 The Mulroy home dressed for the holidays
This is the last Friday newsletter for 2025, so it seems appropriate to end with some holiday season thoughts.
For most of us in Shelby, the ‘holiday season’ means Christmas. And for me, Christmas means the celebration of the birth of a Savior who taught us how to live—a philosophy of total brotherhood and total love, emphasizing compassion above all, and a devotion to the less fortunate without precondition---and who also gave us hope for a better life after this one. Those who celebrate other holidays—Hannukah, Kwanzaa, and others—share many of these values as well. I try to incorporate those values in my work, making sure to pursue justice as both safety and fairness, to hold accountable those who break the rules while tempering those efforts with compassion.
Regardless of our personal faith, we can enjoy a period of bright decorations and moods, of cheerier music and dispositions. In Shelby, we can be cheered by progress over the past year. The unbroken crime rate decline that started in late 2023 continued through all of 2025, and accelerated with the help of our federal task force partners. It’s still too high, but the trends are encouraging.
Here in the DA’s office, we’re further cheered by news of moving cases through the system quicker, prioritizing violent crime prosecution, and using proven rehabilitation methods more than ever before. We’re using data to measure our performance in these key areas, and we’re seeing signs of progress. More about that in the new year.
Meanwhile, I wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy Kwaanza, and a Happy New Year.
Defendant Pleads Guilty, Sentenced To 25 Years For 2nd Degree Murder and Aggravated Robbery: ADA Susan Taylor successfully handled the case of Trayvon Atkins, who pled guilty to Second-Degree Murder and Aggravated Robbery. Criminal Court Judge sentenced Atkins to 25 years at 100% and 8 years at 85% concurrently. The victim’s family supported the plea agreement.
The case stems from a shooting at the Marathon Gas Station on Winchester Rd., where Atkins shot and killed Nadeem Rehematullah during a robbery. Surveillance footage showed Atkins forced Rehematullah to open the register, pursue him into the back of the store, and take money, cigarettes, and the victim’s firearm before fleeing.
Hours later, Atkins committed another armed robbery at Mapco Express on E.H. Crump Blvd., threatening the clerk with a handgun and stealing cash, cigars, and lottery tickets.
ADA Susan Taylor handled the case.
Man Sentenced To 25 Years for 2023 Shooting Incident: Assistant District Attorney Brittany Neal successfully handled the case of Justin Parries, who pled guilty to Second-Degree Murder, Criminal Attempt—Second-Degree Murder, and Convicted Felon in Possession of a Handgun.
The case stems from the shooting of 50-year-old Ernest Hatton at a building on East Shelby Drive, where Collins worked on vehicles and occasionally lived. Investigators reported that Collins owed Hatton months of rent and failed to maintain the property. When Hatton arrived that afternoon, Collins shot him multiple times. Hatton was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Police said Collins approached officers at the scene and admitted to the shooting. A witness told investigators that Collins had previously said he “had something” for Hatton if he came to see him. Collins also faced charges for being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun.
Chief Prosecutor Carrie Bush & ADA Susan Taylor handled the case.
Man Sentenced for 2023 Shooting Incident: Assistant District Attorney Brittany Neal successfully handled the case of Justin Parries, who pled guilty to Second-Degree Murder, Criminal Attempt—Second-Degree Murder, and Convicted Felon in Possession of a Handgun.
Parries was sentenced to 25 years at 100% for Second-Degree Murder, 8 years at 30% for Criminal Attempt—Second-Degree Murder, and 6 years at 30% for Convicted Felon in Possession of a Handgun, with all counts to run concurrently.
Police responded to a home on Glencoe Road in 2023, where they found a man and woman with gunshot wounds. The man was pronounced dead at the scene, and the woman was transported to the hospital in critical condition.
ADA Brittany Neal handled the case.
DA Mulroy and CAO Indingaro Recognized for Advocacy on Behalf of Drug Task Force Agents
 (Pictured L-R): DA Mulroy, WTDTF Executive Director Johnie Carter, Shelby County DA's Office CAO Jessica Indingaro
At the West Tennessee Violent Crime And Drug Task Force annual awards meeting, Drug Task Force Executive Director Johnie Carter presented DA Mulroy and CAO Jessica Indingaro with awards for their successful advocacy obtaining "public safety" status under Shelby County pension rules for county- funded Drug Task Force agents. At the urging of DA Mulroy and CAO Indingaro the Shelby County Pension Board and Shelby County Commission voted to treat these law enforcement agents the same as other law enforcement agents (such as sheriff deputies) for pension purposes. This rectified a long-standing inequity.
DA’s Office Shows Appreciation for Custodial Staff During the Holidays
 This holiday season, the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office expressed gratitude to our custodial staff for their dedication and hard work in keeping our office running smoothly. The office presented a holiday gift as a small token of appreciation for all they do year-round.
DA’s Office Continues Holiday Toy Drive Partnership with NBPA
 Our office continued its commitment to giving back by partnering with the National Black Prosecutors Association for this year’s annual toy drive benefiting children served by Porth–Leath.
DA Mulroy and Staff Celebrate the Holidays with Annual Karaoke Party
DA Mulroy and members from our staff rang in the holiday season with their annual holiday karaoke party at Los Comales on Thursday night. The evening was filled with joy, laughter, and festive cheer as our team came together to celebrate another year of service to the community.
 DA Mulroy kicked off the DA’s Office Holiday Karaoke Party, breaking the ice with the first song, his trademark “La Bamba,” and setting the stage for an evening of fun and laughter.
 Chief Prosecutor Matthew Ian John took the stage and delighted colleagues during the DA’s Office Holiday Karaoke celebration.
 
“The callous indifference shown here dramatizes the human cost of drug trafficking and abuse, degrading both the victim OD’ing and those who casually looked on,” District Attorney Steve Mulroy said Wednesday. “We’re fortunate that the DTF agents arrived when they did and had the presence of mind to act quickly to try to save the victim.” |Overdosing man used as table during drug operation, task force says| via WMC5
“Fentanyl is poison. It leads to more overdoses than any other drug, and is often mixed in with other drugs, so people don’t even know they’re taking it,” said DA Mulroy. “And fluorofentanyl’s even more deadly. This is yet another success by our DTF agents, who are working in Memphis’ highest crime areas, under our VCIF grant from the State, to keep people safe.” |Drug more potent than fentanyl seized in Memphis| via WREG3
The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office announced the [life] sentence for 41-year-old Robert Collins on Tuesday. Collins was charged with first-degree murder and being a felon in possession of a handgun. A jury found him guilty of both counts after an almost week-long trial this past November. |Memphis man who killed landlord in 2021 sentenced to life in prison| via WMC5
|
