Attorneys for the City of Memphis want a judge to dismiss rape victim Alicia Franklin’s lawsuit, contending MPD owed Alicia Franklin no duty to investigate to the extent she wanted.

Leadership changes in the DA’s office and juvenile court system have raised questions as to whether the motions to try the two defendants as adults would still be on the table. 

The suspects in the slaying of Greater Memphis Chamber CEO Phil Trenary saw their trial pushed back almost a full year — to October 23, 2023 — following a conflict-of-interest delay.

According to the most recent data available Thursday, Dec. 8 at 1 p.m., 78 pedestrians have been killed so far this year. Read on for a deeper dive into the data, which the DM obtained from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. 

The trauma after becoming a victim can increase the chances of juveniles becoming perpetrators themselves, creating an endless cycle of gun violence, said Dr. Eraina Schauss, director of a counseling group for Le Bonheur’s trauma victims.

As the city sees crime rates rising, we hear a lot about young perpetrators. But the data on the other side of the coin, young victims, is just as striking.

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Solutions to childhood violence lie in trauma counseling

The shooting occurred in the 4900 block of Cimmaron Drive around 12:15 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 9. 

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is investigating circumstances that led to the death of a suspect after a shootout with Memphis police officers. 

Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy will recuse the office from the case and seek a pro tem appointment of an independent prosecutor.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation issued a request for proposals on Monday, Dec. 5, for contractors to test around 1,000 backlogged sexual assault kits by next summer.

Memphis police responded to the scene at Freedom Preparatory High School Monday, Dec. 5.

Year to date, there have been 273 homicides. There have been 1,607 Hyundai vehicles, 1,568 Kia automobiles and 1,031 Infiniti cars stolen so far this year. 

A Memphis Police Officer was shot multiple times and transported to Regional One Health. The subject who fired shots at the officer was struck and pronounced dead at the scene. 

When officers made the scene, they located a 15-year-old male shooting victim. He was taken to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in non-critical condition. 

Judge Chris Craft set up one of the suspects in the 2018 slaying of Greater Memphis Chamber president and CEO Phil Trenary with an independent attorney after he was informed of the potential conflict of interest concerning his former defense lawyer becoming an employee of the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office. 

The launch comes nearly a month after the announcement of the unit’s formation. The unit is led by Chief Lorna McClusky and Deputy Chief Robert Gowen.

Among the Shelby County District Attorney’s new hires is Nelia Dempsey, a government affairs and nonprofit professional with ties to local Republicans. “There’s no Democratic or Republican monopoly on wanting to reduce crime,” Mulroy said.

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Shelby County DA’s office launches Justice Review Unit

In a legal twist in Memphis’ rape kit lawsuit, victims cite new evidence about DNA testing that could have been used to solve sexual assaults by strangers.

In 2022 so far, 274 people have fallen victim to homicide in Shelby County. Although that is a decrease from the 316 who were honored during last year’s event, the pain was still the same for members of the audience.

The delay is due to a potential conflict of interest in the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office. Lorna McClusky, the defense attorney for McKinney Wright, is now employed by the DA’s office.

As the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation seeks millions of dollars to boost pay and fill crime lab staffing shortages, Memphis leaders look for answers in Nashville, Houston and other cities that built their own crime labs.

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A tale of two cities: How Nashville built the crime lab that Memphis couldn’t

Following the murder of Eliza Fletcher, questions loom about MPD’s systems in investigating violent crime.

“We want everybody to have a great holiday. We want them to have a great shopping experience. And we want our businesses to thrive. We want to see Memphis thrive.”

During the Tuesday arraignment, Jermarcus Johnson, 25, was informed that his charge carries a potential sentence of 15 to 60 years should he be convicted.