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I got some good news this week that I’m happy to share. The Board of Professional Responsibility, the body that handles ethics complaints against Tennessee lawyers, has dismissed the fifth and last ethics complaint filed against me by Sen. Brent Taylor. A distraction from the work of the DA’s office has finally been removed.
Over the past year and a half, the Senator has filed formal ethics complaints against me about the way I resolved two different cases; two different groundless accusations of improper “ex parte” communications (without opposing counsel present) with two different judges; and, more recently, a meritless charge involving the use of Juvenile Court records in adult court when setting bail. (Ironically, that last charge involved efforts I made with Juvenile Court Sugarmon to explore the kind of use of juvenile records that Sen. Taylor himself favored through legislation passed this past spring). All five were dismissed.
Even though the outcome was positive, the intermediate experience was not. I had to spend a fair amount of time and effort reviewing records and correspondence, documenting to the Board what I did and why. It gave me a renewed appreciation for how stressful, expensive, time-consuming, and life-disruptive criminal accusations can be, even if they are ultimately dismissed.
That’s why we are so careful at the DA’s office about bringing charges. We review the facts carefully to make sure we have enough evidence to convict, before ever bringing charges. If, at the outset or later, we have doubts about that ability to convict, we won’t bring the charge to begin with. Pre-charge, we won’t publicly disclose the facts about a person under investigation. Post-charge, there are rules requiring us to be careful and measured in how we publicly talk about those charges.
In the civil realm, if a person brings a frivolous claim, a court can sanction them. That is also true in other areas where people make administrative or ethical claims (including ethics charges against state legislators). There is no such rule punishing frivolous ethics charges against lawyers. Maybe there should be.
Meanwhile, the lack of pending ethics charges means less distraction, and more ability to focus fully on doing everything we can to assist law enforcement in keeping Shelby County safe.
Court Finds Probable Cause in First Degree Murder Case: On August 28, 2025, General Sessions Judge Louis Montesi Jr. found probable cause to hold Ethan Butler on a charge of First Degree Murder following a preliminary hearing successfully handled by ADA Timothy Dye.
The charge stems from a July 7, 2025, shooting at the Crown Super Market, where Butler is accused of exiting his vehicle and firing multiple shots at the victim, fatally striking him.
After hearing witness testimony and reviewing the evidence, the court ruled that the case will proceed to the Grand Jury. Butler remains in custody pending further proceedings.
Assistant District Attorney Timothy Dye handled the hearing.
Probable Cause Found in Fatal Gas Station Robbery Case: General Sessions Judge Louis Montesi Jr. bound the case over to the Grand Jury and set a bond after finding probable cause on all counts against Michael Chalmers, following a preliminary hearing successfully argued by ADA Tyler Schembri.
Chalmers is charged with First Degree Murder in the Perpetration of Aggravated Robbery, Aggravated Robbery, Aggravated Assault, and Felon in Possession of a Handgun. The charges stem from an armed robbery inside a gas station where an innocent bystander was shot and killed during gunfire.
Video footage was authenticated and shown in court. A witness and an MPD detective identified Chalmers, who later admitted to being on scene, armed, and pointing a gun during the incident.
Assistant District Attorney Tyler Schembri handled the hearing.
Bond Revoked After Probable Cause Found in Assault Case: Successfully argued by Chief Prosecutor Lessie Rainey and ADA Annika Rush, the State secured a finding of probable cause against Miguel Gomez Jr. on charges of Aggravated Assault and Domestic Assault during a preliminary hearing on September 2, 2025.
The case stems from an incident in which Gomez, a known member of Playboy Sureno 13, allegedly strangled the victim and slammed him to the ground, causing a head injury. The victim testified during the hearing before Judge Greg Gilbert.
After the ruling, the State moved to revoke bond in a separate, pending Aggravated Assault case. Judge Lee Ann Addison granted the motion. Gomez will remain in custody without bond as all matters move forward.
Chief Prosecutor Lessie Rainey & Assistant District Attorney Annika Rush are handling the cases.
901 Day Unites City, County, and Community Partners
 The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office joined the City of Memphis, Shelby County, and the Downtown Memphis Commission on Friday at Civic Plaza to celebrate 901 Day, recognizing the spirit and pride of our community.
DA Mulroy Highlights Community Progress at People’s Summit
(Left to right) Danielle Inez, Pastor Earle Fisher, DA Mulroy, and County Commissioner Britney Thornton.
District Attorney General Steve Mulroy participated in the People’s Summit on Saturday, sharing recent accomplishments from our office and highlighting a brighter future for the community. The event, organized by Pastor Earle J. Fisher, also featured Mayor Paul Young, County Commissioner Britney Thornton, and Danielle Inez.
Community Leaders Highlight Do the Write Thing Challenge at Ed Rice Community Center
 (Left to right) Teacher Brittney Stone, Superintendent Dr. Roderick Richmond, and ADDA Ernest Brooks
At the Annual Frayser Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) Back-to-School Event, attendees learned about the Memphis/Shelby County “Do the Write Thing” Challenge. National Ambassador Angel Bausley shared her award-winning essay alongside Teacher Brittney Stone, Superintendent Dr. Roderick Richmond, and ADDA Ernest Brooks.
“The Tennessee Supreme Court’s Board of Professional Responsibility dismissed another complaint from State Senator Brent Taylor, leveled against Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy in response to reforms proposed by the district attorney's office concerning the release of juvenile court records...The matter is now considered closed as the 30-day appeal period on the case has now passed. The case was originally dismissed on July 30.” |Tennessee Supreme Court dismisses Senator Brent Taylor's complaints against DA Steve Mulroy| via ABC24
A man charged in a shooting that killed an innocent bystander in Frayser has been given a $10 million bond. Michael Chalmers was charged with charged with first-degree murder, robbery, assault, and possession of a handgun as a convicted felon. He was accused of robbing two men at a gas station on Range Line Road in May. |Man charged with murder given $10 million bond| via FOX13
“This has been a year-long distraction from my DA duties, and an abuse of the ethics complaint process. I hope this politicized harassment will stop, so I can focus 100% on doing all we can to help law enforcement keep Shelby County safe.” |Case closed for 5th complaint against Shelby Co. DA, but senator’s efforts to oust him just took new form| via WMC5
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