 Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy pictured with Memphis Child Advocacy Center's Deputy Director Lydia Crivens
Earlier this week, I participated in a ceremony highlighting the work we do to protect children. It’s a useful reminder of the need we have in Shelby County, and the value of collaboration.
It was a signing ceremony renewing commitment to the Child Protective Investigation Team (CPIT), the way we handle complaints of sexual or physical abuse of children. CPIT’s governed by a Memorandum of Understanding among all the partner agencies that’s renewed every 3 years. The ceremony was organized by the Child Advocacy Center (CAC), the nonprofit which helps such children by, among other things, hosting CPIT, conducting forensic interviews, providing therapy—and giving out adorable teddy bears to the kids.
CPIT includes representatives from 15 agencies including law enforcement, our office, CAC, the TN Dept. of Children’s Services (DCS), the County’s Rape Crisis Center, and LeBonheur Children’s Hospital. They meet every morning to review reports of child abuse and decide how to respond.
They review over 3000 reports a year.
That tells us something about the need we have in Shelby County. It also tells us about the effectiveness of CPIT.
I’ve worked in government long enough, in one capacity or another, to know that nothing of consequence gets done without collaboration among multiple government agencies—seamless, ego-free, turf-free collaboration. CPIT is a prime example of the kind of collaboration we need more of. It’s the best CPIT in the State, in terms of both quantity and quality.
But they need our help. Our vigilance. If you suspect that a child is the victim of abuse, you can report it online at https://apps.tn.gov/carat/. You can also call the Tennessee Child Abuse Hotline at 1.877.237.0004, Monday - Friday.
Juvenile Transferred to Adult Court in Killing of 15-Year-Old: A juvenile has been transferred to adult court and now faces a First Degree Murder charge for an April Berclair-area shooting that left a 15-year-old boy dead.
Police say Jesse Martinez Jr., is responsible for killing 15-year-old Michael Aguilar on April 20. Memphis Police responded to the shooting just before 6 p.m. in the 3900 block of Macon and later confirmed the shooting occurred in the 3900 block of Grahamdale. After being shot, the victim left the scene, and someone drove him to a nearby fire station for help. He was transported to Regional One Health in critical condition, where he later died from his injuries.
Chief Prosecutor Matthew Ian John is handling the case.
Memphis Man Bound Over to Grand Jury After Deadly Binghampton Shooting Captured on Video: Assistant District Attorney Alex Stephenson handled a preliminary hearing on November 20 in General Sessions Division 11 for Algenon Lloyd, who now faces charges in the fatal shooting of 33-year-old Cardarius Polk in Binghampton.
The state presented surveillance footage that captured the shooting. Lloyd remains in custody pending trial.
According to Memphis Police, officers responded to the 700 block of Lester Street and found Polk dead at the scene. Officers detained two people and determined that the individuals involved knew one another.
The victim’s family identified Polk shortly after the shooting.
ADA Alex Stephenson handled the hearing.
Juvenile Judge Transfers Hickory Hill Murder Suspect to Adult Court: Chief Prosecutor Matthew Ian John secured a ruling Thursday in Juvenile Court that transferred 17-year-old Armani Watson to the adult criminal system, where he will now face charges of First-Degree Murder and Rape for the July 2024 killing of 19-year-old Aaliyah Kyles.
The court found probable cause on all charges and set Watson’s bond at $1 million.
According to prosecutors, Watson admitted to breaking into Kyles’ Hickory Hill home, sexually assaulting her, and shooting her. Officers later found Kyles deceased in her bathtub.
Chief Prosecutor Matthew Ian John is handling the case.
Shelby County Honors Homicide Victims at 15th Annual Season of Remembrance
On Monday, the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office hosted the 15th Annual Season of Remembrance Ceremony, an event held each year to honor the memories of Shelby County’s homicide victims during the holiday season. District Attorney Steve Mulroy delivered remarks to the audience, acknowledging the families in attendance and the significance of the evening.
The ceremony, held at the University of Memphis’ Michael D. Rose Theater and emceed by ABC24’s Pepper Baker, included a reflection from Father John Hourican of St. William Catholic Church in Millington, a performance by The Soulsville Charter School Choir, and music by saxophonist Karson Fuller (the 14-year-old son of DA's Office DUI Coordinator Marcus Fuller).
Deputy District Attorney Paul Hagerman read the names of each victim, allowing family members to come forward and place personalized ornaments on memorial wreaths. The event offered families a space to remember their loved ones and reflect together as a community.
  (Pictured L-R): Deputy District Attorney Paul Hagerman, Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy, ABC24's Pepper Baker, and St. William Catholic Church Father John Hourican
 Family members place personalized ornaments commemorating their loved ones on the wreath
 The Soulsville Charter School Choir performing Carol of the Bells
DA Mulroy Joins Agencies in Updating Memphis Child Advocacy Center Protocol
 On Wednesday, District Attorney Steve Mulroy joined the Memphis Child Advocacy Center and representatives from 15 partnering agencies at the Vasco A. Smith, Jr. County Administration Building to sign the updated shared protocol. This protocol, renewed every three years, reflects our ongoing commitment to protecting children, strengthening collaboration, and ensuring a coordinated response to child abuse in Shelby County.
Shelby County Mental Health Court Celebrates New Graduates
 Congratulations to the graduates of the Shelby County Mental Health Court. On Thursday, participants were recognized for successfully completing the mental health program. Guest speakers included District Attorney Mulroy, Chief Public Defender Phyllis Aluko, and Recovery Out Loud President Keith Burgess, Jr.
“It’s about a third less than last year but like I said, still far too many,” Mulroy said of the number of ornaments hung this year. “Too many souls stolen from us, ripped from us. Too many people. Too many guns. Solving too many beefs with too many bullets.” |Mulroy honors victims, condemns gun violence at ‘Season of Remembrance’ event| via The Daily Memphian
“People have to understand that there’s a reason why 95% of all cases settle, and that’s because we just don’t have the capacity to try 100% of cases. If we did try 100% of our cases, the system would collapse. It would fall apart. You only want to try the close ones,” Mulroy said. Beyond the logistical aspect, Mulroy said a fair plea deal is sometimes just as valuable as a conviction. Trials can cause more pain for victims, he said, and sometimes families want to move forward without the risk of trial — an aspect he said is more relevant following recent verdicts. |Memphis prosecutors reflect on Young Dolph, Eliza Fletcher, Tyrè Nichols cases| via The Commercial Appeal
“We’re reassigning prosecutors from regular duty to Traffic Court duty to deal with the deluge of traffic cases soon to hit our court,” he said in a news release. To deal with jail overcrowding, Mulroy said some of his prosecutors spent evenings and weekends screening cases at the jail. |Mulroy: General Sessions Court dockets up 50%| via WMC5
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