Special Victim’s Unit (SVU) at Shelby County DA’s Office Secures Over 700 Years in Sentences in First Eight Months of the Year
Shelby County, TN – Earlier this month, the Shelby County District Attorney's Office reached a significant milestone, matching the number of trials conducted last year within just eight months. In 2023, we completed 42 trials, and as of this month, we have already reached that same number. While there is still much work ahead, our progress is undeniable.
Today, we are proud to spotlight the exceptional work of our Special Victims Unit (SVU), led by Eric Christensen. The SVU handles some of the most challenging cases, often involving our most vulnerable populations—children, elders, and others in need of protection. This year alone, the unit has taken 18 cases to trial, resulting in 15 guilty verdicts. These trials have collectively led to 511 years of sentencing, including a life sentence without parole.
Trials are just one measure of success. To spare families the strain of prolonged court proceedings and secure justice efficiently, plea agreements are often reached. In the SVU, there have been 12 guilty pleas this year, resulting in a total of 207 years of sentencing.
Today, we honor the incredible work of the SVU team. Although Eric Christensen could not be with us, we are fortunate to have the team here. We now invite Dru Carpenter to share insights into some of these significant cases.
Highlighted Cases:
Enoch Turner – A capital case where the defendant was convicted of stabbing his girlfriend to death, stabbing their 6-month-old baby 11 times, and setting the house on fire. The baby was still breathing at the time of the fire. The defendant received consecutive life without parole sentences. This case was handled by Eric Christensen and Paul Hagerman.
Antonio First – Convicted of Aggravated Child Abuse, Murder in the Perpetration of Aggravated Child Abuse, Aggravated Child Neglect, and Murder in the Perpetration of Aggravated Child Neglect. His two-year-old son, Brayton Brooks, was found unresponsive with extensive bruising and ligature marks. First has been sentenced to life in prison, with additional sentencing pending. The case was handled by Eric Christensen and Devon Dennis.
Tony Stafford – Sentenced to 25 years for the aggravated rape of an 18-year-old girl in 1988, a case that was successfully tried and convicted in January 2024. The victim was present and provided a victim impact statement. This case was handled by Dru Carpenter and Gavin Smith.
David Pruett – Found guilty in May of raping a child and photographing the crime in 2019. Pruett was convicted of child rape, especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, and two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. He is scheduled for sentencing on September 16. Rob Steele handled the case.
“We are proud of the dedication and hard work of the SVU and our entire team. Their commitment to justice ensures that our most vulnerable citizens are protected, and that those who commit heinous crimes are held accountable,” said DA Mulroy.
The SVU team consists of ADAs: Eric Christensen (Lead), Dru Carpenter, Venecia Patterson, Tanisha Johnson, Rob Steele, Katie Ratton, William Wetter, and Nicole Germain.