March 5, 2026 – A Davidson County jury found 28-year-old Leronte Burks GUILTY this week of attempted murder and several other charges for a 2021 shooting that almost killed a female motel clerk. Judith Edwards and her husband were the managers of the Cumberland Inn Motel on West Trinity Lane in September, 2021, when Leronte Burks became angry over a parking issue at the motel. Burks ripped up a towing notice left on his vehicle, then began firing at Ms. Edwards as she fled back to the motel office. While the defendant reloaded a second extended magazine, Ms. Edwards ducked behind an SUV as 14 rounds were fired at her in a barrage of gunfire , striking several cars and endangering other patrons in the motel parking lot.
In a strange twist, eyewitness Lenzo Smith Jr. corroborated Ms. Edwards’s story at a preliminary hearing several years ago, but Mr. Smith has since passed away. Still, his earlier testimony was preserved by the District Attorney’s office and was able to be admitted at this week’s trial. Lead Prosecutor Jan Norman says that preserved testimony from a now-deceased first-hand witness was critical to securing a Guilty verdict.
Burks was found Guilty on ALL four counts: Attempted First Degree Murder, Employing a Firearm during a Dangerous Felony, Aggravated Assault, and Felon in Possession of a Weapon. His sentencing is set for mid-April.
Prosecutor Jan Norman, Exteriors of Cumberland Inn on West Trinity Lane in Nashville