 DA Mulroy pictured at Wednesdays press conference
For some time now, Shelby County has been flooded with so called “no chance” games which act very much like slot machines. You may have seen them in convenience stores around the county. In many cases, law enforcement has seen criminal incidents associated with the locations having these machines. This should not be surprising, as illegal gambling sites can often be a hub for other illegal activity. Law enforcement has seized those machines as illegal gambling machines, and our office has prosecuted those cases, including forfeiture of the machines and the profits derived from them.
Nonetheless, their use has persisted, amid some claimed uncertainty as to whether they were in fact illegal. About a year ago, one of the machine manufacturers sued me, claiming that the machines were legal, or that the gambling statute was unconstitutionally vague. We had a trial this past May in which I testified.
At a press conference earlier this week, accompanied by representatives from every local law enforcement agency in Shelby County, I announced that a three-judge court ruled in our favor, stating unequivocally that all those machines were in fact illegal, and the law against them constitutional. Plaintiffs still maintain to the contrary, and have the right to appeal this decision if they so choose. But as far as I’m concerned, this is a clear and settled legal question—the games are illegal.
Law enforcement stood with me to help make sure that owners of convenience stores and other locations where these machines might be are on notice: these machines are illegal. They are not to have them in your stores. Law enforcement can and will seize these machines where we find them.
Gambling machines are by no means the most important crime problem we have in Shelby County. Our office prioritizes violent crime, auto theft, and auto break-ins, among other things. And there are other criminal justice reform issues, like jail overcrowding, which are more pressing. But we’ve received complaints about these machines, and I don’t think we should just look the other way.
Reasonable minds may differ about the policy behind gambling laws. Some may favor what other states do—legalizing certain forms of gambling, taxing it and regulating it heavily, and using the tax proceeds to aid education, anti-gambling addiction efforts, or anti-poverty efforts directed at the low-income population that often seems to be disproportionately harmed by gambling.
But our legislature has chosen not to do that. So illegal gambling causes social harms without the ameliorative effect of the kind of taxation/regulation regime described above. Unless and until that change in the law comes, we will enforce the law. We will go after the illegal gambling machines.
Defendant Held Following Preliminary Hearing in Interstate Shooting Case: Our office successfully argued for a probable cause finding and against pretrial release in a case involving a shooting on the interstate. Defendant Robert Hudson, charged with second-degree murder, appeared in court for a preliminary hearing. Assistant District Attorney Matthew Blissitt presented the case, and the judge found probable cause to advance the matter to the grand jury. Hudson will remain in custody pending trial.
The charges arise from a June 22 interstate shooting that resulted in one fatality.
Assistant District Attorney Matthew Blissitt handled the hearing.
Memphis Woman Faces Multiple Violent Charges After Preliminary Hearing: Our office obtained similar results in another, nonfatal, shooting case. In a July 16 Preliminary Hearing involving defendant Lakiya Bowman. Assistant District Attorney Annika Rush secured a $225,000 bond. Judge Gilbert found probable cause for one count of Criminal Attempt – First Degree Murder, three counts of Aggravated Assault, Reckless Endangerment with a Deadly Weapon, Domestic Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During a Dangerous Felony.
Witnesses testified that Bowman pointed a gun at three adults and a child, then fired multiple shots. One victim, struck in the arm, pushed the child out of harm’s way before a second bullet hit her chest. She survived four surgeries and testified in court, though she continues to recover.
Assistant District Attorney Annika Rush handled the hearing.
Court Finds Robbery Suspect a Danger to Community: Our office successfully argued Thursday that a Mississippi man charged with especially aggravated robbery remains a danger to the community, prompting a judge to uphold a $250,000 bond despite the defendant’s lack of prior criminal history.
Assistant District Attorney Matthew Blissitt told the court that Hmaida Saleh, a resident of Desoto County, posed a significant threat to public safety. Blissitt emphasized the seriousness of the charge and the violent nature of the alleged offense in urging the court to keep the bond in place.
Following the hearing, the judge agreed with the state’s position and declined to lower the bond amount. Saleh remains in custody.
Assistant District Attorney Matthew Blissitt handled the hearing.
DA Mulroy Highlights Community Initiatives at Germantown Chamber Luncheon
Pictured from left to right: Casie Keaton, Germantown Chamber Chairman of the Board Skip Gronauer, President/CEO Janie Day, and Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy
We extend our thanks to the Germantown Area Chamber of Commerce for hosting District Attorney Mulroy as the keynote speaker at their July Luncheon. It was an opportunity to share insights into our community work, ongoing initiatives, and the mission of the District Attorney’s Office.
DA Mulroy Welcomes Promising Criminal Justice Student to Office
 On Thursday, DA Mulroy met with Peyton Westbrook, a standout intern under Dr. Bernard Williams at Juvenile Court. A proud St. Benedict at Auburndale alum with a 3.96 GPA and now a junior at Clark Atlanta University majoring in Criminal Justice (3.87 GPA!), Peyton has her sights set on becoming a District Attorney.
She shared how the Shelby County DA’s Office commitment to ethics, fair elections, and justice reform continues to inspire her. We’re excited to see where her journey leads!
Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy sat down with FOX13 Good Morning Memphis Anchors Valerie Calhoun and Ernie Freeman Thursday to give updates on two major trials, possible criminal charges for a former Memphis Police officer, the speed of trials in Shelby County, and two decisions his office considers victories. |Shelby County District Attorney gives update on Hernandez Govan, Ezekiel Kelly, former Memphis officer| via FOX13
“We want to make absolutely clear to the public, particularly to the convenience store owners, managers and other people who are proprietors of places where these machines might be located ... There is no more legal uncertainty,” Mulroy said. “These gaming machines are illegal. And they are subject to seizure. You are not to have them within your stores. You are to get rid of these machines, and we reserve the right to seize them and do prosecutions.” |Steve Mulroy says stores with coin-operated game machines are gambling with law| via The Daily Memphian
Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy says there's been more than 3,000 convictions so far this year. He adds his office is on track to have more trials, too. "We have been increasing the number of jury trials that we've done," Mulroy said on FOX13's Good Morning Memphis Thursday morning. "So '24 over '23 significant, about a 60% increase. We're on track to meet or exceed that so far this year. We're moving cases, especially our V11, our priority violent cases, out of general sessions and up to criminal court at a quicker rate." |FOX13 Investigates: Jury trials remain at steady pace in Shelby County| via FOX13
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