The Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design initiative will use “urban and architectural design” and implement the management of “built and natural environments” to fight crime.

The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office also announced its intention to seek transfer of the sole surviving suspect from juvenile to adult court.

Crime in Memphis trended down across key categories during the first quarter of this year, according to Tennessee Bureau of Investigation data the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission shared Tuesday, April 16.

The bill approved Monday would also temporarily remove their gun rights if they are ruled incompetent to stand trial due to intellectual disability or mental illness.

The suspect pleaded “no contest” to three aggravated robberies on March 2, 2023, according to records obtained by The Daily Memphian.

SCSO also struggles with providing recreation and educational opportunities for detained youths. Shelby County Commissioner Mick Wright aims to address those issues with a resolution to also hold Shelby County Juvenile Court and other county departments responsible.

“We must demand tougher gun laws,” Memphis Mayor Paul Young wrote in a statement. “We must demand sentencing that mirrors our love for our community. Sometimes, that love needs to be tough love.”

A Memphis Police officer was killed Friday morning, April 12. Here’s what we know so far, including information about the suspect’s March arrest on weapons charges.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and others respond to the death of the Memphis police officer slain Friday, April 12 in the line of duty.

Related stories:

Memphis Police officer killed in the line of duty: What we know

MPD officer, suspect killed early Friday morning

Stronger, swifter sentences crucial, Mayor Young says

Cleotha Abston, 40, was found guilty as charged on aggravated rape and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and guilty on a lesser charge of aggravated kidnapping, which was reduced from an especially aggravated kidnapping charge. 

A Memphis Police officer died Friday after being shot earlier that morning, MPD Interim Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis said. An 18-year-old suspect, who had been recently arrested and released without bond, also died, Davis said. 

Related stories:

Leaders react to death of Memphis police officer Joseph McKinney

Memphis Police officer killed in the line of duty: What we know

Stronger, swifter sentences crucial, Mayor Young says

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. 

Tony Herring Jr. is charged with one count of felony vehicle theft and one count of conspiracy to commit vehicle theft, although law enforcement believes he is connected in multiple open cases. 

Although a major win for the Memphis Grizzlies point guard, it is only temporary. The case will likely move on, either over self-defense or Tennessee’s “stand-your-ground” law.

Related story:

Ja Morant fairly raised issue of self defense, Shelby County judge rules

Cleotha Abston chose not to take the stand Wednesday, April 10, during the second day of trial for the alleged rape of Alicia Franklin.

“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.

Mayor Paul Young and Interim Chief C.J. Davis support a Memphis City Council ordinance to create a philanthropic and research foundation that would take private donations and put them toward the city’s public safety efforts.

A state board overseeing attorneys’ disciplinary proceedings has censured a Shelby County juvenile court magistrate judge for filing an ill-intentioned lawsuit. 

Abston’s attorney previously tried to have jurors from Davidson County used in the trial, arguing that excessive media coverage of the Eliza Fletcher case would taint a potential local jury pool.

The council move comes as Mayor Paul Young prepares to fill the newly created position of city public safety director. Meanwhile, Young takes some changes in the current city budget to the council Tuesday, April 9, which may be clues to his budget for the new fiscal year.

A lack of solid, shared data across the local public safety system’s multiple agencies has led to plenty of discrepancies, and the Memphis Police Department’s homicide clearance rate stands as a stark example.

The problems that have led to business nuisance closures in recent years have ranged from drug crimes to homicides, yet the establishments usually don’t stay closed long. The DA’s office says the process is an effort to stop illegal activity, not lawful commerce.

On the first episode of “DeSoto Crime Cast,” DA Matthew Barton says he plans to go after all citizens who shoot at members of law enforcement the same way he did Kyle Dodson.

Melissa Boyd’s plea deal comes just three days after she resigned from the bench, following months of turmoil.

The state’s push to remove two judgeships in Memphis faces resistance locally and from some Tennessee legislators who say Shelby County still needs the seats, particularly Division 9 of the Criminal Court.