A Memphis, Tennessee attorney and a suspected
gang leader were charged with numerous offenses after authorities allege the
men tried to influence a number of high profile cases, including the case of
rapper Tab "Turk" Virgil, Jr.Scott Crawford, 34, and lawyer for Virgil, was charged with conspiracy,
bribery, possession of crack cocaine, possession of an illegal handgun and obstruction
of justice.Suspected gang leader Jeffery Holliday, 33, is
facing the same charges. Authorities claim Holliday is a member of the Gangster
Disciples. Crawford, who has served as a special judge in
General Sessions Court, allegedly used gang members as part of his security
detail for years, according to an affidavit.Crawford and Holliday are charged with attempting
to bribe Memphis police Lt. Jeff Clark to ensure that Virgil was not indicted
by a state grand jury on attempted murder charges.Crawford and Holliday approached the officer
last month and the officer immediately began a sting operation. In addition to the Virgil case, Crawford and
Holliday allegedly gave the officer almost a half-ounce of crack and a 9MM handgun
with a scratched off serial number, attempting to set-up a rival gang member.During the trial on Monday, Crawford attempted
to keep the gang leader of out prison by saying that Holliday had cooperated
with police on a number of high profile cases.Virgil was charged with attempted murder in January,
after officers raiding a Memphis, Tennessee were greeted by a barrage of gunfire. S.W.A.T. team officer Chris Harris was shot
three times, in the jaw, hip and leg, while another officer was shot in the
neck. The second officer may have been hit by friendly fire.
Virgil has denied that he shot either of the
officers. "I’ve never shot a police [officer], I’ve
never owned a gun, I’ve never seen a gun," Virgil said.
