Shelby Co. District Attorney’s Office launches new Community Justice Program
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office has started a new Community Justice Program in hopes of keeping offenders from re-offending and honoring victims.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office has started a new Community Justice Program in hopes of keeping offenders from re-offending and honoring victims.
“We’ve had community policing, you’re very familiar with that. We have community prosecution in this office. I have community prosecutors that work in precincts every day with the communities,” said District Attorney General Amy Weirich.
Local Leaders: Gun Violence Must Stop
As the Unity Walk Against Gun Violence approaches, many Shelby County leaders reflect on taking a stand against gun violence. The message is simple: increased gun violence has claimed a record number of lives in Memphis and Shelby County this year. The violence has to stop.
Memphis, Tenn. — As the Unity Walk Against Gun Violence approaches, many Shelby County leaders reflect on taking a stand against gun violence. The message is simple: increased gun violence has claimed a record number of lives in Memphis and Shelby County this year. The violence has to stop.
Unity Walk Against Gun Violence is a chance for citizens to take a public stand | Opinion
Rev. DeAndre Brown Guest Columnist
Getting to the root cause of gun violence is key to eradicating it in Memphis | Opinion
Arriell Gipson, Guest Columnist
Opinion: Gun violence is a public health issue
Alisa Haushalter, Guest Columnist
Janine F. Heiner, Guest Columnist
Unity Walk: Senseless gun killings are still plaguing our communities | Opinion
Stevie Moore Sr. Guest Columnist
Dr. Regan Williams, Guest Columnist
Health department declares gun violence as public health crisis
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (FOX 13) — The Shelby County Health Director said gun violence in Memphis is a public health crisis.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (FOX 13) — The Shelby County Health Director said gun violence in Memphis is a public health crisis.
New efforts underway to reach Hispanic community about COVID-19
Memphis, TN (Daily Memphian) – Andres Mata helps Latino people who are victims of crime in Memphis find the courage to interact with the U.S. judicial system.
Memphis, Tenn. (Daily Memphian) – Andres Mata helps Latino people who are victims of crime in Memphis find the courage to interact with the U.S. judicial system.
Marshals offer $50K for information to solve child murders in Memphis
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Mid-South authorities are offering thousands of dollars in reward money to solve murders of children in the city of Memphis.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Mid-South authorities are offering thousands of dollars in reward money to solve murders of children in the city of Memphis.
The Memphis Police Department, U.S. Marshals and the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office held a joint news conference Thursday, pleading with the public to come forward with information.
The U.S. Marshals Offer $50,000 in Child Murders
Memphis, TN (U.S. Marshals Service) – United States Marshal Tyreece Miller announces the Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $50,000 that leads to the identification and apprehension of suspects who have murdered children in Memphis.
Memphis, TN (U.S. Marshals Service) – United States Marshal Tyreece Miller announces the Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $50,000 that leads to the identification and apprehension of suspects who have murdered children in Memphis.
Between January and September of 2020, the Memphis Police Department has investigated an unusually high number of murders where the victim was a child. Seven of those cases remain unsolved.
“We are proud to partner with the Memphis Police Department and Shelby County District Attorney’s Office in this effort to help identify and bring those responsible to justice,” said U.S. Marshal Tyreece Miller. “It is my sincere hope that this reward helps compel individuals to come forward and help provide answers for these families who have had to deal with the sudden and violent loss of a child.”
Memphis Man Sentenced to 52 Years for Nine Armed Business Robberies
Memphis, TN (U.S. Attorney’s Office Western District of Tennessee) – Cortez Young, 24, has been sentenced to 624 months in federal prison for committing nine (9) armed business robberies across Memphis. D. Michael Dunavant, United States Attorney announced the sentence today.
Memphis, TN (U.S. Attorney’s Office Western District of Tennessee) – Cortez Young, 24, has been sentenced to 624 months in federal prison for committing nine (9) armed business robberies across Memphis. D. Michael Dunavant, United States Attorney announced the sentence today.
Opinion: Teen offenders need immediate intervention
Memphis (Daily Memphian) — At around 3 a.m., a 16-year-old Memphian leads West Memphis police to Memphis on a chase in a stolen car. Memphis police assist. The thief crashes the car, flees on foot and is eventually caught. Police find key fobs on him from four other stolen cars.
Memphis, Tenn. (Daily Memphian) — At around 3 a.m., a 16-year-old Memphian leads West Memphis police to Memphis on a chase in a stolen car. Memphis police assist. The thief crashes the car, flees on foot and is eventually caught. Police find key fobs on him from four other stolen cars.
One month later, the same teen, again around 3 a.m., joins seven of his friends to break into a major retailer in town and steal firearms. When police arrive, our teen is holding a stolen gun from a different burglary.
Weirich discusses revoked driver’s license cases in Shelby County
Memphis (Daily Memphian) — In the past two years, the Shelby County district attorney’s office has dismissed more than 32,000 cases involving people charged with driving on revoked driver’s licenses.
Memphis, Tenn. (Daily Memphian) — In the past two years, the Shelby County district attorney’s office has dismissed more than 32,000 cases involving people charged with driving on revoked driver’s licenses.
Criminal courts reopen in Shelby County, jury trials to begin this month
SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn. (FOX13) — It’s been months since criminal courts have been open to try some of the most heinous cases in Memphis. Thursday that changed.
SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn. (FOX13) — It’s been months since criminal courts have been open to try some of the most heinous cases in Memphis. Thursday that changed.
Amy Weirich among Tennessee DAs to 'wage war' on fentanyl in awareness campaign
Memphis (Commercial Appeal) — Along with Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich, district attorneys across the state are launching an awareness campaign aimed toward teens on the "extreme dangers of fentanyl," the group announced Tuesday.
Memphis, Tenn. (Commercial Appeal) — Along with Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich, district attorneys across the state are launching an awareness campaign aimed toward teens on the "extreme dangers of fentanyl," the group announced Tuesday.
Shelby County DA says no charges will be filed in 2018 officer-involved shooting
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich says no charges will be filed in a 2018 officer-involved shooting.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich says no charges will be filed in a 2018 officer-involved shooting.
Weirich says no charges in police shooting of man with BB gun
Memphis (Daily Memphian) — The fatal shooting of Andre Horton by a Memphis police officer in 2018 has been ruled justified by Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich.
Memphis, Tenn. (Daily Memphian) — The fatal shooting of Andre Horton by a Memphis police officer in 2018 has been ruled justified by Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich.
W.D. Merritt, former MPD homicide detective, remembered as ‘true hero’
Memphis (Daily Memphian) — W.D. Merritt, a quiet and unassuming retired Memphis Police homicide detective whose tenacity garnered respect from all who worked with him, died July 26. He was 56.
Memphis, Tenn. (Daily Memphian) — W.D. Merritt, a quiet and unassuming retired Memphis Police homicide detective whose tenacity garnered respect from all who worked with him, died July 26. He was 56.
District attorney’s office investigator, longtime police detective dies at age 56
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - A man who spent over half of his life serving his community passed away over the weekend at the age of 56, according to the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - A man who spent over half of his life serving his community passed away over the weekend at the age of 56, according to the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office.
'The best among us': W.D. Merritt, who cracked Memphis murder cases on 'First 48', dies at 56
Memphis (Commercial Appeal) — A former police sergeant who brought audiences across the U.S. behind the scenes of homicide investigations in Memphis, William "W.D." Merritt, died Sunday, the Shelby County District Attorney's Office announced Monday.
Memphis, Tenn. (Commercial Appeal) — A former police sergeant who brought audiences across the U.S. behind the scenes of homicide investigations in Memphis, William "W.D." Merritt, died Sunday, the Shelby County District Attorney's Office announced Monday.
Shelby County DA launches restorative justice program
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (FOX13) — A new initiative will change how justice is served for some non-violent crimes and give offenders a chance to get back on track instead of behind bars.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (FOX13) — A new initiative will change how justice is served for some non-violent crimes and give offenders a chance to get back on track instead of behind bars.
Shelby County DA announces plan to have non-violent offenders judged by community panels
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG) — Shelby County prosecutors announced a plan Tuesday to keep certain non-violent offenders out of jail and out of court.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG) — Shelby County prosecutors announced a plan Tuesday to keep certain non-violent offenders out of jail and out of court.
First Half of Year Crime Stats COVID-19 Pandemic Affects Crime Trends
Memphis (Memphis Shelby Crime Commission) — The Public Safety Institute and the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission have released preliminary crime figures from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) for the first half of 2020 (January-June) compared to certain previous years. In some cases, the figures reflect significant changes during the COVID-19 pandemic period of April-June compared to figures released earlier for just the first quarter of the year (January-March).
Memphis, Tenn. (Memphis Shelby Crime Commission) — The Public Safety Institute and the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission have released preliminary crime figures from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) for the first half of 2020 (January-June) compared to certain previous years. In some cases, the figures reflect significant changes during the COVID-19 pandemic period of April-June compared to figures released earlier for just the first quarter of the year (January-March).
The most significant change is in the major violent crime rate (based on reported murders, robberies, rapes and aggravated assaults). At the end of the first quarter, the major violent crime rate had actually dropped 4.3% in the city of Memphis and 5.2% countywide compared to the first quarter of 2019. The decline was driven by significant declines in reported robberies and aggravated assaults. Taking the -19 months of April-June into account, though, the major violent crime rate is up 9.7% in Memphis and 9.1% countywide for the first half of the year compared to 2019.
The increase in the major violent crime rate is attributable to significant increases in murders (up to 29.9% in Memphis and 26.2% countywide) and aggravated assaults (up 15.3% in Memphis and 14.7% throughout the county, reversing the declines during the first quarter of the year). Both murders and aggravated assaults usually involve perpetrators and victims who know each other.
Also troubling was the increase in all reported offenses involving guns — up 23% in Memphis and 22% countywide.
On the other hand, reported robberies — where the victims are usually random and unknown to the perpetrators — declined. Through June, reported robberies were down 9.5% in Memphis and 10.3% countywide compared to the first half of 2019. (There had actually been a slight increase in reported robberies in Memphis during the first quarter of the year.) So, during the COVID-19 months of April-June, there was a decline in reported random acts of major violent crime, but they were more than offset by violent crimes involving individuals who knew each other.
There were some interesting twists in the reported major property crime rate as well (which includes reported burglaries, motor vehicle thefts and other felony thefts). Overall, the major property crime was down 8.4% in Memphis and 8.1% throughout the county, driven by a very significant decrease in the burglary rate — minus 23.6% in Memphis and minus 22.2% countywide compared to the first half of last year. During the COVID-19 pandemic, more people have been at home, especially during the day, likely serving as a deterrent to would-be burglars.
On the other hand, reported motor vehicle thefts increased by 11.4% in Memphis and 9% countywide. Motor vehicle thefts by juveniles tend to increase when schools are closed, which has been the case for most schools since March.
As was the case during the first quarter of the year, reported domestic violence cases were down for the first half of the year compared to the first half of last year — declining 7.8% in Memphis and 7.9% throughout Shelby County. However, because of the COVID-19 crisis, many domestic violence victims may feel it is unsafe to call 911 with perpetrators remaining close by in the home and with no alternative places to go for safety. So, the figures could be somewhat skewed.
Amy Weirich, Shelby County District Attorney and chair of the Safe Community Plan, stated, “Any citizen seeing these increases in murder and aggravated assault should be disturbed. In some cases, the victim is the intended target. In others, the victim is an innocent bystander. Either way, too many families are grieving the tragic, senseless, deaths of their loved ones. The police will investigate. Our office will prosecute. Bu until there are fewer members of our community embracing violent behavior, little will change.”
More information on local crime trends are available on the Crime Commission’s website at www.memphiscrime.org.
DA Amy Weirich says she will not prosecute U.S. Marshals in the Brandon Webber shooting
Memphis (Commercial Appeal) — After several months of review, Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich announced Friday that her office would not prosecute the members of a U.S. Marshals Service task force who fatally shot 20-year-old Frayser resident Brandon Webber last June.
Memphis, Tenn. (Commercial Appeal) — After several months of review, Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich announced Friday that her office would not prosecute the members of a U.S. Marshals Service task force who fatally shot 20-year-old Frayser resident Brandon Webber last June.