As the jury in the Tyre Nichols federal case started deliberations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation released its annual 2023 crime statistics from across the country.
Also, the Shelby County Juvenile Court building will slowly reopen to the public following months of remediation for mold, lead and asbestos.
Here’s what was on the docket for the week of Sept. 30.
FBI data shows Memphis second in property, violent crime rates for 2023
The FBI in September released its annual crime statistics from across the country for 2023. The numbers, though not including complete data from every state and jurisdiction, showed a downward trend in most crime across the U.S.
It also showed that Memphis had the second-highest violent crime and property crime rates among cities with at least 200,000 residents.
Oakland, California, topped both lists with a violent crime rate of 3,640.6 reported incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 10,117.5 reported incidents per 100,000 residents.
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Memphis’ violent crime rate came in at 2,612 per 100,000 residents and its property crime rate was 8,602.9 per 100,000 residents.
Also cracking the top 20, according to the FBI data, was Nashville with a violent crime rate of 1,128.9 incidents per 100,000 people.
Juvenile court slowly returns to building after asbestos, mold, lead remediation
Shelby County Juvenile Court is starting a gradual return to its main building at 616 Adams Ave. months after an inspection found asbestos, mold and lead in the building.
The courthouse shut down on April 27 as remediation began, and hearings were conducted at 201 Poplar, the circuit and chancery courthouse, and the Youth Justice & Education Center.
“We are grateful to the Shelby County Health Department for ensuring the safety of our employees and the public,” Juvenile Court Chief Administrative Officer Stephanie Hill said in an email statement. “We look forward to resuming operations at our original location and will continue to serve the community in a safe environment.”
The transition began Monday when the court reopened all public services — including clerk services, attorney and Department of Children’s Services filings and child support contempt hearings. All in-person hearings are slated to resume by Oct. 14.
“The return of the Juvenile Court back to its original location at 616 Adams Avenue represents a significant step in making certain that our justice system continues to operate efficiently while prioritizing the health and safety of our employees and the public,” Harold Collins, the chief administrative officer for Shelby County Government, said in a statement. “I commend the work of the Shelby County Health Department, Public Works, and the Court’s leadership for their commitment to providing essential services to our community within a secure environment.”
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The Tyre Nichols federal trial was placed in the hands of jurors Thursday morning, and hours later they returned with a verdict.
Jurors heard from a range of witnesses from use of force experts to former Memphis police officers who took plea deals in the case over 17 days of testimony.
RowVaughn and Rodney Wells, Nichols’ parents, were joined by family, friends, activists and public officials Thursday morning for a prayer vigil as the jury began deliberations.
The jury returned with a verdict after about five hours of deliberation, convicting each former officer of at least one charge. Tadarrius Bean and Justin Smith Jr. were both found guilty of witness tampering, but found not guilty of using excessive force, being indifferent to Nichols’ medical needs and conspiracy.
Demetrius Haley was convicted of all four counts. His conviction on the excessive force and deliberate indifference charges was lesser than the one charged, however, as the jury found the force and indifference did not lead to death, only injury.
A few blocks from the Odell Horton Federal Building, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant had a status conference rescheduled. Morant, who is being sued by a teen that he punched during a pickup basketball game at Morant’s Eads mansion, will have the second half of his self defense immunity hearing begin in early 2025.
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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: FBI data puts Memphis second in US for 2023 violent, property crime
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