DA Office Update 6/22

Shelby County District Attorney

 

DA Office Update

Breakthrough in Cold Case Murder Investigation

In December 2018, victim James Milliken was gunned down inside his residence in an apparent home invasion robbery. In May 2023, Chief Prosecutor Paul Hagerman and ADA Forrest Edwards were conducting a case review for defendant Madrecious Taylor, who is a "crime driver", or repeat violent offender, and has multiple pending violent felony cases. During this review, they discovered a link between Taylor and the homicide of James Milliken in 2018. After further investigation as part of DA Mulroy’s Cold Case Initiative, a partnership with the Memphis Police Department, Madrecious Taylor was indicted for the murder of James Milliken. In this case, the Grand Jury returned a True Bill of indictment on the following charges: First Degree Murder, Murder in Perpetration of Aggravated Burglary, Murder In Perpetration of Aggravated Robbery, Especially Aggravated Robbery, Especially Aggravated Kidnapping, and Especially Aggravated Burglary. His bond on the new charges is $1,000,000.

Happening in Court

This week in Criminal Court Division 10, Chief Prosecutor Michael McCusker successfully argued against diversion for defendant Frances Calico, who was convicted of Failure to Yield Right of Way Resulting in Death in the 2021 death of Memphis Police Department Officer Christopher "Scotty" Triplett. In this case, victim Triplett was providing a motorcycle escort to an "End the Violence" procession in Hickory Hill near Knight Arnold when defendant Calico, who was 70 at the time, made a left-turn to enter her condominium parking lot, striking Triplett’s motorcycle. Victim Triplett was transported to the hospital where he died five hours later. He was a 27 year veteran of the MPD, and left behind a wife of 22 years and two children. At the hearing the victim's wife acknowledged that she did not want defendant Calico to serve time; she just wanted the Class A Misdemeanor to stay with the defendant for the rest of her life, just as her husband’s death would stay with her family forever. Our office did not seek jail time, and asked Judge Jennifer Mitchell to deny diversion.

da conference

Last week DA Mulroy (pictured above, center-left) participated in the Annual Meeting of the Tennessee District Attorney Generals' Conference, the budget and policy-making body for all 32 District Attorneys General across the state.

Juneteenth

Pictured above, DA Mulroy at the Memphis Juneteenth Festival in Health Sciences Park. 

WEAD

For World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (Thursday, June 15th), the SCDAG Office held a Senior Supplies Drive to support the Coordinated Response for Elderly Abuse (CREA) Team at the Family Safety Center. Chief Prosecutor Carrie Bush is our liaison for the Vulnerable Adult Protective Investigation Team (“VAPIT”). 

Thanks to Special Assistant ADA Jessica Indignaro (pictured left) for organizing the drive. 

WEAD 3

Unfortunately, there are many gaps in services for our seniors who have little or no family support, and these care packages are part of the effort to care for those seniors. We were able to collect 100 each of lip balms, toothpaste, and lotion (pictured right), which were included in CREA's care packages. To learn more about CREA and find out how you can help, click here.  

bluff city event

Last night, Bluff City Magazine held a reception and meet-and-greet in honor of DA Mulroy (pictured above with guests at the event) to debut his cover story (linked below in "SCDAG Office in the News"). 

Our Team is Still Growing

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This week we welcomed two new ADAs to our team. ADA Lee Chiozza (pictured left) joined the Domestic Violence Unit. ADA Chiozza graduated this year from the Nashville School of Law, where she previously worked as the Librarian. 

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Pictured right, ADA James Coleman joined Vertical Team 2, which prosecutes cases in General Sessions 9 (Mental Health Court) and Criminal Court 2. ADA Coleman has over a decade of experience, and has worked previously as General Counsel for Driven Racing Oil and most recently as a Shelby County Public Defender. 

cp lf

On Thursday June 8th, Community Prosecutor ADA Lora Fowler (pictured first on the left) attended the "Stop Gun Violence" Rally at the Greenbriar Apartments in Frayser, where she connected with Alco Property Management staff and met some of the residents. On Saturday June 10th, she attended Greater Imani Church's Annual Civic Fair, where she handed out school supplies and gift cards.

SCDAG Office in the News

From Bluff City MagazineDistrict Attorney Steve Mulroy talks about bail, reform and repeat offenders

'"First of all, the DA doesn't set bail. People don't understand that, but it's true. The judge sets bail....But there's a broader point because I don't want to be understood as just saying, 'Oh, it's just those horrible judges.' That's not what I'm saying. People think that bail is supposed to be used as punishment, and it's not. Under our constitution, you presume everyone is innocent until proven guilty. The only reason you keep somebody behind bars before their trial, before they're convicted of a crime is because either you believe they won't show up for their court date, they'll flee the jurisdiction, or you think they're a danger to the community.'"

From Daily MemphianDCS tried to take 4-year-old away, mom’s bail set at $500K

[Re the ongoing investigation into the death of 4-year-old Sequoia Samuels]

"During a news conference Tuesday, Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy said the case has been assigned to his office’s special victims unit. 

Mulroy said his office will file a request to raise Hobson’s initial bail, which was set at $50,000. 

'What this says more broadly about our system, (is) there’s a lot more for us to learn. And, at the end of the day, it’s a time of profound sadness,' Mulroy said."

From ABC24: DA Steve Mulroy wants larger bail for boyfriend charged in Sequoia Samuels' death, as family focuses on healing

"'Our office will be filing a written request to increase that bond,' said DA Mulroy. 'From what we know, we believe that there are reasons to believe that Mr. Hobson is a risk of flight and is a danger to the community not only because of what’s going on with the current case in the death of Sequoia Samuels but also for the prior charges that he had.'

Mulroy said Hobson has prior charges involving criminal trespass, possession of marijuana and unlawful possessions of weapons including a switch which attaches to a gun and a 3D printed ghost gun. 

'We’re actively reviewing the situation and I wouldn’t rule out increasing charges on either of them,' said Mulroy."

From WREG: Former UTHSC daycare under investigation after ‘abuse’ call

"Local and state authorities are now looking into what happened at a daycare in the Medical District that left a young child in the hospital...Police told us officers then responded to what they describe as a “child abuse aggravated” call at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. The investigation is ongoing.

District Attorney Steve Mulroy said Tuesday that if his office decides to bring charges in this case, the next step would be to bring it to a grand jury. That could happen within the week, he said."
 

take 4

Stay safe and thanks for reading,

Steve Mulroy

District Attorney