Memphis Needs Night Court Now
Memphis is bracing for a surge in arrests from a new federal task force—potentially more than 100 extra cases a day. Without action, this flood could overwhelm our already overcrowded jails and backlogged courts, delaying justice for victims and defendants alike.
I believe the answer is Night Court: evening sessions that keep cases moving, prevent jail overcrowding, and deliver timely resolutions. Other large cities already use it successfully. Here in Shelby County, I, along with Shelby County CAO Harold Collins, have convened a meeting with judges, clerks, defenders, and county leaders to make that happen. But we need immediate funding and support to move quickly.
Night Court isn’t about being “soft” or “hard” on crime—it’s about being smart and fair. Justice delayed is justice denied.
Contact your County Commissioners, state legislators, and federal representatives. Urge them to provide resources so we’re ready for what’s coming. The surge is here. The question is whether we’ll be prepared.
Jury Convicts Brandon Isabelle in Murders of Danielle Hoyle and Infant Kennedy Hoyle Thrown Into River: Chief Prosecutor Eric Christensen and Assistant District Attorney Dru Carpenter secured guilty verdicts against Brandon Isabelle for the 2022 murders of Danielle Hoyle and her newborn daughter, Kennedy.
After less than two hours of deliberation, jurors found Isabelle guilty of two counts of first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, and neglect. The jury returned the next day to sentence him to life in prison with parole, noting the intentional nature of the crimes, Kennedy’s age, and Isabelle’s age at the time.
Prosecutors presented Isabelle’s own recorded confession along with GPS evidence that traced his movements the night of the murders. Investigators testified that Isabelle lured Hoyle to Whitehaven, shot her, and admitted to throwing Kennedy into the Mississippi River, where her body has never been found.
April Campbell, Hoyle’s mother and Kennedy’s grandmother, told the jury her family only had about an hour with Kennedy before losing her forever. Carpenter emphasized to jurors that Isabelle’s own words and digital trail left no doubt about his guilt.
Chief Prosecutor Eric Christensen and ADA Dru Carpenter handled the case.
Guilty Verdict Secured in 2023 Gas Station Stabbing: After a five-day trial, a Shelby County jury found Joseph Smith guilty of second-degree murder in the 2023 fatal stabbing of a man following an argument that escalated into violence. The jury also convicted Smith of tampering with or fabricating evidence.
Chief Prosecutor Carrie Bush and Assistant District Attorney Joe Hamblen successfully argued the case, presenting critical surveillance footage that contradicted Smith’s initial statements to police.
The incident occurred in March 2023 at the Exxon on N. Danny Thomas Boulevard. Investigators reported that the victim entered the store and began selecting items, exchanging words with Smith. Surveillance video showed Smith aggressively approaching the victim, leading to a struggle during which Smith stabbed the victim multiple times. A witness tried to intervene, but the victim eventually collapsed outside the store. The footage also captured Smith attempting to move the knife out of view and clean blood from the floor.
During a follow-up interview, Smith admitted to wrestling with the victim and acknowledged losing his temper before attacking. He also admitted giving the knife to another person before police arrived.
The jury returned the guilty verdict on Friday, September 26.
Chief Prosecutor Carrie Bush and ADA Joe Hamblen handled the trial.
Judge Denies Motion to Suppress Toxicology Results in Fatal DUI Case: Assistant District Attorney Shannon Mason successfully argued that defendant Michael King’s consent was valid and that the toxicology results should be admitted.
Criminal Court Judge Chris Craft ruled in favor of the State allowing toxicology results to be used, denying a defense motion to suppress blood test results in the case of King, who is charged in the death of Halie Ramirez. The motion argued that King’s consent to the blood draw did not meet the requirements of Tennessee’s Implied Consent law.
On May 28, 2023, King crashed his Chevy Colorado into a disabled vehicle on Lamar Avenue, just north of the TN-MS state line. Good Samaritan Halie Ramirez was checking on the vehicle when the collision occurred, and she later died from her injuries. Officers found alcoholic beverage containers around King’s vehicle and obtained his consent for toxicology testing. Results showed King’s BAC was .053 and that methamphetamine remained in his system more than six hours after the crash.
ADA Shannon Mason is handling the case.
DA Mulroy Secures John Buckman Charitable Trust Grant for Memphis Child Advocacy Center
 (Pictured L–R): Deputy Director Lydia Crivens, DA Steve Mulroy, Executive Director Virginia Stallworth, and Attorney Robert Hutton
This week, DA Mulroy helped obtain a grant from the John Buckman Charitable Trust to support the Memphis Child Advocacy Center.
The grant, presented by DA Mulroy and Trust Chairman Attorney Robert Hutton, will further the Center’s mission of serving children who are victims of sexual and severe physical abuse through prevention, education, and intervention. Together, we are working toward a community where children are safe, families are strong, and victims can become children again.
DA Mulroy Highlights Shelby County Bail Process at Judges Conference
 DA Mulroy poses with Shelby County General Sessions Court judges at a Texas Roadhouse, blocking access to the restrooms.
 (Pictured L-R): Judge Taylor Bachelor, Danielle Mitchell, Patrick Dandridge, DA Mulroy, Lonnie Thompson, Deborah Henderson, Lee Wilson, Marcy Ingram, and Sheila Bruce Renfroe.
DA Mulroy spoke about the Shelby County Bail Experience at the Annual Tennessee General Sessions Judges Conference. The presentation was very well received. Attendees generally expressed agreement with DA Mulroy that the law banning consideration of ability to pay in setting bail created legal, policy, and practical implementation issues.
Victim/Witness Coordinators Attend 37th Annual Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance Conference
 (Pictured L-R): Victim/Witness Coordinators Jacqueline Chacon, Brianna Poole, Natasha Burnett and Jennifer Sims
Our Victim/Witness Coordinators Jacqueline Chacon, Brianna Poole, Natasha Burnett and Jennifer Sims recently attended the 37th Annual Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance Conference in Keystone, CO. COVA is amongst the largest victim services conferences in the country and provides training, resources, and support for professionals who serve victims of crime.
This conference attendance by SCDAG’s V/W Coordinators was supported by grant 15POVC-24-GG-00698-BRND awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this product are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Standing Together to Prevent Abuse
 October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office is committed to supporting survivors, holding offenders accountable, and working to keep our community safe.
Preventing domestic violence starts with all of us. A few important steps include:
• Recognizing the warning signs of abuse. Whether physical, emotional, financial, or psychological.
• Speaking up when you suspect abuse and encouraging victims to seek help.
• Strengthening support networks so no one feels isolated.
• Promoting respect, healthy communication, and nonviolent conflict resolution in relationships.
By raising awareness and taking action together, we can help break the cycle of abuse.
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.
"This verdict is the result of the hard work of our trial team — who presented nearly two weeks of testimony from more than 30 witnesses," said Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy in a statement. "With the support of Memphis Police investigators, they ensured the jury saw the full weight of the evidence. Most of all, we honor Danielle’s family, who endured every day of testimony and unimaginable grief to see justice carried out. While nothing can undo their loss, today’s decision holds Isabelle accountable and affirms that Danielle and Kennedy’s lives mattered." |Brandon Isabelle found guilty of killing girlfriend Danielle Hoyle, infant daughter| via The Commercial Appeal
“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. I prefer it to 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. 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.” |Memphis should welcome federal help, but it should be the right kind of help | Opinion| via The Commercial Appeal
“The main difference is simply the sheer volume of federal agents that have come to Memphis from elsewhere. That will result in a higher volume or spike in arrests," Mulrpy said. "So far, we haven’t seen anything we can’t handle. We’ll be ready for it when it does.” |'We'll be ready for it': Shelby County DA prepares for more cases after Memphis Safe Task Force hits the streets| via Local24
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