MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Memphis man, who had previously faced a long list of charges in a series of crimes before most were dismissed in court, is back behind bars after being indicted for murder.
Court records show Jamario Franklin was indicted May 16, 2024, on charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault – acting in concert, and employment of a firearm during a felony.
Franklin was also charged with evading arrest and unlawful possession of a weapon in connection with his re-arrest, but those charges were dismissed on May 23, according to court records. He is currently being held in the Shelby County Jail without bond in the murder case.
According to the indictment, Franklin and a second suspect were indicted in the Feb. 4, 2024, murder of Paula Appleberry, who was gunned down in Orange Mound with her daughter and grandchildren in the car. Her two-year-old grandson was also shot and her 25-year-old daughter was injured when the car crashed. Investigators said an 8-year-old boy and 7-month-old girl who had also been inside the car were uninjured. The shooting took place during the same period of time as the series of crimes in which charges were dismissed.
A warrant was issued for Franklin a day after the indictment was handed down.
According to a police affidavit from Franklin’s re-arrest on May 17, 2024, Memphis Police officers were on their way to a warrant pickup at Franklin's address listed on court records when dispatch got a call about guys blocking traffic on that street while playing basketball. When officers for there, they said Franklin took off running but was caught after a short foot chase. They said he had a loaded gun on him at the time. Investigators said a check showed the first-degree murder warrant from the indictment.
Previously dismissed charges
Previously, Franklin had been arrested in a series of crimes, which happened in January and February of 2024. He faced charges of carjacking, aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, especially aggravated kidnapping, burglary, several counts of theft, and more. All except for one vandalism charge was dismissed in court March 18, 2024. That charge was sent to the grand jury. He had been released from jail at that time after posting $10,000 bond.
A second man was also arrested in that case and had some of the charges dismissed. According to MPD investigators, both suspects were gang-affiliated.
The Shelby County District Attorney General's Office told ABC24 in March that though some charges were dismissed, that does not mean the suspects may not face those charges in the future.
"Our office was ready to proceed with charges against both defendants. However, numerous charges were hindered by insufficient evidence and absent victims. Consequently, the judge dismissed some, though not all, of the charges due to this lack of evidence. Nonetheless, it’s important to note that a dismissal in general sessions, which has limited jurisdiction, does not preclude our office from continuing the investigation and pursuing an indictment in the future."
MPD originally said the two were suspected in the following cases:
- Jan. 29, 2024 – Three armed suspects stole a silver Mercedes-Benz stolen from CarMax on Getwell.
- Feb. 13 at 12:20 p.m. – Victim told officers three armed men approached him in the 3700 block of Ketchum Rd. He said they forced him from his 2016 Chevrolet Camaro and into a black Lexus. MPD said the suspects took off in both cars, and later assaulted the victim before dropping him off along Getwell Rd.
- Feb. 14 – MPD officers said a man was loading a Porsche Cayenne onto a trailer at Gossett Porsche on Covington Pike when a silver Mercedes-Benz approached. They said a man got out of the car, got into the Porsche, and took off southbound on Covington Pike.
- Feb. 18 about 5:40 p.m. – MPD said a man saw several armed men breaking into his black 2017 Dodge Charger at the Chili’s on Poplar Ave. When he confronted the suspects, MPD said they pointed guns at the victim then took off in the Charger.
- Feb. 19 – MPD said officers spotted the stolen Charger in the 7000 block of Winchester Rd. They said the suspects switched vehicles and got into a stolen black Jeep Grand Cherokee and a silver Mercedes-Benz. MPD said the officers chased the suspects, who crashed into the woods in the 2100 block of McKellar Woods Court. Investigators said the two suspects tried to run, but were taken into custody.
MPD investigators originally said Franklin was also accused in four other car thefts and a burglary at a local City Gear.
