Metro
Appeals court denies DNA testing in Sedley Alley case
Sedley Alley was executed in 2006 for the murder of Lance Cpl. Suzanne Collins. Alley’s daughter sought to have DNA evidence tested to see if it would clear his name.
Yolanda Jones
Reporter
Yolanda Jones covers criminal justice issues and general assignment news for The Daily Memphian. She previously was a reporter at The Commercial Appeal.
There are 615 articles by Yolanda Jones :
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May 2021
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Metro Pervis Payne attorneys file petition to present intellectual disability claim
Attorneys for Pervis Payne have filed a petition in Shelby County Criminal Court, asking the court to recognize that Payne has an intellectual disability and under a new state law cannot be executed.
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MetroCrack shuts down all traffic on I-40 bridge
A crack on the I-40 bridge from Memphis into Arkansas shut down traffic and drivers were being rerouted to I-55, over the old bridge.
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Metro Four teens charged in shooting of MPD officer, ATF agent
Four teens have been charged after allegedly shooting a Memphis police officer and an ATF agent Friday, May 7, in North Memphis as the Violent Crimes task force searched the area for a carjacked vehicle.
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Metro MPD officer, ATF agent injured in North Memphis shooting
A MPD officer and ATF agent were injured in a shooting Friday. Police said they were searching for a carjacked vehicle when suspects opened fire on them in North Memphis.
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City of Memphis Coalition gives new police chief 100 days to answer call for reform
Decarcerate Memphis, a criminal justice grassroots coalition, has given MPD’s new police chief 100 days to tackle reforms it says are needed to change the “culture and structure” of the department.
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City of MemphisDavis confirmed as new Memphis Police chief
Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis became the new leader of the Memphis Police Department Tuesday, May 4, in a council vote that was almost unanimous.
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Metro New evidence surfaces in 16-year-old murder case
Vern Braswell, a former elementary school principal, has been in prison for 16 years after being convicted of killing his wife. New evidence has surfaced that his supporters hope is enough to get him released or a new trial.
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City of MemphisMPD chief nominee touted as ‘rising star’
As Durham Police Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis awaits confirmation from the Memphis City Council as the new leader of MPD, city leaders, former colleagues and activists from her past weigh in on her law enforcement career.
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April 2021
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Metro Violent crime still rising, first-quarter stats show
Property crimes dropped during the first three months of 2021, according to data from the Memphis Shelby County Crime Commission and the Public Safety Institute.
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Metro Woman accused of shooting at police officer charged with attempted murder
She shot at officer during a traffic stop, police allege.
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Metro Former Memphis lawyer found guilty in $250K fraud scheme
Former Memphis lawyer George Skouteris Jr. faces a maximum sentence of 30 years and a fine of $1 million and five years supervised release.
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Metro TBI investigating possible police shooting during traffic stop
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said Wednesday it was investigating “the circumstances leading to a possible officer-involved shooting.”
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Metro Local activists react with tears of joy to guilty verdict in Minneapolis trial
Local activists shed tears of joy after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted on murder and manslaughter charges in the death of George Floyd.
Related story:
Ex-Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin found guilty on all charges
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MetroMemphis names first female police chief
Cerelyn ‘C.J.’ Davis, chief of police in Durham, North Carolina, has been named to head the Memphis Police Department, becoming the first woman to lead the agency in its 194-year history.
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City of Memphis Protesters decry latest police shootings around country
Around 30 people gathered outside the National Civil Rights Museum on Sunday, April 18, to demand justice in three recent police killings in Knoxville, Chicago and Minnesota.
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Metro Nail salon owner is on a quest to help ex-felons succeed
Yolanda Johnson, who has been in the nail industry for 21 years, plans to open a school to help former ex-felons train to be entrepreneurs and start their own nail salons like she did.
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MetroProblems persist at jail despite lawsuit settlement, inspection finds
The COVID-19 jail lawsuit has been settled but a recent jail inspection still found some issues at the facility at 201 Poplar.
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City of MemphisTop cops: The 12 Memphis Police directors
Since the position was created in 1972, the department has had a dozen directors. A new era is set to begin with the April 14 retirement of Michael Rallings.
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City of Memphis Rallings to cross new bridge: Police director reflects on ‘roller-coaster’ year
Michael Rallings, MPD’s director for five years, retires after 31-year career with the department.
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Metro COVID-19 jail lawsuit dismissed after both sides reach settlement
Lawsuit alleged Shelby County failed to address the spread of the coronavirus, putting medically vulnerable and disabled detainees at risk of contracting COVID-19.
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Metro Life on the street: No night is ‘typical’ for officers on patrol
Memphis Police Lt. Israel Taylor has been patrolling the streets of Memphis for 27 years. During a night on the streets, he discussed everything from the record-breaking number of homicides in Memphis last year to why he became an officer and remains on the job.
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Metro Community still dealing with unprecedented spike in homicides
Last year’s record 332 homicides in Memphis have taken a toll on those involved, from community activists to grieving parents to experts who struggle to come up with solutions to stem the violence.
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Metro Pervis Payne gains new supporters as reprieve set to expire
Pervis Payne, a Shelby County man on death row for 33 years, has gained new supporters as a reprieve is set to expire and the state Supreme Court may set a new execution date.
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City of Memphis Mike Ryall named interim MPD chief as new candidate joins the mix
Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland announced Monday, April 5, that he is appointing police Deputy Director Mike Ryall as interim director effective immediately.
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