An area judge seeking re-election has retained counsel to represent him, based on wording in a campaign flyer sent to voters by the campaign of his opponent. Judge Barry Tidwell’s attorney denies wording in the flyer suggesting he allowed a convicted child rapist to reside in the same home as an 11-year-old child. Attorney Brad Hornsby, who represents Tidwell, said his client actually denied the defendant’s request to live with a family member and a minor child. In a published statement, Hornsby said the allegations in the flyer were either intentionally misleading or indicate incompetence on behalf of the other candidate.The flyer in question was distributed by the campaign of attorney Nathan Nichols, who currently works in the legal department at the City of Smyrna. Nichols said he stands by the allegations, and also said court records clearly show what actually happened. Nichols asserts that Tidwell did alter his opinion two weeks after issuing it, but only after being contacted by state authorities.
