CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The trial date for former Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy has been officially set, as her legal challenges surrounding multiple charges continue to unfold. The trial is scheduled to start on January 20, 2026, amid growing scrutiny of the allegations levied against her.
Due to the high-profile nature of the case, the presiding judge raised the possibility of selecting a jury from outside of Hamilton County to ensure a fair trial. Murphy has entered a plea of not guilty to a total of 17 charges, which include both felony and misdemeanor counts. The charges list includes six counts of official misconduct, three counts of forgery, three counts of perjury, and various counts related to false entries in government records and illegal voter registration.
Investigations by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) have revealed that Murphy allegedly submitted false information on several government documents. These documents pertained to her residency in Chattanooga, even as she affirmed their accuracy upon signing.
In the course of the investigation, inconsistencies surfaced regarding Murphy’s residency while she held the position of the city’s top law enforcement officer. This scrutiny ultimately led to her resignation in August of the previous year.
During a hearing on Wednesday, Murphy participated via Zoom as the judge established important deadlines for the trial preparation. A final motions date was set for January 12, while experts’ notices must be filed by December 16 of this year. Attorneys are also slated to meet in August to discuss potential jury questions and to confirm where the jury will be selected.
As the case progresses, both the prosecution and defense will continue to prepare their arguments, shedding light on a situation that has captured considerable public interest in Chattanooga.
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