The mother of the accused teenager speaks out about the murder of Larry Thorn

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – The Shelby County District Attorney plans to try a juvenile as an adult for the murder of a Memphis-Shelby County school secretary.

The 16-year-old was charged in the death of 27-year-old Larry Thorn.

The teen's mother, Sherry Falircloth, insists her son did not murder his assigned school mentor, 27-year-old Larry Thorn, on January 10, 2023.

Falircloth said that the day before the murder, her son came to the hotel where his family was staying and said that Mr. Thorn wanted to take him to a show at the Orpheum.

“I called Mr. Larry, he said yes, he would pick up my son and take him with him, but at the moment he is taking care of some business. He told me he was with his brother and as soon as he was done with his brother or whoever, the other party was in the vehicle with him,” Sherry Falircloth said.

She remembers hours passing without her son being picked up and the next call coming at 6:45 p.m.

“I heard the voice of this man asking Mr. Thorn for some money. Mr. Thorne was like that “Beaten” it out and was like that “Boy, get out of here.” I don't have any money. “I don't have any money, get out of my vehicle.” “The next thing I know the man asked for something else,” Falircloth said. “I couldn’t see what he was asking him to do, but he was asking for something else. But at this point Mr. Thorn took a deep breath and paused for about two or three seconds and was like Mrs. Faircloth. Let me call you back!”

Falircloth said Thorn never called back, but the next day she learned he had disappeared and didn't show up for work on Jan. 10.

MPD and Falircloth said the teen was already in jail when he was charged with second-degree murder.

“The real killer needs to come forward as a child who doesn’t deserve this,” Falircloth said.

The Shelby County District Attorney's Office plans to present the teen in adult court.

We contacted Thorn's family today but have not yet received a response.

MSCS released a statement at the time of his death saying he was the “first face to greet our students and staff” at A Maceo Walker Middle School.

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