 No Parole for Sherra Wright...For Now
Sherra Wright will stay in prison, at least for a few more years.
The Tennessee Parole Board voted against granting her early release on her 30-year sentence for her role in the 2010 murder of her ex-husband, basketball star Lorenzen Wright. She has served less than five years of her sentence, yet the Department of Correction had scheduled an initial parole hearing for her based on various credits and sentence reductions. Her next parole hearing will not be before May of 2027. By then she will have done about nine years of her 30-year sentence. Deborah Marion, the mother of Lorenzen Wright, told the parole board that she is doing life without her son and that the defendant should at least do 30 years.
Too many families who have lost loved ones to violent crime have no closure because there always seems to be another parole hearing to attend. If we’re willing to excuse violent behavior with leniency, we surely will get more of it. A Millington minister who was shot in the eye and the back told his attacker in court last week that he forgives him, but that he must face the consequences of his actions. The defendant was sentenced to 24 years in prison without the possibility for parole because of the serious bodily injury and his employment of a firearm. Cases like this, and the Sherra Wright case, illustrate why I support Truth in Sentencing.
 Restoration Saturday (on a Saturday) Returns
On Saturday, May 21st, the SCDAG office held our second Restoration Saturday event this year, with help from General Sessions Court Clerk Joe W. Brown and the District 21 Prince Hall Masons. Citizens were able to get help with child support and drivers’ license issues, learn about job opportunities, and get help with expungement of eligible criminal convictions from our Assistant District Attorneys. A special thank you to Senior Pastor Melvin Charles Smith of Mt. Moriah-East Baptist Church for hosting!
Watch coverage of Restoration Saturday from WMCTV Action News 5 here. Tracye Jones, Community Prosecutor and Director of Community Affairs, is pictured above being interviewed.
For more information on expunge-able offenses, and to take our expungement eligibility quiz, visit https://www.scdag.com/expungement.
I’d like to share this short thank you (below) from one of those in attendance. This is why Restoration Saturday is so important.
Convictions, Sentencings and Guilty Pleas
Former Fugitive Convicted in Kidnap, Sexual Assault of Restaurant Employee
An East Memphis man who was a fugitive for nearly four years was convicted of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a restaurant server in his home in 2014. A Criminal Court jury convicted Kelvin Montgomery on counts of especially aggravated kidnapping and aggravated sexual battery. He remains in custody and will be sentenced next month.
Motorist Sentenced in Pedestrian’s Death
A driver who appeared to be racing another car in traffic when he lost control and killed a pedestrian two years ago in the Parkway Village area was sentenced to four years in prison. Andrea Spencer Jr., 25, pled guilty in March to a felony count of reckless vehicular homicide.
Man Pleads Guilty in Rape, Robbery Scheme Targeting Young Women
A Memphis man set for trial in Criminal Court has pled guilty to raping two women and robbing a third in separate incidents committed during a two-week period in 2015. Defendant Terry Lee Coley, 28, was sentenced to 30 years in prison without the possibility for parole after pleading guilty to two counts of aggravated rape and one count of aggravated robbery.
Defendant Pleads Guilty in Violent Crime Spree
A man scheduled to be tried for his involvement in a violent crime spree in 2018 pled guilty to felony charges of murder, robbery and carjacking. Defendant Marcus Brown was sentenced to 30 years in prison without the possibility for parole for second-degree murder, especially aggravated robbery, and carjacking.
Woman Convicted of Killing Boyfriend
A woman who shot her boyfriend in the back during a confrontation in a service station parking lot two years ago was convicted of first-degree murder. A Criminal Court jury convicted Lamiracle Scott, 26, following a four-day trial. She was automatically sentenced to life in prison by Judge James Lammey Jr.
Customer and Companion Convicted in Robbery, Shooting at Recording Studio
Two men were convicted of shooting and robbing the owner of a South Memphis recording studio where one of them had recorded a song the previous week. A Criminal Court jury convicted Corey Brown and Christopher Bolden, both 31, of especially aggravated robbery which involves robbery with a deadly weapon and serious bodily injury. Both defendants have prior robbery convictions and face 15 to 25 years in prison without the possibility for parole when they are sentenced next month.
House Guest Convicted of Molesting Girls
A West Memphis man who was living temporarily with a friend in 2018 in North Memphis was convicted of sexually abusing the friend’s three young daughters and a niece. A Criminal Court jury convicted 54-year-old Rodger A. Bridges, aka Roger Bridges, on rape of a child, rape, three counts of aggravated sexual battery, and sexual battery. He remains in the Shelby County Jail and will be sentenced in July by Judge W. Mark Ward.
Car Burglar Who Shot Homeowner Sentenced to 24 Years in Prison
A car burglar convicted last month of critically wounding a Millington homeowner was sentenced to 24 years in prison with no parole for attempted murder and four other felonies. A Criminal Court judge sentenced Jonathan James Lee, 35, of Memphis for attempted first-degree murder, employment of a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony, two counts of burglary of a motor vehicle, and theft of property over $1,000.
Man Convicted of Molesting Young Girl
An East Memphis man was convicted of sexually abusing a 9-year-old girl over a period of nearly a year. A Criminal Court jury convicted Tyler Hemmingway of aggravated sexual battery after a three-day trial. His bond was revoked and he was taken into custody following the verdict.
Indictments
Driver Indicted in Five-Vehicle DUI Crash That Killed One, Injured Four Others
Frayser Man Indicted in Shotgun Slaying
Man Indicted in Carjacking, Murder
Customer Indicted in Murder of Wendy’s Employee
Boyfriend Indicted in Motel Stabbing Death
Man With 2 Murder Charges Indicted on Third
Teen Indicted in Riverview Park Homicide
Customer Indicted in Fast-Food Shooting
For Teacher Appreciation Week (May 2 to 6), Mrs. Gwynn at Chickasaw Middle School invited me and Congressman Steve Cohen to help recognize their teachers for the heroes that they are. Thank you to these and all teachers for all you do for our children every day!
Graduation is an exciting time, and our Shelby County grads deserve to celebrate their achievements. However, it's our job as parents to make sure they celebrate safely. Below are some tips from drugfree.org to help keep your graduate safe:
- Set curfews.
- Do not rent a hotel room, unless you plan to be there to supervise.
- Stay awake until they come home.
- Clearly communicate your expectations about drug and alcohol use, even if you are repeating yourself.
- Keep the party local.
- Talk with your graduate.
Lastly, remind your graduate that no drug, unless it is prescribed, can be assumed to be safe. Fentanyl is being laced with and made to look like many other drugs, and overdoses are rising.
Shelby County Loses a True Leader with the Passing of William Hughes
Shelby County lost a true leader on May 15 when William Hughes passed at age 90. He was one of the first black deputies in the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department where, over 21 years, he achieved the ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain and Jail Inspector.
Mr. Hughes also was an Assistant Chief in the Internal Affairs Bureau, and was the first Director of Fire and Corrections for Shelby County Government. He was a graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy and upon retirement from the county, he worked as a Court Security Officer for the U.S. Marshals Service. Michelle Hughes, married to Mr. Hughes' grandson and an assistant supervisor on our Community Outreach Team, said: “He was a great man and he left a great legacy.”
For more, read The Daily Memphian's coverage here.
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Caleb Sanders, Assistant District Attorney, started work on Vertical Team 3 this month. He graduated from with a B. A. from Western Kentucky University and a J.D. from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. He previously worked as an Associate Attorney with The Scholl Law Firm. Welcome to the team, Caleb!
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This month (Sunday, May 15th) we recognized Peace Officers Memorial Day, where we honor the memories and lives of law enforcement officers who died or became disabled in the line of duty. On Memorial Day (Monday, May 3oth) we honor the memories and lives of those who have died while serving in the armed forces. We honor and remember all who have made the ultimate sacrifice keeping our communities, and our country, safe.
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