Memphis Murder Rate Highest in Four Years
158 And Counting/Arrest In Latest Homicide
158 homicides and counting in Memphis with three full days left in 2006
Police have charged a suspect in the latest homicide.
Brenda Wiggins, 42, is charged with reckless homicide in the fatal stabbing Wednesday afternoon (Dec. 27) of her husband in the 1500 block of Monserrat.
She was arguing with her husband, Lawrence Wiggins, 44, at their home on Monserrat at the time of the stabbing, police said. They believe she swung a knife at him trying to cut his jacket. Instead, he was stabbed in the upper left arm. He died shortly after he arrived at the Med.
Also Thursday, police identified a man whose body was found outside 153 Finlay, near the Fairgrounds, as Eugene Antonio Williams.
Williams, 23, died from a puncture wound to the chest, according to the Medical Examiner's office. That wound was likely caused by Williams falling on a sharp object, according to police. Several sharp objects were found on Williams by police.
The 158 homicides, nine ruled justifiable, make the city's rate higher than it has been in four years.
There were 153 homicides in 2005; 118 in 2004 and 138 in 2003.
City and county leaders have been discussing and changing tactics in the local war on crime. Making the discussion more urgent is the city's ranking in the annual FBI crime report as the second most violent city in America.
Memphis' Mayor Willie Herenton is black.