Following her first Grammy win for “Best American Roots Performance,” Nashville-based artist Allison Russell faces a legislative snub in Tennessee as Republicans blocked a resolution to honor her achievements. Russell spoke to "CBS Mornings" about that controversy.
On Thursday, April 6, Tennessee State Representatives Justin Jones and Justin Pearson were expelled from the Tennessee House of Representatives for their participation in a demonstration in support of gun reform. Following widespread public outcry calling for the reappointment of the two young Black politicians, Rep. Jones was temporarily reinstated to his position on April 10th and Rep. Pearson was temporarily reinstated on April 12th. NAACP President & CEO, Derrick Johnson released this statement in response:
"This is America - where you receive more legislative 'action' for calling out the need for gun control than for actually addressing the loss of life as a result of gun violence. It is disappointing, but not surprising, to know that some lawmakers in Tennessee would rather spend precious time removing these brave young Black men from their duly elected positions than take a stance against inadequate gun policies. Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson have demonstrated incredible leadership and commitment to protecting their constituents and our democracy through their unwavering support of gun reform in the absence of action from their state-level peers and legislative colleagues at the federal level."
The Shelby County District Attorney's office has dropped its case against Pamela Moses, the Memphis woman who was sentenced to six years in prison on charges of illegal voting.
Shelby County Criminal Judge Mark Ward ordered a new trial for Moses after the district attorney's office turned over a key piece of evidence that was previously misplaced by the Department of Corrections.Amy Weirich, the Shelby county district attorney, who prosecuted the case, noted Moses had spent 82 days in jail before she was granted a new trial, “which is sufficient”.
“In the interest of judicial economy, we are dismissing her illegal registration case and her violation of probation,” she said in a statement.
Moses was originally convicted by a jury of illegally registering to vote in a November 2021 trial. In February, she was sentenced to six years in prison.
Though Moses will not face a second trial, she will remain banned from voting due to a felony conviction in 2015.
James Shaw Jr., 29, said after feeling cornered he saw an opportunity to tackle the man shooting into an Antioch Waffle House. He said he doesn’t feel like a hero.
Police spokesman Don Aaron told reporters Sunday morning that the Waffle House hero rushed the suspected shooter, disarmed him and threw the assault rifle he was carrying over the counter.
“I don’t really know, when everyone said that (of being a hero), it feels selfish,” Shaw Jr. “I was just trying to get myself out. I saw the opportunity and pretty much took it.”
The "hero" suffered an injury to his elbow, along with some other abrasions, Aaron said. He was taken to TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center, was treated for minor injuries and released, according to a hospital spokeswoman.
Shaw Jr. can’t recall how many shots there were, just that a man was on the floor. Shaw Jr. said he jumped toward the bathroom and the suspect shot in that direction. He said he was grazed by a bullet. "I remember I was like ‘Dang, I’m basically in a barrel,’ ” Shaw Jr. said. “There is no place for me to go.”
As the suspect came through the door, he needed to reload, Shaw Jr. said. That’s when he said he rushed him.
“When he came in, I distinctively remember thinking that he is going to have to work for this kill,” Shaw Jr. said. “I had a chance to stop him and thankfully I stopped him.”
He added: “I grabbed the gun and kept it down. He had one hand on it. I pulled it away and threw it over the bar.”
Shaw Jr. said the suspect took himself outside and walked quickly away. He didn’t follow him for fear that he had another gun. The man was clothed only in a green bomber jacket, Shaw Jr. said.
Shaw Jr. said not soon after he flagged down drivers to call 911.
He was taken to the hospital at about 4 a.m. and released at 7:30 a.m.
"While I was in hospital, a girl that was there said you saved my life," he said. "I didn’t do it to be hero."
Police in Tennessee said Sunday that a convenience store clerk has been charged in the fatal shooting of 17 year old Dorian Harris who the clerk suspected of being a shoplifter whose body was found near the store.
Ghazali returned to the store and told a witness, “I think I shot him,” according to the affidavit. He never called the police to report the shooting.
The shooting occurred on Thursday, but police said Ghazali never reported the incident. The 17-year-old's body was found beside a home near the store Saturday. Fox 13 Memphis identified the victim as Dorian Harris.
Police spokesman Louis Brownlee said the teen was suspected of leaving the store without paying for a beer, and Ghazali followed him and allegedly shot him.
"The victim/suspect stole a beer and goes out of the store,'' Brownlee told the paper. "The suspect tries to stop him. Shoots at him. Hits him once. He doesn't officially know that he hit him. Yesterday, a female comes home, sees a person lying next to the home. Calls police.”
Ghazali was being held in the Shelby County Jail. It wasn't immediately known whether he has an attorney.
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