by Sharelle Burt
March 29, 2024
Let’s hope she will get the assistance she wants…..
Choose Melissa Boyd is on the opposite aspect of the legislation after her bond was revoked for testing optimistic for cocaine whereas out of custody.
Shelby County Prison Courtroom Choose Melissa Boyd was booked right into a Memphis jail on Mar. 27 after a decide revoked her bond throughout a listening to. Boyd was initially launched on a $5,000 bond however was ordered again after violating the situations of her launch, the place Boyd needed to bear drug screening and was advised to not use medicine.
Boyd faces accusations of coercing, influencing or trying to affect former marketing campaign supervisor Lashanta Rudd to lie underneath oath throughout an official continuing following Boyd’s 2022 election. On the time, Boyd admitted to having a drug downside and was ordered into remedy.
Prosecutors stated Boyd accomplished her drug remedy program in February 2024 however examined optimistic for cocaine and alcohol two weeks later.
After failing to take a further drug take a look at, prosecutors sought bond removing. Choose Roy Morgan, who dominated, stated what’s taking place is “unhappy.”
“Quite a lot of effort has been provided, and it’s simply not working,” Morgan stated. “And that’s unhappy, simply so unhappy.”
State legislation says judges can face expenses after receiving two public reprimands, and this isn’t the primary time Boyd has confronted incriminating accusations. In Might 2023, she was suspended after being accused of threatening an acquaintance, soliciting cash by use of title, and substance abuse. The cash in query was reportedly donated to a college the place Boyd wore a judicial gown in a social media submit.
Boyd’s legal professional, Carissa Shaw, says jail time isn’t the reply, and her consumer wants remedy. “So we’re simply anxious in regards to the notion of these battling habit and perceive this can be a well being disaster, and it’s not a punitive factor,” Shaw stated.
“It’s not something anybody ought to be ashamed of.”
District Legal professional Normal of the twenty eighth District Frederick Agee is keen to work with the protection to get Boyd the assistance she wants. Prosecutors have provided Boyd a plea deal in her prison case the place she could be ordered to a long-term drug rehabilitation, together with time residing in a sober residing home.
“She’s a drug addict, and she or he wants assist, and generally we’ve to make use of the prison justice system to assist that individual,” Agee stated.
Attorneys hope to debate the beneficial phrases with Boyd earlier than her trial, scheduled for April 24. Nonetheless, the Tennessee Normal Meeting is anticipated to vote on April 4 on whether or not to take away Boyd from her place as decide.
