Criminal Justice & Policing
Shelby Count calls for DOJ oversight of juvenile courts
On Monday, the Shelby County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution urging the U.S. Department of Justice to oversee the county’s juvenile detention centers after reports of racial disparities. According to the Memphis Shelby County Crime Commission, violent crime rates overall have risen by 12.1% in comparison to previous years. Violent juvenile charges have decreased […]
Governor discounts effect of constitutional carry law on Collierville Kroger shooting
A day after a disgruntled employee opened fire in a Collierville Kroger, killing one woman and injuring 14 others, Gov. Bill Lee said he believes there is no connection between the shooting and a constitutional carry law he signed this year. Lee called the incident a “terrible shooting” and tragedy, while expressing sorrow for victims […]
Shelby County committee recommends DOJ oversight of juvenile courts
The Shelby County Law Enforcement, Corrections and Courts Committee voted to recommend the U.S. Department of Justice resume oversight of the county’s juvenile court system after concerns that current policies have failed to address racial disparities. On Wednesday the Countywide Juvenile Justice Consortium (CJJC), a citizen-led board created to hold the juvenile justice system accountable, […]
Prosecutors in Robinson trial try to prove fraud in first week
The first week of state Sen. Katrina Robinson’s trial ended Friday afternoon as U.S. attorneys continued efforts to build a case for 17 counts of embezzlement and wire fraud. The Healthcare Institute, a Memphis business owned by Robinson, was awarded a federal grant from the Department of Health and Human Services in June, 2015. The […]
Robinson trial to resume Friday in Memphis
The trial of state Sen. Katrina Robinson resumes on Friday in Memphis, after opening with jury selection on Monday. Robinson faces charges of embezzlement and wire fraud stemming from an FBI investigation opened in 2016. Robinson is defending herself against allegations that she improperly used funds awarded by the federal government to The Healthcare Institute, […]
Metro Nashville Council defers vote on license plate readers
Two competing ordinances allowing for the use of License Plate Readers (LPR) in Nashville’s public right of ways were deferred at Tuesday’s Metro Council meeting. Councilmember Courtney Johnston brought her ordinance back for consideration after indefinitely deferring it in April to get through the annual budget process. Her ordinance calls for LPRS to be affixed […]
Fiscus files lawsuit against Health Department officials, denies mailing muzzle
Fired state immunization director Dr. Michelle Fiscus has filed a federal lawsuit against top Department of Health officials and in her filing claims, under penalty of perjury, she did not send a muzzle to herself. “The complaint and declaration speak for themselves. I look forward to my name being cleared despite the Tennessee Department of […]
License plate readers deferred again at Nashville Metro Council meeting
Two competing ordinances allowing for the use of License Plate Readers (LPR) in Nashville’s public right of ways were deferred at Tuesday’s Metro Council meeting. Councilmember Courtney Johnston brought her ordinance back for consideration after indefinitely deferring it in April to get through the annual budget process. Her ordinance calls for LPRS to be affixed […]
Memphis citizen review board upholds assault complaint against police officer
Kleston Beverly of Memphis was sitting in his vehicle when he was suddenly forcibly thrown out onto the ground, surrounded by police officers in riot gear. On Thursday, he entered a formal complaint against officer Kerry Moody in front of Memphis’ Civilian Law Enforcement Review (CLERB) Board, an 13-person independent agency tasked with investigating allegations […]
Tennessee turns to Portland, Oregon model for ending rape kit backlog
In Portland, Oregon, more than 5,000 untested rape kits were discovered in evidence storage lockers in 2015. Three years later, the backlog in testing those kits was down to almost zero and five suspects had been convicted. Tennessee law enforcement officials are now looking to the Portland model to provide justice and accountability for sexual […]
Property owners ask to demolish four buildings damaged in Christmas bombing
Property owners of four buildings on Second Avenue North directly across from where the Christmas morning bomb exploded are seeking demolition permits. Representatives for the property owners explained in a letter to several city departments that the demolition will be necessary after inspections by their engineers revealed structural problems. One building’s structure could be moved […]
As permitless gun carry law takes effect, some Second Amendment advocates urge continued training
Even some Tennessee gun enthusiasts are hard-pressed to say that the state’s controversial new permitless gun carry law won’t have negative effects. Starting today, permits will no longer be required to carry a handgun publicly in Tennessee, nor will new gun owners be required to take training. But that’s not to say gun owners shouldn’t […]