Inmates warned officials of ex-MPD officer Haley’s behavior, new documents show
Personnel records for Demetrius Haley, 30, reveal that he had multiple allegations of violating departmental policy at Shelby County Division of Corrections.
Ben Wheeler
Ben Wheeler is an investigative reporter and is a member of The Daily Memphian’s public safety reporting team. He previously worked at the Yankton Daily Press and Dakotan and Herald-Citizen.
There are 175 articles by Ben Wheeler :
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December 2023
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City of Memphis
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November 2023
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Public Safety Suspect in Eason-Williams death changes counsel, delays case until January
Miguel Andrade was expected to accept a plea agreement at Thursday’s hearing, but showed up with new legal counsel who requested the delay.
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Public Safety ‘We need more boots on the ground,’ community safety panel says
The panel hosted by New Memphis and moderated by Mayor-elect Paul Young Tuesday at Memphis Botanic Garden featured five leaders of organizations doing on-the-ground work in Memphis focusing on violence interruption and prevention.
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MetroState fines Allied Universal Security for unlicensed guards
After one of its guards allegedly shot and killed a man at a Kroger gas station in Memphis, the State of Tennessee found the company employed 309 unlicensed guards during a six-month period.
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Public SafetyDeath of St. Jude researcher is the ninth Downtown slaying this year
The slaying on Tennessee Street is the latest in city’s march toward another possible record year of homicides.
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Public Safety Family of slain inmate wants DOJ involvement at 201 Poplar
Deion Byrd was stabbed Oct. 26 in a holding cell awaiting a court appearance at the Walter L. Bailey Jr. Criminal Justice Center, more commonly known as 201 Poplar.
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Public Safety Family of inmate fatally stabbed in court retains Ben Crump
Deion Byrd’s family is the fifth in the Memphis-Shelby County area who have lost loved ones during interactions with law enforcement to hire Ben Crump for representation.
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Public SafetyProperty closures aim to reduce crime and relieve neighbors
“It’s always been a nuisance,” Nita McComb said of the EZ Express convenience store near her Frayser home. “It’s just an eyesore because of people loitering. A lot of people loitering.”
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October 2023
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Shelby CountyFifteen more cases of excessive force at 201 Poplar, records reveal
The new instances uncovered in public records bring to 46 the number of substantiated instances of excessive force involving officers at 201 Poplar.
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Public Safety Federal civil rights lawsuit filed against City of Memphis, former MPD chief
An attorney for two women filed a lawsuit against the city, former Memphis Police Chief Michael Rallings and former officer Alexis Brown.
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Public Safety Judge rules ‘Red Dog’ claims admissible in Nichols’ civil suit
Attorneys for the City of Memphis previously filed a motion to strike any mention of the former Atlanta “Red Dog” police unit in the $550 million lawsuit, arguing the information would be immaterial and scandalous.
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City of Memphis New Downtown Memphis Safety Plan has more than 40 suggestions
Among the plan’s recommendations is creation of a DMC Youth Advisory Council that would “receive feedback on appropriate youth-focused activities for Downtown and youth perceptions of public safety.”
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Public SafetyExcessive force: 30+ incidents in three years at 201 Poplar, records show
The 31 incidents occurred between June 2018 and September 2021, and they involved at least 27 correctional officers.
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Public Safety Memphis man charged in shooting that wounded two MPD officers
Charles Williams II was indicted on two counts each of criminal attempt of second-degree murder, plus other charges, in the March 30 shooting on East Raines Road.
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Public Safety Margolin Hebrew Academy shooting suspect waives preliminary hearing
Joel Bowman’s defense team plans a more thorough mental evaluation.
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September 2023
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Public Safety FedExForum shooting suspect arrested
The shooting happened during a Lil Baby concert Sept. 7 and resulted in critical injuries to one man.
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Public Safety Timeline of the Gershun Freeman case
Here’s a look at major events surrounding the death of Gershun Freeman, from Oct. 25, 2022, to the present.
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Public Safety Two indicted in Freeman death were targets of prior civil rights lawsuit
The alleged victim, Elvis Hester, filed a grievance against Jones after Jones reportedly made threats of a sexual nature and refused to feed Hester.
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Update
Public SafetyNine indicted in jail death of Gershun Freeman
Gershun Freeman was involved in a fatal encounter with corrections officers in the Shelby County Jail at 201 Poplar Ave. on Oct. 5, 2022.
Related story:
Bonner claims Freeman video release was illegal and politically motivated
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Shelby CountyCounty looks to re-sign with Wellpath as jail health care provider
After 41 deaths at 201 Poplar, since the start of 2019, Shelby County government is in the process of renewing its contract with Wellpath, the largest health care provider for jails and prisons in the country.
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Sports Tuohy family files response to Michael Oher claims
Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy deny, in new court filing, that they tried to exploit Michael Oher for personal gain. The movie “The Blind Side” was based on his story.
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Public Safety Decertification hearing for lieutenant in Tyre Nichols case delayed
Decertification process for fellow officer Preston Hemphill was also placed on hold.
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Public Safety ‘A place where justice is done:’ DOJ announces federal indictment of former MPD officers
“Effective policing requires public trust,” said Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
Related story:
Five former officers in Tyre Nichols case federally indicted
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Public Safety Police footage released in the death of Jaylin McKenzie
Jaylin McKenzie, a 20-year-old Atlanta native, was killed in December 2022 when visiting Memphis.
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Public Safety Five former officers in Tyre Nichols case federally indicted
According to the indictment, the defendants conspired to intentionally “withhold and omit material information and knowingly make false and misleading statements” to cover up the use of force taken out on Nichols.
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