Number of Memphis, Shelby County homicides increased in 2019
The City of Memphis ended 2019 with 191 homicides — an increase of nearly 3% from the previous year, according to homicide data released by the Memphis Police Department.
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.
297 articles by Yolanda Jones :
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January 2020
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City’s violent crime rate continues decline but homicide count rises
The overall violent crime rate in Memphis dropped more than 8% in 2019 from the previous year. However, the number of homicides increased.
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Man indicted for allegedly stealing $1 million from Masons
Memphis man indicted after he was accused of stealing $1 million from Masons.
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No trial date set for man accused of killing Lorenzen Wright
Billy Ray Turner is charged with first-degree murder in the July 2010 death of the U of M and NBA basketball player. The case was reset for Feb. 11.
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Records show increase, racial disparity in juvenile transfers to adult court
Children transferred from juvenile court to adult court is on the rise. Last year, 90 children were charged as adults and almost all are African American.
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‘Chauncy’s Chance’ teen charged in murder of neighbor
Chauncy Black, a Memphis teen for whom a viral fundraiser brought in nearly $350,000 to help Black's struggling family in 2016, has been charged with murder four years later.
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Memphis has paid $1 million in attorney fees in consent decree lawsuit
The City of Memphis has paid $1 million to Baker Donelson law firm in attorney fees to defend the city in a 2017 consent decree lawsuit.
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December 2019
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Sheriff’s Office brings Christmas early to Vollentine students
The Shelby County Sheriff's Office and the Order of the Boll Weevils delivered Christmas gifts to students at Vollentine Optional Elementary School Thursday.
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Violent crime reduction plan to launch in Memphis
Federal authorities announce new violent crime reduction plan in seven cities nationwide, including in Memphis. The federal surge will pair federal and local enforcement in Operation Relentless Pursuit.
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Council approves referendum on police, fire residency
City Council approves referendum on police and fire residency. Residents will have a chance next November to weigh in on whether police and firefighters can live within 50 miles of the city or in neighboring counties.
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Serial rapist convicted in six Memphis rape cases
Horn Lake man identified through rape kits to six sexual assaults in Memphis over a seven year period.
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More than a dozen Memphis children killed in homicides this year
There have been 15 child homicide victims this year in Memphis, an increase over the 13 children killed all of last year.
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Shelby County Jail East prisoners earn high school diplomas
Four women at Shelby County Jail East accomplished a milestone in their lives Wednesday, Dec. 11. They became high school graduates through the HopeWorks program for prisoners.
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Memphis gets $1.8M grant for rape kit testing as part of $4.1M total
Memphis receives $4.1 million in federal funding from the Department of Justice. The grants will go toward rape kit testing, gunshot detection technology and training.
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Nigerian citizen extradited to Memphis in cybercrime scam
A Nigerian man has been extradited to Memphis in connection with a cybercrime scheme involving several U.S. businesses, including a Memphis real estate company.
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Death penalty protesters to hold prayer vigil in Memphis
Opponents of the death penalty are holding prayer vigils in Memphis and other cities in the state to protest the execution planned Thursday of Lee Hall, convicted for the 1991 death of his estranged girlfriend.
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No trial date set in Lorenzen Wright murder; case continued until next year
A trial date for Billy Ray Turner, the man accused in the fatal shooting of NBA star Lorenzen Wright, could possibly be announced on Jan. 15 when Turner heads back to court.
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Police discuss road closures, traffic for St. Jude Marathon and AAC game
Memphis police, St. Jude and city officials discuss traffic, road closures and public safety during Saturday's marathon and the American Athletic Championship championship football game.
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Homicide victims remembered at ‘Season of Remembrance’ event
Families and friends pay homage to homicide victims during the ninth-annual Season of Remembrance event hosted by Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich and her staff.
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Memphis updates rules on security system false alarms
False alarms will become more costly for Memphis homeowners and businesses in 2020. Under new rules designed to cut down on false alarms, permits will no longer be renewed by alarm companies -- individuals and businesses must do it themselves -- and false alarms after the first one will cost $140.
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November 2019
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Public invited to comment on Sheriff’s Office accreditation
Public comments will be accepted Dec. 11 as the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office seeks re-accreditation for its training academy and communications unit.
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MemFeast helps and feeds those in need on Thanksgiving Day
The City of Memphis, along with Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, businesses and volunteers, stepped up Thursday for MemFeast, a Thanksgiving meal for the homeless.
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Assistant U.S. Attorney pleads guilty to falsifying time card records
Barbara Zoccola, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney in Memphis, pleaded guilty to falsifying her time card records and faces up to a year in prison. She will be sentenced March 5.
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Monitoring team updates court on progress in consent decree case
Ed Stanton, the court monitor, provided updates Thursday to the court on the progress the city is making to comply with sanctions imposed by U.S. District Judge Jon McCalla over its violation of the 1978 Kendrick consent decree.
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Sedley Alley DNA testing petition dismissed
Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Paula Skahan Monday dismissed a move by the estate of Sedley Alley to have DNA tested in an attempt to exonerate him posthumously, saying the estate does not have standing in the case.
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