MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A special prosecutor has been named for the retrial of Noura Jackson in the murder of her mother.
District Attorney Michael Dunavant will prosecute Jackson.
Dunavant is a district attorney for five counties in West Tennessee.
“I don’t really follow every case here in Shelby County, so I wasn’t familiar with it at all,” said Dunavant.
Jackson was charged with stabbing her mother more than 50 times and was convicted of second-degree murder in 2009.
Last year, the Tennessee Supreme Court said Jackson deserves a new trial because Weirich, who was the lead prosecutor, violated Jackson’s right to due process by not turning over a key witness’s statement to the defense.
Weirich recused herself last month.
Jackson’s attorney, Valarie Corder, is requesting no one from Weirich’s office help out with the case.
“[The order] asked them to be disqualified for conflict of interest,” said Corder.
“It’s important for me to have adequate resources to prepare for the case,” said Dunavant.
After letting the attorneys argue, Judge Christ Craft told them to figure it out themselves by the next court date on April 8, or he will decide for them.
Corder also hopes that’s the day Jackson will get a bond.
“Just like every citizen in this state, she has a right to a bond while doing so,” said Corder.
Dunavant said he’s already appointed two assistant district attorneys to start working on the case.