Knoxville business owner killed, fellow businessman charged with murder
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Updated: 3:04 PM Aug 24, 2009
Knoxville business owner killed, fellow businessman charged with murder
An East Knoxville businessman was gunned down Saturday evening in the Five Points community, and another Knoxville businessman is accused of killing him.
Posted: 10:37 PM Aug 22, 2009
Reporter: Nick Bona & Michael Grider
Email Address: nick.bona@wvlt-tv.com
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(Left) Reginald Sudderth and (Right) Troy Whiteside (Photos Courtesy: Knox County Sheriff's Office)
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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – An East Knoxville businessman was gunned down Saturday evening in the Five Points community, and another Knoxville businessman is accused of killing him.

Investigators confirm Reginald Stacy Sudderth, 43, of Knoxville was shot several times during a dispute around 7:00 p.m. When officers arrived on the scene, they reportedly found him on the ground and barely breathing in a parking lot at the intersection of Martin Luther King Junior Avenue and Chestnut Street.

The suspect fled the scene in a car. Police said he drove two blocks to the intersection of MLK and Ben Hur Avenue and turned himself in to a KPD officer out on an unrelated traffic stop.

Troy Whiteside, 41, of Knoxville was taken in for questioning and later charged with second degree murder. He was reportedly released from the Knox County Detention Center sometime on Sunday after posting bond. Whiteside is the former owner of The Broker banquet hall at 3434 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. He was also a citizen blogger for VolunteerTV.com earlier this year when he and his family traveled to Washington, D.C. for the inauguration of President Barack Obama.

The Broker is still in business, but a person who answered the phone said Whitehead no longer ran the banquet hall. Knox County Clerk records show Whiteside's business tax license on The Broker expired in 2004, then was re--established in his wife's name until 2006. The property is currently owned by Whiteside's business, MPi Business Solutions Inc.. Whiteside's wife, Jacqueline Whiteside, is president and CEO of MPi.

Sudderth was rushed to the University of Tennessee Medical Center where he later died. Zoning records from the Knoxville-Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission indicate he was the owner of Phatz Sports Bar on Asheville Highway.

Sudderth was only three years removed from standing trial in the 1998 murder of a Blount County teenager. At the time, prosecutors alleged he had put a bounty on the head of Andre Jackson, 18. Jackson was found inside an Alcoa home having passed away from multiple gunshot wounds. A Blount County Grand Jury chose to indict him in 2000.

The bar owner was originally granted immunity in order to testify against other suspects in the case, but according to an appeals court brief, prosecutors revoked the immunity when he performed poorly on a polygraph test.

The murder trial finally began in 2006, ending with an acquittal.

The Knoxville Police Department said Sunday night that detectives were still actively investigating the case.

Whiteside has been released from jail after posting a $750,000 bond. He's being represented by prominent Knoxville defense attorney Greg P. Isaacs.

Monday, Isaacs released the following statement:

"Our firm has been retained to represent Troy Whiteside regarding the current criminal allegations. Our firm is currently conducting a comprehensive investigation into this matter. Mr Whiteside and his family are well respected throughout the local and business communities. Although it is unfortunate that a life has been lost, this is a clear case of self defense."

Police have released few details about the the circumstances surrounding the shooting, and they haven't said whether their investigation indicates that the Sudderth was killed in self defense.
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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – A Knoxville man was shot to death Saturday evening by a man police believe he knew.

No names have been released.

It happened at 7:04 p.m. in the 2500 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue.

Police said two men in their 40s were arguing in a parking lot when one of the men pulled out a handgun.

Reports from the scene indicate the victim was shot several times. Paramedic’s quickly arrived and transported him to the University of Tennessee Medical Center.

The suspect apparently fled the scene in a car, but pulled over two blocks away and approached a police officer on a traffic stop at the intersection of MLK and Ben Hur Avenue. Police say he told the officer he’d been in an argument and had shot someone. The officer immediately took him into custody.

The victim passed away shortly after arriving at the hospital.

Charges have not yet been filed.

Stay with Volunteer TV News and VolunteerTV.com for the latest on this developing story.


Latest Comments

Posted by: Renee Location: Alcoa on Aug 24, 2009 at 07:44 PM

I am appalled that you would even use this killer names in the same sentence with President Barrack Obama!!!!!
Posted by: Darrett Location: Atlanta on Aug 24, 2009 at 07:40 PM

I have been friends with Tory for over 20 years and never seen him talk bad or do anything to hurt anybody.If I would die to night I would leave my kids with Troy I love you man my God go with you.
Posted by: Mike Location: Powell on Aug 24, 2009 at 12:13 PM

Wow! Two thugs for the price of one.