Memphis police say a second suspect is now in custody after a brutal beating in Frayser left a man with a severe brain injury and clinging to life. The victim was placed on a ventilator for weeks following the May 19 attack, which unfolded in the 4000 block of Knob Drive. Officers responding to the scene found him badly injured, covered in blood and lying near a back porch, according to investigators.
The latest arrest came Thursday, when 45-year-old Raymond Lambert was booked on homicide-related charges as detectives moved in on multiple suspects tied to the case.
Second suspect booked, police say
Investigators charged Raymond Lambert with first-degree murder and criminal attempt at first-degree murder, according to police statements. That development followed months of work as detectives sifted through witness accounts and forensic evidence in the case, as reported by WREG.
How investigators say the attack played out
As reported by AOL, officers were called to the 4000 block of Knob Drive on May 19, where they found the victim lying next to a back porch. Witnesses told police the man had been dragged to the tailgate of a pickup, then tossed into the truck bed.
Witnesses also told investigators that Mario Lambert picked the victim up and brought him to a home on Balfour Street, according to the report. The victim’s girlfriend later identified Mario in a six-person photo lineup. Members of the Austin Peay Task Force arrested Mario Lambert on June 26, and Shelby County jail records listed his bond at $500,000, according to that reporting.
Victim's injuries and legal next steps
Investigators said the victim suffered a severe brain injury, needed staples in his head, and remained unconscious on a ventilator for about a month, police told WREG. When he was able to speak with detectives, the victim recalled being struck in the head with a steering-wheel lock, according to the report.
According to authorities, Mario Lambert faces charges of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated assault, acting in concert, and is scheduled to return to court on July 17.
