Thursday, August 28, 2008
Jury Finds Memphis Teen Guilty of First Degree Murder for Gang Related Homicide
MEMPHIS, TN – Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons announced Friday that a jury on late Thursday convicted a Memphis teen for a gang-related homicide in 2005.
The jury found Louis Levell Mayes, 19, guilty of first degree murder. Mayes was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 51 years. Mayes awaits trial on the charge of facilitation to commit first degree murder, a class A felony.
Mayes was 17 years old when he shot and killed Christopher Wallace near the corner of Alice and Austin in South Memphis. The victim was shot once in the back. According to testimony in court, the defendant is an admitted member of the Vice Lords gang.
The Shelby County D.A.’s Office transferred Mayes in 2005 from Juvenile Court to Criminal Court to be prosecuted as an adult. It is the policy of the District Attorney’s Office to request that juveniles who are 16 or 17 years old be transferred to Criminal Court if they are charged with committing a violent crime.
The charge of first degree murder is covered under the D.A.’s “No Deals” policy on violent crimes. Exceptions are made to the policy for legal and ethical reasons.
Assistant District Attorneys Reggie Henderson and Ray Lepone prosecuted this case. Both prosecutors are assigned to the D.A.’s Gang and Narcotics Prosecution Unit. |
Posted on Friday, August 17, 2007 (Archive on Friday, August 24, 2007)
Posted by jdonnals Contributed by jdonnals
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