A Knox County grand jury has indicted Hailey Hatmaker on a second-degree murder charge in the death of 20-year-old Caleb Huertas, according to court records. Hatmaker is accused in the Nov. 11, 2025 death that stunned neighbors in the Halls Crossroads area. The indictment, returned this month, moves the case into Knox County Criminal Court.
Grand jury presentment filed in June
According to WATE 6 On Your Side, court documents show a presentment was filed on June 17, listing a single count of second-degree murder against Hatmaker. Prosecutors allege Hatmaker caused Huertas' death, though the presentment itself offers little narrative detail about what they believe happened. At the time of that initial reporting, the Knox County District Attorney's Office had not released a public statement.
Victim and community response
Huertas was 20 at the time of his death and, according to an obituary posted by Mynatt Funeral Home, died on Nov. 11, 2025. In the months since, family members and friends have publicly pressed for answers, and community posts along with regional media coverage have documented their calls for justice. That ongoing outreach and attention helped keep the case in the public eye as prosecutors moved it to a grand jury, according to National Today.
What the charge carries
In Tennessee, second-degree murder is defined in T.C.A. § 39-13-210 and prosecuted as a Class A felony, with potential penalties that can include decades in prison. The statute covers a knowing killing, as well as certain deaths tied to drug distribution. How prosecutors choose to frame the alleged conduct under that statute will influence the sentencing range under Tennessee law. Defense attorneys often point out that pretrial motions, evidence challenges, and plea negotiations play a major role in how serious felony cases like this one ultimately resolve.
Next steps in court
With the indictment now returned, the case moves to Knox County Criminal Court for arraignment and pretrial hearings. Publicly available court records filed this month did not yet list an arraignment date. If the case goes to trial, prosecutors will have to prove every element of second-degree murder beyond a reasonable doubt. For now, the investigation remains open, and the legal process will determine whether the charge is upheld as filed, reduced or resolved through a plea agreement.
