NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Authorities have dropped charges against a suspect in the 2016 cold case slaying of a 25-year-old Tulane University graduate who was visiting New Orleans to plan his wedding.
“Serious issues” with a critical witness’s availability arose and led the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office to ask on Tuesday that charges be dismissed against Ernest Weatherspoon, the DA said, without elaborating, in a news release.
Thomas Rolfes, of St. Louis, had come back to the city on a Mother’s Day weekend to meet with his fiancée and scout wedding venues. He was found May 7, 2016, shot to death at an intersection after leaving a bar.
Weatherspoon, 46, was arrested and indicted in December 2021 by a special grand jury on one count each of armed robbery and second-degree murder.
District Attorney Jason Williams said his office has been in close contact with Rolfes’ family, who agreed that dismissal was the best course of action at this time.
Long flu season winds down in US
David Cameron's Falklands visit prompts playful dig from Buenos Aires
Winston Peters says Gaza 'a wasteland', criticises UN Security Council in speech
Christopher Luxon and business leaders to travel to South East Asia on trade, diplomatic mission
To fend off tourists, a town in Japan is building a big screen blocking the view of Mount Fuji
Public sector workers 'angry, annoyed' at government job cuts
British Army to remove claim Princess of Wales will attend event
Samsung: Tech giant sees profits jump by more than 900%
India recalls Rishabh Pant for T20 World Cup after near
Nelson first to test kerbside soft plastics collection