Achilleslastand
02-04-2014, 12:33 PM
Charges Amended Against Suspect In Australian's Murder In Duncan - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | (http://www.news9.com/story/24627938/charges-amended-against-suspect-in-australians-murder-in-duncan)
OKLAHOMA CITY - In a surprise move before a scheduled preliminary hearing in the murder case against three Duncan teenagers, Stephens County Prosecutors amended the charges against one of the defendants.
Chancey Luna, Michael Jones, and James Edwards Junior are all charged in the murder of Australian native, Christopher Lane. Lane was shot to death in August 2013 as he jogged down a rural road in Duncan.
James Edwards Jr. was initially charged with first degree murder, but just before the scheduled hearing on Tuesday morning, prosecutors added a count of "accessory after the fact."
Court records show Edwards called someone from the Stephens County Jail asking them to dispose of the gun used to kill Lane.
The amended charge reflects the case initially filed against his alleged co-conspirator Michael Jones. Jones was said to have cooperated with investigators and Jones was initially charged as a youthful offender with accessory to the murder.
8/19/2013 Related Story: Police: ECU Baseball Player, Australian Native Target Of Random Killing
However, in November 2013, prosecutors beefed up the case against Jones charging him with murder. No word on whether Edwards is now cooperating with the state if he is expected to testify against his co-defendants.
Due to sequestration, the judge reminded the court that no witness are allowed in courtroom.
James Edwards Jr. is not present in the courtroom. The state called its first witness Richard Rhoades, a painter who was working near the area where Christopher Lane was shot.
Rhoades testified he heard "a loud pop" and then just two seconds later saw a small black car, similar to the defendant Jones' vehicle, drive by at a high rate of speed.
When his testimony was challenged by the defense, Rhoades agreed he could not identify the driver of the vehicle.
8/20/2013 Related Story: 3 Suspects Charged In Murder Of Australian Man In Duncan
Lane, who was from Melbourne, had been preparing for his senior season at East Central University when he died.
Police have said Jones told authorities the boys were "bored" when they targeted Lane. Autopsy results showed that Lane died from a gunshot wound to the back.
OKLAHOMA CITY - In a surprise move before a scheduled preliminary hearing in the murder case against three Duncan teenagers, Stephens County Prosecutors amended the charges against one of the defendants.
Chancey Luna, Michael Jones, and James Edwards Junior are all charged in the murder of Australian native, Christopher Lane. Lane was shot to death in August 2013 as he jogged down a rural road in Duncan.
James Edwards Jr. was initially charged with first degree murder, but just before the scheduled hearing on Tuesday morning, prosecutors added a count of "accessory after the fact."
Court records show Edwards called someone from the Stephens County Jail asking them to dispose of the gun used to kill Lane.
The amended charge reflects the case initially filed against his alleged co-conspirator Michael Jones. Jones was said to have cooperated with investigators and Jones was initially charged as a youthful offender with accessory to the murder.
8/19/2013 Related Story: Police: ECU Baseball Player, Australian Native Target Of Random Killing
However, in November 2013, prosecutors beefed up the case against Jones charging him with murder. No word on whether Edwards is now cooperating with the state if he is expected to testify against his co-defendants.
Due to sequestration, the judge reminded the court that no witness are allowed in courtroom.
James Edwards Jr. is not present in the courtroom. The state called its first witness Richard Rhoades, a painter who was working near the area where Christopher Lane was shot.
Rhoades testified he heard "a loud pop" and then just two seconds later saw a small black car, similar to the defendant Jones' vehicle, drive by at a high rate of speed.
When his testimony was challenged by the defense, Rhoades agreed he could not identify the driver of the vehicle.
8/20/2013 Related Story: 3 Suspects Charged In Murder Of Australian Man In Duncan
Lane, who was from Melbourne, had been preparing for his senior season at East Central University when he died.
Police have said Jones told authorities the boys were "bored" when they targeted Lane. Autopsy results showed that Lane died from a gunshot wound to the back.