Man Convicted of Killing Woman in Club

Oct. 7, 2021 – A 59-year-old man was convicted late Wednesday in the shooting death of a woman during an altercation at a South Memphis nightspot in 2018, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

    A Criminal Court jury convicted Ricky Hunter on counts of second-degree murder and convicted felon in possession of a handgun. He will be sentenced Nov. 19 by Judge John Campbell.

   The shooting occurred around 11:30 p.m. on July 3, 2018, at Brenda’s Rhythm & Blues Club at on Walker Avenue near South Bellevue Boulevard.

   Witnesses said Hunter got into an argument with Carolyn Thomas and then punched her in the face, knocking her to the ground. She got up and threw a beer bottle at him. The bottle missed him, but Hunter pulled a handgun at shot her in the shoulder.

   Witnesses said Hunter stood over her and pulled the trigger again, but the gun did not fire. They said he then left the bar, laughing as he walked out. Thomas, 48, was taken to a hospital where she died several hours later.

    Hunter is was convicted in 1998 in Florida of sexual battery with a deadly weapon involving a family member and was on the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry.

    The trial this week was handled by Asst. Dist. Attys. Nicole Germain and Joey Griffith of the District Attorney’s Crime Strategies & Narcotics Prosecution Unit which handles cases involving gangs and violent crimes.

Man Convicted of Raping Woman in 2011

 Oct. 7, 2021 – A 37-year-old man was convicted Wednesday of raping a young woman in 2011 after she accepted his offer to give her a ride back to her hotel in Whitehaven, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

    A Criminal Court jury convicted Donyel Thomas following a two-day trial this week. Thomas, who also has three other pending rape cases, will be sentenced Nov. 8 by Judge Glenn Wright.

   The incident occurred early on July 17, 2011, when the woman was walking back to her hotel after attending a party. She said Thomas pulled over in his car near Brooks Road and Millbranch Road and offered to give her a ride to her destination.

     She accepted, but instead of taking her to the hotel Thomas drove to a nearby office park at Directors Row off of Brooks where she said he threatened her with a knife and then raped her. She said he then drove off, taking her cell phone with him.

     A rape kit was prepared and a DNA sample from that kit was entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) in 2015 when a match came back linking Thomas to that rape as well as to four others.

    He has been indicted in three of those cases which are pending.    

   The trial was handled by Asst. Dist. Attys. Alyssa Hennig and Dru Carpenter of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Unit that prosecutes cases of rape, child sexual abuse, severe physical abuse of child victims, elder abuse, and vulnerable adult abuse.   

Robber: Targeted Victim Who Was On Crutches

     Oct. 6, 2021 – A defendant who dropped his cellphone while running away from a man on crutches he had just robbed was convicted by a jury Tuesday, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

     Savanno Richards, 29, was convicted of robbery and will be sentenced Oct. 29 by Criminal Court Judge Bobby Carter.

    The incident occurred around 8 a.m. on Aug. 14, 2019, at 4653 Forest Oak Way in Parkway Village just outside the apartment of the victim who had just returned from taking his daughter to school.

   The 39-year-old victim identified Richards as the man who pushed him up against a wall, pointed a gun at him and ordered him to empty his pockets. He said he gave Richards his wallet with $20 inside and that as Richards ran off he dropped his cell phone.

   Richards was identified and arrested two weeks later. He testified that he targeted the victim because he was on crutches, but denied using a gun.

   The case was handled by Senior Felony Asst. Neil Umsted and Felony Asst. Regina Thompson of the District Attorney’s Vertical Team 3 that prosecutes cases in General Sessions Division 11 and Criminal Court Division 3.   

Boyfriend Indicted in Baby's Death

     Oct. 6, 2021 – A live-in boyfriend left in charge of his girlfriend’s 17-month-old son last summer was indicted on murder charges Tuesday after the child died of severe head injuries, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

    A grand jury indicted Calvin Henry on counts of felony murder in the perpetration of aggravated child abuse and aggravated child neglect. He is being held on $100,000 bond.

    Investigators said the incident occurred on July 7, 2020, at the Peppertree Apartments in Whitehaven where Henry was babysitting Douglas Mims while the boy’s mother was at work.

   They said Henry later texted the mother to tell her the child had fallen down the stairs and that he has “a knot on his head” that was bad. The small boy was taken to the hospital where doctors said he had severe head injuries, and bruises and burns to his face and back.

    Doctors said the injuries were not consistent with falling down stairs.

   The boy died at the hospital three 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 which handles cases of rape, child sexual abuse, severe physical abuse of child victims, elder abuse, and vulnerable adult abuse.  

Sex Offender Convicted in 2006 Rape

 Oct. 1, 2021 – A repeat sex offender was convicted Thursday in the rape of a woman who was attacked in her apartment near Downtown in 2006, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

     A Criminal Court jury found Joshua Beadle guilty as charged of aggravated rape. He will be sentenced by Judge Chris Craft on Nov. 3.

    Beadle, 31, who has been incarcerated since 2015 for other sex crimes, was convicted of breaking into an apartment on Jefferson Place near North Danny Thomas where he raped a 22-year-old woman, beat her with a chair and threatened to kill her.

   The attack occurred around 5 a.m. on Jan. 30, 2006.

   A sexual assault kit was prepared and the DNA of an unidentified male from the kit was entered into the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System database. The sample was monitored for a match and in April of 2015 the DNA was identified as belonging to Beadle.

    Beadle is on the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry as a violent offender. He has six prior felony convictions, including statutory rape, attempted aggravated sexual battery, violation of the Sex Offender Registry, two counts of burglary of a building, and theft of property over $1,000.

   He also has pending cases, including aggravate rape, attempted rape, soliciting sexual exploitation of a minor, and aggravated assault. 

    The trial was handled by Asst. Dist. Attys. Abby Wallace and Chris Whitten.  

Cordova Man Indicted in Stabbing Death

     Sept. 29, 2021 – A Cordova man has been indicted on second-degree murder charges related to a roadside dispute earlier this year on Hacks Cross Road which left another man dead, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

     A grand jury indicted Theodore D. Cohen, 30, who is being held on a $2.5 million bond. He was on probation for a 2018 aggravated assault conviction.

    Investigators said the incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. on April 9 this year on the side of Hack Cross Road near Holmes Road where Cohen’s vehicle was stopped near a white work van.

   Witnesses said Cohen and 27-year-old James Lane of Olive Branch, Miss., were involved in an altercation that ended when Cohen slashed Lane across the neck with a knife and drove away.

   Lane, who worked for a heating-and-air conditioning company, was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

   Cohen was identified after his vehicle was picked up on area traffic cameras. He was arrested later that day at his parents East Memphis home. He had a combat-style knife in a holster in the back of his waistband, authorities said.

    The case is being handled by Asst. Dist. Atty. J. D. Hamblen who is with the District Attorney’s Vertical Team 5 which handles cases in General Sessions Division 13 and in Criminal Court Division 9.

Violent Crime Committed by Juveniles

     Sept. 29, 2021 – A breakdown of violent offenses committed this year by juvenile defendants includes four murders, six sexual assaults of minor victims and 19 incidents involving the threat or use of a deadly weapon, Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich said Wednesday.

    As of Sept. 1, a total of 25 juveniles have been transferred to be handled as adults in Criminal Court.

      Tennessee law says that certain juvenile offenders can be dealt with as adults in Criminal Court, including: 

• those under 14 who commit murder 1st, murder 2nd or attempted murder 1st and attempted murder 2nd

• those between 14-17 who commit or attempt to commit a violent crime (murder, rape, kidnapping, aggravated robbery, carjacking, aggravated burglary)

• those between 16-17 who commit robbery and

• those between 17-18 -- regardless of the crime.

    In addition to these criteria and others in the law, the judge considers the juvenile’s prior record and what was tried before to rehabilitate the juvenile.

    So far this year, the cases in which transfers have been granted include:

·      25 total

·      3 Murder 1st cases

·      1 Murder 2nd case

·      6 rapes or aggravated sexual batteries of minor victims

·      19 involve the threat or use of deadly weapon

o   1 knife

o   1 tire iron believed to be a gun

o   17  handguns/rifles being pointed at, discharged at or used to beat victims

·      The youngest person transferred –14 for Murder 1st degree

·      The oldest—40—for a rape that occurred when he was a juvenile—law requires a transfer hearing

·      Majority are 17 or 18

·      6 have no prior criminal history

·      19 have prior cases involving Aggravated Robbery, Carjacking, Rape, Aggravated Burglary, weapon offenses and theft.

Here are brief narratives of the cases

        (An offender may be involved in more than one incident.)  

1.        Juvenile points AR style rifle at victim and took his car, keys, wallet and phone.

2.        Same juvenile as above and co-defendant point rifle at victim sitting in her car. She has no cash so they take her phone, license and debit card.

3.        Victim has conversation with juvenile and another male. When victim turns to leave, juvenile fired five shots at him.

4.        Two juveniles (one wearing a DCS ankle monitor from a prior Aggravated Robbery) rob a man with tire iron of his car and keys.

5.        Three juveniles - all armed with handguns - take cash from cousin of one of the juveniles.

6.        Same juvenile who robbed his cousin, pointed a handgun at head of another victim from back seat and took his truck.

7.        Juvenile approaches victim sitting in his car. Hits him in the head with gun; drags him from car, threatens to kill him and takes car.

8.        For the next three weeks, this same juvenile, drives throughout Shelby County bumping people in traffic. When they exit to assess damage, he points gun at them and takes their cars.

9.        Over a four-day period, five citizens victimized by juvenile and his friends. Each case involved a gun. One victim was shot. One victim was tased. Four cars stolen at gunpoint as well as wallets, purses and cash.

10.        An 11-year-old victim raped when offender was 15. At time of transfer, offender was 23 years old.

11.        Juvenile raped his sleeping cousin.

12.        Juvenile and two friends victimized two citizens in two days. Armed with guns, they forced one from his car, demanded keys and wallet and fled in victim’s car. Also tased him.

13.        Same juveniles above - armed - demanded bags from a victim. Victim refused and was shot.

14.        One of the juveniles from #12 and #13 above - with the help of more friends - went on to victimize six more citizens at gunpoint. Tased one. Shot one. Stole 3 more cars at gunpoint.

15.        Juvenile raped victim when he was 17. Case went unsolved until now. At time of transfer, offender was 40.

16.        Juvenile pulls out gun and shoots at people sitting outside. One died. One injured.

17.        Juvenile raped a child under the age of 12.

18.        Juvenile wearing DCS ankle monitor and with the help of several friends, in one day, takes property from six different citizens at gunpoint. He took a car from a food delivery person at gunpoint. Put gun to head of one of his victims saying “don’t do anything stupid.” Stole phones, wallets, cash.

19.        Same juvenile as above and two weeks later - with help of four friends -  approaches victim, points rifle in his face and takes his phone.

20.        Juvenile paid to use recording studio. After session, stabbed victim nearly to death to get his money back.

21.        Juvenile shot and killed victim after unsuccessfully trying to grab money from victim.

22.        Juvenile over two days victimized two citizens. Stole a car at gunpoint from Lyft driver. Committed one drive-by shooting at occupied home.

23.        Juvenile pulls out gun and shoots and kills someone he is talking to.

24.        Juvenile committed aggravated sexual battery against 7-year-old niece.

25.        Juvenile inside car from which shot fired at police officers. Prior to that, juvenile and his four friends approached two women in a car. Ordered them out at gunpoint. Threatened to shoot them in the face and stole both of their cars.

26.        Juvenile shoots and kills one victim at apartment complex and injures another.

27.        Juvenile and friend approach victim, point gun at his head and took his car.

28.        Over four days, juvenile and his friends, stole three cars. Hit two victims with a gun. Threatened a third. Bumped one victim in traffic and took car and phone at gunpoint when victim exited to check car.

29.        Juvenile forced a 12-year-old victim to perform oral sex on him. Filmed the incident. Video distributed throughout local high school.

Former Police Sergeant Pleads Guilty To Official Misconduct

     Sept. 24, 2021 – A former Memphis police sergeant pled guilty Thursday to one count of official misconduct stemming from acts related to his employment in 2018, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

    Eric Kelly, 50, pled guilty to the misdemeanor count in Criminal Court and was placed on judicial diversion for one year. The settlement was approved by both sides and accepted by the judge.

   The basis for Kelly’s plea was as follows:

   In 2018, while investigating a murder case, Kelly developed and engaged in a sexual relationship with a female co-defendant in the case. Kelly used city funds to take the female out of town on an investigative trip. This conduct violated MPD policy as well as the laws of the State of Tennessee.

    In 2020, in response to this conduct by Kelly, DA Weirich assigned a senior prosecutor to review every closed case Kelly had worked. The prosecutor reviewed 169 case - ranging from driving offenses to murder - and found nothing questionable or concerning about the strength of the cases or the validity of the convictions. 

     Kelly retired from the Memphis Police Department at the rank of lieutenant on Nov. 8, 2019.

   The misconduct case was handled by Chief Prosecutor Byron Winsett of the District Attorney’s Public Corruption and Economic Crimes Unit.                 

Sex Offender Convicted in Cold-Case Rape

     Sept. 24, 2021 – A previous sex offender was convicted Thursday of raping a 24-year-old woman at a drive-in where he had taken her on their first date in 2003, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

    A Criminal Court jury deliberated less than 30 minutes before finding defendant Lester Ray Tolliver, now 58, guilty as charged of aggravated rape. He remains in custody and will be sentenced later by Judge Lee Coffee.

    Tolliver has six other rape cases pending.

    The incident occurred on July 3, 2003, about a month after the woman first met Tolliver at a service station in Memphis. They spoke on the phone after that and then went on a date to see a drive-in movie in the 5300 block of Summer Ave. He told her his name was Kevin.

   The woman said that during the movie Tolliver began rubbing her legs and that when she told him to stop he only became more aggressive. She said he raped her in the front seat and then said he was taking her to a hotel to continue.

  Soon after leaving the drive-in, the woman convinced Tolliver to stop his car at a service station so she could use the restroom. Once inside, the woman locked the door and called police on her cell phone. Tolliver left before police arrived.

   A rape kit was compiled, but testing did not begin until 2013. After a DNA specimen from the kit was entered into the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) databank, a match was found for Tolliver’s DNA which was on file.

   Tolliver has prior convictions for attempted rape in 1993, and for sexual battery in 1988 and in 1989. He is on the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry as a violent offender.

   The trial this week was handled by Asst. Dist. Attys. Dru Carpenter and Meghan Fowler.

   ADA Carpenter is with the District Attorney’s Special Victims Unit which prosecutes cases of rape, child sexual and severe physical abuse, elder abuse and vulnerable adult abuse. 

   ADA Fowler is with the District Attorney’s Special Prosecution Unit which seeks maximum sentencing for repeat felony offenders.

Defendant Sentenced to 62 Years in Officer's Death, Other Crimes

        Sept. 23, 2021 - A convicted gunman sentenced last month to life in prison without parole for killing a restaurant patron in 2016 was sentenced Thursday to an additional 62 years for crimes committed in the same Downtown crime spree that included the death of a Memphis police officer, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

        Justin Welch, 26, aka Justine Welch, was convicted in August of first-degree murder, vehicular homicide, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of employment of a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony, and one count of intentionally evading arrest in an automobile when risk of death or serious injury was high.  

       After the verdict last month, the jury sentenced Welch to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder conviction. On Thursday, Judge W. Mark Ward sentenced Welch to 62 years.

       Sgt. Verdell Smith was struck and killed by a stolen car driven by Welch shortly after the defendant shot 39-year-old Joshua Walton on North Main where he was with his wife and family. Walton died of his injuries 13 months later.

      The incidents occurred the evening of June 4, 2016, when Welch arrived in Memphis in a car he had just stolen in Arkansas. He pulled into a service station on Knight Arnold where he stole another car that had the keys in the ignition, and headed Downtown.

      Witnesses said Welch walked up to a group of people eating outdoors at Westy’s Restaurant at 346 N. Main St. and without warning began shooting at close range. He shot Walton in the neck and shot a second customer, a 57-year-old Cordova man, three times in the face.

      Welch then ran off toward Bass Pro where he got into the second stolen car, drove up to a 21-year-old employee and began firing without warning. The young man from Olive Branch, Miss., was struck in the left forearm as he raised it to cover his face. Another bullet struck his cellphone in his pocket.

     With police in pursuit, Welch drove at a high rate of speed south – the wrong way – on Third Street. As his car approached the Beale Street area police quickly began clearing the street. Sgt. Smith was herding pedestrians to safety when Welch’s speeding vehicle struck him, causing fatal injuries.

     Welch’s vehicle crashed moments later, totaling the car but sustaining no injuries. He ran from the scene, but was quickly captured by officers.

     The case was handled by Asst. Dist. Attys. Greg Gilbert and Jose Leon.

Fired Employee Convicted of Shooting Boss

     Sept. 23, 2021 – A man who shot and critically wounded his boss hours after being fired from his job last year was convicted Wednesday of attempted first-degree murder, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

   A Criminal Court jury also convicted defendant Kevin D. Owens, 24, of employment of a firearm with intent to commit a dangerous felony. He will be sentenced Oct. 26 by Judge Chris Craft.

   The incident occurred on April 30, 2020, at the victim’s apartment on Meadow Glade Cove in Raleigh where Owens confronted his boss who had just fired him from his job at a Burger King.

   During the argument, Owens pulled a handgun and shot the victim in the arm pit, the buttocks, the hip and the wrist. He was taken to a hospital in critical condition, but was able to identify Owens as his attacker.

   The case was handled by Asst. Dist. Attys. Jamie Kidd and Abby Wallace of the District Attorney’s Special Prosecution Unit which seeks maximum sentencing for repeat felony offenders.

    Owens was on probation for a 2016 robbery conviction.         

Gunman ID’d in Video Indicted in Woman’s Death

     Sept. 22, 2021 – A 21-year-old man was indicted Tuesday in the shooting death of a woman whose body was found this summer in a motel room on Jackson Avenue, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

    A grand jury indicted Alexander Derrick on a count of first-degree murder. He is being held without bond.

   Investigators said the shooting occurred around 11:45 p.m. on June 11 this year at The Deluxe Inn at 3773 Jackson near Chelsea Avenue. Police received a call several hours later and found Monica Boone, 42, in a room, dead from a gunshot wound.

   She was a mother of six who had been staying at the motel temporarily.

   Derrick, who had a dispute with another motel guest earlier, was developed as a suspect through an anonymous tip to CrimeStoppers. When police showed Derrick’s mother a surveillance photo of the shooter, she identified him as her son.

   The tipster received a $2,000 reward, the first such amount given by CrimeStoppers which announced in June it was doubling its top reward for tips leading to arrests in homicide cases.

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

Whitehaven Man Indicted in Friend’s Death

Sept. 22, 2021 – A Whitehaven man was indicted Tuesday in the shooting death this summer of a longtime friend whose body was found in the driver’s seat of his car at a Parkway Village motel, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

   A grand jury indicted Ashley Eugene Hervery, 39, on a count of first-degree murder. He is being held without bond.

   The shooting occurred shortly after 6 a.m. on July 21 this year on the parking lot of Home 1 Extended Stay at 4300 American Way near South Goodlett.

   Police found 40-year-old Travis Cole in his car, dead from a gunshot wound to the neck. Hervery was developed as a suspect after officers reviewed surveillance video of the lot. He was arrested the following day at his home.

   Hervery gave police a statement about the shooting and told officers where he had hidden his gun.

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

Parkway Village Man Convicted in Shootings

     Sept. 17, 2021 – A Parkway Village man was convicted Friday of killing one person, wounding another and trying to kill a third in a 2018 domestic incident at an apartment complex at Winchester Road and Clearbrook Street, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

    A Criminal Court jury convicted 26-year-old Cadarius Head on one count of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder. He was automatically sentenced to life in prison on the murder case, and will be sentenced on the two other cases at a later date by Judge Chris Craft.

   The incident occurred shortly after 9 p.m. on Oct. 4, 2018, at the Clearbrook Village Apartments where Head’s former girlfriend had gone to pick up baby diapers from Head’s mother. Head and the woman are parents of a son.

   When the woman came out of the apartment, she saw Head arguing with two men who had accompanied her. Head then pulled a pistol and shot 23-year-old Terry Kelley several times at close range, and then shot the other man several times as he ran away.

   The woman also ran away, fearing Head was going to shoot her as well. Kelley was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other man, 27, was taken to a hospital in critical condition for gunshot wounds to both legs and to his wrist.

    Head was arrested on Nov. 21, 2018, in Houston, Texas.

    The case was handled by Asst. Dist. Attys. Jamie Kidd and Ashley Finch.

Trailer Park Shooting Ruled Justified

      Sept. 16, 2021 – Five law enforcement officers who returned fire and killed a suspect wanted for attempted murder in 2019 acted with legal justification, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

      One of the officers was critically wounded when the suspect, Willie Hudson Jr., opened fire from a hiding spot inside a trailer on Sept. 18, 2019, on Haven Circle off of Hernando Road in South Memphis.

     The decision was based on a detailed report by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Violent Crime Response Team. The report was examined by the Officer Involved Death Review Team, which includes DA Weirich and five senior prosecutors.

     The officers included four members of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Team and a Memphis police officer with a K-9.

    Hudson, 33, had felony arrest warrants for attempted first-degree murder and for convicted felon in possession of a handgun related to a shooting of a man six days earlier in the Peppertree Apartments.

     The officers learned from residents that Hudson was hiding inside a crawl space behind a bookcase in a small bedroom in the single-wide trailer. After repeated commands to come out and surrender were ignored by the suspect, two officers who began pulling back the bookcase were met with gunfire from Hudson.

     One officer was struck several times in the arm and the left thigh, while another officer was bitten by the K-9 in the commotion. The three officers returned fire until the two who were injured could be removed and taken to a hospital. The MPD K-9 handler’s body-worn camera shows events up to the moment of confrontation, but shuts down as the dog pulls violently on his leash. There is nothing to indicate the officer turned off the camera.

     Two other sheriff’s officers then entered the room, and a second round of shooting began after an officer shouted at Hudson, “Don’t do it. Do not touch that weapon.” Hudson, who had told acquaintances earlier he was not going back to jail and was not coming out alive, was still in the small hiding space when he was pronounced dead. His black-and-gray handgun was recovered nearby.

    An autopsy showed Hudson sustained 58 gunshots to his torso, arms, legs, and feet.

    “The number of shots fired is not relevant under the law in determining whether these officers were justified in their response,” said DA Weirich. “This was an unexpected, life-or-death gunfight in close quarters involving a desperate suspect and five officers, one of whom was immediately hit several times. These officers were there to make a lawful arrest of a violent felon who without warning inflicted serious bodily injury on one officer and posed a deadly threat to the others.”

     The ruling weighs only Tennessee criminal law. It does not address law enforcement policy, procedures, or training, and also does not consider civil liability.

      The TBI report, as well as a PowerPoint summary by DA Weirich, can be viewed at https://www.scdag.com/officer-involved-deaths. Redactions have been made in accordance with Tennessee law and privacy standards.

Man Indicted in Home-Studio Murder Case

Sept. 10, 2021 – A 22-year-old man was indicted Thursday in the shootings of two men earlier this year at a home-recording studio where he previously had recorded a song with one of the victims, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

    A grand jury indicted Jaylon Hatch on counts of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, especially aggravated robbery, employment of a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony, and convicted felon in possession of a handgun.

    He also was indicted on theft of property under $1,000 and unlawful possession of a controlled substance, both related to his arrest two days after the shootings.

    Hatch is being held in the Shelby County Jail.

    Sheriff’s detectives reported that the incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. on Jan. 16 this year at a residence in the 7700 block of Belmont Run Cove near East Shelby Drive and Hacks Cross Road in southeast Shelby County.

    They said that while Moasies Hardy, 23, and a 30-year-old friend were recording a song at the residence, Hatch and another man entered the home. Instead of a friendly greeting, however, the two men pulled guns and ordered the victims to open a safe.

    When the victims had difficulty opening the safe, the gunmen opened fire, killing Hardy and critically injuring his friend who was shot in the neck.

   When Hatch was arrested two days later, he had a stolen 45-cal. pistol with an extended clip and 10.8 grams of marijuana. The other gunman remains at large.

   The case is being handled by Felony Asst. Paige Munn of the District Attorney’s  Vertical Team 6 which prosecutes cases in General Sessions Division 15 and in Criminal Court Division 10.

Son Indicted in Father’s Fatal Fall

Sept. 9, 2021 – A Collierville man has been indicted in the death of his father following an argument between the two that turned physical earlier this year, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury indicted Robert Brian Downs, 42, on a count of second-degree murder in the case. He is being held on a $30,000 bond.

     The incident occurred shortly before 6 p.m. on April 26 this year at their residence in the 1000 block of Brado Drive near H.W. Cox Park. Witnesses told Collierville Police that the father and son got into an argument that escalated into a fistfight.

    During the altercation, police said, Robert Downs pushed his 73-year-old father, Larry Downs, down a flight of stairs. The elder Downs struck his head, was knocked unconscious, and was taken to a hospital in critical condition.

     Larry Downs died at the hospital about a week later on May 2.

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

Frayser Man Indicted in Gun Death of Baby

Sept. 8, 2021 – A Frayser-area man has been indicted on criminally negligent homicide and other charges for his role in the shooting death of his girlfriend’s one-year-old son who was left in a car with another child and the man’s loaded handgun, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury also indicted defendant Markiss Scurlock on felony counts of aggravated child neglect and aggravated child abuse. He is being held on $100,000 bond.

    The incident occurred shortly before 4 p.m. on May 22 this year on the parking lot of a food store in the 3300 block of North Watkins in Frayser.

    Investigators said Scurlock, 33, and his girlfriend had gone to the store with the two children to pick up groceries. After shopping, Scurlock loaded the groceries into the car while his girlfriend retrieved her bank card and went back inside to complete the purchase.

    Scurlock put the baby, Kingston Jenkins, in a car seat and put his six-year-old son on the seat next to him. Scurlock returned the shopping cart to the front of the store, and as he walked back to the car he heard a gunshot.

    He told investigators that as he opened the car door, his son jumped from the front seat to the back seat and said “I didn’t do it.” He then saw the baby with a gunshot wound to the head. The baby was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

    Scurlock’s pistol, which he had left in his wife’s purse, was on the front passenger seat partially in the holster.

   The case is being handled by Asst. Dist. Atty. Jermal Blanchard of the DA’s Special Victims Unit which prosecutes cases of child sexual abuse and severe physical abuse of child victims; rape of adult victims, and abuse of elderly and vulnerable adults.

Driver Indicted in Alcohol-Related Crash That Killed Adult, Injured Two Others

Sept. 7, 2021 – A motorist with a prior DUI conviction has been indicted in an alcohol-related crash that killed one person and injured two others, including a 5-year-old boy, last year in southwest Memphis, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury indicted Earnest Brown Jr., 46, on counts of vehicular homicide, aggravated vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, driving under the influence, and reckless driving. He is free on $100,000 bond.

Investigators said the crash occurred about 8 p.m. on Aug. 15, 2020, when Brown was driving at a high rate of speed westbound on West Brooks Road. He disregarded a stop sign at Ford Road, and crashed into another vehicle in the intersection.

The driver of that car, 24-year-old Kanisha Dandridge, was pronounced dead at the scene, while a front-seat passenger, Jordan Campbell, 30, was critically injured. A young boy in the back seat was treated at a hospital and released.

Investigators said they found a crumpled 16-oz. beer can on the front-seat floorboard of Brown’s vehicle. He was treated at a hospital and released into police custody.

The case is being handled by Asst. Dist. Atty. Kenya Smith of the District Attorney’s DUI Unit which works with law enforcement to reduce the number of DUI-related fatalities and injuries. The DUI Unit also conducts training sessions to keep officers updated on new DUI laws and changes to existing laws.

Man Convicted in 2016 Downtown Crime Spree That Included Homicides of MPD Officer, Civilian

Aug. 31, 2021 — A Criminal Court jury convicted a 26-year-old man Tuesday of killing two people,   including a Memphis police officer, and wounding another in unprovoked attacks in 2016 in three separate areas of Downtown, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

Justin Welch, aka Justine Welch, was convicted on one count of first-degree murder, one count of vehicular homicide, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of employment of a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony, and one count of intentionally evading arrest in an automobile when risk of death or serious injury was high.

In a sentencing hearing after the verdict, the jury sentenced Welch to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder conviction. He will be sentenced on the other convictions on Sept. 23 by Judge W. Mark Ward.

Sgt. Verdell Smith was struck and killed by a stolen car driven by Welch shortly after the defendant shot 39-year-old Joshua Walton on North Main where he was with his wife and family. Walton died of his injuries 13 months later.

The incidents occurred the evening of June 4, 2016, when Welch arrived in Memphis in a car he had just stolen in Arkansas. He pulled into a service station on Knight Arnold where he stole another car that had the keys in the ignition and headed Downtown.

Witnesses said Welch walked up to a group of people eating outdoors at Westy’s Restaurant at 346 N. Main St. and without warning began shooting at close range. He shot Walton in the neck and shot a second customer, a 57-year-old Cordova man, three times in the face.

Welch then ran off toward Bass Pro where he got into the second stolen car, drove up to a 21-year-old employee and began firing without warning. The young man from Olive Branch, Miss., was struck in the left forearm as he raised it to cover his face. Another bullet struck his cellphone in his pocket.

With police in pursuit, Welch drove at a high rate of speed south – the wrong way – on Third Street. As his car approached the Beale Street area police quickly began clearing the street. Sgt. Smith was herding pedestrians to safety when Welch’s speeding vehicle struck him, causing fatal injuries.

Welch’s vehicle crashed moments later, totaling the car but sustaining no injuries. He ran from the scene but was quickly captured by officers.

The case was handled by Asst. Dist. Attys. Greg Gilbert and Jose Leon.