Charges Dismissed in City Shooting

Charges against an Easton man accused of shooting at another man earlier this year were dismissed Tuesday when the investigating officer couldn't make it to court.

But Rashad Jones, 21, will be charged again "as soon as possible," Assistant District Attorney Patricia Mulqueen said.

And even now, he's not a free man. Moments after dismissing the charges,  ordered Jones back to prison on a bench warrant for unpaid traffic fines. 

Jones had been jailed for shooting at Devon Garland at 8th and Pine streets on the night of May 2. He had been charged with aggravated assault, possession of a firearm, and reckless endangerment.

He had been scheduled for a preliminary hearing Tuesday to decide whether there was enough evidence against him for the case to go to trial. But when Det. Christopher Miller wasn't able to attend the hearing, Mulqueen asked for a continuance. 

Defense attorney  objected to the continuance, saying his client had already been locked up for several weeks. Elwell sided with Mellon, but warned Jones that she suspected prosecutors would be quick to refile charges.

She also sent Jones back to Northampton County Prison for an eight-day stay for not paying a traffic fine. Elwell said Jones had signed up for a payment plan of $50 a month, yet never made any payments. 

Jones said his family would try to come up with money to pay the fine, but no payment was made by the time the office closed for business.