 Do The Write Thing Recognition Week
Our National Ambassadors for the Do the Write Thing Challenge, Nikima Roberston-Rice of A. Maceo Walker Middle School (right), and Marterius Boyd of Memphis Business Academy (left), travelled to Washington. D.C. this month with their parents, as well as a teacher each from their respective schools, to participate in DtWT Recognition Week. They toured Capitol Hill and the Smithsonian Museums, participated in workshops and panel discussions, and attended the Recognition Dinner Ceremony. We are so very proud for you to represent Shelby County!
The Shelby County Veterans Treatment Court honored seven new graduates July 20th as the innovative court at 201 Poplar celebrated its 10th anniversary. Presiding Judge Bill Anderson Jr. said more than 425 service veterans have graduated from the Veterans Court since 2012 when it became the first such court in Tennessee designed to divert veterans from the criminal justice system. Participants in Veterans Court have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and have criminal cases in Shelby County involving substance abuse, mental illness, or other disorders related to their service.
Participation is voluntary, although not automatic. The court and the prosecutor must agree that the veteran and the criminal offense qualify. Then a treatment is developed that includes mandatory attendance at court settings and treatment sessions, frequent and random screening for drugs and/or alcohol, and life skills training.
There are now more than 600 Veterans Treatment Courts across the country, including six in Tennessee. More information here.
 Truth in Sentencing Takes Effect
Beginning July 1, crimes like attempted first degree murder, second degree murder, carjacking, especially aggravated burglary, especially aggravated assault, and more will require 100 percent of the sentence to be served. I’m proud to have advocated for legislation that puts victims first, and ensures violent offenders will serve their full sentence.
To learn more about the law and which offenses are included, click here.
New Assistant District Attorney Tara Todd was sworn in this month by Criminal Court Judge Lee Coffee. ADA Todd is assigned to the District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Unit. Tara has a B.S. degree from Carnegie Mellon University and a J.D. from Tulane University Law School. Previously, she worked as an Associate Attorney with Gainsburgh, Benjamin, David, Meunier & Warshauer, LLC in New Orleans, Louisiana. Welcome to the team, Tara!
|
 |
|
Victoria Cooper, ADA, started this month on Vertical Team 5, which prosecutes cases in General Sessions 13 and Criminal Court 9. She has a B.S degree from the University of Tennessee, and a J.D. from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. She previously worked at the Reaves Law Firm. Welcome to the team, Victoria! |
In the News
Convictions, Sentencings, and Guilty Pleas
Cousins Convicted in North Memphis Murder
Two cousins were convicted in the 2018 shooting death of a 27-year-old man following an argument outside of a North Memphis convenience store. A Criminal Court jury found Marcus Green, 43, guilty of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, employment of a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony, and convicted felon with a firearm. His cousin and codefendant, Deonta Baskin, 44, was convicted of first-degree murder and as a convicted felon with a firearm. He was convicted in 2007 in an unrelated attempted-murder case and served 10 years of a 24-year sentence.
Home Invader Sentenced to 100+ Years in Prison
A man convicted in a Berclair-area home-invasion attack that included six victims and 22 felony offenses was sentenced to a total of 132 years in prison, including 126 years without the possibility for parole. In addition, he will be on the Violent Sex Offender Registry for life and will be on Community Supervision for life. Giorgio Lakeith Jennings, 33, was convicted last November on six counts of aggravated rape, five counts of aggravated robbery, three counts of aggravated assault, three counts of facilitation aggravated assault, three counts of aggravated kidnapping, one count of aggravated burglary, and one count of employment of a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony.
Turner Sentenced to Life Plus 25 Years In Lorenzen Wright Murder and Conspiracy
A Collierville man convicted in the 2010 shooting death of former Memphis NBA star Lorenzen Wright was sentenced to life in prison, plus 25 years for related convictions. Defendant Billy Ray Turner, 51, is a landscape business owner and close friend of Sherra Wright, who pled guilty in 2019 to facilitation to commit first-degree murder and facilitation to commit attempted first-degree murder. She is serving a 30-year prison sentence.
Gang Member Convicted in Murders of Pair Found Dead in Cordova Park
A Cordova man was convicted on all counts in the 2018 shooting deaths and robberies of two acquaintances whose bodies were found in the front seat of a car in Fletcher Creek Park. A Criminal Court jury convicted Juanyai Walls on two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of especially aggravated robbery. He automatically received two life sentences for the murders and will be sentenced next month on the robbery convictions.
Man Pleads Guilty in Harbor Town Slaying
A 25-year-old man pled guilty in the 2017 shooting death of a woman in the kitchen of her residence in Harbor Town on Mud Island. Defendant Kurtrell Williams pled guilty in Criminal Court to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 35 years in prison without the possibility for parole.
Jury Convicts Man in Motel Lobby Murder
A 35-year-old man was convicted of shooting another man to death in 2018 after they had words in the lobby of a motel on America Way. A Criminal Court jury convicted Travis Haynes, aka Travis Cleveland, on counts of first-degree murder, tampering with evidence, and convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
Man Googles Sentence for Robbery Days Before Carjacking Victim
A Mississippi man pled guilty to stealing a Dodge Charger at gunpoint in 2019 after responding to the owner’s online ad offering it for sale. Xavier Young, 29, from Benton, Miss., pled guilty to carjacking in Criminal Court and was sentenced to 7.2 years. He is being held in the Shelby County Jail on a similar case pending in Texas.
Former Fugitive Convicted in Kidnap, Sexual Assault Sentenced to 37 Years
An East Memphis man who was a fugitive for nearly four years before he was captured and convicted of kidnapping and sexual assault was sentenced Tuesday to 37 years in prison without parole. Criminal Court Judge Paula Skahan sentenced Montgomery to consecutive terms of 25 years for especially aggravated kidnapping and 12 years for aggravated sexual battery. He was convicted in a jury trial earlier this year.
Man Pleads Guilty to Child Rape; Sentenced to 30 Years No Parole
A Binghampton man was sentenced to 30 years in prison without parole after he admitted to sexually abusing a young girl for the past three years. Dedrick Bell, 37, pled guilty in Criminal Court to the felony charge of rape of a child. He was arrested in July of last year when a 13-old-girl told her mother that Bell had been sexually assaulting her since she was age 10.
Indictments
Nightclub Patron Indicted in Fatal Shooting
Man Indicted in Christmas Eve Murder
Customer Indicted in Restaurant Slaying
Man Indicted in Motel Room Shooting
Man Indicted in Homicide at Raleigh Motel
Whitehaven Man Indicted in Homicide Of Woman Found Shot Under His Truck
Driver Indicted in DUI-Related Fatal Crash
Car Crash Reveals Homicide Victim; Boyfriend Indicted in Woman’s Death
Tenant Indicted in Murder of Landlord
Argument That Ended in Woman’s Death Leads to Murder Indictment of Acquaintance
Other News
Trafficked Victim Gets Expungement
US Marshals operation leads to 122 arrests in Memphis
DA Seeks to Have Teen Suspect Tried As Adult in Carjacking-Murder of Pastor
‘Notorious’ Residence in Nutbush Closed as Public Nuisance
DA Seeks to Have 2nd Teen Suspect Tried As Adult in Carjacking-Murder of Pastor
The 8th Unity Walk Against Gun Violence was held Saturday July 30th starting at the Mitchell Community Center. Thanks to all of the community members and resource providers who came out, and a special thanks to Mitchell High school, Mitchell Community Center, and the Ford Road Elementary cheerleaders.
|
