Image Credit: @CSexton25 / X, tncourts.gov & Canva
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton has announced that he plans to review all of the criminal cases covered by a Shelby County judge following a controversial decision to release a man suspected of attempted murder without bond.
Sexton noted that Shelby County General Sessions Judge Bill Anderson was “softer than jello” when dealing with crimes.
“I was wrong. [Steve Mulroy] is runner-up for being the softest on crime. Judge Bill Anderson is the winner – his approach is softer than jello. Judge Bill Anderson’s decisions on the bench make Memphis unsafe. He stands with violent criminals rather than law enforcement, victims, families, and protecting Memphis. I have instructed my team to start reviewing all of his criminal cases,” Sexton posted.
This is not Anderson’s first time to be called out for his failure to take a stand against criminals.
Before Sexton, both Senator Brent Taylor and District Attorney Steve Mulroy voiced concern over the judge’s decisions.
Most recently, Anderson released accused attempted murderer Christopher Smith on his own recognizance, despite the fact that Smith faces three counts of attempted first-degree murder following a 12-hour standoff with law enforcement.
After Smith was released, Mulroy released a statement saying that he was not in agreement with the decision and he believes that the release is “sufficiently problematic.”
Mulroy’s office filed a writ of certiorari, or an emergency appeal, arguing that Smith’s original $200,000 bond remains in effect. This is the third writ that has been filed after Anderson’s release of a suspect.
State Senator Brent Taylor has also made it abundantly clear that he believes Anderson should be investigated, at a minimum, calling Smith’s release “a threat to public safety.”
Taylor has been vocal about his disdain for the judge’s decision making, recently calling Anderson out publicly for the release of 18-year-old Tyreese Earnest without bond. Earnest is facing attempted second-degree murder charges after allegedly shooting a FedEx employee in the parking lot.
“Judge Anderson continues to exhibit a blatant disregard for TCA 40-11-115(a), which elevates the safety of the community as the first consideration of bail,” Taylor said.
Following the September release of alleged shooter Detawn Gunn without bond, Anderson told WREG, “I’ve been doing this job for almost 15 years. I know what I’m doing and I follow the law.” Gunn is charged with five counts of attempted second-degree murder for the shooting that took place at Railgarten.
Recently, Commissioner Mick Wright also weighed in, saying, “I think he has a screw loose. I wish he would trade in his robe for an orange jumpsuit because I think he is a threat to the public.”
Anderson has not responded to the most recent comments from Speaker Sexton.
One Response
NEEDS disrobed and pent up.