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Thread: Tremaine Wilbourn Sentenced to LWOP in 2015 TN Murder of Officer Sean Bolton

  1. #21
    Administrator Helen's Avatar
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    Man pleads guilty to charges in Tennessee officer shooting

    By Adrian Sainz
    The Times-Colonist

    MEMPHIS, Tenn. — An ex-convict pleaded guilty Friday to federal carjacking and ammunition charges in connection with the fatal shooting of a Tennessee police officer.

    Tremaine Wilbourn had pleaded not guilty to charges filed in December 2015 in the killing of Memphis Police Officer Sean Bolton. Authorities said Tremaine Wilbourn shot Bolton several times in August 2015 while Bolton was attempting to detain him.

    Federal prosecutors charged Wilbourn with carjacking, possessing a firearm during and in relation to the carjacking, and felony possession of ammunition. Wilbourn pleaded guilty to all three charges under a deal with prosecutors that allows him to avoid trial. According to an indictment, Wilbourn used a gun while carjacking a man as he tried to evade authorities after the officer's shooting.

    Wilbourn had faced federal trial starting May 15. Sentencing will now take place July 28. He faces no less than 25 years in prison.

    The 31-year-old Wilbourn still faces first-degree-murder and other charges in state court. State prosecutors said they will seek the death penalty if he is convicted. No trial date has been set.

    Bolton, who was white, is one of four police officers to be fatally shot in Memphis since July 2011. Wilbourn is black.

    If the case had gone to trial, prosecutors planned to present witnesses who allegedly saw Wilbourn kill Bolton with a pistol and recover spent shell casings at the shooting scene, court documents showed.

    During the hearing, Wilbourn acknowledged carjacking the man and using a weapon while doing it. But he did not say he killed Bolton.

    Bolton's relatives were in the courtroom, but declined comment after the hearing. In a statement, Memphis Police Director noted Bolton, 33, was a military veteran and called him an "upstanding officer."

    "We will forever honour him for the sacrifice made while attempting to serve and protect the citizens of Memphis," Rallings said.

    Police said Bolton, who had served in Iraq, interrupted a drug deal taking place inside a car in a residential neighbourhood in Memphis. Wilbourn, who was a passenger in the car, got out and confronted the officer, and they got into a physical struggle.

    Wilbourn took out a gun and shot Bolton, police said. An autopsy report shows Bolton was shot eight times.

    In pretrial motions, prosecutors said Wilbourn carjacked a vehicle from Desric Ivory only a few minutes after the shooting, telling Ivory that "he needed the car because he had just shot a police officer."

    Wilbourn led officers on an intense, two-day manhunt before turning himself in to U.S. marshals.

    Wilbourn's sister, Callie Watkins, has told The Associated Press that her brother was trying to defend himself from an aggressive officer who had him in a hold. His defence attorneys planned to challenge Ivory's identification of Wilbourn as the person who carjacked him, according to pretrial motions.

    At the time of the shooting, Wilbourn was on federal probation for an armed bank robbery. Wilbourn was sentenced to more than 10 years in federal prison and released on probation in July 2014. He was ordered to undergo mental health treatment, according to court documents. It's not clear whether he was ever evaluated.

    Wilbourn also pleaded guilty Friday to violating his probation.

    http://www.timescolonist.com/man-ple...ing-1.17438782
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  2. #22
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    Trial set in Memphis police officer's killing in 2015

    Fox 13 Memphis

    MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - A trial is set in the fatal shooting of a Memphis, Tennessee, police officer three years ago.

    Court records show 32-year-old Tremaine Wilbourn is set to stand trial starting Oct. 29 in state court on first-degree murder and other charges in Officer Sean Bolton's killing in August 2015.

    Wilbourn has pleaded not guilty. Authorities said Wilbourn shot Bolton several times while Bolton was attempting to detain him. Police said the 33-year-old Bolton interrupted a drug deal in a car Wilbourn was sitting in.

    Prosecutors said they will seek the death penalty if Wilbourn is convicted.

    Bolton is one of four Memphis police officers killed in the line of duty since July 2011.

    Wilbourn already has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison on weapons charges in Bolton's killing.

    https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/te...2015/846858934
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  3. #23
    Administrator Helen's Avatar
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    Potential jurors questioned about death penalty in trial of man accused of killing Memphis police officer

    Somewhere, among the 140 Shelby County citizens that make a Criminal Court jury pool, are the 12 people who will decide the fate of Tremaine Wilbourn, who if found guilty, could face execution for killing Memphis police officer Sean Bolton.

    Wilbourn is charged with fatally shooting Bolton shortly after 9 p.m. on Aug. 1, 2015, in the 4800 block of Summerlane in the area of Cottonwood and South Perkins.

    Jury selection was expected to end on Monday, but by late afternoon, it was not clear if the pool would be whittled down to size by Tuesday.

    "In the death penalty case there's going to be jurors who believe they cannot impose the death penalty. By the same token, there's jurors who believe a person convicted of 1st-degree murder should always get the death penalty," Ganguli said. "And so the law is that jurors must be able to follow the law, which includes imposition of the death penalty. But they must also be able to consider mitigation. It's not mandatory that Tremaine gets the death penalty."

    Late last year, attorneys asked the court to no longer require Wilbourn to wear stun cuff while in court, but they were unsuccessful.

    Wilbourn has been charged with having drugs in jail and will wear a shock device around his waist during the trial, Ganguli said.

    "I don't think it's necessary and we asked for the court not to do it, but for courtroom security purposes, it's going to happen," he said.

    Wilbourn is now somber, his attorneys said.

    "This is a very serious matter, obviously. And we've spent quite a bit of time with him over the last week talking to him. But he is obviously taking this very seriously and he is somber," said defense lawyer Laurie Hall.

    On Monday, some of those potential jurors were released based on answers in a juror questionnaire about the death penalty.

    Others were dismissed after Criminal Court Judge Lee Coffee clarified the legal mandates on a death penalty ruling or what he called "1st-degree murder plus something else."

    The "something else" are the mitigating circumstances that will be presented during the trial, Coffee said.

    Bolton, 33, according to police reports, pulled in front of a red 2002 Mercedes-Benz that had stopped on the side of the street, got out of his cruiser and approached the car. Wilbourn, a passenger in the Mercedes, got out of the vehicle and the men began to struggle.

    Police said Wilbourn pulled out a gun and fired on Bolton at close range. An autopsy report stated Bolton was hit 8 times.

    The report said Bolton was struck in the face, the right forearm, the right hip, the back of the right leg, the right torso, twice in the back of the left thigh and the right hand, with fatal shots to his abdomen. Those shots pierced Bolton's liver, small intestine, small bowel, ascending colon and a major blood vessel, the report stated.

    Later, officers found drug paraphernalia as well as 1.7 grams of marijuana in the Mercedes.

    A man from the neighborhood picked up Bolton’s police radio and called dispatchers for help. Bolton was rushed to the Regional Medical Center in critical condition, where the autopsy report shows doctors spent an hour trying to revive him, but could not.

    At the time of the shooting Wilbourn, 32, was out on supervised release from federal court for a 121-month sentence for bank robbery. He turned himself in on Aug. 3, 2015, to U.S. Marshals.

    While in custody on 1st-degree murder charges, Wilbourn was charged with inciting to riot, resisting detention, drug charges and bringing in contraband.

    Wilbourn pleaded guilty in April 2017 to a carjacking on the same day as the officer's shooting. He pleaded guilty to taking a 2002 Honda Accord, brandishing a gun during the carjacking and being a felon in possession of 9mm ammunition.

    Dispatchers received an alert about the carjacking after Bolton was shot.

    Wilbourn was sentenced to 28 years in prison by federal Judge Sheryl H. Lipman, who said during his hearing that he had a criminal history that went back to childhood and that he had been placed in protective custody several times.

    (source: Memphis Commercial Appeal)
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  4. #24
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    Jury hears opening statements in death penalty trial of Tremaine Wilbourn

    The jury in the death penalty trial of Tremaine Wilbourn, the man charged with fatally shooting Memphis police Officer Sean Bolton, was selected Tuesdy night. Attorneys will present opening arguments Wednesday when the trial begins at 9 a.m..

    Wilbourn is accused of fatally shooting 34-year-old Bolton on Aug. 1, 2015 on a street in the Parkway Village area.

    Police said Bolton , who was on patrol that night, approached an illegally parked 2002 Mercedes-Benz in the 4800 block of Summerlane in the area of Cottonwood and South Perkins.

    Bolton approached the car and Wilbourn got out, confronted Bolton, and they got into a struggle, police said. Wilbourn took out a gun and fired, striking Bolton at least eight times with a 9mm.

    Memphis police said that Bolton interrupted a drug deal. Bolton, who was a police officer for 5 years, died at the hospital.

    Wilbourn and the driver of the Mercedes fled. The driver, who was not named by police, turned himself in and was released.

    Wilbourn turned himself in after a two-day manhunt.

    Jury selection began Monday and defense attorneys and prosecutors had a pool of 140 people to select for the jury.

    Around 8 p.m. Tuesday, 12 jurors and three alternates were selected. There are five women and 10 men on the jury.


    https://www.dailymemphian.com/sectio...maine-Wilbourn
    An uninformed opponent is a dangerous opponent.

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  5. #25
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    Testimony Begins In The Trial Of Tremaine Wilbourn, Charged With Killing MPD Officer Sean Bolton

    By Annette Peagler
    localmemphis.com

    MEMPHIS, Tenn. (localmemphis.com) - Witness testimonies began Wednesday in the trial of the man accused of shooting and killing a Memphis Police Officer. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Tremaine Wilbourn if he's convicted of first-degree murder in the death of Officer Sean Bolton.

    Wilbourn entered a plea of not guilty to the first-degree murder charge Wednesday morning. He pleaded guilty to the other three counts against him, which include carjacking, employing a firearm, and possession of a firearm while being a felon.

    Wilbourn will also testify in his defense.

    Wilbourn is accused of shooting and killing Officer Bolton back in August of 2015.

    “Marquis saw the defendant shove Officer Bolton, step back and shoot him in the face. He blew off the entire left side of his face,” said Prosecutor Alanda Dwyer.

    During opening statements, prosecutors played the 911 call that a citizen made shortly after Officer Bolton was shot.

    Prosecutor Dwyer says Wilbourn shot at Officer Bolton 11 times during that traffic stop in Parkway Village.

    “All kill shots and all shots designed to avoid hitting the vest,” said Dwyer.

    Authorities say right before the shooting Wilbourn was riding with a friend headed to do a marijuana deal.

    “As Mr. Bolton approached, David Lanier ran away. David Lanier fled. Tremaine however stayed in the car. Little did Tremaine know there will be an altercation,” said defense attorney Juni Ganguli.

    That altercation eventually led to shots fired.

    “Tremaine panicked, Tremaine didn’t know what was going to happen and Tremaine did not intend Sean Bolton,” said Ganguli.

    Local 24 News has learned during the time of the shooting, Wilbourn was on supervised release after he was convicted for armed robbery of a bank.

    https://www.localmemphis.com/news/lo...ton/1565037954
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  6. #26
    Administrator Helen's Avatar
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    Jury finds Tremaine Wilbourn guilty of killing MPD officer

    Wilbourn is accused of shooting and killing a MPD officer

    By WMCActionNews5.com Staff

    MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) - A jury has found Tremaine Wilbourn guilty of kiiling MPD officer Sean Bolton.

    Bolton was shot and killed in 2015 during a routine traffic stop.

    The jury also found Wilbourn guilty of carjacking, using a gun during a crime and being in possession of a gun as a convicted felon.

    Sentencing is scheduled to happen Sunday afternoon,

    Day 4 highlights


    Day 3 highlights


    Day 2 highlights


    Day 1 highlights


    http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/2018/1...wilbourn-case/
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  7. #27
    Moderator Ryan's Avatar
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    Jury to hear why convicted killer Tremaine Wilbourn shouldn't face death penalty

    Tremaine Wilbourn stands with his legal team after being found guilty on Sunday of first-degree murder in the killing of MPD officer Sean Bolton in 2015. The state has asked for the death penalty. The sentencing hearing begins Sunday afternoon.

    The same jury that on Sunday convicted Tremaine Wilbourn of first-degree murder for killing Memphis police officer Sean Bolton, will hear Monday from Wilbourn's defense lawyers the statutory circumstances that warrant sparing his life.

    The jury took less than three hours Sunday to convict Wilbourn of murder, after a week-long trial with testimony from residents of Summerlane Avenue who witnessed the killing on Aug. 1, 2015, six days before Bolton's 34th birthday.

    On Sunday afternoon the jury heard impact statements from Bolton's brother, Brian Bolton and a fellow Memphis officer and former U.S. Marine, Jacoba Boyd.

    They also heard from federal probation officer Wendy Bailey. Wilbourn served 10 years in prison on a bank robbery charge and was still under federal supervision when he shot Bolton.

    During this sentencing phase of the trial, prosecutor Leslie Byrd identified the mitigating circumstances that warrant the death penalty.

    The murder was committed against a law enforcement officer, that Wilbourn had been convicted of another violent felony and that the purpose of the murder was to avoid lawful arrest.

    The jury could also sentence Wilbourn to life in prison or life in prison without the possibility of parole.

    For a short while on Sunday that was a possibility, after his grandmother and other family members encouraged Wilbourn to accept a sentencing offer from the prosecution of life without the possibility of parole and a waiver of his appeals.

    Wilbourn did accept the offer, but it was rejected by the Bolton family.

    According to testimony last week, Bolton was on patrol in the Parkway Village area when he saw a Mercedes-Benz parked illegally on the 4800 block of Summerlane. When shined a spotlight on the car, the driver grabbed his marijuana and ran.

    Bolton pulled Wilbourn from the car and the two struggled. Wilbourn shouted for onlookers to record the incident.

    Those witnesses testified that Wilbourn fired once, paused and began to back away as he continued to fire on Bolton, who was face-down on the ground. Summerlane resident Christopher Lanier used Bolton's shoulder mike to call for help.

    Dr. Marco Ross with the medical examiner's office testified that, while Bolton suffered a painful wound to his face, it was the shot to the back of a thigh, which severed an artery and lodged in his spine, that was lethal.

    After the shooting, Wilbourn ran to Clearbrook Street where he carjacked Desric Ivory, telling Ivory he had just shot a police officer and needed his car.

    Wilbourn turned himself in to the U.S. Marshal Service several days later.

    His defense team argued that Wilbourn did shoot Bolton, but killing him was not deliberate or premeditated.

    https://eu.commercialappeal.com/stor...on/1890848002/

  8. #28
    Administrator Heidi's Avatar
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    'Look at the face of a coward': Wilbourn leaves courtroom after heated exchange

    JURY DELIBERATION IS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY.

    Check back for updates.

    The sentencing hearing is continuing today after a full day of witness testimony on Monday.

    Things turned heated during Tuesday's hearing.

    A member of the prosecution moved towards Tremaine Wilbourn and declared to the courtroom, "Look at the face of the coward."

    Wilbourn confused by what was happening exchanged words with her.

    BREAKING: Wilbourn has exited the courtroom calling the prosecution racist — SCOTT MADAUS (@scottmadaus) November 6, 2018

    At one point, he called her a racist.

    Judge Coffee told Wilbourn that he did not have to have to stay in courtroom and the man convicted of First-Degree murder chose to leave.

    As he walked out, he again called her a racist.

    WATCH THE EXCHANGE HERE: (Warning Explicit Language)

    Jury deliberation has begun pic.twitter.com/DYRrVuUhsl

    — SCOTT MADAUS (@scottmadaus) November 6, 2018
    The prosecution has once again rested in closing statements. The jury will soon begin deliberating. The jury will have to decide between... Death, life w/o poss of parole or life with the poss of parol pic.twitter.com/0J1MgS4i8h

    — SCOTT MADAUS (@scottmadaus) November 6, 2018
    An uninformed opponent is a dangerous opponent.

    "Y'all be makin shit up" ~ Markeith Loyd

  9. #29
    Administrator Helen's Avatar
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    Tremaine Wilbourn Sentenced to LWOP

    BREAKING: Convicted killer Tremaine Wilbourn has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in the killing of MPD Officer Sean Bolton.

    https://twitter.com/scottmadaus
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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