Some conservative political commentators refer to “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” where some people go off half-cocked, driven more by opposition to the President than full consideration of the facts. I don’t know about that, but I think sometimes Republican politicians can get things wrong in their eagerness to support the President.
Some recent criticism of this office around the time of the President’s visit is a case in point. One politico has been saying that, based on data from December 2025, 75% of violent cases failed to yield jail time. It’s just not so.
A clear majority of the cases referred to were nonviolent cases. And many of them did in fact receive jail time—in the county jail, prior to conviction, often for significant periods of time. In the rest of the cases, either there were proof problems, the defendant lacked a significant criminal record, or there were cases in which the judge decided on an outcome our office didn’t agree to.
There was also some recent suggestion that we were voluntarily dismissing too many cases and not convicting enough cases, based on this December 2025 data. So we did an apples-to-apples comparison for a December during my Republican predecessor’s time. To be fair, we went back to before the pandemic, since COVID-era court shutdowns and crime surges could distort that answer.
Do you know what we found? We found that our conviction rate last December was higher than December 2019’s , and our dismissal rate was lower. For more details click here.
This is not to denigrate my Republican predecessor (who received no such criticism from Republican politicians, despite violent crime rates rising under her watch and falling under mine). In fact, according to a recent study, these rates are consistent with those of large urban DA offices around the country—for example, Ft. Lauderdale, Phoenix, Milwaukee, etc.
The point is, when you hear such criticisms, whether they’re from politicians or politically-oriented, partisan-aligned “watchdog” groups, take it with a grain of salt. Reserve judgment. Think about context. Ask how the data compares to other jurisdictions, or previous administrations, etc. Most importantly, ask “What would the other side say in response to that?”
And don’t get deranged.
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Defendants Sentenced Following Christmas Day Shooting and Attempted Robbery: First Deputy District Attorney Chris Lareau and Assistant District Attorney Sam Winnig successfully prosecuted Keshaun Mallet and Robert Holmes, who were sentenced following their convictions in a violent shooting and attempted robbery. Mallet received 40 years in prison, while Holmes received 18 years.
Prosecutors secured convictions after a three-day jury trial on charges of Criminal Attempt: First-Degree Murder, Aggravated Assault – Acting in Concert, and Criminal Attempt: Aggravated Robbery. The jury also convicted Mallet of Employing a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony.
The case stems from an incident incident at the R&S Food Mart, where the defendants targeted a married couple after observing them with cash inside the store. The defendants and their accomplices followed the victims, used a vehicle to initiate the encounter, and attempted to rob them at gunpoint. During the encounter, shots were fired, and the male victim was grazed before both victims escaped and sought help.
First Deputy DA Chris Lareau & ADA Sam Winnig handled the case.
Defendant Sentenced in Hit-and-Run Death of University of Memphis Student: Assisted by Chief Prosecutor Atina Stavropoulos, Assistant District Attorney Lauren Hutton successfully prosecuted Julio Hernandez, who was sentenced Wednesday to six years in prison following his conviction in the death of University of Memphis student Ava Christopher.
Hernandez pled guilty after a February 2025 indictment to Reckless Vehicular Homicide, Driving Without a License, and Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving Death. Prosecutors opposed diversion and probation, and the court denied both requests. The court ordered Hernandez to serve five years for vehicular homicide, one year for leaving the scene, and 30 days for driving without a license.
The case stems from a July 2023 hit-and-run incident in which Hernandez struck Ava Christopher with a vehicle, causing her death, and then fled the scene.
Chief Prosecutor Atina Stavropoulos & ADA Lauren Hutton handled the case.
Defendant Convicted of Aggravated Assault, Faces Mandatory 15-Year Sentence: Chief Prosecutor Lessie Rainey and Assistant District Attorney Regina Lucreziano successfully prosecuted Deandre Wilkins, who a jury found guilty of Aggravated Assault. As a career offender, he faces a mandatory 15-year sentence at 60%. Rainey and Lucreziano presented testimony and evidence that led to the conviction and held Wilkins accountable for the violent attack.
The case stems from an incident in which Wilkins attacked his ex-girlfriend in a parking lot. Prosecutors showed that Wilkins approached the victim while she walked with friends, punched her, and then stabbed her multiple times with a kitchen knife while threatening her. The victim later identified Wilkins as the attacker.
Chief Prosecutor Lessie Rainey & ADA Regina Lucreziano handled the case.
DA Mulroy Shares Insights in ABC24 Interview
 (Pictured L-R): ABC 24's Otis Sandford, Pepper Baker, and DA Mulroy.
On Monday, DA Mulroy joined ABC24 Memphis anchors Otis Sanford and Pepper Baker to discuss recent developments, including President Donald Trump’s visit to Memphis, the Memphis Safe Task Force, and the ongoing work of the District Attorney’s Office.
Watch the full interview here: https://www.localmemphis.com/video/local/da-steve-mulroy-shares-insight-on-crime-during-trumps-visit-to-memphis-full-interview/522-6f303a87-f38e-47f9-81c7-9552ce278969
“Let’s not forget that crime of all categories was coming down dramatically, for two years, before the federal task force got here,” said Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy. |County D.A. says crime was going down before task force| via WREG 3
“The ICE stuff isn’t helping; it’s actually making things worse,” DA Mulroy said. “We have a community that is terrified right now, and they are not calling to report crimes or to report tips or to serve as witnesses because they are so terrified.” |Shelby County Mayor addresses President Trump's Memphis visit| via ABC 24
“I am expecting the downward trend of crime to continue for at least several more quarters. We tend to follow the national trend just a little behind, and we’re going to do everything we can to keep pushing that curve down.” — DA Steve Mulroy |DA Steve Mulroy shares insight on crime during Trump's visit to Memphis | Full interview| via ABC 24
Happy Women's History Month!
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