MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A Shelby County Judge has ruled Noura Jackson’s murder trial will not start for at least another month.
She’s was recently given a new trial for the stabbing death of her mother because District Attorney General Amy Weirich failed to share evidence with the defense.
But when Weirich was kicked off the case, she took her staff with her.
The new prosecutor says, not so fast.
In February, Jennifer Nichols told the judge, on behalf of the DA ” Our office is going to voluntarily recuse itself.”
Jackson’s team took that statement at face value saying not just Weirich, but her entire office is too.
District Attorney Mike Dunavant wasn’t having any of it.
“I should be able to use the resources of the resources of the local DA’s office here to adequately prepare for and prosecute the case I’ve been appointed to,” he explained.
Dunavant said his budget and team have limited resources, and they need help.
Jackson’s lawyers said the DA’s get plenty of money from the state, and pointed out that they are being paid in IOUs.
Defense Attorney Michael Working added, “I’m saying we don’t have any money, and they have 90-million dollars and they are telling you he doesn’t have any resources.”
Jackson was given a new trial because Weirich failed to give the defense statements from a key witness.
So her previous conviction was tossed out.
The new prosecutor requested for up to 17 staff members from Weirich’s office to help him with this case.
The defense called this preposterous.
“There is a death penalty case that involves a disqualified prosecutor in this county where the court allowed one. The parties agreed on one,” Working explained.
These parties will debate that again on May 13th.
Right now, Jackson is being held without bail.
But when the two sides meet again that is also on the table for debate.
Dunavant added, “The state is as ready as we can be.”