MEMPHIS, TN – Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons announced Thursday that a jury found a Memphis man guilty as indicted for a 2006 incident in which he fired shots at a van carrying five people, including three children, striking a young girl in the leg.
Telly Savalas Johnson, 24, was convicted on five counts of attempted first degree murder, a class A felony. He faces up to 25 years in prison for each count. Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced by Criminal Court Judge Chris Craft on December 12.
On June 26, 2006, five victims, including 4-year-old Jada Perkins, were riding in a van that pulled up to a stop at the intersection of Hunter and Evergreen. Johnson approached the vehicle from behind, pulled out a handgun and fired several shots. A bullet struck Jada Perkins injuring her left leg. The other passengers were unharmed. Johnson fled the scene on foot, but Memphis police officers arrested him several days later on July 5, 2006.
Attempted first degree murder is a charge covered under the D.A.’s “No Deals” policy on violent crimes. Exceptions are made to the policy for legal and ethical reasons.
Assistant District Attorneys Alanda Dwyer and Marianne Bell prosecuted this case.
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