Career Prosecutor Bill Crabtree Receives Patrick H. McCutchen Award

Deputy District Attorney General William H. Crabtree, who currently oversees the Office’s Legal Guidance, Trial Strategy, & Attorney Development, was honored on the first morning at the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference’s (TNDAGC) Annual Fall Conference in Chattanooga.  The TNDAGC presented General Crabtree with the 2015 Patrick H. McCutchen Award, which is typically given to the elected district attorneys across the state.  The Award was granted “In recognition for his dedication to the goals and ideals of the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference and his efforts to improve the quality of justice for all Tennesseans.” 

General William “Bill” Crabtree joined the Knox County DA’s Office in 1976, after receiving both his undergraduate and graduate degrees at The University of Tennessee.  General Crabtree received his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1971, and his Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree in 1975, practicing law solely in Tennessee during his entire legal career. 

Raised in Loudon, Tennessee, General Crabtree served his country from 1962 to 1966 as a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps stationed in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.  He is well-known throughout the law community as a tenacious prosecutor, handling such high-profile cases as the Christa Pike Job Corps murder trial in 1996 and the Eric McLean “Love Triangle” murder trial in 2008.

His knowledge, experience, and overwhelming understanding of the criminal justice system have led to his appointments to the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Committee on Post-Convictions, the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Committee on Case Identification, and as Chair of the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference’s Education Committee.  General Crabtree has also distinguished himself as a lecturer with the National College of District Attorneys.

In addition to this most recent honor, General Crabtree has received the National College of District Attorneys Distinguished Faculty Award (2010), the B. Rex McGee Award for Pursuit of Legal Excellence (2008), and the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference President’s Award (2000-2001).

On General Crabtree receiving this award, District Attorney General Charme Allen stated, “Bill has dedicated his life to the pursuit of justice and the mentoring of young attorneys both in our Office and across this State.  His leadership and vision have been instrumental in shaping Tennessee’s criminal justice system for nearly 40 years.  Congratulations to Bill on receiving this most well-deserved award.”