Exclusive: DA’s office, MPD unveil Cold Case Unit
The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office and the Memphis Police Department have unveiled plans for a collaborative Cold Case Unit, which will help law enforcement investigate and prosecute unsolved homicide and violent sexual assault cases.
The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office and the Memphis Police Department have unveiled plans for a collaborative Cold Case Unit, which will help law enforcement investigate and prosecute unsolved homicide and violent sexual assault cases.
The plans for the new unit in the DA’s Office were shared exclusively with The Daily Memphian Thursday, Sept. 29.
WATCH: Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich congratulates Mearl
""Mearl, some people use their celebrity status to draw attention to themselves. You have used yours to draw attention to others and to worthy causes."
"Mearl, some people use their celebrity status to draw attention to themselves. You have used yours to draw attention to others and to worthy causes." Watch full video here.
US Marshals operation leads to 122 arrests in Memphis
MEMPHIS, Tenn.– More than 1,500 fugitives nationwide are behind bars Wednesday for violent crimes including murder, aggravated assault, and rape after a special operation led by the U.S. Marshals Service.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.– More than 1,500 fugitives nationwide are behind bars Wednesday for violent crimes including murder, aggravated assault, and rape after a special operation led by the U.S. Marshals Service. “During the month of June, the U.S. Marshal Service deployed Operation North Star in Memphis and 9 other cities,” said Tyreece Miller with the U.S. Marshals Service for the Western District of Tennessee.
Live At 9: Shelby Co. District Attorney General on ‘Truth in Sentencing’ Legislation
With gun crime escalating, will Tennessee’s new ‘Truth in Sentencing’ law help? Many local leaders say absolutely.
With gun crime escalating, will Tennessee’s new ‘Truth in Sentencing’ law help? Many local leaders say absolutely.
Restoration Saturday returns to provide a second chance for Memphians
The Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich and her office teamed up with the Shelby County General Sessions Clerk’s Office and the District 21 Prince Hall Masons for Restoration Saturday, a chance for people with criminal records to have their records expunged.
The Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich and her office teamed up with the Shelby County General Sessions Clerk’s Office and the District 21 Prince Hall Masons for Restoration Saturday, a chance for people with criminal records to have their records expunged. People were also able to receive help with child support, driver’s license issues and job opportunities.
Two students represent city in national writing contest about violence
By the time children reach middle school, as many as 3 million a year nationally witness violence in their communities.
By the time children reach middle school, as many as 3 million a year nationally witness violence in their communities.
Marterius Boyd, an eighth-grade student at Memphis Business Academy Middle School, recently dealt with the murder of one of his closest friends and chose to write about his experience dealing with the loss for a local contest.
Local witness relocation program asks individuals to share crime info with authorities
Witnesses to crimes may feel more comfortable sharing information with authorities in light of a new witness relocation and assistance program, 901 WRAP.
Witnesses to crimes may feel more comfortable sharing information with authorities in light of a new witness relocation and assistance program, 901 WRAP.
Prosecutors, law enforcement and church leaders gathered at Greater Imani Church in Raleigh Tuesday, April 12, to announce the program.
Memphis, county try new witness relocation program
Convincing more people to cooperate with a police investigation could get violent criminals off the street.
SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn. — Convincing more people to cooperate with a police investigation could get violent criminals off the street.
Last Thursday, WREG told you about why some believe a street code is keeping people silent. There’s a new program hoping to change that.
“Often times we are unable to pursue justice. Unable to prosecute, because no witnesses will come forward,” Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich said.
Lorenzen Wright murder: Billy Ray Turner found guilty
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Billy Ray Turner has been found guilty on all charges, including first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Billy Ray Turner has been found guilty on all charges, including first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder.
Turner will receive life in prison for first-degree murder, which is 60 years in the state of Tennessee. He could be released after serving 85% of the sentence, or 51 years. The judge said sentencing for the other two counts will happen within 45 days.
What’s causing a rise in deadly crashes across Shelby County?
Grim numbers show a dramatic increase in deadly crashes in Memphis and Shelby County.
According to Tennessee Highway Safety Office, there 144 deadly crashes in 2019. That number nearly doubled in 2020 with 229 crashes. 2021 saw one more deadly crash with 230. 2022 isn’t starting off any better either.
SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn. — Grim numbers show a dramatic increase in deadly crashes in Memphis and Shelby County.
According to Tennessee Highway Safety Office, there 144 deadly crashes in 2019. That number nearly doubled in 2020 with 229 crashes. 2021 saw one more deadly crash with 230. 2022 isn’t starting off any better either.
There have been almost 40 deadly crashes in the first two months. The most recent crash happened Monday, February 21st when a 14-year-old driver lost control of the car driving along Shelby Drive and crashed into a utility pole.
TN bill could classify gun permit holders ‘law enforcement’
Tennessee lawmakers are considering a plan to expand gun rights that would recognize some gun owners as law enforcement officers, and it’s drawing fire from some in law enforcement.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Tennessee lawmakers are considering a plan to expand gun rights that would recognize some gun owners as law enforcement officers, and it’s drawing fire from some in law enforcement.
Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich said citizens deserve the right to defend themselves, but this is perhaps taking things to the extreme.
“It would create confusion and unnecessary chaos for law enforcement officers,” Weirich said on WREG’s Live At 9 show on Wednesday.
Crime Commission unveils new five-year plan to fight crime
The Memphis Shelby County Crime Commission has released its latest crime-fighting plan, calling for reducing violent crime by 30% and property crime by 20% over the next five years.
The Memphis Shelby County Crime Commission has released its latest crime-fighting plan, calling for reducing violent crime by 30% and property crime by 20% over the next five years.
The Safe Community Action Plan, designed to be carried out between 2022 and 2026, was unveiled Thursday, Feb. 17, by Crime Commission leaders, law enforcement and community stakeholders, including the Shelby County Health Department and the Boys and Girls Club.
Memphis Man Sentenced to 35 Years in Federal Prison for Production, Distribution and Possession of Child Pornography
Lewis Falkner, 35, has been sentenced to 420 months in federal prison for production, distribution, and possession of child pornography. Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., United States Attorney announced the sentence today.
Lewis Falkner, 35, has been sentenced to 420 months in federal prison for production, distribution, and possession of child pornography. Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., United States Attorney announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, in June 2019, an undercover FBI agent began chatting on an instant messaging application with a man who said he had access to two 5-year-old boys. During the chats, the man sent photographs of himself, and eventually, pornographic videos and photographs of the two children. He also invited the undercover FBI agent to meet with him to engage in the sexual abuse of one of the children.
Crime Crisis: Prosecutors’ ‘eyes opened’ after working in precincts
It is a January afternoon and Michael McCusker, a Shelby County assistant district attorney, is in his office. Not at 201 Poplar, but at the Memphis Police Department’s Tillman Station in the role of “community prosecutor.”
It is a January afternoon and Michael McCusker, a Shelby County assistant district attorney, is in his office. Not at 201 Poplar, but at the Memphis Police Department’s Tillman Station in the role of “community prosecutor.”
To his way of thinking, he is boots on the ground — just like he was as a major with the Army in Afghanistan. The uniforms around him are different, but McCusker again feels like he is with the troops even if daily life at Tillman Station is not exactly what he imagined.
Human Trafficking Operation Results in Arrests and Seizures
A two-day undercover operation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Human Trafficking Unit, Memphis Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the office of 30th District Attorney General Amy Weirich has resulted in the arrest of nine individuals and the seizure of weapons, drugs, vehicles, and cash.
A two-day undercover operation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Human Trafficking Unit, Memphis Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the office of 30th District Attorney General Amy Weirich has resulted in the arrest of nine individuals and the seizure of weapons, drugs, vehicles, and cash.
Over a two-day period beginning January 21st, as part of an undercover investigation aimed at addressing human trafficking in the Memphis area, undercover officers placed decoy advertisements on websites known to be linked to prostitution and commercial sex. The focus of the operation was to identify individuals seeking to engage in commercial sex acts with minors. As a result of the operation, agents and investigators arrested nine men and booked them into the Shelby County Jail.
Drag racing, reckless driving cases increase, but few result in conviction
Arrests for reckless driving increased by 21% last year while drag racing arrests were up 140%, Shelby County’s District Attorney told Memphis City Council on Tuesday.
Arrests for reckless driving increased by 21% last year while drag racing arrests were up 140%, Shelby County’s District Attorney told Memphis City Council on Tuesday.
But many of these cases go unprosecuted, District Attorney General Amy Weirich said.
Memphis woman lends helping hand to tourists in need
To understand Marsharee Gatewood and Steffani Bailin’s friendship, you have to start at the Marathon gas station on Elvis Presley and Norris Road in South Memphis.
To understand Marsharee Gatewood and Steffani Bailin’s friendship, you have to start at the Marathon gas station on Elvis Presley and Norris Road in South Memphis.
“When I parked to get gas, I was on the phone talking to someone and I was looking across the street and I saw this group of people. Just standing on the corner, and they looked out of place,” Marsharee told us. “And while I’m talking to my friend on the phone, she said, well, maybe there are tourists.”
Law enforcement releases more information on suspects in Young Dolph murder investigation
Investigators held a news conference to release more information about the arrests of two men in connection with the murder of Memphis rapper Young Dolph. As of Tuesday, Justin Johnson and Cornelius Smith are both behind bars.
Investigators held a news conference to release more information about the arrests of two men in connection with the murder of Memphis rapper Young Dolph. As of Tuesday, Justin Johnson and Cornelius Smith are both behind bars.
Shelby County DA talks truth in sentencing law
Truth in sentencing is what the Shelby County district attorney and Memphis mayor say is part of the answer to the city’s violent crime epidemic.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Truth in sentencing is what the Shelby County district attorney and Memphis mayor say is part of the answer to the city’s violent crime epidemic.
Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich spoke to the Memphis Rotary Club Tuesday at the Bluff restaurant on the Highland Strip about a number of challenges the community faces, including the short prison sentences many offenders end up serving.