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The staff and agency representatives gathered this week to thank outgoing District Attorney Amy Weirich and retiring executive secretary Carolyn Green for their decades of service to the office and to the community.
5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 Year Service Awards
Did you know? The SCDAG Office is made up of both State and County employees. This month it was my honor to present service awards to both Shelby County and Tennessee State employees who have served in our office for 5, 10, 15, 20, and in some cases 30 years. Thank you to all of the dedicated public servants who help to fight for justice in the SCDAG Office every day.
SCDAG Office Receives Frederic Milton Thrasher Award
Joe Poindexter of the SCDAG Criminal Investigative Division attended to receive the award on behalf of the Office.
Irris Williams, ADA, started work this month with Team 2. Iris has a B.A. degree from Spelman College and a J.D. from The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. Previously, she was an Associate Attorney for the Becker Law Firm. Welcome to the team, Iris!
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Shannon Toon was sworn in this month as an assistant district attorney by Criminal Court Judge Lee Coffee. Shannon is a graduate of the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law and has been in private practice. He will be with the District Attorney’s Vertical Team 3 which handles cases in General Sessions Division 11 and in Criminal Court Division 3.
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In the News
Convictions, Sentencings, and Guilty Pleas
Felon With Violent Past, Pending Cases, Convicted of Evading Police on I-240
A Memphis man who served nearly 20 years in prison for murder and who has pending cases for other violent offenses since his release was convicted of trying to escape arrest on the interstate. A Criminal Court jury convicted Anthony Carpenter, 43, on a felony count of intentionally evading arrest in a motor vehicle. He is set for sentencing next month.
Ex-boyfriend Convicted in Teen’s Murder
A Criminal Court jury deliberated about an hour before convicting a 25-year-old man in the stabbing death of his ex-girlfriend whose body he left on a North Memphis street corner in 2020. Keedrin Coppage was convicted of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. He was automatically sentenced to life in prison for murder and will be sentenced later on the tampering conviction.
Frayser Rapist Sentenced to 25 Years
A 28-year-old man convicted earlier this year of sexually assaulting a Frayser woman as she was returning home from work in 2017 was sentenced to 25 years in prison. The sentence for defendant Michael M. Cook Jr. is to be without parole.
Man Convicted of Killing Two Women
A Memphis man who arranged a date with two women online and then shot them both was convicted on two counts of first-degree murder. A Criminal Court jury convicted 26-year-old Darrin Walker after a five-day trial, with both counts carrying life sentences. He will learn on Sept. 23 whether the sentences will be concurrent or consecutive.
Man Convicted of Robbing Victim, then Shooting Her in the Foot
A 29-year-old man was convicted of robbing a woman of cash and cell phones in his North Shelby County home and then shooting her in the foot. A Criminal Court jury convicted Edward Lee Shelton on the felony count of especially aggravated robbery which involves a deadly weapon and serious bodily injury. Shelton is in custody and is set to be sentenced next month.
Man Convicted in Robbery, Homicide
A 26-year-old man was convicted in a 2017 robbery and shooting at a South Memphis home where one man was killed and his father was critically injured. Defendant Shundarius Turner, 26, was convicted on felony counts of especially aggravated robbery, reckless homicide, aggravated assault, and reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon. He will be sentenced later.
Handyman Convicted in Rape of Neighbor
A Fox Meadows man was convicted of raping an 81-year-old woman who lived in the same area and who had previously hired him to do yardwork and other chores. A Criminal Court jury convicted Matthew James Smith, 39, on felony counts of aggravated rape, robbery, aggravated burglary, and theft over $10,000. He will be sentenced next month by Judge Chris Craft.
Cousins Sentenced to Lengthy Prison Terms for Convictions in North Memphis Murder
Two cousins convicted earlier this year in the 2018 shooting death of a 27-year-old man they confronted outside of a North Memphis convenience store were given lengthy prison sentences. Criminal Court Judge Lee Coffee sentenced 44-year-old Deonta Baskin to life in prison without the possibility for parole for his first-degree conviction and to an additional 30 years as a convicted felon with a firearm. The judge also sentenced Marcus Green, 43, to life in prison for first-degree murder, 60 years for attempted first-degree murder, 30 years for convicted felon with a firearm, and 15 years for employment of a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony.
Indictments
Frayser Man Indicted in Robbery-Murder Case
Ex-Boyfriend Indicted in Mother’s Death; Left Dying Victim at Hospital ER Entrance
Motorist Indicted in Whitehaven Shootings
Man Who Stabbed Self While Killing Acquaintance Indicted on Murder Count
Other News
Officers Justified in 3 Fatal Shooting Incidents in 2021, DA Announces
I have known General Davidson as a friend and as a colleague in the DA’s Conference, and I am anxious to begin working with him and his staff. Obviously, it will be a different volume of cases than we handled each year in Shelby County, but the goal will remain the same – to seek justice, to hold offenders accountable, and to promote public safety. I look forward to this new opportunity of working in the 25th District and learning from General Davidson and his wonderful staff.
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