Memphis Livestream Shooter Appears in Court

Facts

19-year-old Ezekiel Kelly, the suspected gunman in the Memphis, Tenn. shooting on Wed. that killed four and injured three, appeared in Shelby County court on Friday.
Kelly has so far been charged with the first-degree murder of Dewayne Tunstall, the first victim in the shooting rampage that prompted a temporary shelter-in-place order and suspension of busses.
With more charges expected to be brought against Kelly - who says he isn't able to afford a lawyer - he has been provided a public defender.
Kelly, who allegedly livestreamed some of the shootings on Facebook, was previously sentenced to three years for a shooting in 2020, though he only served 11 months and was released last March.
At his court hearing, the suspect spoke briefly to address questions from the judge and didn't enter a plea deal. He remains in jail without bond and his next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 13.
The livestreamed rampage, as well as other recent killings in Memphis, have renewed debate over Tennessee's new "Truth in Sentencing" bill that requires those convicted of some violent crimes to carry out their full sentence.

Republican narrative, as provided by Rogersville Review. This latest shooting - along with other recent tragic events - calls attention to Tennessee's outdated, soft-on-crime policies. Kelly was a previously convicted, known danger to society, and yet the judicial system let him loose. This only affirms the need for Tennessee's "Truth in Sentencing" bill, which will go a long way to addressing a broken justice system.
Democratic narrative, as provided by Newsweek. Politicians are using this tragedy to push their political agenda and call for policy change in what is not only a disrespectful lack of regard for the victims, but also ill-informed rhetoric. The "Truth in Sentencing" bill would have required Kelly to serve 85% of his sentence, which means he still would have been out in time to commit this crime even if it had been in effect.