Why Are Meck Judges and the Meck DA Dismissing Charges Against Dangerous Felons?

Officer involved shooting shuts down Charlotte’s North Tryon Street on Saturday.

CMPD says the Suspect Jarod Lewis Starks has been charged with:

Felony Assault with a Firearm on a Government Official

Possession of a Firearm by Felon

Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle

Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill (3 Counts)

Attempted Armed Robbery

Going Armed to the Terror of the public

Starks Photo Courtesy MCSO

But here is were things get interesting. Starks was just released from jail four days ago on Auto Theft and Possession of a Stolen Auto charges. The apparent reason was Starks was released is that Judge RODERICK GLENN DAVIS dismissed the charges on June 3rd.

Starks was released June 16th after the Meck DA refused to recharge Starks on the auto theft. 

Seems Starks stole a Black Honda Civic on May 12, 0226 around 2:30 a.m. Later that day a License Plate Reader picked up the car on Idlewild Road around 8:00 p.m.

CMPD Officers made a traffic stop on the stolen car and determined that the driver was Starks who was wearing the same clothes as the suspect a the video seen leaving with the stolen car from the victim's driveway in the early morning hours, that same day.

Mr. Starks guilt is further implicated in that he was on parole and had an electronic monitor that was active and placed him at the victim's home at 2:30 a.m.

Less than a month later the charges are dropped and Starks is once again released from jail.

We don't know why the the judge dismissed the charges against Mr. Starks or if the Meck County DA dropped the charges his reasoning for that. 

Mecklenburg County DA Spencer Merriweather

We do know Starks was paroled on February 1, 2026 after serving 7 years and 3 months in prison.

CMPD Affidavit:

On June 20th, 2026, Victim was operating his gray 2015 Nissan Rogue on the 2300 block of Tryon Street when a black male wearing white shirt, beige pants, with black firearm pointed the firearm at the victim and confronted him asking him for his car. 

The victim feared for his life and sped off. As he sped off, he observed the suspect point the firearm at his car and fire at least one round.

Shortly after, a Victim was pulling out of the parking lot of 2310 Tryon Street in his 2010 Chrysler Sebring when he observed the same black male walking towards his car, point firearm at his car, and fire. 

The Sebring was struck once in the left rear tire. Victim was in the passenger seat of the vehicle when this occurred.

Victim called 911 and an officer responded. Upon arrival of the officer, the Victim observed the suspect approaching with his arms folded and pointed him out to the officer. The officer confronted the suspect. 

As the officer gave verbal commands to the suspect, the suspect unfolded his arms revealing firearm and pointed it at the officer. The officer discharged his firearm towards the suspect which caused him to then flee.

The suspect fled and hid in nearby building prior to surrendering. 

Upon search of the building, officers located black Ruger .380 in the building. Additionally .380 casings were located on the scene where the suspect was observed shooting.

Detectives spoke with witnesses who observed the suspect walking on the sidewalk and shooting into traffic multiple times. The witnesses feared for their lives and took shelter in a nearby building.

Starks, is a convicted felon in the state of North Carolina. On November 11, 2018, Starks was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery, Class Felony with maximum punishment of 88 months. Starks pled guilty on August 12, 2020 in Mecklenburg County Superior Court and was sentenced to 87 to 117 months.

Cedar's Take

We don't know why the the judge dismissed the charges against Mr. Starks or if the Meck County DA dropped the charges or his reasoning for that. 

Mecklenburg County Judge Roderick Glenn Davis

We do know Starks was paroled on February 1, 2026 after serving  7 years and 3 months in prison.

Saturday's shooting could have ended tragically.

Meck Co DA Merriweather and Judge have some explaining to do. Thankfully we aren't making plans to attend the funeral of a CMPD Officer or some innocent bystander.