Accused cop shooters' hearing postponed

Metro Police officers showed their support for Sgt. Mark Chesnut during a scheduled preliminary hearing for the two men charged in his shooting. The hearing was postponed. Matthew Williams for The City Paper

The two men accused of hatching an escape from the custody of corrections officers in Mississippi and then shooting a Metro police officer on their way through Nashville had their preliminary hearing postponed in General Sessions Court on Wednesday.

The defense attorneys for Joseph Jackson and Courtney Logan said they needed more time and the preliminary hearing was postponed to July 14 by Judge John Aaron Holt.

Jackson and Logan stand accused of attempted murder for allegedly shooting Sgt. Mark Chesnut after a traffic stop on June 25.

Chesnut has been at Vanderbilt University Medical Center since the shooting. He was upgraded to critical but stable condition on Tuesday night.

A contingency of Metro Police officers, including Chief Ronal Serpas, were on hand for the preliminary hearing.

Serpas said community support for Chesnut, a 22-year veteran of the department, has been overwhelming.

“I’ve been stunned and amazed at the depth of support from the community,” Serpas said.

Investigations both in Nashville and in Mississippi continue. Jackson was already serving a life sentence in Mississippi for robbery and aggravated assault.

Police spokesman Don Aaron said the community could send its letters of support for Sgt. Chesnut to VUMC.