Memphis Senator Wants Investigation And Accountability Of Shelby County Judges And D.A.

Image Credit: Brent Taylor for State Senate / You Tube, tncourts.gov, & scdag.com

The Tennessee Conservative Staff –

A Shelby County State Senator is asking again for an investigation into another Shelby County judge, as well as the Shelby County District Attorney after an inmate was released early from his 162-year sentence and then later made to return to prison.

Courtney Anderson was convicted of forgery and theft and sentenced to 162 years in jail. After serving 25 years, Judge Paula Skahan allowed him to be released with a reduced sentence.

Tennessee State Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis-District 31) has asked the Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct and the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility to investigate, saying that “it appears Judge Skahan used the powers of her office to get a man released from prison knowing she had no such power.”

After Anderson’s release, the State of Tennessee filed an appeal and the Court of Appeals agreed with them, requiring that Anderson return to prison after being out for less than a year.

Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy said the Court’s decision was “regrettable.”

“The 162-year sentence for a string of nonviolent offenses was clearly excessive,” said Mulroy.

Taylor says the situation is another example of “illegal restorative justice schemes carried out by a Shelby County Criminal Court Judge and the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office.”

Taylor also asked the Board of Professional Responsibility to look into Mulroy’s possible role in commuting the death sentence of another unnamed inmate. The inmate was not named but Taylor said he had been convicted of murder twice and was eligible for release as early as August of next year.

Earlier this week, Taylor asked for an investigation of Judge Bill Anderson, Jr. for his release of Edio White who is charged with first-degree murder. White was released without bond.

“Our community is facing a violent crime crisis that demands greater scrutiny of our criminal justice system, and those who serve in it, to protect law-abiding Memphians,” Taylor stated. “As senator, it’s my obligation to ensure judges and the district attorney perform their duties as required under the law and the Tennessee Constitution. There is nothing more important to the public trust than holding our elected officials accountable in Tennessee.”