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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee on Tuesday accepted the resignation of a Memphis judge who has been charged with coercion of a witness and harassment, after which jailed after she violated her bond settlement by testing constructive for cocaine.
Erin Merrick, Lee’s chief counsel, wrote in a short letter that the governor has accepted the resignation of Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Melissa Boyd.
Boyd despatched a letter Tuesday to the state Administrative Office of the Courts saying she was resigning instantly. That got here a day after she despatched a letter saying she would step down on the finish of May.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee accepted the resignation on Tuesday of a Memphis judge charged with coercion of a witness and harassment. (AP/Mark Zaleski)
A listening to about her removing from the bench had been beforehand scheduled within the Tennessee General Assembly for Thursday. Under state regulation, judges will be referred to the Legislature after receiving two public reprimands.
Elected in 2022, Boyd is accused of coercing, influencing or making an attempt to affect Lashanta Rudd, her former marketing campaign supervisor, to testify falsely or “withhold truthful testimony” in an official continuing, the indictment says. The indictment doesn’t describe the official continuing.
The indictment additionally says Boyd’s communications with Rudd have been makes an attempt to bother, alarm or frighten her. Boyd has pleaded not responsible.
Boyd was suspended in May after she was accused of threatening an acquaintance, soliciting cash through the use of her function as a judge and substance abuse. The accusations embody asking for donations for a faculty in a social media submit exhibiting Boyd sporting a judicial gown.
Under circumstances of her launch, Boyd was ordered to endure drug screening and informed to not use medicine. Prosecutors requested for her bond to be revoked after she twice examined constructive for cocaine in March and didn’t report to a different drug take a look at, court docket paperwork confirmed.
In a listening to final Wednesday, Judge Roy Morgan revoked her bond and despatched her to jail.
During the listening to, Arthur Horne III, one of Boyd’s attorneys, stated that Boyd “needs help” and has not been cooperating with them, saying the judge was “in a full relapse” and is “not thinking with a clear head,” the Commercial Appeal reported.
Boyd’s trial is scheduled for April 24.
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