A recent analysis in the Commercial Appeal of federal prosecutions since the arrival of the Memphis Safe Task Force reinforces a point our office has made for some time: the numbers matter, but so does the context behind them.
The cases examined in the article are federal cases prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in federal court—not cases handled by our office. Of the roughly 200 federal cases that had reached a disposition since October 2025, 23% were dismissed, 75% ended in plea bargains, and only about 3% went to trial. As the article points out, these numbers are not radically different from those in the DA’s Office. (And our office handles more than 10 times the number of cases.)
I think that gives the lie to the false narrative pushed by some politically motivated commentators that our office is the “weak link in the chain,” or that we’re not vigorously prosecuting cases. Indeed, as the numbers reported in the article make clear, our office prosecutes the vast majority of criminal cases in Shelby County, including cases arising from federal task force operations.
The article then did something important: it looked at why some of those federal cases were dismissed. Judges suppressed evidence or found insufficient probable cause. Federal officials also provided context about how charging decisions and defendants’ criminal histories affected outcomes. Our office, of course, has similar considerations.
The article also found that, among defendants who had been sentenced, average federal sentences since the task force arrived were nearly 60% shorter than during the same period the year before. Federal officials offered context for that number as well, explaining that the task force was bringing more cases involving defendants with less significant criminal histories and more minor offenses. Again, the number alone does not tell the whole story. Witnesses become unavailable. One case is dismissed as part of a global settlement of other cases. And so on.
That is the kind of context our office has repeatedly asked people to consider when looking at our numbers.
The point isn't that federal prosecutors are doing something wrong. It's that the same nuance used to explain their outcomes should be applied when evaluating the work of prosecutors throughout our criminal justice system.
We believe in transparency and will continue making our data available for public scrutiny. Our prosecutors work hard every day on behalf of this community. Their decisions and their work should be examined and held accountable—but they should also be understood in context.
Jury Finds Cassell Hunt Jr. Guilty on All Six Counts of Sexual Offenses Against Children: Assistant District Attorneys Venecia Patterson and Fredricka Brown secured guilty verdicts on all six counts against Cassell Hunt Jr. following a three-day jury trial involving the sexual abuse of multiple children.
The jury deliberated for approximately one hour Wednesday before finding Hunt guilty of Rape of a Child, Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child, Solicitation of a Minor, Aggravated Sexual Battery and two counts of Rape.
A sentencing date is forthcoming.
ADAs Venecia Patterson & Fredricka Brown prosecuted the case.
Man Pleads Guilty to Second-Degree Murder in East Shelby Drive Shooting: Delangelo Turner pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of Second-Degree Murder for his role in a November 2024 shooting that left one man dead and two others injured.
The victims had arranged to meet a man on Stacey Road to trade a weapon when they were robbed and shot. Investigators connected the shooting to another incident on West Mitchell Road and used video evidence to identify the suspect vehicle and Turner. He received a 16-year sentence.
The victim’s family expressed satisfaction with the outcome.
ADA Jennifer Morris prosecuted the case.
Judge Maintains $5 Million Bond in Main Event Murder Case: Chief Prosecutor Devon Dennis successfully argued Monday to maintain the $5 million bond for Richard Lewis, who faces a First-Degree Murder charge in connection with the fatal shooting at Main Event entertainment center.
The defense requested that Lewis’ bond be reduced to $200,000. Criminal Court Division 3 Judge James Jones, Jr. denied the request and kept the bond at $5 million.
The case is set for trial on November 16.
Chief Prosecutor Devon Dennis handled the hearing.
Congratulations to Deputy DA Paul Hagerman
Please join us in congratulating Deputy District Attorney Paul Hagerman on his appointment to serve as judge of Shelby County Criminal Court Division 11. We thank Paul for his 25 years of service with the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office and wish him the very best in this new role.
 This week, DA Steve Mulroy joined District Attorneys from across Tennessee for the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference’s annual Legislative Meeting. Each year, DAs from across the state come together to discuss shared legislative priorities and issues affecting Tennessee’s criminal justice system.
Criminal Investigations Division Participates in Range Training
 Members of the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office Criminal Investigations Division recently participated in firearms training at the Shelby County Sheriff's Firearm Range as part of their ongoing professional development. The training provided an opportunity for investigators to maintain and sharpen their skills as they continue their work in support of the office’s cases.
Deputy District Attorney Paul Hagerman, a nearly 25-year veteran of the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office and the office’s second-in-command, was appointed to serve as judge of one of Shelby County’s newly created Criminal Court divisions. Hagerman has prosecuted some of Shelby County’s most high-profile cases during his career. | Long-time Shelby County prosecutor appointed as criminal court judge| via The Commercial Appeal
A man wanted in Shelby County in connection with the 2022 killing of 15-year-old Haley Reedy was captured in Slovenia after three years on the run. DA Steve Mulroy praised the U.S. Marshals Service and other law enforcement partners involved in locating Seth Walls, saying the case demonstrates that “no matter where people are in the world the Marshals can find them.” The DA’s Office and Shelby County Sheriff’s Office are coordinating his extradition back to Shelby County. | Suspect Accused of Murdering 15-Year-Old Girl Captured in Europe After 3 Years on the Run | via PEOPLE
The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office announced on Friday, September 11, that Tametria Norry, a bus driver; Sabrina Powe, assistant director of Kid University; and Amilya Hardin, a daycare assistant, were indicted following Winter Jones’ death. |3 Adults Arrested for Death of Girl, 6, Who Was Left on Hot Daycare Bus for Hours| via US Magazine
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