“There’s something that’s got to be done so no other mother has to feel this pain,” said Angela Kirkendoll, whose son Myra died this week. 

Oher has been battling the Tuohys in court about a conservatorship that gave the couple control over Oher’s finances, education and medical decisions as well as the ability to sign contracts on his behalf.

Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis talked about the leadership changes — as well as guns, crime rates, hiring and recruitment, technology and more — at a recent Memphis Rotary Club meeting.

A local judge ruled Thursday that Tennessee’s “stand your ground” law applies to a civil lawsuit involving Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant.

A local judge will rule by next week whether one of the defendants accused of killing former Greater Memphis Chamber CEO Phil Trenary in 2018 voluntarily confessed to the crime.

Three men were indicted for a shooting at Prive, a restaurant and bar in Hickory Hill, that left two people dead and five injured. 

Bonner’s request follows previous ones from Shelby County Chief Jailer Kirk Fields and Shelby County government to do the same. 

The slaying on Tennessee Street is the latest in city’s march toward another possible record year of homicides.

Shelby County DA Steve Mulroy and Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner announced the indictments, and the sheriff said there are “a lot of differences” between this case and the officers indicted in the death of Gershun Freeman. 

The victim was identified as St. Jude employee Alexander Bulakhov, 32, and comes amid increased concern about Downtown crime, including a recently released Downtown Safety Plan.

An assistant district attorney who pleaded guilty to driving under the influence has had her law license reinstated. 

The Shelby County Public Defender’s Office is struggling to handle first-degree murder cases, according to an email sent out to Shelby County General Sessions Criminal Court judges in July and a recent filing in a first-degree murder case.

One of the defendants in the civil wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of an inmate who died last year at the Shelby County Jail has filed to dismiss himself from the suit.

That information was revealed in documents officially referring Shelby County Criminal Court Division 9 Judge Melissa Boyd to the Tennessee General Assembly for “further action,” including potential removal.

Shelby County Sheriff Bonner said he hopes the center will allow the expansion of educational opportunities provided to the juvenile facility by Hope Academy.

Related story:

Bonner beefs up security in jail, courts after fatal stabbing

The enhanced security comes after an Oct. 26 stabbing that led to the death of Deion Byrd while he was in a holding area behind a criminal courtroom. 

Related story: 

New Youth Justice and Education Center to provide a ‘different path’

Two police reform experts talked Tuesday, Nov. 7, during a forum hosted by a local nonprofit about the Department of Justice’s pattern-or-practice investigation of MPD and their own work in implementing reforms. 

Michael Stengel argued that prosecutors in the federal criminal case against the officers should not be allowed to call upon experts as witnesses to speak about the alleged use of excessive force against Nichols.

Former NAACP Memphis President Van Turner stressed the nonviolent nature of Courtney Anderson’s charges as the reason why he should be released. “A 163-year sentence for a nonviolent crime is excessive,” Turner said. 

The state trial is set to take place after the federal case the former Memphis Police Department officers are also facing.

Related story:

Attorney for former officer accused of killing Tyre Nichols moves to block expert testimony

Shelby County Juvenile Court is auditing its Detention Assessment Tool, which it uses to determine if youth accused of crimes will be kept in custody or sent home.

Bill Gibbons, president of the crime commission, said Memphis is not the only city seeing its crime rate rise, especially in the car theft category, “but that is little comfort.”

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.

Details from the plea agreement reached in the federal criminal case against Desmond Mills Jr. shed more light on his role in Tyre Nichols’ death.

Related stories:

Plea deals reached for officer charged in Tyre Nichols’ death

Judge OKs release of additional materials in Tyre Nichols case

Files newly eligible for public release include 24 hours of video, audio, reports and personnel files of up to 17 City of Memphis employees related to the indictment and investigation.