In the early morning hours of September 26, 2015, a brutal act of violence claimed the lives of three individuals in a North Memphis duplex. Among the victims was 34-year-old Michael Glover, who was found shot to death alongside Anthony Isom, 35, and Chasity Springfield, 28. The discovery was made in a residence on Lake Grove Road, marking the beginning of a complex and lengthy investigation into a triple homicide.
The case unfolded to reveal a narrative of gang-related retribution. Investigators learned that the events leading to the murders were rooted in internal gang conflict. Evidence and testimony presented in court would later detail a planned and premeditated act. The investigation, which spanned several years, eventually led to the arrests of three individuals: Tony Thomas, Laronda Turner, and Demarco Hawkins. Their indictment in January 2017 marked a significant turning point in the quest for justice for the three victims.
During the legal proceedings, the roles of each suspect came into sharper focus. Demarco Hawkins, who was a co-defendant, provided a statement to the police that was crucial to the prosecution's case. He detailed the events of that fatal night, outlining a plan allegedly orchestrated by Tony Thomas. According to Hawkins' account, Thomas was the primary shooter in the deaths of Michael Glover and Chasity Springfield. Hawkins also implicated Laronda Turner in the murder of Springfield. The motive appeared to be retaliation, a common and often deadly theme in gang disputes.
In May 2019, after a week-long trial, a jury found Tony Thomas and Laronda Turner guilty on three counts of first-degree murder. The convictions brought a measure of closure to the families of Michael Glover, Anthony Isom, and Chasity Springfield. The court proceedings revealed the cold and calculated nature of the killings, painting a grim picture of the events that transpired inside the Memphis duplex. Demarco Hawkins, the third defendant, awaited a separate trial for his alleged involvement in the triple homicide. The convictions of Thomas and Turner were later upheld on appeal in 2021, cementing their responsibility in the deaths of the three victims.
