Shelby County General Sessions Court Judge Bill Anderson responded to criticism over his decision to release alleged murder Edio White, 18, with zero bond, in a media appearance on Thursday. During the interview, Anderson held a stack of notebook papers toward the camera and called them “essays” about gun ownership that he requires defendants to write before they are granted bond.
“These are my essays that I get from every single defendant,” said Anderson (pictured above). The judge requires defendants to write essays explaining why a young person in Memphis would desire to carry a weapon, the outlet reported.
Anderson claimed “every single one of them talks about having to have a gun to protect themself because this is a dangerous community.” Appearing to deflect from claims that judges and prosecutors are responsible for the rise in crime, the judge instead blamed Tennessee gun laws for Memphis’ soaring crime rate that prevents him from visiting the city’s downtown.
“I am very concerned about my city, too. Very concerned. I won’t go downtown at night,” said Anderson, adding that he no longer takes friends or family to the city center. Still, he claimed, “I can’t do anything about that.”
Mayor Jim Strickland disagreed and told the outlet that judges like Anderson should assign higher bond amounts for defendants accused of serious crimes.
Before Anderson released White, police claimed the teenager admitted to acting as the driver in the murder of 15-year-old Anthony Mason on Thanksgiving Day. Police claimed White and an unnamed 16-year-old accomplice planned to rob Mason under the guise of trading firearms, and when White drove to Mason’s home, the accomplice exited the vehicle and shot Mason in the head. Authorities said both suspects admitted to their role in the crimes.
While Action News 5 reported that Anderson claimed his decision to grant bond for suspects accused of violent crimes is made with “more weight,” he noted “there are so many things that a judge has available to him or her in setting bail.” The outlet noted that White “had no prior criminal history, was not the believed shooter, enrolled in community college, and had community and family support once released” but claimed Anderson did not discuss a specific case with its reporters.
Anderson recently railed against the “bond system” in Shelby County during a local government meeting, claiming it does not help the defendant and enriches bail bonding companies. His statements were resurfaced by State Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis), who included them in a statement expressing concern to the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Georgia Star News, The Virginia Star, and the Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Judge Bill Anderson” by Action 5 News.
