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Pictured Left to Right: MPD Assistant Chief Don Crowe, MPD Chief CJ Davis, DA Mulroy and ADA Forrest Edwards
Today, the District Attorney's Office, in conjunction with the Memphis Police Department, announced the shutdown as a public nuisance of Snappy Mart, a midtown convenience store located at 1351 Madison Avenue. This decision follows an extensive investigation by MPD, revealing illicit activities within or in proximity to the store. These activities included the sale of narcotics and numerous public disturbance incidents, including reported cases of robberies, aggravated assaults, domestic assaults, and other violent crimes.
"Business owners should know that they have a responsibility to take reasonable steps to prevent their locations from being breeding grounds of crime," said DA Mulroy at an on-site press conference with MPD chief, CJ Davis. "if they fail to do so, we will take appropriate action."
According to MPD data, officers have responded to approximately 612 calls from October 2021 to October 2023. This included aggravated robbery, burglary, prostitution, and drug activity—resulting in at least 81 arrests within a two-year period.
The Shelby County DA’s Office has taken nuisance actions against at least four properties since DA Mulroy took office in September 2022, including a convenience stores in Frayser and the Bethel Grove neighborhood and two residential properties in Whitehaven.
Happening in Court
The trial for McKinney Wright, charged in the murder of Memphis businessman Phil Trenary, concluded this week. Wright pled guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to serve 100% of a 25 year sentence at the Tennessee Department of Corrections without parole. The time he has served in jail will count toward his sentence. The victim's family was consulted prior and understood the basis for the decision. In a recent interview, Trenary's daughter, Brittany Rowe thanked Judge Craft and the trio prosecution team, ADAs Karen Cook, José Leon and Leslie Byrd for their work on the case stating, "For the court system and the DA’s office who often get put under scrutiny and a negative light, I want to put a spotlight on those four people because they are doing good work.”
Kevin Young, charged in the shooting that took place during a rap concert inside the FedExForum in September, was scheduled to be in court this week for a bond hearing and to receive new information from the State. One man was taken to the hospital in critical condition that later transitioned to non-critical injuries. Young is charged with possession of a deadly weapon with intent to commit a crime, reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon and unlawful possession of a weapon. He is currently being held in custody and the judge has permanently revoked all of his bonds.
ADA Forrest Edwards is handling this case.
Benjamin Davila, charged with sexual battery, appeared in court this week for the beginning of his trial following jury selection. In May 2020, Davila allegedly sexually assaulted a woman while inside a hotel room. Davila is scheduled to appear back in court next month.
ADA Tanisha Johnson is handling this case.
Jajuan Bolden appeared in court to receive the plea offered from the State this week. Bolden was charged with criminal attempt of first degree murder, employing a firearm during a felony and aggravated assault. In 2016, Bolden was arrested after firing shots at a man following a verbal altercation the two had weeks prior. Bolden was later identified and taken into custody. Trial is set to begin next month.
ADAs Devon Dennis and John Scott are handling this case.
SCDAG hosts final Driver's License Restoration and Expungement Clinic of 2023
 Last Saturday, SCDAG and other local organizations teamed up to hold a clinic that provided numerous services to residents in Shelby County. Spearheaded by ADA and Director of Community Affairs Tracye Jones, the free three-hour event serviced over one hundred residents. Local companies including MATA, Maximus and Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) were also in attendance.
SCDAG's Office in the News
"She also thanked Craft and the three-person prosecution team of Karen Cook, José F. León and Leslie Byrd for their work on the case.
“For the court system and the DA’s office who often get put under scrutiny and a negative light, I want to put a spotlight on those four people because they are doing good work,” Rowe said."
Defendant in Phil Trenary killing pleads guilty via Daily Memphian
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Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy called the decision by the Court of Appeals “regrettable”.
“The 162-year sentence for a string of nonviolent offenses was clearly excessive,” District Attorney Mulroy said in a statement after the judge’s decision was overturned. “Mr.Anderson served 25 years which was enough. It’s regrettable that the AG prioritized using scarce legal resources to reinstate on appeal a clearly excessive sentence. I hope the governor will consider clemency.”
Senator requests investigation of DA, judge after release of man serving 162-year sentence via FOX13
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"Mulroy, however, said the experts cited by the defense were credible, with one of them being used by the DA's office in the past.
"Based on my review of the expert reports, among other things, and meeting with defense counsel, I was convinced that [Sample] was intellectually disabled," Mulroy said. "If I believe he's intellectually disabled, then it would be unethical for me to argue for the death penalty. The Supreme Court has made very clear that, as a constitutional matter, if you're intellectually disabled, you are not eligible to be executed."
"For Mulroy, being adversarial in the courtroom is not the role of a prosecutor. He said that the role is to seek justice in a case, which does not mean winning a case at any cost."
"I consider Brent Taylor a friend, but he's not a lawyer. Neither has he been a prosecutor," he said. "Not only would it be a waste of resources, and inefficient, to try to aggressively prosecute a case when you don't think that you are likely to win, but it's also unethical. The prosecutor, unique among all lawyers in our system, has a heightened ethical responsibility to not just try to win but to do justice. He represents the community's interest in justice, not any particular victim or client. If the prosecutor has significant doubts about the guilt of somebody, or whether they're eligible for a particular sentence, then it's their job to make it right."
Why a Tennessee state senator wants investigation of Shelby Co. DA's office, judge via Commercial Appeal
Thanks for reading,
 Steve Mulroy
District Attorney
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