Tennessee Circuit Judge Roy Morgan remanded Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Melissa Boyd remanded to jail by Tennessee Circuit Judge Roy Morgan on Wednesday after prosecutors provided evidence she tested positive for cocaine twice and failed to appear for a third drug test, violating the terms of her bond.
Boyd was previously granted a $5,000 bond after she was criminally indicted in December 2023 for alleged harassment and coercion of a former campaign employee. That employee stated Boyd abused drugs and alcohol while serving as a judge, including while she made decisions on the bench.
When Boyd was released on bond, the judge admitted to a drug problem, according to News Channel 3, which reported that she entered substance abuse treatment following her release. That treatment reportedly concluded in February.
Despite the judge spending about two months in treatment, the outlet reported that prosecutors on Wednesday presented the court with evidence of alcohol and cocaine in Boyd’s system.
It was the second drug test Boyd failed since her release, according to Fox 13, which reported Boyd additionally failed to report for a third test last week, prompting prosecutors to request she be jailed until her fate can be decided at trial.
Her defense attorney, according to News Channel 3, admitted his client “is in full relapse” but argued that forcing Boyd to detox in jail “doesn’t fix the long-term problem.”
Morgan was unswayed by the argument, declaring, “A lot of help has been offered, and it’s just not working, and that’s so sad.”
With her bond revoked, the Shelby County judge is slated to remain incarcerated at a Memphis jail until her trial, which is scheduled to occur within the next month.
Despite being incarcerated until trial, Boyd technically retains her office. She was elected by Shelby County voters in 2022, winning by just 165 votes, and as an elected official, Boyd can only be removed from the judgeship by the Tennessee General Assembly.
The Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct (BJC) previously recommended Boyd be removed from office in January, declaring the judge “is solely repsonsible for the untenable situation she has created for herself, the judiciary, and the public.” The BJC argued Boyd’s removal was necessary “to protect the public and preserve the trust and confidence in the integrity of the judiciary and the proper administration of justice.”
Following that recommendation, the General Assembly is slated to consider Boyd’s removal in April.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Georgia Star News, The Virginia Star, and the Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
