendant’s absence from an earlier hearing.

Prosecutors cross-examined and challenged the sufficiency of the medical evidence to show the defendant was incompetent or unable to comply with court notices. The court reviewed the case history presented by the state — including prior missed appearances, prior bond reinstatements, and earlier warnings — and concluded the records did not establish that the defendant was incapable of contacting counsel or the court. The judge said the defendant’s pattern of failing to appear and the totality of the record weighed against reinstating bond.

The court denied the motion to reinstate bond and ordered the defendant remanded in custody until he posts the previously set $100,000 bond. The court set a status date to revisit scheduling and related matters; parties were instructed to appear on December 16 to address next steps.

The hearing focused on the narrow legal question the motion presented — whether the bond should be reinstated given the defendant’s evidence — and the judge resolved it with a factual finding about the history of compliance and the probative value of the offered medical documents.