Despite several years of steady crime declines, the public has every right to be concerned about holding defendants accountable and having the system functioning properly to ensure public safety. To that end, we do a lot of self-examination in our office. Every month, we review statistics to see how we’re doing at resolving cases, getting proper results, and moving cases along quickly. And we’re happy to dialogue with those outside the office who have concerns.
But time after time, we’ve found that when critics throw around statistics to further a narrative of coddling criminals, when you look behind the statistics, the narrative doesn’t hold up.
That was the case recently with a private “watchdog” group that did a report purporting to show that defendants weren’t being held accountable. I’ve recently published an op-ed on criminal justice data and accountability, discussing that report. Before that, I discussed a state senator’s repeated false claims with local reporters, where I denied claims that 75% of violent cases yielded no jail time (again, false).
One more recent example illustrates the point. For a recent public records request, we reviewed case files of supposedly violent cases that reportedly received no jail time. Upon review of 70 case files, we found:
- 11 of the 70 (16%) were not in fact violent cases
- In 14 of the cases (20%), we had asked for prison time, but the judge ruled otherwise
- Over 50% of them involved significant jail time, but in jail, prior to conviction
- 40% were first-time offenders
In sum, where we agreed to probation in an actually violent case, there was either significant time in jail prior to conviction, no significant criminal history, proof problems making it risky to go to trial, or some combination of these.
Sometimes, due to shaky witness cooperation or other factors, a prosecutor may believe there’s a risk that, if we go to trial, we won’t prevail and the defendant will go free. In these situations, getting a guaranteed result of probation with conditions and the certainty that we can incarcerate the defendant if he reoffends or violates conditions is better than risking having the defendant walk free.
Other times, if the defendant doesn’t have a long criminal record, probation with rehabilitative interventions may actually be a just result and more likely to prevent repeat offending. There’s no shortage of data showing that in the right cases, alternatives to incarceration can actually be more effective than prison at reducing the risk of re-offense.
Some critics have suggested our office is the “weak link,” as opposed to, say, federal prosecutors. Interestingly, of the 70 cases we reviewed, the federal prosecutors considered 8 for possible prosecution. They accepted 0 of them. We ended up prosecuting all 8 and got convictions for all of them.
This is not to criticize our federal partners, who have legitimate reasons for being selective. We value that partnership. But the numbers hardly cast us as the “weak link.”
Doing this most recent file review was time- and labor- intensive. We won’t be able to do it each time someone throws around some half-baked allegation. But we’ll share what we do know in the hopes that the public won’t get taken in.
We’re not saying we’re perfect. Prosecutors are human and make mistakes. Nor am I denying that our criminal justice system needs serious improvement to ensure defendants are swiftly and certainly held accountable. We’re currently very focused right now on reducing the backlog of old cases and speeding up “time to disposition” of all cases.
But when critics with an agenda trot out stats supposedly showing a lax system, there’s always more to the story.
Trial Continues in Child Rape Case: Assistant District Attorneys Annika Rush and Nicole Germain are currently prosecuting the case of Moneick Kelly, who faces a charge of Rape of a Child. On Wednesday, prosecutors argued through unexpected motions at length and successfully moved forward with witness testimony, presenting two witnesses in court.
Rush and Germain continue to present the State’s proof as the trial proceeds.
The case stems from allegations of sexual abuse involving a child, which prosecutors say form the basis of the charge against Kelly.
ADAs Annika Rush & Nicole Germain are handling the case.
Defendant Held to State on First-Degree Murder Charge in Heights Shooting: Assistant District Attorney Monica Timmerman successfully handled the preliminary hearing for Corey Lurry, who faces charges of First-Degree Murder, Being a Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Employing a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony. Following the hearing on April 7, the judge found probable cause and held Lurry to the State on the First-Degree Murder charge as the case moves forward in Criminal Court.
Timmerman presented the State’s proof at the hearing and secured the ruling necessary for the case to proceed in criminal court.
The case stems from a September 2025 shooting in the Heights neighborhood at the intersection of Farmville Road and National Street. Prosecutors allege Lurry chased 36-year-old Tavarvis Thomas, shot him in the back, and then fired additional shots while he lay on the ground. Thomas died at the scene after officers responded to the shooting call and found him with multiple gunshot wounds.
ADA Monica Timmerman handled the hearing.
Defendant Sentenced in Vehicular Homicide Case Involving Memphis Father: Assistant District Attorney Scot Bearup successfully handled the sentencing of Alexander Santiago Salazar, who was sentenced in connection with a deadly crash that claimed the life of a father.
Salazar received a three-year sentence for this car accident, with one year to be served at 100% in jail and the remaining time suspended to four years of probation. The court allowed the possibility of work release. The judge also revoked Salazar’s driver’s license, ordered liability insurance if he obtains a restricted license, and made clear that any driving violations during probation would constitute a violation. Victim’s father William Hawkins attended court and testified, while the victim’s sister submitted a written impact statement read by ADA Bearup. Hawkins expressed that he was glad justice was served.
The case stems from an accident in which Salazar left the scene and hid his vehicle under a tarp at his home. The victim died ten days later, and his child went to live with an aunt in Kentucky. Salazar testified at the sentencing, and several family members also spoke on his behalf.
ADA Scot Bearup handled the case.
DA Mulroy and Staff Participate in Heart Health Walk
 DA Mulroy and members of the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office recently participated in the Walk for Heart Health, supporting efforts to raise awareness about cardiovascular health. The event, sponsored by the Shelby County Mayor’s Office, MLGW, and the American Heart Association, brought the community together to promote healthier lifestyles and wellness.
Victim Witness Coordinators Attend “Empowering Change: Innovative Strategies for Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence” Conference
 (Pictured L-R): Victim Witness Coordinators Reid Hettinger, Simone Dones, and Dayle Zimmerman.
Our Victim Witness Coordinators Dayle Zimmerman, Simone Dones, and Reid Hettinger recently attended the Empowering Change: Innovative Strategies for Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence conference in New Orleans. While there, they were photographed in front of the EVAWI (Ending Violence Against Women International) display.
Their participation in this training was made possible through funding provided by the Cohen Grant, supporting continued education and advocacy for victims in our community.
Star Trek Day Raises Funds for Pancreatic Cancer Research
 DA Mulroy recently appeared on WREG News Channel 3’s Live at 9 with Kontji Anthony to invite the community to celebrate Star Trek Day on April 12 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Neil’s Music Room in Memphis. This family-friendly event will feature food, fun, special guests, and fandom activities for all ages—all while raising funds for pancreatic cancer research.
Community members are encouraged to support the cause by donating here: www.purplestride.org/teamtrek
Watch the full interview here: https://wreg.com/on-air/live-at-9/the-hidden-ways-star-trek-shows-up-in-your-daily-life/
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
 April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness and reaffirm our commitment to protecting children in our community. The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office works closely with Special Victims Unit prosecutors, Victim/Witness Coordinators, and community partners such as the Memphis Child Advocacy Center to support child victims, hold offenders accountable, and ensure a coordinated, child-focused response.
Through these collaborative efforts, we aim to provide resources, advocacy, and support to help children and families navigate some of their most difficult moments.
A highly charged political environment means a lot of misinformation about the criminal justice system, especially during campaign season. That comes with the territory. But it’s especially challenging to combat politicized misinformation from organizations claiming to be nonpolitical. |Opinion: DA Mulroy on criminal justice data and accountability| via Daily Memphian
The bond of a man accused of second-degree murder has been revoked after he was arrested twice this year. Keveon Black, 25, was arrested in January for possession of a glock with a machine gun conversion device, and he was arrested in March for drug charges with intent to sell. |Bond revoked for man accused of 2022 fatal shooting| via ABC 24
“It started as a lark,” said Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy. “My last official act as County Commissioner was getting my birthday recognized as Shelby County Star Trek Day.” |Grit, Grind and Go Boldly: Trekking in the 901| via Choose 901
|
