Suspended Shelby County Criminal Court Division 9 Judge Melissa Boyd pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of coercion and harassment, and her attorneys argued the case was an “intentional political move.”

Boyd was arraigned in court Wednesday, Dec. 20, during a hearing presided over by senior judge Roy Morgan in the courtroom typically occupied by Shelby County Criminal Court Division 10 Judge Jennifer Mitchell.

An April 24, 2024, trial date was set for Boyd, and motions hearings were scheduled for March 1 and April 12 of next year as well.

Embattled Criminal Court judge Melissa Boyd indicted

Boyd’s attorneys are Arthur Horne III and Carlissa Shaw. 

According to the indictment, from November 2022 through March of this year, Boyd attempted to coerce Lashanta Rudd, her former campaign manager, to testify falsely or “withhold truthful testimony.”

Boyd is accused of communicating with Rudd so often and in such a way that it amounted to harassment, according to the indictment.

It described Rudd as a witness in an “official proceeding.” It’s not clear what official proceeding it was referring to, but Boyd was being investigated by the Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct at that time for complaints that were made against her, including by Rudd.

The Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct recently referred Boyd to the Tennessee General Assembly for “further action” after she failed to comply with the terms of a suspension agreement that she entered into with the board in May.

Boyd was ultimately suspended by the board after admitting to using and possessing illegal drugs, including cocaine and marijuana, according to documents.

Boyd’s suspension also followed complaints from Rudd that included allegations of “threatening and intimidating statements and behavior,” according to the board.

Shelby County judge’s referral to legislature isn’t the state’s first

Shaw, Boyd’s attorney, alleged Rudd was not actually Boyd’s campaign manager but that the two had a personal relationship instead. 

“Unfortunately, this is a relationship gone bad and what we believe to be a very malicious and intentional political move,” Shaw said. 

Shaw also said Boyd is “overwhelmed” by the criminal charges being brought against her and noted Boyd’s time in the Air Force as one of the first Black female desk sergeants in that branch of service. 

“She’s served Shelby County in the state of Tennessee as an assistant district attorney. She’s a former criminal defense attorney and now-sitting judge and has zero criminal history,” Shaw said. “And this case just seems to have so many implications of other cases that we’ve seen when it comes to Black women and how, unfortunately, the criminal justice system is used as a weapon.”

Boyd’s six-month suspension by the state Board of Judicial Conduct mandated she undergo a “physical, mental health, and/or substance abuse or addiction evaluation” and a professional assessment by the Tennessee Lawyers’ Assistance Program (TLAP) within 30 days, which Boyd told The Daily Memphian she would not complete before her own planned return to the bench.

Shelby County judge suspended after admitting to illegal drug use

The Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct issued another interim suspension notice on Dec. 14, stating Boyd must not exercise any judicial power or authority “until further orders of the Board.”

On Oct. 31, the board issued Boyd a public reprimand — the second one she had received since being elected.

Boyd’s first public reprimand came May 8 for allegedly soliciting resources and cash donations on Facebook to benefit a school. 

District Attorney General Frederick Agee’s office — of District 28, which covers Crockett, Gibson and Haywood counties — is prosecuting the case after the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office recused itself.