TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Julia Wilburn on Jul 8, 2024

General Sessions Criminal Court Judge Sheila Renfroe has responded to allegations of bias from Assistant Public Defender Melody Carlisle, calling them an attempt to “impugn the integrity” of her court and alleging Carlisle has "knowingly made misrepresentations to the court in representation of her clients." Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Chris Craft agreed Renfroe has taken actions that are “clearly indicative of personal animosity" toward Carlisle and removed Renfroe from 28 cases on June 28; Renfroe then filed an order reinstating herself to some of the cases. Craft, who has superseding jurisdiction over Renfroe’s court, subsequently filed a motion July 1 canceling Renfroe’s motion and affirming his ruling to keep her off all 28 cases, reports the Daily Memphian. Renfroe's response states that Carlisle is "disrespectful" and "sarcastic," and that her body language has been "disruptive" in court. Carlisle has explained it is partly a result of a medical condition.