DA Office Update 4/6

Shelby County District Attorney sent this bulletin at 04/06/2023 03:28 PM EDT

DA Office Update

DA Mulroy's Position on Law Restricting Drag Performances

DA Mulroy participated in oral argument in federal court last week in Friends of George’s v Mulroy, a constitutional challenge to the recently passed state law banning certain drag shows when they, among other things, take place on public property or allow access to minors. Plaintiffs sued DA Mulroy in his official and individual capacities, since he is the official who would be responsible for enforcing the law.

DA Mulroy represented himself in his individual capacity at a hearing last Thursday before federal district court Judge Thomas Parker on the plaintiffs’ motion to temporarily enjoin enforcement of the law. The DA stated his position that he didn’t oppose the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO). He said there was much confusion and concern among the public regarding the scope, application, and constitutionality of the law. It would be useful to freeze everything in place, until those issues could be clarified before he made any decisions regarding enforcement. On Friday, the judge granted the TRO.

The DA has been clear that the law is very narrow, and he would interpret it even narrower still to avoid constitutional issues. The DA considers this a low priority for enforcement.

You can view FAQ about the law on our website here.

Arraignments, Convictions, and Indictments

Congratulations to ADAs Jose Leon and Melanie Headley, and their team, who won guilty as charged verdicts for First Degree Murder and Especially Aggravated Robbery last week. In this case, the victim met defendant Jasmin Moore, and brought her back to his home. While he was occupied, Ms. Moore allowed 2 males into the home, who stole the victim's wallet and attempted to steal both of his televisions. When the victim ran from the house in an attempt to escape, one of the defendants shot him. Before he succumbed to his injuries, he was able to tell a neighbor about being set up by Ms. Moore and robbed. The defendant has been sentenced to life in prison.

We will continue to prosecute these cases vigorously so that the defendants will be held appropriately accountable.

DA Mulroy (center) with the parents of Tyre Nichols, national civil rights attorney Ben Crump, and MSNBC anchor Joy Reid at a police reform forum at the National Civil Rights Museum. Mr. Crump commended DA Mulroy for his leadership in the Tyre Nichols case.

DA Mulroy with Kristen Clarke (center), Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice, and Kevin Ritz (right), United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee.

Our Team is Still Growing

Please join me in welcoming ADA Scot Bearup (left at his swearing-in by Judge Craft), ADA Stephanie Russel, and ADA Dan Buchanan. Scot will be working with the Special Prosecution Unit, Stephanie will be working with Vertical Team 5, and Dan will be joining the Public Corruption and Economic Crimes Unit.