The former principal court clerk was fired two years ago for taking nearly $62,000 in cash from evidence boxes starting in 2018. He was indicted on the criminal charges last month.

Gov. Bill Lee was in Memphis Friday, Sept. 9, touting stricter laws targeting violent repeat offenders passed during his tenure. 

Ezekiel Kelly was arrested late Wednesday after allegedly killing three and injuring three others in a day-long shooting spree, some of which was streamed to Facebook Live. 

Related stories:

A tally of terror: 6 shot, 3 dead in gunman’s daylong, cross-city rampage

Shooting suspect seems to have charges stemming from 2020

Shooting suspect captured in Whitehaven

Leaders of the local Justice and Safety Alliance talked about the week of violence that has shaken the city on “Behind The Headlines.” 

Related story:

Police find no threats to the public despite various reports

With Memphians jumpy after Wednesday night’s deadly shooting spree, MPD responded to multiple calls from the public about violent activity, but found no credible threats. 

Three of the victims of alleged mass shooter Ezekiel Kelly, 19, have been identified. 

Related story:

Jackson Avenue vigil hosts prayers, praise to honor victims of shooting spree

The public defender assigned to the case had asked during a hearing Wednesday to be recused.

Related stories:

Cleotha Abston’s legal troubles date back to his youth

Bond revoked for suspect in Eliza Fletcher slaying

The consulting company will work with the department for three months to help devise strategies and best practices for recruiting. 

The person believed to be responsible for all of these shootings is Ezekiel Kelly, a man who was released early from a three-year sentence fewer than six months ago.

Related stories:

Shooting suspect captured in Whitehaven

Shooting suspect seems to have charges stemming from 2020

According to the Tennessee Department of Correction, one Ezekiel Kelly was released March 16, 2022.

According to the Shelby County Criminal Justice System Portal, Ezekiel Kelly is wanted for first-degree murder on a warrant that was issued Wednesday, Sept. 7.

Reports link him to charges occurring as far back as age 11.

Related story:

Bond revoked for suspect in Eliza Fletcher slaying

The Shelby County Commission that took office this month has three judicial commissioners to appoint. It’s part of a chain reaction from the dozens of judicial races decided on the August ballot.

A judge ordered the $500,000 bond for the suspect in the abduction and slaying of Eliza Fletcher to be revoked pending a bond hearing during arraignment Wednesday, Sept. 7.

More than 2,000 women have expressed an interest in a Friday morning run to honor Eliza Fletcher. Here’s what you need to know.

The incident occurred at the Target at 7989 U.S. 64 across the street from Wolfchase Galleria. 

Reaction on social media also centered on women feeling safe to run and exercise at any time of the day. 

District Attorney General: “... in contrast to whatever baseless speculation you might have seen, we have no reason to think this was anything other than an isolated attack by a stranger.”

Related stories:

Locals react to Fletcher case with sympathy, calls for justice

Remains identified as Eliza Fletcher

The body found in South Memphis on Labor Day has been identified as missing jogger Eliza Fletcher, police said Tuesday, Sept. 6.

Though it includes 10 judges and 10 divisions, Shelby County’s criminal court system had only tried 32 cases by August of this year — and there’s a backlog of 465 pending trials. 

Memphis police confirmed the discovery but did not identify the body of missing Memphis woman Eliza Fletcher.

Related stories: 

Here’s what we know about Eliza Fletcher

New unrelated charges filed against Eliza Fletcher’s alleged kidnapper

The new charges don’t appear connected to the Fletcher disappearance. They are related to a theft that occurred Thursday, Sept. 1 at a Malco Theater on North Germantown Parkway.

Schoolteacher Eliza Fletcher was abducted during a daily run as she was passing the University of Memphis at Central Avenue and Zach H. Curlin Street. 

A man detained after wrecking a car Saturday now faces kidnapping charges in the abduction of Eliza ‘Liza’ Fletcher. He previously pleaded guilty to kidnapping in 2001 and served more than 20 years in jail.

Related stories:

Law enforcement teams comb area around Pine Hill Park

Vehicle located, one person detained in Fletcher case; Family releases statement

TBI, FBI join Memphis police in missing woman investigation

Memphis Police Department and Shelby County Sheriff’s Office personnel combed the South Memphis park Sunday, then went to an area next to Memphis Boat Center.

Related articles:

Suspect in Fletcher abduction was acting ‘very strange’ according to affidavit

Vehicle located, one person detained in Fletcher case; family releases statement