As last week came to a close, a Shelby County judge set the bail of the teen accused of killing "The Watermelon Man" at $1.2 million.
And, during a short week, Rep. Steve Cohen brought $300,000 in federal funding for victims and witnesses to the Shelby County District Attorney's office.
Here's what was on the docket for the week of Sept. 2.
Cohen promises $300k for crime victim coordinators at DA's office
The Shelby County DA's office is receiving $300,000 in federal funds for its victim/witness program, Cohen, a Memphis Democrat, said in a press release.
The money will be used to provide additional support and resources for victims and witnesses as a case is being prosecuted by the DA's office.
"Without the cooperation of crime victims and witnesses, criminal prosecutions are rarely successful," a press release from Cohen's office read.
In addition to funding the victim/witness program, parts of the funding will also be used to reduce the case backlog and enhance the office's data-processing ability.
"An updated data system that supports prosecutorial decision-making will support the community's urgent desire to reduce violent crime, reduce recidivism and increase just outcomes in our criminal justice system," the press release read.
Teen accused of shooting 'Watermelon Man' held on $1.2 million bail
The teenager accused of killing John Materna — often referred to as "The Watermelon Man" — was given a $1.2 million bail on Aug. 29, the DA's office said in a statement.
Demarion Tackett, 16, is accused of killing Materna during a robbery attempt on May 15, 2023.
Tackett was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, aggravated robbery, especially aggravated robbery, murder in the perpetration of a robbery, carjacking and possession of a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.
The teen was eventually charged as an adult, which is why The Commercial Appeal has decided to name him. After being moved to adult court, Tackett posted bail.
He did not show up for a court hearing, which launched a search for Tackett. He was eventually taken into custody in a joint operation between the Memphis Police Department's Fugitive Apprehension Team, Multi-Agency Gang Unit and U.S. Marshals Service.
He has not posted that bail, according to court records.
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Trial in the Tyre Nichols federal criminal case is quickly approaching.
The final pretrial conference is scheduled for Friday, and some details still need to be ironed out and rulings must come down.
Trial is set for Monday and three former Memphis police officers remain in the case. Both Desmond Mills Jr. and Emmitt Martin III have entered guilty pleas and are expected to be called to testify at trial.
The federal criminal trial will see jurors decide whether or not the officers violated Nichols' civil rights, if they conspired to witness tamper and if they actually conducted witness tampering activities. It is not a murder trial like the state case.
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If convicted, the three former officers could face up to a life sentence. There is no parole in the federal system.
Also moving quickly in Shelby County Chancery Court is the Memphis City Council's lawsuit against the Shelby County Election Commission . That lawsuit was filed Aug. 30 and Chancellor Melanie Taylor Jefferson scheduled a hearing on the lawsuit the same day.
That hearing is set to take place Sept. 16, though no other legal moves have been made. The election commission has not filed a response to the lawsuit.
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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Teen accused of killing 'Watermelon Man' has $1.2 million bail set | On the Docket
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