An 18-year-old accused shooter, Tyreese Earnest, has been released without bail in Memphis, Tennessee, despite the district attorney’s request to keep him detained. Earnest is charged with attempted second-degree murder for allegedly ambushing a FedEx employee in a distribution center parking lot last month.
Authorities claim Earnest and two accomplices targeted and shot the victim, as reported by the New York Post. Earnest, initially held on a $200,000 bond for attempted second-degree murder, was released on his own recognizance without bail following a judge’s decision last week.
This ruling means justice for the victim now hinges on Earnest’s appearance at his court date. The local prosecutor is outraged by the judge’s decision.
“The details of the alleged crime, the fact that the victim was ambushed, and the violent nature of it convinces us that this suspect is a threat to public safety,” Steve Mulroy, district attorney for Shelby County, said in a statement.
Twin brothers Ja’Marcus and Ja’Marion Odell, accused conspirators in the shooting with Earnest, remain in jail on $80,000 bonds each.
Ja’Marion admitted to driving Earnest and his brother to the crime scene, and both face class A felony charges for criminal attempt facilitation.
State Senator Brent Taylor criticized the district attorney and his staff for failing to secure Earnest’s detention.
“The [assistant district attorney] in this case was as weak as a kitten’s meow,” Taylor posted on X. “The ADA would have been just as effective sitting in the audience watching the proceeding as a spectator.”
