 DA Mulroy at press conference announcing wrongful Andrew Hayes conviction and charges against Sarah Lucas Riedel. With him are (from left) ADA Monica Timmerman and ADA Lorna McClusky, Director of the Justice Review Unit.
Sometimes justice means acknowledging when our justice system has erred, so we can right the wrongs. This week we announced our work in righting a wrongful conviction, and also bringing the real culprit to justice.
Fifteen years ago, a jury convicted Andrew Hayes for his alleged role in the 2007 murder of Danny Harris in Memphis. After a careful and independent review prompted by newly discovered evidence, our Justice Review Unit—working alongside the Tennessee Innocence Project—concluded that Mr. Hayes was wrongfully convicted. In keeping with our duty to follow the facts wherever they lead, our office won’t oppose his petition to vacate that conviction.
Moreover, this review uncovered evidence identifying the individual who (we allege) actually assisted Tammy Vance in the murder of Mr. Harris. As a result, we’ve now charged Sarah Lucas Riedel, Tammy Vance’s daughter, with facilitating that crime. She’s been arrested in Oklahoma, and we’re actively seeking her extradition to Shelby County for trial.
This highlights the good work of our Justice Review Unit, a ‘conviction integrity unit’ I established shortly after I took over as DA. It’s the first of its kind in Shelby, and only the second in Tennessee. (Nashville created one a few years back.)
There are some who say such units shouldn’t exist. But I’ve long thought that we need special efforts to uncover miscarriages of justice, for three reasons. First, correcting a wrongful conviction is simply the right thing to do. Second, it strengthens public trust in the justice system on the part of the community, whose help we absolutely need to continue our seven-quarter-long downward crime trend by providing tips, reporting crimes, and serving as witnesses. And third, when the wrong person’s behind bars, the right person is out there free avoiding accountability. This case, where we’ve identified both the wrongfully accused and the real culprit, is an example of that third reason.
I commend the exceptional work of our Justice Review Unit, led by Lorna McClusky, and also Monica Timmerman, supervising attorney over Division 7, who is now leading the prosecution in this case.
Justice isn’t measured solely by convictions. It’s also measured by accountability, fairness, and fidelity to the truth. Whether we are prosecuting a case or acknowledging that a mistake was made, our responsibility remains the same: to pursue justice based on facts and evidence, wherever they may lead.
Guilty Plea Entered in 2022 Hallbrook Homicide Case: Assistant District Attorney Haden Lawyer handled the case of Denika Shannon, who entered a guilty plea while facing charges of First-Degree Murder and Robbery stemming from an April 2022 homicide.
The case arises from a shooting in the 3600 block of Hallbrook, where officers found a man shot to death. Investigators later obtained a warrant for a 16-year-old in connection with the killing.
Members of the Memphis Police Department’s Fugitive Apprehension Team, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force, located the juvenile at a Memphis school and took him into custody without incident.
Investigators also located Denika Shannon and Anthony McKinney at a residence in the 4400 block of Summer Wells Road. Both suspects had active warrants for First-Degree Murder.
ADA Haden Lawyer handled the case.
Court Resets Embezzlement Case After Defendant Seeks Last-Minute Delay: Assistant District Attorneys Jack Abrams and Dan Buchanan are handling the prosecution of Christopher Allen, who embezzled approximately $1 million from his nonprofit employer over a ten-year period.
The court originally set the case for trial on January 5 after the deadline for a negotiated plea passed. Days before trial, Allen notified the State of his intent to enter an open guilty plea and ask the court to impose a 15-year community corrections sentence with restitution payments of $3,000 per month, totaling $540,000. The victim agreed to that request, and the State agreed not to oppose it.
On January 5, Allen withdrew from that position and presented a new counteroffer. Prosecutors rejected the proposal, emphasized that no negotiation remained available, and advised that Allen must either enter an open plea or proceed to trial. Defense counsel then informed the State of an urgent medical issue that prevented him from trying the case that week.
Based on that development, the court granted a single reset to February 9. Prosecutors made clear that on that date, Allen must either enter an open guilty plea or face a request to revoke his bond and set a new trial date.
ADAs Jack Abrams & Dan Buchanan are handling the case.
Defendant Enters Open Guilty Plea on Child Rape Charges: Assistant District Attorneys Annika Rush and Dru Carpenter handled the case of Terrell Shannon, who entered an open guilty plea to the court on all charges, including Rape of a Child. By pleading open, Shannon left sentencing entirely to the discretion of the court.
ADAs Dru Carpenter & Annika Rush handled the case.
Shelby County District Attorney’s Office Welcomes Spring 2026 Interns
 The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office is pleased to welcome our Spring 2026 interns. These students will gain hands-on experience while supporting the work of the office and serving the Shelby County community. We appreciate their interest in public service and wish them a productive and successful semester.
 DA Mulroy spoke at the MLK Awards event at Lord’s Tabernacle Holiness Church. With event organizer Johnnie Mosley, founder of sponsoring organization Citizens For Better Service.
Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy announced Thursday that a man who was imprisoned for a deadly 2007 beating in Cordova was wrongfully convicted. Danny Harris was found beaten to death in his apartment, leading to the convictions of Andrew Hayes and Tammy Vance. Vance has since died. During a news conference Thursday, Mulroy said Hayes was wrongfully convicted — adding that he believes the real killer is Vance's daughter, Sarah Lucas. The DA announced that the woman was arrested in Stephens County, Okla., and charged with Harris' murder. |DA Mulroy says wrong man convicted in deadly beating in 2007, announces new arrest| via FOX13
Citizens For Better Service hosted the 33rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Award program Saturday night. The event is meant to honor outstanding students and community role models who exemplify the qualities of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy was there to support awards recipients that are keeping Dr. King’s dream alive. |33rd Annual Dr. King Commemorative Award program honors students, community leaders| via WMC5
Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy told The Daily Memphian in a recent interview that his office has brought more than 1,700 cases stemming from the Task Force since it began. Of those, 129 have been sent to the grand jury and Mulroy is expecting indictments soon, he said in the Dec. 16 interview. |Memphis prosecutors feel weight of Task Force cases| via The Daily Memphian
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