Memphis Police Officer Charged With Murder In Wife’s Shooting


Memphis Police Officer Charged With Murder In Wife’s Shooting

A Memphis police officer charged with second-degree murder for fatally shooting her wife has pleaded not guilty.

Authorities charged 34-year-old officer Jaselyn Grant on Wednesday in the death of 29-year-old Keara Crowder. Police say Grant was also charged with attempted murder because she tried to shoot Crowder’s 12-year-old son.

Defense attorney Dewun Settle said after Grant’s arraignment on Thursday that his client “was defending herself.”

Police said the shooting occurred during a domestic argument at the home where the women lived. Investigators said in an affidavit that Grant’s claim of self-defense did not “corroborate other witness statements or the crime scene.”

Records show that the couple had a history of domestic violence, with Grant’s “stressful” job as a police officer possibly playing a role.

“This is a very, very stressful job,” said Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong.

“I don’t think being a police officer exempts you from any of the other pressures of life. We’d hope none of our members would result in violence, especially to the level this particular case has,” Armstrong added.

Grant, who resigned from the Memphis Police Department on Thursday, is currently in jail on a $500,000 bond.