Brock, who faces first-degree murder charges, was arrested in August 2005 after his wife, Janet Brock, was found beaten to death in her home in Claiborne County.
Initially, the crime was attributed to the work of a stranger, but later that day Jamie Brock signed a confession admitting to the killing of his wife at the Claiborne County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division.
During a preliminary hearing, Brock's attorney raised questions about the methods used to obtain the confession.
Another high profile case in Claiborne County was concluded earlier this year.
More than a year after being arrested on charges of killing his girlfriend's 16-month old son, Ryan Baker was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Baker was convicted on second-degree murder charges after he agreed to a plea of nolo contendere.
According to Assistant District Attorney Jared Effler, a nolo contendere plea has the same effect as a plea of guilty, as far as the criminal sentence is concerned, but may not be considered as an admission of guilt for any other purpose.
Effler said Baker would be forced to serve at least 85 percent of his prison term before being eligible for parole.
Baker was convicted of the beating death of Bryson Gilbert.
In all the child suffered more than 50 internal injuries, including at least two that would have been fatal.
Baker had contended that the child suffered the injuries after falling off the sofa while eating.
“A case like this doesn't happen once a week. It happens once a year," said Knoxville Forensic Pathologist Dirinka Milusnec-Pulchan, who testified for the prosecution during an earlier hearing.
Daniel Bruce is News Editor for the Daily News. He can be reached via e-mail at dbruce@middlesborodailynews.com.
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