A Memphis man accused of killing a Campbell Clinic surgeon in 2023 is set to return to court Tuesday morning, pulling a high-profile case back into the spotlight after months of slow movement through Shelby County’s system. The hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m., with prosecutors and defense attorneys once again facing off over the fate of defendant Larry Pickens, who is charged in the killing of orthopedic surgeon Dr. Benjamin Mauck.
According to WREG, Pickens is charged with first-degree murder and aggravated assault, and his bond remains set at $2.4 million. The outcome of Tuesday’s hearing could help determine whether the case heads to trial or shifts toward a possible plea agreement.
Background on the 2023 shooting
The shooting happened on July 11, 2023, when a patient allegedly opened fire inside an exam room at the Campbell Clinic in Collierville, hitting Mauck multiple times, according to The Washington Post. Mauck, a hand, wrist, and elbow specialist who also treated children at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, had earned wide respect in Memphis medical circles and had been recognized locally as a “Top Doctor.”
Case timeline and grand jury review
The case has moved deliberately through pretrial steps over the past year. A Shelby County grand jury reviewed the matter in November 2024, as noted in coverage of the grand jury review in November 2024, and subsequent court dates have nudged the case forward in small increments.
What to expect in court
At a preliminary hearing, judges typically weigh the evidence presented by prosecutors to decide whether there is probable cause to send the case to a higher court for trial. Defense attorneys can also use the hearing to raise procedural challenges or seek additional discovery, according to WREG. If Pickens ultimately goes to trial and is convicted of first-degree murder, Tennessee law allows penalties up to life imprisonment or the death penalty, under the state’s criminal code (Tennessee Code). Tuesday’s hearing could also narrow the charges or set a clearer timetable for the next phase of the case.
Clinic and community reaction
Campbell Clinic, which lists its Collierville office at 1900 W. Poplar Avenue, has said in previous public statements that the shooting left staff and patients deeply shaken. Colleagues and community members have continued to honor Mauck’s work on pediatric hand deformities and his role in mentoring younger surgeons. In the wake of the 2023 attack, local leaders have kept up calls for stronger safety measures to better protect healthcare workers and patients.
