In the autumn of 2015, the life of 22-year-old Akeem Wilkins, a Black male, was tragically cut short in Memphis, Tennessee. On the evening of October 13, Wilkins was at the Peppertree Apartments located in the 4200 block of Eastwind Drive. An encounter that began with a conversation took a fatal turn. As Wilkins turned to walk away, he was shot in the back.
The multiple gunshot wounds proved to be fatal, and he succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into the shooting led authorities to identify 20-year-old Curtell Chatman as the gunman. In February of the following year, Chatman was taken into custody and formally charged with first-degree murder in connection with Wilkins' death. The charge suggested a premeditated act, and the case proceeded through the legal system, moving towards a trial to determine Chatman's guilt or innocence in the killing.
Ultimately, the case against Curtell Chatman was presented to a jury. In February 2017, after hearing the evidence and arguments from both the prosecution and the defense, the jury rendered its verdict. In a surprising turn for those following the case, Chatman was acquitted of the murder charges, leaving the family and friends of Akeem Wilkins without the legal resolution they had sought.
