The Tennessee Supreme Court is looking for a new justice after Justice Roger Page announced his retirement.

“We hear our citizens loud and clear,” said Memphis Mayor Paul Young. “They want to see action. They want to see us strategizing and figuring out how we’re going to reduce the chaos, the hurt and the pain that we see in our community.”

The first woman to lead the state’s highest court will oversee negotiations between lawyers for Nicole Freeman and Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr., Chief Jailer Kirk Fields and Shelby County government. 

Shelby County Criminal Court Division 7 Judge Lee Coffee made the decision during a motion hearing Wednesday, Jan. 3, after Abston’s attorney filed a change-of-venue motion, specifically requesting a jury from Davidson County.

Macon Moore was chosen to lead Southaven’s police department in 2019 following a national search. 

Memphis ended the year 2023 with 397 homicides, breaking the city’s previous homicide record by more than 50 additional killings. 

The Tennessee Supreme Court has appointed a senior judge to fill in for Shelby County Criminal Court Division 9 Judge Melissa Boyd while she is suspended. 

The family of a teenager who died after a physical altercation at a Youth Villages facility discussed video footage of the encounter with members of the media Wednesday, Dec. 27.

Bernice Donald was selected as the mediator in confidential discussions that could lead to a potential settlement or set the stage for trial if no resolution is reached, according to court documents.

The governor called DeAndre Brown earlier this month and Brown said, “I just lost it — I mean, tears, snot, I couldn’t even talk. ... To have that be removed with a phone call was mind-blowing.” 

The most recent decertifications came during the December meeting of the Tennessee Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Commission. 

The logs were requested to verify that nine officers indicted for Freeman’s death are no longer working at the jail, also known simply as 201 Poplar. 

“The sign we unveil today will serve as a constant reminder of Officer Redd’s sacrifice in his unwavering commitment to the safety and well being of others,” Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland said. 

Attorney Ben Crump disclosed Alegend Jones’ medical records during a press conference as he urged Youth Villages to release video of the event that led to her injuries. 

At about 7:30 a.m., deputies attempted to stop a suspect wanted by the Germantown Police Department in connection with an attempted murder, according to a statement issued by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

The office’s Major Cases Team has slowly dwindled. Over the last few months, four of its attorneys have resigned, one of whom was replaced with an existing employee.

Suspended Shelby County Criminal Court Division 9 Judge Melissa Boyd’s attorneys say the allegations against her are an “intentional political move.” 

When the Tennessee General Assembly reconvenes in January, Republican state Sen. Brent Taylor plans to propose measures that would change bail laws, require law enforcement to report illegal immigrants and take some authority away from local jurisdictions. 

Depending on the ruling, the focus could shift to plaintiff Joshua Holloway’s team to show Morant can be held liable.

“If you come through the doors of this building having committed one of these offenses, you will be held accountable,” Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy said.

“We want to make it clear that those who violate the law will be prosecuted, and those who engage in violence or repeat nonviolent offenses will face the consequences, including incarceration.”

Memphis Police Department Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis told the Memphis City Council in February 13 additional officers were facing internal police charges related to Nichols’ death, but she did not identify them. 

The mother of 20-year-old Atlanta native Jaylin McKenzie, who was killed in December 2022 when visiting Memphis, has filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Memphis and various police department officials.

The federal suit against Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr., chief jailer Kirk Fields and Shelby County government about the death of Gershun Freeman is scheduled for trial March 24, 2025.

Pearl Walker talks about solutions to crime after five people were shot, leaving two dead, at a car wash on Riverdale Road.