Philadelphia Suspect Held For Trial In 'Wrong Man' Murder Case
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A 23-year-old Philadelphia man has been ordered held for trial on a charge of murder, in what authorities say was a neighborhood dispute in which the murder victim wasn't even involved.
Investigators say there was a confrontation in East Germantown, then threats in a dispute that spanned a few weeks. It ended in January when a couple of men walked up on a car, words were exchanged, and when a man started to get out of the car, they opened fire.
The victim, 19-year-old Charles Johnson, died from multiple gunshot wounds.
"This is a tragic and senseless death," says Philadelphia prosecutor Brian Zarallo. "There's a young man who is essentially the quintessential victim, in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Authorities say Johnson was only there because he had done a favor -- he had given someone a ride.
The attorney for defendant Sean Jones, who has challenged the police version of a witness' statement, says that Jones was not involved.
There have been no other arrests, and the investigation continues.
Reported by Tony Hanson, KYW Newsradio 1060
