Hamilton County, TN - In response to the District Attorney's Office discovery of unprocessed evidence collected during the period of 1986-2002, Sheriff Jim Hammond has released the following statement.

"Recently, the HCSO was made aware officials with the Hamilton County District Attorney's Office Cold Case Unit had discovered unprocessed evidence from a number of homicides, suicides, and accidental deaths spanning the years 1986-2002 stored at the Medical Examiner's Office.

Having been made aware of this situation, my staff immediately met with District Attorney Pinkston in order to be made fully aware of the details of the discovery and how the District Attorney's Office plans to move forward.

While many of the details have yet to be determined and if any of this evidence pertains to City and County cases, I have assured General Pinkston the HCSO will work with his office as we move forward under his guidance and direction."

No further statements or interviews will be made regarding this issue until further information is known.