Charges Dropped Against Suspects In 2017 Murder Of Teen

JEFFERSON COUNTY, AL — Suspects in a deadly drive-by shooting that claimed the life of 18-year-old Tyree Miller in Brighton more than two years ago have had theor capitalmurder charges dismissed.

Hendarius Jamal Jones, 26, Jermiah Benson, 25, and Deandre Moore, 26, all were arrested in the killing of 18-year-old Tyshun Tyree Miller. The deadly shooting happened March 18, 2017. An Alabama Media Group report said Jefferson County Bessemer Cutoff Circuit Judge David Carpenter dismissed the charges against Jones and Benson on Sept. 23.

Assistant District Attorney Lane Tolbert said charges are expected to also be dismissed against Moore.

According to the motion to dismiss, the shooting suspects were shown on video at a service station in Brighton after driving to Bessemer’s Southside to drop off one of the suspects. Defense attorney Yusuf Olufemi said the time frame related to Miller's killing and the video footage would not have placed the suspects at the scene of the shooting.

Jones and Moore were arrested five days after the killing. Benson was arrested in March 2018 and released from the county jail in October 2018 to the custody of the Tuscaloosa County Jail on unrelated charges.

Carpenter dismissed the charges against Jones and Benson without prejudice, which means they could be charged again if new evidence arises. Tolbert said prosecutors are requesting the investigation into Miller’s death to continue.