Prosecutors drop two murder cases

Today three men accused of murder in two separate high profile cases walked out of court free men after the prosecution withdrew the charges against them. According to court reports, this morning prosecutor Cheryl Lynn Branker-Tait presented Justice Troadio Gonzalez with two nolle prosequi motions. The first involved James “BJ” Swan Jr., who had been accused of killing twenty-four year old Tyrone Felix in May 2006. The victim was shot in the back of the head by a lone gunman as he passed by an abandoned lot at the corner of Gill Street and Faber’s Road in the early morning hours of Mother’s Day. At the time, investigators told the media that the vehicle later seen leaving the scene was believed to be the property of the accused.

The second motion was for Basil Willis and Francisco Petillo. In May 2004, the duo was arrested and charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the death of sixty-six year old Hilberto Aragon. The victim was on Mahogany Street when two men accosted him and stole his money. It is believed that when Aragon put up a fight, his attackers shot him at close range. At the time, police told the media they had strong evidence to indicate that Willis was the shooter but today prosecutors gave no reason for withdrawing the charge against the accused men. While Willis is at home tonight, Petillo remains in custody as he is currently serving an eight year sentence for robbery.

As with all nolle prosequi motions, should new evidence be uncovered, the prosecution is free to reinstate the charges.