Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) and Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) joined Memphis Mayor Paul Young and a number of lawmakers from both major political parties at a Friday press event in Memphis to call for an amendment to the Tennessee Constitution that would empower judges to deny bail for violent criminals who are not accused of murder.
Sexton, Johnson, and Young were joined by State Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis), State Representative Antonio Parkinson (D-Memphis), and other local leaders to call for the constitutional amendment.
The speaker explained the lawmakers and community leaders are seeking “a constitutional amendment that would be on our ballot here in a few years that gives the judicial more discretion on bail.”
Currently, the lawmakers explained, the Tennessee Constitution only allows for bail to be denied if the defendant is accused of murder. Last year, some argued a tougher bail would have prevented the death of Belmont University freshman Jillian Taylor, who was allegedly killed by a man who had been recently released from jail with $10,000 bail. The alleged killer was previously declared mentally incompetent to stand trial.
Sexton explained the Tennessee General Assembly is “limited” in what it can do to empower judges “based on the [Tennessee] Constitution,” which he said stipulates “judges can use their discretion only to deny bail for capital offenses.”
The speaker explained this allows violent criminals to be released “all across our state, not just in Memphis,” who quickly go on to commit “another violent crime shortly thereafter.”
“We don’t have the tools to give due to that limited constitutional aspect, the judges and the [district attorneys], the capability of denying bail to violent criminals,” he said.
The lawmakers confirmed the amendment would need to be approved by Tennesseans in a public referendum. Sexton said they would like it to coincide with the statewide elections in November.
Speaking in support of Sexton and the lawmakers, Young said his administration “is on a mission to support the people of the City of Memphis” and expressed his gratitude to Sexton, Johnson, and the other lawmakers.
“It is my hope that today’s announcement will continue the bipartisan collaboration,” said Young. Before his inauguration, Young promised to unveil a new crime policy within his first 100 days in office.
Taylor, who recently made national headlines due to his efforts to combat the recent Memphis crime wave, reportedly said the change to the Tennessee Constitution represents an opportunity to “make Memphis matter.”
“That’s what has led us up to this point,” Taylor reportedly said. “That has been my mantra since I have been in the State Senate last year.”
Taylor also thanked Governor Bill Lee, who last year sent additional Tennessee Highway Patrol to an indefinite assignment in Memphis following Taylor’s request to his administration for support.
A report of major U.S. cities in 2023 found Memphis had the highest homicide rate in the nation, even leading larger cities, including Philadelphia and Chicago.
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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].
Photo “Press Conference” by WREG 3.Â
