MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The judge presiding over the high-profile case of slain nursing student Holly Bobo has been cited for having a weapon at the Memphis International Airport.
Shelby County court records show C. Creed McGinley was issued a misdemeanor citation Aug. 27 for having a weapon in a restricted area of the Memphis airport. A TSA agent discovered it in a backpack with one round in the chamber, according to the citation. McGinley admitted it belonged to him.
TSA records show they confiscated a loaded 9mm Smith and Wesson handgun on that date.
The citation was issued two weeks before the start of a trial for one of three men charged with the kidnapping, rape and murder of Bobo.
This is not affecting the trial, however. Jury selection will begin tomorrow and the trial will start Monday.
Attorney Murray Wells says the misdemeanor citation is unlikely to affect the trial or McGinley’s ability to serve. “This is a minor thing. It appears it was just an oversight,” he said.
But, he said, it could bring into question whether the judge was carrying a gun because of any threats or because of the Holly Bobo trial.
“I would want to know, ‘Judge, do you know something about this case that we need to know, has someone made a threat?’ The answer’s probably no, but I think it’s a fair question to ask.”