The Senate voted 27-5 to oust Sen. Katrina Robinson (D-Memphis) from the chamber for federal wire fraud charges related to misspending grant money intended for her nursing schools and her agreement to pretrial diversion on another case.
Robinson called the case a “procedural lynching.”
The chamber earlier voted 16-16 on a motion to delay consideration of the ouster proceedings until after Robinson is sentenced in March, meaning the motion failed. Democratic Sen. Brenda Gilmore of Nashville was missing due to a COVID-19 infection, otherwise the motion might have prevailed.
Several Republicans said later they had been confused about whether the vote was to end debate or delay consideration.
Here is an image gallery of proceedings on Tuesday.
Sen. Katrina Robinson (D-Memphis), right, attends a floor session in which colleagues were to decide whether to oust her from the chamber on Feb. 2, 2022. (Erik Schelzig, Tennessee Journal)Democrat state House members watch the Senate discussion of a proposal to oust Sen. Katrina Robinson (D-Memphis). From the top are Reps. Torrey Harris of Memphis, Vincent Dixie of Nashville, Sam McKenzie of Knoxville, and Larry Miller of Memphis. (Erik Schelzig, Tennessee Journal)Sen. Katrina Robinson (D-Memphis) addresses colleagues during a floor session to decide whether to oust her from the chamber as Senate Speaker Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) watches on Feb. 2, 2022. (Erik Schelzig, Tennessee Journal)A supporter of Sen. Katrina Robinson (D-Memphis) holds up a sign in the gallery while members considered an ouster proposal in Nashville on Feb. 2, 2022. (Erik Schelzig, Tennessee Journal)Sen. Katrina Robinson (D-Memphis), center, addresses colleagues during a floor session to decide whether to oust her from the chamber on Feb. 2, 2022. (Erik Schelzig, Tennessee Journal)
Sen. Katrina Robinson’s attorney, Larry Laurenzi addresses the Senate chamber during a floor session to decide whether to oust his client from the chamber on Feb. 2, 2022. (Erik Schelzig, Tennessee Journal)
