Victims accuse city officials of ‘pattern of false statements’ in rape kit lawsuit
In a legal twist in Memphis’ rape kit lawsuit, victims cite new evidence about DNA testing that could have been used to solve sexual assaults by strangers.
Marc Perrusquia
Investigative Reporter
There are 111 articles by Marc Perrusquia :
-
December 2022
-
Public Safety -
Public Safety Judge should dismiss rape victim’s suit, city attorney says
Attorneys for the City of Memphis want a judge to dismiss rape victim Alicia Franklin’s lawsuit, contending MPD owed Alicia Franklin no duty to investigate to the extent she wanted.
-
Public Safety City denies MPD failed to properly investigate a 2021 rape allegation against Cleotha Henderson
A lawsuit includes a claim that had a 2021 rape been properly investigated and had Cleotha Henderson been arrested, the abduction and murder of Eliza Fletcher could have been avoided.
-
-
January 2023
-
Public Safety Could MPD have jailed Cleotha Henderson sooner?
Fresh questions surface about a series of expunged burglaries linked to murder defendant Cleotha Henderson.
-
Public Safety Officer involved in Tyre Nichols’ death previously accused of brutality
The former Memphis police officer was one of five MPD officers who faced disciplinary action and later fired following a Saturday, Jan. 7, traffic stop that led to the death of Nichols, 29, three days later.
-
Public Safety Terminated MPD officers were part of SCORPION unit
The unit identifies upticks in motor vehicle thefts and violent crime and then targets those areas with patrolling SCORPION officers.
-
Public Safety Suspended MPD Officer Hemphill was part of SCORPION unit
Preston Hemphill, one of two MPD officers suspended in connection with the death of Tyre Nichols in addition to five officers who have been fired, was a member of the now-disbanded SCORPION unit, court records show.
Related stories:
Seventh MPD officer relieved of duty as more personnel actions are ‘imminent'
-
-
February 2023
-
Public Safety Swift release of Nichols’ bodycam footage hasn’t opened door to other MPD videos
The quick release of footage of the Tyre Nichols’ beating is an anomaly for MPD, which has not released video or other details in a series of officer-involved shootings since November.
-
Public Safety Questionable arrests by SCORPION unit now face dismissal
With credibility on the line for members of the Memphis Police Department’s now-disbanded SCORPION unit, attorneys anticipate mass dismissals of criminal cases filed against citizens arrested by the unit.
-
Public Safety Ex-SCORPION officers transferred to MPD’s Organized Crime Unit
Though SCORPION already was affiliated with MPD’s larger Organized Crime Unit, all 35 of those officers were transferred to other parts of OCU.
-
Public Safety Former SCORPION supervisor had troubled past
Memphis Police Department commanders gave Lt. Dewayne Smith a sensitive assignment — overseeing members of the controversial SCORPION unit — despite a checkered past that included giving unreliable testimony in a federal drug case.
Related story:
Additional Nichols’ video could be released, city attorney says
-