SE Shelby Man Indicted in Women’s Deaths

Sept. 10, 2020 – A southeast Shelby County man was indicted Wednesday in connection with the shootings deaths of two women during an early-morning encounter earlier this year, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury indicted Darrin Walker, 24, on two counts of first-degree murder. He is being held without bond in the Shelby County Jail.

Investigators with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office were called around 3 a.m. on Feb. 24 to Bethany Drive at Belmont Run Cove in southeast Shelby County where they found 25-year-old Destiny Wilkins in the street with multiple gunshot wounds.

She was able to tell investigators a man shot her and her friend, Nayeli ‘Courtney’ Love, 23, and that he drove off in Wilkins’ car with her injured friend still in the backseat. Wilkins died later at a hospital.

Around 9 a.m. that morning, deputies found her car, still running, parked about three miles west on Lake Valley Drive. Love was found in the backseat, dead from gunshot wounds.

Walker, who lived nearby on Gadwell Drive West, was developed as a suspect and was arrested March 3 after leaving his home.

The case is being handled by Chief Prosecutor Theresa McCusker and Felony Asst. Melissa Harris of the District Attorney’s Vertical Prosecution Team 1 which handles cases in General Sessions Division 7 and in Criminal Court Division 1.

Man Indicted in Orange Mound Killing

Sept. 10, 2020 – A 25-year-old man was indicted Wednesday in the shooting death of a man during an argument and the wounding a young bystander earlier this year outside an Orange Mound convenience store, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury indicted Curdarreion Wilson on charges of second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, aggravated assault, employment of a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony, and convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

The shootings occurred around 11:40 p.m. on April 6 in the 2400 block of Park Avenue where Raymond Howard was found on the sidewalk with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 15-year-old girl who suffered a grazing gunshot wound to the forehead was treated at a hospital.

Wilson was developed as a suspect and was arrested 10 days later following a traffic stop in the 3200 block of South Third. He fled from police, tossed a weapon into a dumpster as he ran by, but was eventually caught hiding under a nearby house on East Belle Haven Road.

Sex Offender Indicted in Murder Case

Sept. 3, 2020 – A 55-year-old repeat violent sex offender was indicted Tuesday on first-degree murder charges stemming from a knife attack on the family of a victim in a pending case against him, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury indicted Kelvin Leray Nelson on two counts of attempted first-degree murder and one count of especially aggravated burglary.

The attack occurred around 9 p.m. on Feb. 9 this year at the South Memphis home of a teenage girl who was the victim in a pending sexual battery case against Nelson.

Investigators said Nelson stabbed and seriously injured the girl and her mother, and also killed 74-year-old Katrenia Webster who also lived in the home. While attacking the young girl, Nelson repeatedly asked if she was going to drop the case against him.

Nelson was charged and arrested several days later.

The case is being handled by Chief Prosecutor Eric Christensen and Asst. Dist. Atty. Gavin Smith of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Unit (SVU) which prosecutes all cases of rape, aggravated rape, child sexual abuse, severe physical abuse of child victims, elder abuse, and vulnerable-adult abuse.

The SVU was created in 2010 as an expansion of the multi-agency Child Protection Investigative Team (CIPIT).     

Man Indicted in Death of Unborn Baby

Sept. 1, 2020 – A Whitehaven man who allegedly kicked a pregnant woman in the stomach during an argument was indicted Tuesday on reckless homicide charges related to the subsequent death of her unborn baby, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

Defendant Cedric Mingo, 29, initially was charged with assault, but additional medical information led to the homicide charges. He also was indicted on domestic assault charges.

Investigators said the incident occurred on March 9, 2018, at Tchulahoma Road and Shelby Drive where Mingo punched the woman in the face and kicked her in the stomach when she fell to the ground.

The woman, who was seven months pregnant at the time, later began having difficulties and lost the baby in April.

The case is being handled by Asst. Dist. Atty. Neil Hillis of the District Attorney’s Vertical Team 2 which handles cases in General Sessions Division 9 and in Criminal Court Division 2.

Tenn. District Attorneys Wage War on Fentanyl

Sept. 1, 2020 – The Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference is launching its newest statewide awareness effort: “Fentanyl: The Deadliest High.”

Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich, along with district attorneys across the state, will be focused on educating Tennesseans on the extreme dangers of fentanyl, the most prevalent synthetic opioid in the United States.

Fentanyl-related overdoses have increased exponentially in Tennessee over the last few years. It is often illegally sold on the streets disguised as other drugs, where users unknowingly take too much and ultimately overdose. A dose as small as two milligrams, roughly equivalent to the weight of four grains of sand, is considered lethal to the average person.

While the use of fentanyl has increased, awareness of the drug has not. District attorneys conducted focus groups with middle and high schoolers across the state to determine the awareness level of fentanyl and its dangers. Findings from these focus groups shaped the approach for the awareness effort, which is primarily directed toward 13- to 18-year-old Tennesseans.

“In our research, we discovered a lack of education around the dangers and prevalence of fentanyl and opioids in general,” said Guy Jones, executive director of TNDAGC. “Our youth are our future. It is with that in mind that we work to inform them on the realities of addiction and overdose. We want this effort to be the start of the end of fentanyl and deadly drug abuse in Tennessee, and we must work together to make this goal a reality.”

DA Weirich said only a miniscule amount of fentanyl can be deadly. Last week a Memphis couple were charged with first-degree murder after allegedly giving their 4-year-old son a dose of fentanyl that killed him.

“Fentanyl is as dangerous as a loaded gun,” she said. “Too many lives are being lost because young people don’t understand or appreciate that danger.”

The awareness effort will heavily utilize social media to reach students across the state and disseminate the message of the deadly nature of fentanyl, especially with the risks associated with street drug usage.

Those interested in learning more can visit TheDeadliestHigh.com. Tennesseans are encouraged to follow the TNDAGC on social media @TNDistrictAttorneys (Facebook) and @TNDAGC (Twitter and Instagram). Also visit @ShelbyCountyDA.

Former Police Sergeant Indicted on Misconduct Charges

Sept. 1, 2020 – A former Memphis police sergeant has been indicted on three felony counts of official misconduct stemming from acts allegedly related to his employment in 2018, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

The indictment alleges three different legal theories, namely that Eric Kelly, 49, with intent to obtain a benefit or harm another while acting as a public servant committed acts that constituted an unauthorized exercise of official power, committed acts under color of office or employment that exceeded his official power, and received a benefit not otherwise authorized by law.

Kelly retired from the Memphis Police Department at the rank of lieutenant on Nov. 8, 2019. The case is being handled by Chief Prosecutor Byron Winsett of the District Attorney’s Public Corruption and Economic Crimes Unit.       

Shooting Death of Gunman Justified

Aug. 28, 2020 – A Memphis police officer acted within the law when he shot a man who was walking in the middle of James Road in Raleigh and pointing a gun at passing motorists and police, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

The incident occurred on a rainy night on Dec. 13, 2018, after police received two separate 911 calls from motorists who said the man, Andre Horton, 42, had pointed a handgun at them as they passed.

When officers arrived in their marked patrol cars, Horton walked toward them and pointed his gun at them as well. One officer said he had to put his vehicle in reverse because he “felt like a sitting duck” in the gunman’s sights.

He said Horton then turned his attention to another officer who arrived from the opposite direction on James Road. That officer said he put his spotlight on Horton and ordered him to drop his gun, but that Horton advanced to within 20 feet with his gun still pointed at the officer.

The officer fired, striking Horton in the chest and grazing his neck and abdomen. Horton was pronounced dead at a hospital. The incident was captured on the officer’s body-worn camera.

Horton’s weapon was a realistic-looking air pistol that the 911 callers described as “a semi-automatic” and “a 45-cal.” handgun.

“These officers were responding to the concerns of panicked motorists about a man pointing a gun at them,” said DA Weirich. “He not only ignored an order to drop the weapon, but he also continued to walk toward the officers while pointing the gun at them. Mr. Horton left the officer with no choice but to discharge his weapon.”

The findings were based on a review of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation report compiled by its Violent Crimes Response Team. The report and a video summary by DA Weirich can be found here.

ADAs Complete Military Tour of Duty As Officers in Middle East

Aug. 21, 2020 – Shelby County Asst. Dist. Attys. Kevin McAlpin and Ryan Thompson have completed their 11-month overseas tours of duty in the Middle East as members of the Tennessee Army National Guard stationed in Kuwait.

Lt. Col. McAlpin and Capt. Thompson deployed in October 2019, and this week received their end-of-tour awards as they handed over their responsibilities to their replacements.

Both are Judge Advocate General (JAG) Officers for an Engineer Brigade with mission projects in eight countries throughout the Middle East. They received Meritorious Service Medal Citations, while Thompson also received an Army Commendation Medal with C Device for an assignment in Iraq and Syria to assist with an investigation.

“Ryan and Kevin truly exemplify what it means to be faithful public servants,” said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich. “We are grateful for their service and are anxious to welcome them home.”

As JAG Officers, McAlpin and Thompson were the attorneys for the brigade which involved military justice, assisting with investigations, fiscal/contract reviews, and serving as legal advisors for commanders within the brigade.

They will quarantine in Texas or New Mexico before they are processed for their return to civilian life and the courtrooms of Shelby County.

“We are both looking forward to being home,” said McAlpin. “We appreciate how supportive General Weirich and the entire office has been with us having to be gone. It is certainly comforting to know our employer supports our decision to be in the military even when that means we have to be away for a period of time.”

Thompson is looking forward to seeing his new son, Carsen Edward Thompson, who his wife Jessica gave birth to on Dec. 29, 2019, while he was overseas.

“I will get to meet him for the first time when I get home,” he said.

McAlpin is assigned to the District Attorney’s Special Prosecution Unit in Criminal Court Division 7 where prosecutors seek maximum sentencing for repeat violent felony offenders. He joined the District Attorney’s Office in January of 2017.

Thompson is assigned to the District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Unit which handles cases involving intimate partners in General Sessions Division 10 and in Criminal Court Division 5. He joined the DA’s Office in August of 2014.

General Sessions Criminal Court Division 7 Update

Aug. 20, 2020 — To reduce the volume of people entering 201 Poplar during the pandemic, Judge Bill Anderson will reset all out-of-custody cases to future dates starting August 31, 2020.

These changes apply only to General Sessions Division 7.

See attached schedule.

Man Indicted in Double Homicide

Aug. 20, 2020 – A Whitehaven man was indicted Wednesday on murder charges related to the shooting deaths of two people during an argument at a Super Bowl party last year, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury indicted Calvin L. Wilkins, 39, on two counts of first-degree murder, convicted felon in possession of a firearm, and two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance. He was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in 2003.

The incident occurred the evening of Feb. 3, 2019, at his residence in the 1200 block of Favell Drive in Whitehaven when he became angry and verbally abusive to his wife, investigators said.

She left the house, but asked police to check on the other guests after she received a call from a friend still at the party who was pleading for her life. The wife then heard gunshots.

Police went to the residence and found the defendant’s stepbrother Issacca Powell, 28, and Powell’s girlfriend, Sierra Stornes, 33, both with multiple gunshot wounds. Powell was pronounced dead and the scene and Stornes died later at a hospital.

The case is being handled by Chief Prosecutor Kirby May of the District Attorney’s Vertical Team 5 which handles cases in General Sessions Division 13 and in Criminal Court Division 9.

Former Deputy Indicted on Assault Charge

Aug. 19, 2020 – A former Shelby County Sheriff’s Office deputy has been indicted on criminal charges stemming from an encounter with a passenger in a vehicle he stopped for speeding last December, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury this week indicted Justin Fitzgibbon, 39, of Arlington on counts of official oppression, a felony, and misdemeanor assault in the case. He left the sheriff’s department for other employment earlier this year.

The incident occurred around 2:20 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2019, when Fitzgibbon pulled over the driver of a vehicle for allegedly driving 100 mph in a 65-mph zone on eastbound Interstate 40 near Sycamore View Road.

Fitzgibbon said he ordered passenger Marvin Moore, 25, to exit the vehicle, but that Moore then ignored commands to place his hands behind his back. He said Moore pulled away and resisted, and that he had to use force to control the suspect and detain him.

Video from the deputy’s body-worn camera did not support his allegation that Moore had assaulted him.

Moore was charged with misdemeanor assault, but those charges were dismissed in court. He filed a complaint with the sheriff’s department alleging excessive force was used by the deputy.

Ex-Boyfriend Indicted in Woman’s Death

Aug. 17, 2020 – A 23-year-old man accused of stabbing his girlfriend and leaving her body on a Jackson Avenue sidewalk in January has been indicted on first-degree murder charges, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury Thursday also indicted defendant Keedrin Coppage on felony charges of tampering with/fabricating evidence.

At around 11:40 a.m. on Jan. 2, 2020, the body of 18-year-old Sabrina Nguyen was found on Jackson Avenue at Maple Drive in North Memphis. She had been stabbed to death. The following day, Coppage was arrested and charged with her murder. He had multiple warrants for aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault and aggravated stalking, with Sabrina Nguyen as the victim in each case.

He gave police a statement, including that he was with the victim before and after the stabbing, that he put her body in the trunk of her car, and that he drove to Jackson and Maple where he placed it on the sidewalk. Coppage also said he tried to clean blood from inside her car and that he changed the clothes he was wearing at the time of her death.

The case is being handled by Asst. Dist. Attys. Glenda Adams and Venecia Patterson of the District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Unit (DVU) which handles cases of domestic assault and homicide committed by intimate partners. DVU cases are handled in General Sessions Division 10 and Criminal Court Division 5.

The DVU works closely with the Shelby County Family Safety Center and numerous other agencies such as Kindred Place and the YWCA to provide support and assistance to victims of interpersonal violence.    

Truck Driver Indicted in Crash That Killed Two TDOT Workers on I-40

Aug. 14, 2020 – A 62-year-old truck driver has been indicted on multiple criminal charges stemming from a crash last November that killed two highway workers and injured two others, including a state trooper, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

Mervin Crigler was indicted on charges of vehicular homicide involving recklessness and intoxication, vehicular assault involving intoxication and recklessness, aggravated assault, drunken driving and driving under the influence of an intoxicant.

He was taken into custody Friday in his hometown of St. Louis by members of the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force. He was indicted in May by a Shelby County Grand Jury, but the indictments do not become public until a defendant is booked and processed.

Bond has been set at $300,000.

The crash occurred around 3:30 a.m. on Nov. 6, 2019, in a construction zone in the westbound lane of Interstate 40 near Arlington.

Investigators said Crigler’s tractor trailer struck a stationary “impact truck,” forcing it into a Tennessee Highway Patrol vehicle, which crashed into a maintenance vehicle and killed workers Jared Helton, 22, and Justin Stafford, 30, who were replacing reflectors on the interstate.

Helton and Stafford, both from Kentucky, were employed by a Cincinnati company that had contracted with the Tennessee Department of Transportation. A third worker, Cody Fultz, 22, was injured.

Trooper Lejulian Roy, 35, was critically injured, as was Crigler, the truck’s driver.

The crash was investigated by the THP Critical Incident Response Team.

The case is being handled by Chief Prosecutor Glen Baity and Asst. Dist. Atty. Vanessa Murtaugh of the District Attorney’s DUI Prosecution Unit.

Members of the DUI Unit work with local law enforcement to reduce the number of DUI-related fatalities and injuries, and conduct training sessions to update officers on new laws and changes to existing laws.

Dog Owners Indicted in Woman’s Death

Aug. 12, 2020 – Three people have been indicted on reckless homicide charges related to the death of a 59-year-old woman who was mauled by their four dogs in April, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury indicted Phyllis Jones, 61, her daughter Kimberly Jordan, 40, and Jordan’s son, Dedricz Perry, 22. All were taken into custody Tuesday by the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force.

At around 8 a.m. on April 22 this year, police were called to the 1200 block of Capital Avenue in the New Chicago area of north Memphis where they found the body of Doris Arrington who lived nearby.

She had severe trauma to her legs and arms that appeared to be from animal bites. The cause of death was massive blood loss.

Officers canvassed the area and at a nearby house found four dogs with blood on their mouths and coats. The dogs’ owners were identified as the three defendants.

Investigators said Memphis Animal Services and the Mayor’s Action Center both had received complaints about the dogs’ aggressive behavior and their ability to escape their enclosure.

The case is being handled by Asst. Dist. Atty. Forrest Edwards of the District Attorney’s Vertical Team 3 which handles cases in General Sessions Division 11 and Criminal Court Division 3.

General Sessions Criminal Court Division 9 Update

Aug. 10, 2020 — To reduce the volume of people entering 201 Poplar during the pandemic, Judge Gerald Skahan will reset all out-of-custody cases to future dates.

These changes apply only to General Sessions Division 9.

See attached schedule.

Two Men Indicted in Boy’s Shooting Death

Aug. 7, 2020 – Two men have been indicted on first-degree murder and dozens of other criminal charges in connection with the April shooting death of a 6-year-old boy in Frayser, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

Memphis police yesterday arrested Ronnekio Johnson and James Murphy after the two were indicted in the death of young Aison Golden who was shot to death while in his home preparing to attend a birthday party.

Johnson and Murphy, both 27, also were indicted on 14 counts of attempted first-degree murder, 14 counts of employment of a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony, 14 counts of aggravated assault, three counts of reckless endangerment, and enhancement of punishment for use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

The shootings occurred around 5 p.m. on April 11 in the 800 block of Par near Westside Park in Frayser. Witnesses said Johnson and Murphy fired multiple shots into at least two homes with more than a dozen children inside or in the yard. The suspects were seen with guns as they ran to separate vehicles and fled.

DA Weirich and Memphis Police Director Michael Rallings praised witnesses for coming forward with information leading to the arrests.

The case is being handled by Asst. Dist. Attys. Carla Taylor and Will Muller of the District Attorney’s Crime Strategies Prosecution Unit which incorporates and expands the work of the Multi-Agency Gang Unit, the Organized Crime Unit, Project Safe Neighborhoods/Gun Done, GunStat, the Safe Streets Task Force and the Violent Crime Unit.  

Alleged ‘New’ Murder Evidence Is From Different Case

July 30, 2020 – “Newly discovered” blood-stained bedding that defense attorneys claim could prove the innocence of death-row inmate Pervis Payne with DNA testing is actually from a separate murder case that occurred nine years after his 1988 conviction for the brutal stabbings of a Millington mother and her two young children, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich. 

Payne’s defense lawyers, including a team from the Innocence Project, said they discovered the bedding last December in the property room while looking through evidence, and accused prosecutors of illegally concealing it from them for the past 32 years.

“That is completely and entirely false,” DA Weirich and Asst. Dist. Atty. Steve Jones said in a 19-page brief filed Wednesday. “There is no new evidence in this case. (Payne’s) multiple defense attorneys have reviewed all of the evidence in this case multiple times before, during and after his jury trial.”

Payne, 53, is scheduled to be executed Dec. 3 for the murders of Charisse Christopher, 28, and her 2-year-old daughter, Lacie, on June 27, 1987, in their Millington apartment. Her son, Nicholas, 3, was critically injured, but survived his multiple stab wounds.

While reviewing evidence in the case last December, federal public defender Kelley Henry said she discovered a bag containing bloody bedding items from the case that the defense had never seen before.

In the state’s petition, Jones said a property room attendant gave the defense the two marked boxes of evidence from the Payne case. The attendant also produced a bag containing bloody bedding items that belonged to an entirely different case.

“The bag had markings on the outside of the bag and had markings on each item of bedding therein, but the markings did not identify it in any way as relating to the State v. Payne case,” Jones said in the petition. “Based on the markings on the items of property in the bag containing bed linens, more specifically the initials of…the crime scene officer who collected the property, it is impossible that the property in the bag has any association with the 1987 Millington crime scene in State v. Payne.”

The petition includes photographs of the bedding that were taken at the crime scene of a separate murder in 1998 in which defendant Geraldrick Jones was convicted. A crime scene officer also has identified the evidence as well as his initials he placed on the property – a pillow, comforter and two sheets - when he collected it at the scene on May 29, 1998, on Meda Street in Orange Mound.

Payne’s defense team sought DNA testing of crime scene evidence in 2006.The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals presumed that the requested DNA testing would produce a result favorable to the defense and denied on several grounds, including that even favorable results for the defense would not establish a reasonable probability of a different outcome at trial.

The Tennessee Supreme Court took note of the incriminating evidence, including that Payne’s baseball cap was found on Lacie Christopher’s forearm which was sticking through the opening between the adjustment strap and cap material; Payne said he approached the apartment when he heard the baby crying, yet the medical examiner said her knife wounds “would have been rapidly fatal;” the brief passage of time from when residents heard a disturbance to the time of arrival by police “virtually forecloses” the possibility of an unknown intruder committing the murders and disappearing before Payne entered the apartment; and Payne’s own testimony was “damning.”

When trying to explain why he had so much blood on him, Payne said it was when he pulled the knife out of Ms. Christopher’s neck. He said she reached for him and fell against the kitchen wall, splattering him with blood. She had been stabbed 41 times.

The state Supreme Court affirmed the conviction and sentence finding the “jury was justified in rejecting as unbelievable and contrary to human conduct and experience his alleged efforts to render aid to the Christophers.”

Earlier this year the court set an execution date for Dec. 3.

“DNA testing would not exonerate the defendant, yet the defense has waited 14 years to pursue a second request for testing,” said DA Weirich, “Delaying the filing of a second petition for this long shows the true defense motive is to delay the execution.”

State’s response in Pervis Payne case. 

Human Trafficking Awareness Event Set for Thursday Morning

July 29, 2020 – Local leaders will participate in a Red Sand Project ceremony at 8:30 a.m. Thursday at 1290 Lamar at Cleveland to commemorate World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

The global Red Sand Project involves pouring grains of sand into pavement cracks to symbolize those individuals who have fallen through the cracks and who are vulnerable to human trafficking and exploitation.

The ceremony will be hosted by Restore Corps, a local non-profit that fights human trafficking and provides services, empowerment and hop to survivors.

Speakers at the 30-minute program will include Coasy Hale, director of Survivor Services at Restore Corps.; Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich, and spoken word artist Recina Coles.

A community sand pouring will be led by Rachel Sumner Hagaa, executive director of Restore Corps.

WD Merritt: Investigator, Colleague, Friend

July 27, 2020 – Longtime police detective and District Attorney’s Office criminal investigator W.D. Merritt passed away Sunday, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich. He was 56.

He spent 28 years with the Memphis Police Department, nearly half of them as a homicide investigator. After retiring from MPD in 2013, he joined the District Attorney’s Office in the Criminal Investigation Division.

“W.D.’s incredible investigative skills brought thousands of offenders to justice and brought closure to the victims and their families,” said DA Weirich. “His integrity, hard work, compassion and selflessness were unmatched. As a husband, a father, an investigator and a friend, W.D. always did what was noble and right. We mourn the passing of a true hero and friend.”

While with MPD, W.D. spent 10 years in uniform patrol, five years as a sergeant in the robbery squad and 13 years as a sergeant in the homicide squad.

“It is with great sadness that we learned Sunday morning of the passing of retired Sgt. W.D. Merritt,” said Memphis Police Director Michael Rallings. “Sgt. Merritt was an outstanding investigator and a real example of a loyal friend, a loving family man, and a compassionate public servant. There are no words that can fill the void of his loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him.”

As a criminal investigator with the DA’s Office, W.D. assisted prosecutors in preparing cases for trial by locating witnesses, serving subpoenas, performing background checks, securing evidence and testifying if needed.

He was assigned to the District Attorney’s Special Prosecution Unit which handled cases involving repeat felony offenders. 

In a case several years ago involving the murder of a child, prosecutors needed to get a short but incriminating statement made by the defendant into evidence. W.D., who was still with MPD at the time, and another detective recorded the statement, but the second detective was unavailable to testify. 

Prosecutors’ only option was to call W.D. who was on vacation in Florida with his family. Without a hint of complaint, he got on the first flight to Memphis, stopped by home to change into a suit, and arrived at 201 Poplar where he took the witness stand and told the jury about the defendant’s admission.

The child and her mother got justice “because of W.D. Merritt’s selfless dedication to doing the right thing,” said Eric Christensen, one of two prosecutors who handled the case. “He then jumped on the next flight back to Florida to finish his vacation with his very understanding wife and family.”

CID investigator A.J. Kant has known and worked with W.D. since their first day in the police academy in 1985 when both were teenagers.

“If W.D. was ever in a room of investigators, it was most likely that he was the best investigator in the room, though he would have never admitted it,” said Kant. “The investigators in the DA’s Office have a combined total of hundreds of years of police experience, and without question W.D. was the best among us.”

Four Indicted in Rapes of Children, Baby

July 23, 2020 – Four men were indicted Thursday on multiple felony counts in a case involving the sexual abuse of two young children and a baby that they performed and recorded on cellphone videos, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

The multiple incidents occurred between July 2016 and October 2017 with victims that included a four-year-old girl, a three-year-old boy and a 9-month-old girl.

Defendants include Daerius (aka Dairus) Ice, 23; Isiah Hayes, 21, (aka Issiah Coleman); Antonio King, 26; and Antoine Wilson, 30.

They were indicted on felony charges of criminal conspiracy, four counts of especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, three counts of aggravated rape of a child, rape of a child, and especially aggravated kidnapping.

Ice and Hayes were indicted on two additional counts of aggravated rape of a child, and on one count of especially aggravated exploitation of a minor.

Investigators said the case came to light when the baby’s mother found video of her daughter being abused on a cellphone that Ice had used and returned. Ice allegedly organized and directed the others to perform and video sex acts on the children for distribution.

Evidence in the cases includes the videos, statements from the defendants, DNA, text messages and social media postings.

In March of 2017, Wilson allegedly kidnapped a 4-year-old girl from her yard in southwest Memphis and with at least one other person took her to a nearby house where she was videotaped while being forced to perform oral sex on Wilson. She was then dropped off around the corner from her home.

The case is being handled by Asst. Dist. Attys. Lessie Rainey and Devon Dennis of the Special Victims Unit which handles cases of rape, child sex abuse, severe physical abuse of child victims, elder abuse and vulnerable adult abuse.