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.

Related story:

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.

Related story:

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. 

A 15-year-old juvenile has been charged with criminal attempt to commit second-degree murder, aggravated assault against a first responder and felony evading arrest.

“Not so long ago, it was commonplace for states to require juveniles convicted of homicide to serve sentences of over fifty years. Now, that practice has vanished. ... In the entirety of the nation, Tennessee stands alone.”

The incident began around 10:40 a.m., when a citizen reported four individuals with guns at an apartment complex near the Hollywood branch library. 

Preliminary information indicates a detainee at Shelby County Jail is in critical condition after an altercation with his cellmate.

John Barker, deputy superintendent for strategic operations and finance, is retiring. Yolanda Martin, chief of human resources, is resigning. Both were investigated recently with no evidence of wrongdoing.

The Memphis Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation all rely on Twitter to get information out to the public. 

Jermarcus Johnson, who was wanted for conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, turned himself in today. 

And, of all juvenile criminal cases, 40% involved juveniles who are considered repeat offenders. 

On the one-year anniversary of the slaying of Memphis rapper Young Dolph, the newest suspect in the case pleaded not guilty to three charges related to his death.