|
In SVU, Defendant Phennix Givens, convicted by a jury of Especially Aggravated Kidnapping (2 counts), Aggravated Rape, Aggravated Assault (2 counts), and Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, was sentenced to 46 years. In this case, the defendant led two victims (both minors) to a house where he produced a knife, and sexually assaulted one victim and stabbed the other. The victims escaped, and when the police arrived the defendant set the house on fire with himself inside, killing a dog. The case was handled by ADAs Devon Dennis and Paige Munn.
In Criminal Court 4, Defendant Marcus Bridgewater was sentenced to 20 years after being convicted of 2nd Degree Murder in February. In this case, the victim was at his friend, defendant Bridgewater’s house. While he was there, defendant Bridgewater shot the victim in the head and killed him. The case was handled by Chief Prosecutor Carrie Bush and ADA Robert Steele.
In General Sessions Division 10, Defendant Jessie Heaston was set for preliminary hearing for two cases. Thanks to the testimony from a witness, the court found probable cause in the first hearing on one count of Aggravated Assault and Convicted Felon in Possession of a Handgun, and in the second hearing on Violation of a Protection Order, allowing both cases to proceed to indictment. In addition, the witness offered testimony at a bond hearing. Based on her testimony, Judge Gilbert raised Defendant Heaston’s bond from $100,000 to $500,000. In this case, the defendant left his partner's home after an argument, taking one of her guns. When she pursued him to retrieve the firearm, the defendant pointed the gun at her and her daughter and threatened to kill them. Both preliminary hearings were handled by ADA Mark Bowman.
In Criminal Court Division 5, Annesha Jackson plead guilty to 20 years on Second Degree Murder, 20 years Criminal Attempt: 1st Degreed Murder, and 2 years on Reckless Endangerment with a Deadly Weapon. All counts are to be run concurrent. In this case, the defendant went over to her child’s father's house and got into a physical altercation outside the apartment. The defendant then shot at her child’s father and missed, hitting the victim, who was holding their one year old child. The case was handled by ADA Regina Lucreziano.
 We're partnering with West TN Therapy Dogs! Last week, our Victim Witness team attended training and met the dogs. The dogs will help comfort anxious victims and witnesses in pre-trial, while they wait to testify, and in some cases while they testify. Thank you to Director, Victim Witness Unit Amy McCullough for making it happen.
The SCDAG Office has partnered with the Crime Victims and Rape Crisis Center to have a victim advocate housed at 201 Poplar. This will help our Victim Witness Unit connect victims directly to CVRCC services while they are in court. Many times in past, we would tell a victim about the CVRCC and the services they offer, but the victim wouldn’t reach out to them. Our hope is that we can overcome this disconnect by having a victim meet an advocate while they are in court, so the advocate can immediately begin to determine what services the victim needs, put those services in motion, and set an appointment for counseling, when applicable.
 |
Our very own Deputy DA Ray Lepone is an organizer of the Mid-South Golden Gloves Regional Boxing Tournament, which aims to help enhance the physical and emotional health of young athletes, and help them to develop important life skills such as a strong work ethic and self discipline. The hope is that by providing healthy outlets like these to youth, the organization can both enrich their lives, and help to reduce the risk of criminal activity. Pictured left, DA Mulroy with Deputy DA Ray Lepone.
|
 Pictured above, DA Mulroy speaks at the second of his regular, biweekly press conferences with, from left to right: Assistant Director, Victim Witness Unit Lyndi Sugg, Associate Deputy DA Ernest Brooks, Brett Hulme (Political and Communications Director of the Southeastern Carpenters Regional Council), and Jeremy Tallent (Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Carpenters Local 345).
From WMCTV 5: DA Steve Mulroy provides updates on matters that affect public safety, speaks on criminal justice reform
"Mulroy announced a new partnership with Carpenters Local 345 Union to combat worker exploitation, promote fair pay and hours, and reduce crime."
From Commercial Appeal: DA Mulroy's office to revamp unit that focuses on worker exploitation in Shelby County
"Labor issues and crimes, Mulroy reiterated, have gone unaddressed in Shelby County for far too long...and from a prosecutorial standpoint, he added, healthy wages for workers contribute to a reduction in crime."
From WREG 3: DA, leaders discuss reckless driving on Memphis streets
“Every one of those cases where the police have found somebody and they bring them to us, we will prosecute them. We will prosecute them vigorously,” he said.
From Daily Memphian: Two months in, new county bail procedures on full display
“What had been happening was judicial commissioners were sort of just on the fly making up numbers for bail without any consideration of what somebody could actually afford,” Mulroy said. “And the whole point of bail is not to punish, because someone hasn’t been convicted.”
On April 14th, many staff wore blue and green to help the Mid-South Transplant Foundation raise awareness for organ and tissue donation. This is a cause close to DA Mulroy's heart, as he was an altruistic kidney donor. And to others in our office, like Technical Litigation Analyst Dolly Jaco (left), whose husband received a life-saving organ donation.
|
Stay safe and thank you for your support,
 Steve Mulroy
District Attorney
|
