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On September 7, 2022, during my first week in office, Memphis was terrorized by a person who went on a shooting spree, killing 3 and injuring 3 more, causing an hours-long citywide lockdown in the process. Police apprehended the shooter, who broadcast one of his killings on Facebook Live.
This week, we resolved this case with a guilty plea to all 28 counts of the indictment our office obtained. Per the plea agreement, the defendant will serve three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, with another 221 years of sentence on top of that. This resolution was approved by all victims and victim family members.
This was a case where our office announced it was seeking the death penalty. As it happens, I personally oppose the death penalty, and would vote against it if I were a legislator. The evidence shows that, compared with Life without Parole, it does not add any extra deterrent value. It is irrevocable, so mistakes can’t be corrected once a defendant is executed. Our criminal justice system has shown time and again in capital murder cases that it makes mistakes in both convictions and sentencing, not to mention substantial and unjustified racial disparities. And contrary to popular perception, given the years of appeals involved, it is actually less cost-effective than incarcerating a prisoner for life.
But since capital punishment is the law in Tennessee, and my job is to enforce that law, I am prepared to seek death in especially compelling cases. Death should be the rare result, used sparingly, and only for, as courts have said, “the worst of the worst.” As I said at the time, if the case we resolved this week was not such a case, I don’t know what would be.
But death penalty appeals can take years or decades, keeping the families stuck in the pain. This week’s resolution achieved certainty and finality—the defendant cannot appeal, and will definitely spend the rest of his life in prison. This accords with the wishes of the families, who were ready to move on with their lives. As one of them said the morning of the plea hearing, it provided “closure.”
The extra levels of appeal and other court review of death sentences, while time-consuming, are nonetheless proper. Because our system has shown to be error-prone, and death is so final, they are not only constitutionally required, but appropriate.
Equally appropriate are Life Without Parole plea deals which provide families closure.
Let us all pray for those families, and pray that we will never again see a day like Sept. 7, 2022.
Juvenile Judge Transfers Homicide Case to Criminal Court: Juvenile Court Judge Tarik Sugarmon has granted the State’s motion to transfer Jordan “Huncho” Oliver to Criminal Court to be tried as an adult. The ruling followed arguments from ADA Eric Walton of the Juvenile Prosecution Unit.
Oliver is charged in connection with a September 13, 2024, shooting that left a 16-year-old girl dead in her home on Deerskin Drive. Witnesses said Oliver was handling a rifle in the bathroom when it discharged, fatally striking the victim. He fled the scene and was arrested months later by MPD at the Pershing Park Apartments.
Oliver, 18, has a history of prior delinquency charges and now faces Reckless Homicide. The victim’s family was present and expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision.
Assistant District Attorney Eric Walton handled the hearing.
Court Finds Probable Cause in Attempted Murder Case Involving Multiple Victims: Following a preliminary hearing handled by ADA Tyler Schembri, the court found probable cause on multiple charges against defendant Darnesiha Mckinney, including six counts of Criminal Attempt—Second Degree Murder, six counts of Employing a Firearm During a Dangerous Felony, and one count of Possession of a Handgun by a Convicted Felon.
The court bound all charges over to the Grand Jury. McKinney remains in custody.
The charges stem from an incident in which the victims, including four children, were driving to pick up diapers when McKinney assaulted them inside the vehicle. As they drove away, McKinney fired 1–2 shots at the vehicle.
One of the victims testified, and the State introduced video footage showing McKinney firing at the car. The lead detective also testified that McKinney admitted to the shooting.
Assistant District Attorney Tyler Schembri handled the hearing.
Ezekiel Kelly Sentenced to Three Life Terms Plus 200+ Years in 2022 Shooting Spree: Ezekiel Kelly has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the September 7, 2022, mass shooting that left three people dead and three others injured. The plea agreement guarantees Kelly will serve three life sentences plus more than 200 additional years.
Kelly faced over 27 charges, including First-Degree Murder, Attempted Murder, Terrorism, and Carjacking. Investigators collected testimony from nearly 400 witnesses and reviewed more than 300 videos.
Both the surviving victims and the families of the deceased supported the plea agreement. The plea spares the victims’ families from a lengthy trial and ensures that Kelly will remain incarcerated for life. A large number of family members of the victims were present in court and supported the resolution.
Originally scheduled for trial in July 2025, the case was resolved with the plea earlier this week.
First Deputy DA Chris Lareau & Assistant District Attorney Devon Dennis handled the case.
Associate Deputy District Attorney Ernest Brooks participated in the North Memphis Community Alliance’s Back-to-School Giveaway at Dave Wells Community Center, featuring music, games, free haircuts, school supplies, and more.
Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy said family members of victims were satisfied with the plea agreement. “Death penalty cases can drag on for years, if not decades, making the families and the victims stuck in the pain,” Mulroy told reporters after the hearing. “What we achieved today achieved certainty and finality, making sure that Mr. Kelly will never see the light of day.” |Memphis man who killed 3 in livestreamed shooting rampage pleads guilty| via AP News
Jordan Oliver is also facing a reckless homicide charge stemming from a shooting in 2024. Shelby County District Attorney’s Office says he shot and killed a 16-year-old girl in her home’s bathroom in September. He was later arrested in January at Pershing Park Apartments. He was charged with reckless homicide; the DA’s office says that case has now been transferred from juvenile court to criminal court. |Father robbed at gunpoint in front of 3-year-old daughter, police say| via WMC5
"I do believe they're satisfied," Mulroy said of the victims' families after the plea hearing. "We've talked to them extensively, the trial team has talked to them extensively about this, and they are satisfied with the plea. As I said, it meets their desire to have this over with, to be able to move on with their lives, and we also know that Mr. Kelly will spend the rest of his life in prison." |Ezekiel Kelly pleads guilty to Memphis shooting spree, will serve 3 life sentences| via The Commercial Appeal
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