Memphis

Trial Commences: Jury Selection Underway for Former Memphis Officers Accused in Tyre Nichols Case

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Memphis, Tennessee – Jury selection began this week in the trial of five former Memphis police officers charged with the death of Tyre Nichols, adding fuel to the ongoing national discussion around police conduct and racial justice. Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, died in January following a violent encounter with police during a traffic stop. The incident, captured on video, led to widespread outrage and has become a focal point in the broader scrutiny of police brutality. The officers—Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr., and Justin Smith—face charges including second-degree murder, … Read more

Memphis School District Settles Lawsuit for $15,000, Clears Way for After-School Satan Club

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Memphis, Tenn. — The Memphis Shelby County School District recently finalized a settlement exceeding $15,000 in a case involving an after-school program sponsored by the Satanic Temple. The lawsuit, initiated by the Freedom from Religion Foundation on behalf of the satanic group, accused the district of impinging on their First Amendment rights. The controversy began when the Satanic Temple announced its intention to host its educational program, known as the “After School Satan Club,” at Chimneyrock Elementary School. The club, which is one of five operational in the United States, intended to involve children in … Read more

Landmark Ruling: Memphis Grizzlies Star Ja Morant Exonerated in Lawsuit, Declared Acted in Self-Defense

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Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant has received a favorable ruling in a lawsuit filed against him by Joshua Holloway. The Shelby County Circuit Court judge overseeing the case determined that Morant was acting in self-defense when he punched Holloway in the face during a pickup game at his Tennessee home in 2022. This ruling grants Morant “the presumption of civil immunity” and places the burden of proof on Holloway to demonstrate that Morant should be held liable in the civil lawsuit. The altercation between Morant and Holloway occurred after hours of pick-up games at Morant’s … Read more

Former Memphis Judge Exposes Broken Justice System with Decline in Jury Trials Leading to Lenient Plea Deals

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. – After more than five years since the fatal shooting of Greater Memphis Chamber president Phil Trenary, one of the two men accused in his murder has reached a plea deal. McKinney Wright, 27 years old, pleaded guilty to the crime in December 2023. The murder took place in September 2018. The slow progress of cases making their way through the court system has raised concerns. Retired judge Bobby Carter, who now serves as a court consultant under former Memphis mayor Jim Strickland, believes that more efficient use of available tools is necessary. … Read more