James Caveye Filed for New Murder Trial
The petition challenges a 1998 conviction citing coerced testimony and new DNA testing in Nashville.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Criminal Justice
James Caveye filed a petition for a new trial on October 2, 2026, claiming his 1998 murder conviction relied on false testimony. Caveye is currently serving a life sentence for the death of David Schulman.
Why it matters
The filing claims the original conviction was secured through witness coercion by a former detective. New DNA testing is now being conducted to determine if the evidence supports the claims made in a recent podcast.
The Davidson County District Attorney's Office is conducting new DNA testing on evidence from the 1998 case. Judge Steve Dozier is expected to hold off on ruling until those results are returned.
The players
James Caveye
He is the individual serving a life sentence who has filed for a new trial regarding his 1998 conviction.
David Schulman
He was the victim of the 1998 murder that took place in Nashville.
Judge Steve Dozier
He is the presiding judge in the Davidson County court handling the petition for the new trial.
Jason Pence
He is a witness who alleged in a podcast that his original testimony against Caveye was false due to coercion.
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
This state agency is currently re-testing DNA evidence linked to the original 1998 murder investigation.
The details
Caveye, who was 17 at the time of the incident, claims witness Jason Pence was coerced into providing false testimony by a former Metro Nashville police detective. Pence publicly alleged the deception during a podcast season that launched in 2025.
Timeline
January 22, 1998: David Schulman died.
2004: Detective E.J. Bernard resigned from the force.
2006: Detective E.J. Bernard died.
October 7, 2025: The podcast season launched.
October 2, 2026: James Caveye filed a petition for a new trial.
Legal Context
This petition utilizes the writ of error coram nobis, a legal mechanism for challenging convictions based on newly discovered evidence. It reflects a growing trend of cases being revisited through modern DNA forensic standards and post-conviction reviews.
The petition process may bring renewed attention to past police investigative procedures in Nashville. Residents and local businesses can monitor public court filings as the Davidson County District Attorney's Office proceeds with DNA testing.
The takeaway
The court's decision will hinge on the reliability of the new DNA evidence compared to the original trial findings. This case highlights how external investigations and digital media can trigger formal legal reviews of historical criminal convictions.
Further reading
For more background on legal appeals in the region, visit the Criminal Justice section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Tennessean.
