Jury deliberations stretch on in Abston rape trial
The jury began deliberating around 1 p.m. Thursday, April 11 — the third day of Cleotha Abston’s trial — before breaking at about 5 p.m.
Julia Baker
Reporter
There are 954 articles by Julia Baker :
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April 2024
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Public Safety -
Public Safety Cleotha Abston will not testify during his trial
Cleotha Abston chose not to take the stand Wednesday, April 10, during the second day of trial for the alleged rape of Alicia Franklin.
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Public Safety Cleotha Abston trial opens with victim testimony: ‘I didn’t want to die’
“It seemed like forever,” Alicia Franklin said of her alleged rape by Cleotha Abston during testimony she gave on the first day of trial in the case.
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Shelby County Judge: Population size doesn’t excuse no visitation at juvenile justice center
Juvenile Court Judge Tarik Sugarmon said only about 50%-60% of children in the facility attend classes. He also said the court mandated Feb. 28 parent visitation, which has been suspended for four years, be reinstated.
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Public Safety ‘A call to action': Officials honor three children lost to abuse, neglect
“It is critical in the face of such tragedy that we don’t surrender to hopelessness. We’ve got to strengthen our resolve, amplify our voices and expand our reach,” said the executive director of Memphis Child Advocacy Center.
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Public Safety DA’s office targets 400 violent crime cases
The cases represent 15% of the felonies that have come through the DA’s office this year, Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy said during a Wednesday press conference.
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Shelby County Sheriff’s office struggling with new youth justice center
A group of organizations allege the youth detention facility’s leadership and staff deny visitation and do not provide sufficient education or time outdoors.
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Shelby County ‘It’s like we’re still on the outside:’ Incarcerated women train dogs waiting for adoption
Six women in the Shelby County Department of Corrections and three dogs are participating in a program to improve the women’s emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills while giving dogs training to make them more adoptable.
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Behind The Headlines Police union leaders support new state law preventing limits on traffic stops
Memphis Police Association President Matt Cunningham and Vice President John Covington discussed recent public safety legislation, agreements and negotiations with the Memphis Police Department, recruitment and more on the WKNO-TV program “Behind The Headlines.”
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March 2024
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State Government Governor signs bill into law preventing limits on traffic stops
Bill Lee signed a law that nullifies a Memphis ordinance that banned pretextual stops, which was passed in 2023 after Tyre Nichols’ death.
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Public Safety Bond conditions changed for Young Dolph suspect
Hernandez Govan was requesting a curfew so he could seek employment during the day. Conditions of his initial bond only allowed him to leave house arrest for attorney visits, court appearances and medical visits.
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Public Safety It’s ‘time for a breakthrough’ on community violence, Mayor says
Memphis Mayor Paul Young told hundreds of community stakeholders during a two-day conference that violence plaguing the city can’t be combatted by flooding the streets with police officers.
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Public SafetyPolice presence up, Downtown crime down during NCAA weekend
This year’s NCAA weekend followed the previous weekend’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, when there were 95% more crimes reported.
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Public Safety Suspect arrested in Walmart shooting, which left one critically injured
The shooting occurred at the business located at 577 N. Germantown Pkwy. at 2:17 p.m. Friday, March 22.
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Public Safety Memphis leaders discuss police, racism and legislation at national convening
Speakers throughout the day included family members of Tyre Nichols and other nationally recognized police brutality victims, Memphis Mayor Paul Young and state Sen. Raumesh Akbari.
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Public SafetyAs Downtown rebounds from fatal weekend, MPD preps for NCAA crowd
The basketball tournament comes nearly a week after two fatal altercations occurred Downtown amid St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and after the leader of the agency tasked with managing the entertainment district touted new security technology.
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Public Safety DA’s office: Car crimes made up 23% of juvenile charges in 2023
Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy’s office presented the data to the Memphis City Council Public Safety Committee on Tuesday, March 19.
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State Government Circuit Court Clerk asks for audit before decisions are made about number of Shelby County judges
The weighted caseload study could impact the amount of resources or number of judges Shelby County’s judicial district could have.
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Metro Fire at Steve Cohen’s house ruled accidental
There were three cars in the garage at the time of the fire, according to MFD spokesperson Qwanesha Ward.
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Metro Fire breaks out at Steve Cohen’s house in Midtown
The fire started at the U.S. congressman’s home on Kenilworth Place in Midtown around 3:05 p.m.
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State Government State Senate passes law preventing local jurisdictions from banning traffic stops
“When local governments restrict police officers from carrying out their sworn duty to uphold our laws, we make every community in Tennessee more dangerous,” said State Rep. John Gillespie, who sponsored the law.
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Shelby County Vera Institute, DA’s office host ‘data walk’ at National Civil Rights Museum
The “From Numbers to Narratives: Exploring Prosecution & Safety in Shelby County” data walk on Wednesday, March 13, was the culmination of a year-long partnership between Vera Institute and the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office and other local organizations.
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Public SafetyShelby County needs its own crime lab, leaders say
State Rep. G.A. Hardaway has introduced a bill proposing a feasibility study for a state-operated crime lab in Shelby County. But he and other state leaders have indicated the state will likely not fund the lab.
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Public Safety Affidavits reveal details of Friday police shooting
Geronimo Kee, 22, was arrested Friday for allegedly shooting Memphis Police Department 2nd Lt. Bobby Johnson after being pulled over for speeding on Interstate 240.
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Public Safety State trial date for four officers in Nichols case postponed
Attorney for Justin Smith, Demetrius Haley, Tadarrius Bean and Emmitt Martin III filed the joint motion Thursday, March 7.
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