“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
These words from the Gospel come to mind as we approach Memorial Day weekend. References to the “ultimate sacrifice” may be a cliché, but no less true for being one. The freedoms we enjoy were paid for by generations of Americans who gave their lives for it. We should never take those freedoms, or those heroes, for granted.
So by all means, this holiday weekend, enjoy some grilling with family and friends, watch some NASCAR and the Indy 500, or do whatever else you gives joy. But please also take some time to remember those who didn’t make it home and the families who still carry that loss . We honor them not only by remembering their names and their service, but by how we care for one another and our community.
At the DA’s Office, our work is rooted in that same responsibility — to protect people, pursue justice, and help make Shelby County safer for everyone. Public safety is something we all share, and this weekend, I encourage everyone to celebrate responsibly, look out for one another, and make choices that help keep our families, neighbors, and roads safe.
Have a blessed Memorial Day.
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Jury Convicts Defendant of First-Degree Murder in North Memphis Killing: Chief Prosecutor Lessie Rainey and Assistant District Attorney Regina Lucreziano successfully prosecuted Joshua Banks, who a Shelby County jury found guilty Friday of First-Degree Murder in the shooting death of Geneva Gladney. Prosecutors sought Life Without the Possibility of Parole during the trial, which began last week in Shelby County Criminal Court.
Rainey and Lucreziano presented evidence showing that Banks threatened Gladney and her family after she ended their relationship and ordered him to move out. Surveillance footage, witness testimony, and digital evidence connected Banks to the shooting and led to the conviction.
The case stems from the October 2024 killing of Geneva Gladney at the University Gardens Manor apartments in North Memphis. Prosecutors proved that after Gladney discovered Banks had stolen $900 from her bank account, she ended the relationship and demanded he leave her home. Investigators later determined Banks sent messages claiming he intended to return the money before surveillance video captured his vehicle entering and leaving the apartment complex around the time of the shooting. Gladney died from gunshot wounds at the scene.
Chief Prosecutor Lessie Rainey & ADA Regina Lucreziano handled the case.
Jury Finds Defendant Guilty on All Counts in Child Sexual Abuse Case: Chief Prosecutor Alexia Crump and Assistant District Attorney Venecia Patterson successfully prosecuted Ricky Booker, who a jury found guilty as charged on all counts.
Patterson and Crump presented evidence to the jury that the defendant sexually assaulted his ex-girlfriend’s daughter. On Thursday afternoon, the jury returned verdicts of Guilty of Rape of a Child and Aggravated Sexual Battery. Booker remains in custody, with sentencing set for a later date.
Chief Prosecutor Alexia Crump & ADA Venecia Patterson handled the case.
Probable Cause Found in Child Rape Case; Case Proceeds to Grand Jury: Assistant District Attorney Annika Rush successfully handled the preliminary hearing for Jose Garcia, who faces charges of Aggravated Rape of a Child and Rape of a Child. Following testimony presented Wednesday, Judge Louis Montesi found probable cause on all counts, and the case now proceeds to the Grand Jury. Garcia remains in custody on a $1,000,000 bond.
During the hearing, the child victim bravely testified regarding the years-long abuse she endured. Rush presented the State’s proof supporting the charges and secured the court’s finding of probable cause on all counts.
The case stems from allegations that Garcia sexually abused the child victim over an extended period of time. Prosecutors presented testimony and evidence during the hearing detailing the abuse allegations.
ADA Annika Rush handled the hearing.
A local grassroots group, "We Are One 901," organized a rally in support of the DA Office at The Rockin' Chair restaurant and event space in South Memphis. The group wanted to show support for DA Mulroy and his office in light of several recently passed state laws targeting for special reporting reporting requirements, audits, and potential state appointment of a "pro tem" DA to take over federal task force cases.
Dr. Natasha Burnett Launches JusticeLink 901 Initiative
“Young Dolph was a beloved member of this community, his death a tragedy, his murder an outrage,” District Attorney General Steve Mulroy said in a statement Friday. “We’re glad to finally have this last part of the case resolved. The sentence properly reflects the gravity of the offense while giving due consideration to the cooperation this defendant provided. We hope this resolution can give Dolph’s family some sense of closure.”|Young Dolph Shooter Pleads Guilty, Concluding Rapper’s Murder Case| via Rolling Stone
"Given the high level of public interest, the video should be available for transparency. There are too many hours of footage to review and redact at this time, but we have provided the relevant portion focused on the police use of force," Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy said in a press release. |Shelby County DA releases body cam video of 'No Kings' pepper-spraying| via The Commercial Appeal
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is investigating after a death involving agents of the Memphis Safe Task Force Wednesday, May 20... The TBI will investigate the shooting and present the results to the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office.|TBI investigating second fatality involving Task Force in a week| via The Daily Memphian
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