As recently reported, crime continues to fall this year, and we are on track for a 25-year low, for the second year in a row.
That’s worth noting.
As reported by the Memphis & Shelby County Crime Commission, every category of major violent and major property crime has seen significant declines since last year.
Compared to the first half of 2025:
- Murder was down 41%
- Rape was down 34%
- Aggravated assault was down 29%
- Robbery was down 43%
- Burglary was down 28%
- Theft was down 37%
This continues a trend of steady crime decline dating back to the third quarter of 2023.
What caused this steady decline? There’s no single cause. Credit certainly goes to the hard work of local law enforcement. Local violence intervention programs like Memphis Allies and Heal 901 deserve credit too. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the hard work done by the DA Office staff to hold offenders accountable. We’ve been focused on violent crime with our V11 program; focused on reducing repeat offending by emphasizing rehabilitation; and ensuring that punishment is “swift and certain” by making great strides in speeding up the criminal justice system.
But it’s also true that this crime decline is a nationwide phenomenon, and crime generally often follows economic and demographic trends over which local agencies have little control. Indeed, one expert has written persuasively that COVID-era federal funding enabling local investments in teachers, counselors, mental health, etc., tracks closely with the national trends. And while the federal task force certainly helped, especially in catching us up on our backlog of outstanding warrants, the crime decline started well before they arrived, and in other cities.
I’m not popping any champagne corks just yet. Although the trends are positive, and we’re on track for record lows in crime, the simple truth is there’s just too much of it. Crime will never be zero, but it’s still unacceptably high right now.
So we can’t let up. Working with our law enforcement and government partners (local, state, and federal), along with the community, whose cooperation is essential, our office will continue to work smart and hard to hold offenders accountable and keep people safe.
But it’s also nice to take a moment to celebrate success.
Defendant Convicted of Domestic Assault Following Trial: Assistant District Attorneys Cody Tolbert and Marie Ford successfully prosecuted the case against Everett Jackson, who was convicted of Domestic Assault – Bodily Harm following a trial in Criminal Court Division 5.
The conviction stems from a November 14, 2023 incident in which Jackson assaulted the victim at her home while visiting their child. At trial, the victim testified that Jackson shoved, spit on, struck, and kicked her before later strangling her. Jackson also admitted to shoving and spitting on the victim during his testimony.
Tolbert and Ford presented evidence countering the defense’s claims regarding the victim’s injuries and credibility, including records and photographs from a prior vehicle accident. The State’s evidence led the jury to return a guilty verdict for Domestic Assault – Bodily Harm.
During trial preparation, prosecutors also discovered an outstanding Oklahoma warrant related to drug trafficking. Authorities in Oklahoma were notified, and Jackson now faces extradition after completing his Shelby County sentence.
ADAs Cody Tolbert & Marie Ford handled the case.
Defendant Sentenced to Life for First-Degree Murder of Wife: Assistant District Attorney Brittany Neal and Chief Prosecutor Monica Timmerman successfully prosecuted the case against Robert Washington, who was convicted by a Shelby County jury of First-Degree Murder. Criminal Court 7 Judge Lee Coffee sentenced Washington to life in the Tennessee Department of Correction.
The conviction stems from the October 27, 2021 killing of Washington’s wife, Trenecia Brown. Prosecutors presented video evidence showing Washington forced his way into Brown’s apartment and fatally stabbed her while their 2-year-old daughter was present. Following the attack, Washington took the child from the apartment and later left her safely with her grandmother. Memphis Police officers responding to the scene found Brown deceased inside the apartment.
ADA Brittany Neal & Chief Prosecutor Monica Timmerman handled the case.
Bond Set in Murder and Attempted Murder Case: Assistant District Attorney Victoria Gillard successfully handled the bond hearing for Dewuan Harris, who is charged with one count of First-Degree Murder, three counts of Criminal Attempt First-Degree Murder, and Employing a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony. Following the hearing, the court set Harris' bond at $1.5 million.
At the hearing, Gillard presented video evidence of the incident and argued the defendant's prior contacts with the court system. After considering the State's proof and arguments, General Sessions Criminal Court, Division 7 Judge Taylor Bachelor set Harris' bond at $1.5 million.
The case stems from a July 12, 2026 shooting outside Paradise Lounge in southeast Memphis. Prosecutors allege Harris opened fire during the incident, killing a security guard and injuring three others. Memphis Police later identified Harris as the suspect and arrested him following an investigation.
The case is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on August 4, 2026.
ADA Victoria Gillard handled the hearing.
DA Mulroy Attends Judicial Candidates Forum
 DA Mulroy recently attended a judicial candidates forum at Central BBQ, where candidates for Criminal Court, Circuit Court, and General Sessions Court (Civil and Criminal) shared their qualifications, answered questions, and met with members of the community. The forum provided voters with an opportunity to learn more about the candidates ahead of the upcoming judicial elections.
Shelby County DA’s Office Welcomes Summer 2026 Interns
 The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office is proud to welcome our Summer 2026 interns. Throughout the summer, these talented students will gain firsthand experience in the criminal justice system while working alongside our attorneys and professional staff.
“This was an especially brutal act of violence that forever changed the lives of everyone who loved Trenecia, especially her young daughter,” said Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy. “While no verdict can undo that loss, we hope this conviction and sentence bring a measure of justice and closure to her family.” |Jury convicts man in 2021 fatal stabbing of wife as 2-year-old was present| via WMC5
"Mr. Pigram was found with a handgun, and there is no credible evidence contradicting the consistent account of two officers that he reached for the gun in his waistband before the officer fired. On these facts, we cannot conclude that any law was violated. We understand that some residents are concerned about the recent number of fatal shootings involving task force personnel, as well as the deployment of the task force more generally. But our office must consider each individual case separately based on the facts and the law." -Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy |DA Mulroy justifies DEA agent who shot and killed Darrin Pigram; Documents show inconsistent accounts of incident| via WMC5
“Many homicides are people who knew each other,” Mulroy said. “Anything we can do to try and clamp down on domestic violence is going to help us holistically with our crime problem.” |U of M Public Safety Institute spearheads plan to address domestic violence| via Daily Memphian
As Election Day approaches, Mulroy is urging voters to scrutinize any sample ballot they receive in the mail, at early voting locations, or outside polling places.
“My strong advice to voters is to carefully scrutinize any of these endorsement ballots that are handed to them during early voting or on Election Day, or that they receive in the mailbox,” Mulroy said.
He encouraged voters to look beyond party logos, slogans and the word “official,” and instead verify exactly who is endorsing the candidates listed. |DA warns of ‘deceptive’ ballots as Shelby County early voting nears end| via Fox13
|
