We've compiled a list of events surrounding a hate-laced sermon given by a Knox County detective, who is also a pastor, and the aftermath.
Here is a timeline:
June 2
Knox County Detective GraysonFritts,also a pastor at All Scripture Baptist Church in Knoxville, gives a sermon advocating for the execution of people within the LGBTQ community
Fritts told his congregation he believes federal, state and county governments shouldarrest, try, convict and "speedily" execute people within the LGBTQ community.
The sermon was an hour long and based on an Old Testament passage. It was given on the first Sunday of Pride Month.
June 12
Knox News first reports about Fritts' sermon
Our report was published midday.
Fritts defends his comments outside his church
The detectivesays he is not calling on attendees of his church to be violent, but the government should execute members of the LGBTQ community. Fritts says his detective work was not influenced by his personal beliefs.
Knox County District Attorney General Charme Allen says prosecutors will review all pending cases involving Fritts
This is through a statement released lateJune 12 that prosecutors willreview all pending cases involving Fritts.
June 13
Knox CountyMayor Glenn Jacobs denounces Fritts' comments in a statement
It reads:
"Mr. Fritts is not my employee so I can only give my personal thoughts on the issue. I find his comments to be extremely vile and reprehensible and I strongly condemn threats of or calls for violence. On an official level, I have the utmost confidence that Sheriff (Tom) Spangler along with District Attorney (Charme) Allen will handle this issue in a professional and appropriate manner."
Knoxville City Mayor Madeline Rogero denounces Fritts' comments in a statement
It reads:
"As Mayor of Knoxville, I am outraged at the statements by Knox County Sheriff’s Detective Grayson Fritts. To clarify, the detective is not a City of Knoxville employee but an employee of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.
"However, Fritts’ statements raise concerns locally and nationally about protecting LGBTQ+ rights and equality. Fritts’ statements have cast a negative light on our community making it imperative to share my personal position and the position of the City of Knoxville."
June 14
Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler says his fear of First Amendment lawsuitsis keeping him from firing Fritts
Spangler told Knox Newsthat "we looked at every avenue we could look at without violating anybody’s First Amendment rights (and) freedom of speech, and the best thing for us was what we did. And that’s what we’re sticking with."
"You can look for the ACLU to look for a lawsuit, you can look for the freedom of speech people to file a lawsuit," Spangler said. "They’re all around.”
June 17
Knox County commissioners talk about approving a strongly worded response about Fritts' commentsbut decide to wait until next week for a full vote
The commission voted unanimously to move the resolution to next week's voting meeting with no recommendation, saying members didn't receive a copy of the resolution until late Monday afternoon, though they said they would support it.
Spangler tries to reassure meeting attendees that Fritts is no longer working, but refuses to say when Fritts officially stopped performing job duties
Spangler said Fritts was removed from his duties to answer calls of service "hours after" Spangler watched a video of his sermon. But, when Knox News asked Spangler about when he watched the video, he refused to comment through his spokesperson.
Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs denounces Fritts' statement, again
Jacobs said Christianity is about love, not hatred — and that the comments made by an anti-LGBTQ detective have no place in Knox County.
“I mean, I’ve looked all through the New Testament and I can’t find Jesus Christ talking about rounding people up and killing (anyone),” he said. “What I do see a lot is love, understanding, the idea that you don’t condemn the actor, but you condemn the action. It’s all about love; there’s nothing about hatred.”
Jacobs also echoedSpangler's statement from last week, that the county felt it couldn’t fire Fritts because of concerns over lawsuits being filed against the county. He said the county is between a rock and a hard place.
June 19
Cracker Barrel in Tennessee turns away Fritts' and his church
Fritts and his church had planned a meeting at a Cracker Barrel in Cleveland, Tennessee, on June 29. But the restaurant said Fritts and his church group members weren't welcome at Cracker Barrel.
"Wedisagree strongly with their statements of hate and divisiveness," the Lebanon, Tennessee-based, national restaurant chain said in a statement.
ACLU says it would not have intervened to protect Fritts
This statement came after Spangler said he wasprotecting taxpayers from a potential lawsuit when he decided not to fire Fritts.
June 24
Knox County Commission approves joint resolution denouncing hate speech
“The County Mayor and the County Commission absolutely and unequivocally denounce, condemn, and reject intimidation, threats and calls for violence or the unlawful abridgment of rights, liberties, privileges or immunities, directed at any citizen or group of citizens for any reason whatsoever,” it states.
Fritts' buyout timeline
May 15, 9:27 a.m.
Frittsfilled out a paperwork request on May 15 to be included in a Knox County buyout offer, according to Knox County Finance Director Chris Caldwell,who is administering the program. Acopy of the application, provided to Knox News by the county, shows a time stamp of 9:27 a.m. May 15. The buyout program was approved by the County Commission in April andoffered to all county employees.
Unknown date: Fritts' application is approved
Spangler said there is no documentation that shows when Fritts' application wasapproved because it was a verbal agreement, similar to agreements with other Knox County Sheriff's Office employees.
July 19: Fritts' buyout will take effect
This is based off a statement Spangler released June 12. In the meantime, Fritts is on paid sick leave. Spangler told Knox News on June 14 thatFritts will have a doctor's note, which is required by the county for employees taking consecutive sick days.
June 24: Knox News reports on Fritts' sick leave earnings
Knox News reportedtaxpayers will end up footing nearly $5,100for the 27 days, or 216 hours, of paid sick leave since Fritts' last day on active duty. This information came from a copy of Fritts' attendance record and time card obtained through a Knox News public records request.
The future
June 22, 10:30 a.m.: Knoxville Pride Parade and PrideFest
This year's theme is Stonewall, to mark the 50th anniversary of theStonewall Riots.
July 19: Fritts' buyout will take effect
Fritts’ buyout does not affect his county pension, which he will be eligible for once he turns 50, County Retirement and Pension Board Executive Director Kim Bennett said. He will not receive a full pension because he did not work 25 years as required by the Uniformed Officers Pension Plan.
Still, Fritts should receive at least $1,275.28 a month, according to the formula Bennett provided with data from the Knox News salary database.
Knox County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Kimberly Glenn said Spangler's acceptance of Fritts' buyout had nothing to do with the sermon and ensuing controversy.
