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You’ve likely heard the National Guard is coming to Memphis.
I don’t believe deploying troops for everyday policing is the right answer. While I welcome the assistance of state and federal law enforcement officials, people who are trained in community law enforcement, I don’t think we need soldiers. Federal law bars the use of the military for civilian law enforcement for good reasons. Just because narrow exceptions exist, doesn’t mean we should use them absent emergencies.
But when the Guard comes, I want you to know your rights and what to expect.
What The Guard Will Do
According to state and federal authorities, the National Guard will not arrest people, or serve warrants. They will be in a support capacity only. Expect to see them at high-visibility locations like the Fed Ex Forum. Don’t expect them to be patrolling your neighborhood.
Your Rights Remain the Same
Whether you interact with a Memphis police officer, sheriff’s deputy, state trooper, or a National Guard member under state authority, your constitutional protections do not change.
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Freedom Of Movement—no one can stop you on the street, or pull you over in a car, without “reasonable suspicion” you’ve committed a crime. Even then, to keep you longer than a few minutes, they would need “probable cause” to arrest you.
If an officer does approach you, there’s no reason not to cooperate, even chat. They’re people too. But if you don’t have the time or inclination, you can always politely ask “Am I free to leave?” If they don’t have the above kind of suspicion, you should be free to go.
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Privacy & Property– Absent your consent, no one may search your home or person without a valid warrant or legally recognized exception to the warrant requirement, like a frisk to check for weapons, or a search incident to an arrest. An officer can search your car based on probable cause that there is evidence of a crime inside (or based on a warrant of course).
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Free Expression & Assembly– You can speak, gather, or record on your cell phone in public spaces as long as you follow lawful safety instructions. Don’t block entrances or streets, and don’t threaten violence.
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Due Process– You have the right to remain silent and to request a lawyer if questioned about a crime. If you are arrested for a crime, state or federal, you should be processed and treated the same way as anyone, through normal state or federal procedures.
If You’re Stopped or Asked Questions
- Stay calm and keep your hands visible.
- You can ask for identifying information about the officer.
- Feel free to cooperate with an officer. They are here to help. But if you feel like you can’t….
- You can politely ask, “Am I free to leave?”
- If you wish, state, “I’m exercising my right to remain silent and would like to speak with an attorney.”
- If something feels wrong, write down details or safely record the encounter, then contact MPD Internal Affairs, the Sheriff’s Office, or my team.
As your District Attorney, my duty is to keep Shelby County safe while protecting every resident’s rights. Even though I don’t think the National Guard should be deployed for regular policing, I will work with state leaders, local law enforcement, and you to make sure that, if it does happen, it’s done lawfully, transparently, and with full respect for our community. I will also work with federal and state law enforcement partners to suppress crime and make our community as safe as we can.
Daireus Ice Convicted in 4-Year-Old’s Kidnapping and Rape: A Shelby County jury found Ice guilty on all charges in the 2018 kidnapping and assault of a 4-year-old girl, described by prosecutors as “a parent’s worst nightmare.”
The 12-year-old victim bravely testified about the assault and its impact. Her mother and brother also provided testimony. Chief Prosecutors Devon Dennis and Lessie Rainey led the case.
“Despite the horrific facts, I’m grateful for the jury’s service and the just verdict,” said Prosecutor Dennis. “This conviction helps the victim and her family move forward and makes Shelby County safer.”
Rainey added, “Our team’s hard work made this possible. We hope the victim and her family find peace.”
Investigators testified that Ice recruited Antoine Wilson—who pleaded guilty and testified against Ice—to abduct the child. Wilson sexually assaulted her while Ice filmed, then left her near her home.
The trial took years due to multiple co-defendants, judicial changes, and DNA analysis. Ice faces three more pending cases with similar allegations.
Chief Prosecutors Devon Dennis and Lessie Rainey handled the case and trial.
Trial Underway in 2022 Murders of Danielle Hoyle and Infant Daughter Kennedy: The trial of Brandon Isabelle began this week in Shelby County Criminal Court. Jury selection took place Monday, September 22, and attorneys delivered opening statements Tuesday, September 23. Prosecutors expect to call about 30 witnesses, and the trial could last up to two weeks based on the evidence and testimony planned.
Prosecutors charged Isabelle with two counts of first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse/neglect, and aggravated kidnapping in connection to the February 2022 deaths of Danielle Hoyle, 27, and her two-day-old daughter, Kennedy.
Investigators allege Isabelle lured Hoyle to Whitehaven on February 1, 2022. Police later found her car with a broken window and discovered her fatally shot nearby. Officers launched a large-scale, multi-agency search for Kennedy. According to police affidavits and media reports, Isabelle confessed to shooting Hoyle and throwing Kennedy into the Mississippi River near Mud Island. Authorities never recovered Kennedy’s body. Isabelle has pleaded not guilty.
Chief Prosecutor Eric Christensen and ADA Dru Carpenter are leading the prosecution.
DA Mulroy Speaks to Frayser Exchange Club on Community Issues and Office Updates
Thank you to the Frayser Exchange Club for welcoming DA Mulroy to speak with members about current issues in our community and provide updates on the ongoing work of the Shelby County District Attorney's Office!
Ray Lepone Sworn In as Judge in Shelby County Criminal Court Division I
 DA Mulroy pictured with General Sessions Judge Taylor Bachelor, Criminal Court Judge Carolyn Blackett, and newly appointed Criminal Court Division I Judge Ray Lepone
Congratulations to former Shelby County prosecutor Ray Lepone on being sworn in as the new judge in Criminal Court Division I, previously held by Judge Paula Skahan, who retired June 30. Lepone served many years in our office, including as Deputy District Attorney.
Deputy DA Paul Hagerman Joins Legal Leaders for Criminal Law Panel at UofM Law
 (Pictured L to R): Deputy DA Paul Hagerman, Vincent Ores, Judge David Pool, Marques Young, and Mary Jermann-Robinson
Deputy District Attorney Paul Hagerman recently joined Vincent Ores (Shelby County Public Defender’s Office), Judge David Pool (Criminal Court Division VI), Marques Young (U.S. Attorney’s Office), and Mary Jermann-Robinson (Federal Defender’s Office) as panelists at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law.
Hosted by the Student Bar Association and Career Services Office, the discussion gave law students valuable insight into criminal law and the diverse perspectives of those serving on the front lines of the justice system.
Honoring Victims on the National Day of Remembrance
 (Pictured L to R): Shalisa Heaston, Reid Hettinger, Jennifer Sims, Julie Gaskill, Natasha Burnett, Jacqueline Chacon, and Daphne Segree
On Thursday, our Victim Witness Coordinators joined the Shelby County Crime Victims & Rape Crisis Center at the Memphis Botanic Garden for the Annual Garden of Lights Memorial Program in honor of National Day of Remembrance for Homicide Victims. This day serves as a solemn reminder to honor those whose lives were taken too soon and to support the families forever impacted by violence.
ADA Jack Gould Explains What ‘Held to State’ Really Means
 In our Common Misconceptions series, Assistant District Attorney Jack Gould explains what “Held to State” really means in court proceedings and why it matters for justice. Watch the full video here: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1583201852840466
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
 From September 15 to October 15, we honor Hispanic and Latino communities for their rich history, culture, and contributions. Their traditions, leadership, and achievements continue to strengthen and enrich Shelby County and our nation.
“Let me be clear: I don’t support bringing the guard in. We should welcome federal help, but it should be the right kind of help,” Mulroy wrote Friday in his weekly email update. “I prefer it be entirely federal law enforcement agents trained in civilian law enforcement, not military troops who aren’t.”... “It’s also a short-term fix, when we need a long-term solution that will last after the cameras leave,” he wrote. “And it’ll cost millions of dollars that could be better spent on other public safety strategies: a crime lab, police recruitment, and street-level violence intervention programs to name just a few — the latter of which have been recently defunded by the federal government.” |National Guard becomes issue in Tennessee governor’s race| via The Daily Memphian
The case will be prosecuted by Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy, who said, “Meth is a killer, and amounts of that size mean significant drug trafficking. Thanks to the DTF staff for disrupting it.” |Agents seize meth and more in 2 drug busts near Memphis airport| via WREG3
The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office hosted a press conference with McNeil’s mother Thursday afternoon at 201 Poplar, where they pleaded for any information that could lead to justice in this case... Shelby County DA Steve Mulroy says the case has come to a dead end, and investigators need new tips or pieces of evidence in order to move forward. |DA joins mom in public cry for tips years after pregnant daughter’s murder outside Cordova Walgreens| via WMC5
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