Drummond returns to court on charges received in TDOC custody
LAKE COUNTY, Tenn. — Austin Drummond was back in court in Lake County Circuit Court Monday regarding attempted murder and introduction of contraband into a penal facility, charges he received in TDOC custody, prior to his release from prison.
📸: FILE PHOTO / November 17, 2025
Drummond was housed at Northwest Correctional Complex when he received the charges for attempted murder, stemming from a fight where he stabbed another inmate on August 29, 2023. He’s also accused of bringing in drugs and contraband into the prison.
According to the Tennessee Department of Correction disciplinary report, Drummond was seen by a prison corporal stabbing another inmate with ” a 5 1/2 knife wrapped in a cloth handle. When inmate was told to stop, he handed me the knife.” According to prison records, Drummond and another inmate involved in assaulting the victim refused treatment. The inmate that was stabbed received medical treatment.
Drummond’s trial on these charges is set for July 22, 2026, with a hearing for any pretrial motions scheduled for May 26.
Judge Mark Hayes also took up a few issues regarding the quadruple homicide charges and court hearings regarding those charges.
Judge Hayes has signed a Protective Order for Discovery, preventing the public release of discovery materials in regards to the quadruple homicide case. The Protective Order for Discovery was agreed upon between the defense and prosecution. It’s typically used to protective sensitive information and prevent media leaks that would potentially taint a jury pool or harm the case in some way.
Additionally, Drummond’s attorney Bryan Huffman told the court that Drummond is being housed at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution and is having trouble being allowed to make phone calls.
The court requested Huffman to look into the issue to determine if they were having a problem and if they were having an issue with Drummond being allowed to make phone calls. Huffman could then bring it back before the court to be addressed.
He was moved to Riverbend Maximum Security and to TDOC custody after a court hearing on October 27 where Judge Hayes ordered he be housed at a TDOC facility while awaiting trial on the quadruple homicides. The order came after Obion County jail officials testified that Drummond was posing security issues at the jail by smearing feces on his door window, hanging paper on the window to prevent officials from being able to look inside the cell, and other behavioral issues.
Drummond was moved from the Lake County jail to Obion County jail at the request of the Lake County sheriff. The sheriff said the jail did not have adequate staffing or sufficient conditions and ability to ensure Drummond’s safety.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. He is charged with murdering Cortney Rose, Adrianna Williams, Braydon Williams, and James Wilson on July 29, 2025, along with multiple other charges.
Drummond will be back in court regarding the quadruple homicide charges on March 24, 2026.
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