MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The second man charged in the killing Greater Memphis Chamber President and CEO Phil Trenary in 2018 has reached a plea deal.
Quandarius Richardson pleaded guilty May 16, 2024, to a charge of first-degree murder. According to court records, charges of attempted robbery, evading arrest, and theft were dismissed as part of the deal. He was sentenced to 35 years in prison with no chance of parole under the agreement. Richardson had originally been set to go on trial May 20.
The D.A.'s office said "Despite not being identified as the shooter, the state proceeded with the plea agreement to ensure Richard’s accountability for his active involvement in Trenary's death."
The D.A.s office said Trenary's family supported the decision to move forward with the plea agreement.
Another man charged in the case, McKinney Wright Jr., reached a plea deal with prosecutors in December 2023. McKinney Wright Jr. pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, according to court records. As part of the agreement, other charges were dropped. Wright was sentenced to 25 years with no chance of parole under the deal.
“I’m glad we’ve resolved things regarding the last defendant in the tragic killing of Phil Trenary, a real loss to the community,” said D.A. Steve Mulroy in a news release. “This guilty plea forecloses any appeal or parole and, thus, hopefully, can bring some closure and finality to the grieving family. Given all the facts and evidence of the case, I consider this a fair resolution.”
Investigators said just before 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 27, 2018, Trenary was walking on the sidewalk in the 500 block of South Front Street while talking on his cellphone. Witnesses told investigators a white pickup truck stopped nearby and that a man got out from the passenger side, walked up to Trenary from behind, and shot him in the head.
Police said the truck had been reported stolen and was located the next day in the Frayser area. They said the driver refused to stop and sped away before crashing at McLemore and Mississippi, injuring several people of two other vehicles.
Richardson was arrested at that crash scene, while Wright and a 16-year-old girl were arrested the following day. Her case was handled in Juvenile Court and the results were not made public.
