Ja Morant’s father and sister take the stand to testify in the civil lawsuit against the Memphis Grizzlies star in Shelby County court. 

Memphis police already arrested 23 individuals who were allegedly part of a “mob-style smash-and-grab” burglary ring June 26.

The Daily Memphian’s Aarron Fleming and Drew Hill reported live from court during the second day of hearings in the civil lawsuit against Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant.

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Ja Morant gives his version of basketball game fight

It was a wild day in court for Ja Morant Monday. But it doesn’t matter if Morant wins or loses. This is a sideshow. The real show starts next Tuesday, when Morant makes his return.

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Ja Morant gives his version of basketball game fight

Follow the first day of hearings in Ja Morant lawsuit

“He pulled up his shorts. Where I’m from, that’s fighting stance,” Memphis Grizzlies’ star Ja Morant said during Circuit Court proceedings to determine if he acted in self-defense during a July 2022 pickup game. 

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Follow the first day of hearings in Ja Morant lawsuit

The family of Yusef Shabazz — one of the 586 unsolved criminal homicides in Memphis — has waited months for answers. Many families are still waiting after years, as data shows close to half of cases 2016-2021 are currently unsolved.

While ascribing the gloomy climb to any one cause would be simplistic, one factor jumps out: relaxed gun laws.

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Deadly surge: Memphis surpasses past homicide record

A data analysis by The Daily Memphian shows that homicides have increased since 2017 and breaks down the victims by gender, race and age. 

Most criminal cases in Shelby County took more than a year to resolve, reports show. Former Judge Robert “Bobby” Carter points to new court strategies that could help pick up the pace. 

Shelby County District Attorney General Mulroy said 600 calls for service have been made to the property in the last two years and 60 arrests have been made there this year alone. 

Amid increasing scrutiny of local judges and the district attorney, two studies raise a magnifying glass to courtroom proceedings at the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center.

Dr. Regan Williams, medical director of trauma services at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, said the increase in pediatric firearm injuries “hangs heavy on the hearts” of the hospital’s staff. 

An emerging local trend is the number of people being shot while trying to interrupt or stop car thieves. 

Tuesday’s hearing also revealed there may have been a second gun inside the venue.

Quandarius Richardson is scheduled to go to trial next year, and the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office indicated Tuesday that his former co-defendant’s deal could have been a precursor to a tougher prosecution push for Richardson.

Prosecutors with the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office said during a hearing Monday, Dec. 4, that law enforcement is still looking for the person who killed John Materna.

An additional police officer, previously unidentified, was fired for his part in a traffic stop that occurred Jan. 7, the same night Tyre Nichols was stopped by MPD. 

“I don’t think there’s ever a great resolution in this,” Trenary’s daughter, Brittney Rowe, told The Daily Memphian. “It’s the lesser of a bunch of very difficult choices. But here we are.”

“It’s expensive to hire security guards to protect your business,” said the owner of a local security firm, “but it’s more expensive not to.”

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Security is a local ‘growth industry,’ but industry struggles to find footing

Security companies are struggling to find qualified security personnel at the need grows locally. 

So far this year, the Olive Branch Police Department has reported 146 vehicle burglaries.

Corey Lurry, an inmate at Shelby County Jail, was allegedly beaten by corrections deputies in late September 2022, including three who were indicted for their alleged roles in the death of Gershun Freeman. 

The trial delay announcement acted as an anti-climactic conclusion to two days of hearings Wednesday and Thursday about what evidence would be allowed at trial and what experts would be allowed to speak.

Veteran criminal defense attorney Randy Grossman said Williams’ other eight felony charges were dismissed but that a decision about whether the 4-star guard can play would be “completely up to the school.”

Miguel Andrade was expected to accept a plea agreement at Thursday’s hearing, but showed up with new legal counsel who requested the delay.