Charges against a Birmingham teen in a Tarrant homicide have been dismissed.
Jefferson County District Judge William Bell said there was not enough probable cause to charge 19-year-old Javaris Durome Russell with a crime in January shooting death of 36-year-old Buford Troman “Pete” White.
Russell and Eddie Jordan Jr. Jr., also 19, were charged with capital murder in White’s death.
Both teens went before Bell Monday for a preliminary hearing.
When it ended, Bell dismissed Russell’s charges, court records show. The judge but sent Jordan’s case to a grand jury for indictment consideration.
Russell, who was arrested April 28 and held without bond, was released from the Jefferson County Jail at 1:56 a.m. Tuesday.
Jordan is also charged with the separate Feb. 5 shooting death of 22-year-old Demarious Antwon Cherry in Birmingham’s Kingston community. He waived his preliminary hearing in that case.
White was killed about 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22, on Mountain Drive.
A neighbor told police White had just backed in his driveway and exited his vehicle when someone opened fire on him.
Police Chief Wendell Major at the time of the homicide said investigators believe White was targeted and said at least 15 shots were fired. White was struck three times in the chest, and the vehicle peppered with bullet holes.
White’s mother found him wounded and called 911. He was pronounced dead on the scene at 7:33 p.m.
White worked with his father as a concrete finisher. He was also a musician and songwriter.
Major said money and illegal drugs were found at the scene.
Jordan was initially arrested on April 23 after a foot chase.
He was taken by Birmingham police officers to UAB Hospital to be checked out for a possible injury from the foot chase.
Jordan was reportedly undergoing an X-ray when he dashed out a door.
He was recaptured in Greene County on May 6.
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