For the second time in two weeks, homicide charges against a Hamilton County slaying suspect have been dropped after the district attorney said there was not enough evidence to prosecute the case.
Hamilton County District Attorney Neil Pinkston filed a motion Thursday to drop criminal homicide charges against Chester Phelps, 19, who was arrested in June in the 2014 slaying of Charles J. King.
Investigators with the Chattanooga Police Department Violent Crimes Unit have arrested and charged Chester A. Phelps, 19, with criminal homicide, tampering with evidence and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.King was found dead June 25, 2014, sitting in his SUV with a gunshot wound to his head.
Last May, Chattanooga police approached the DA’s office about the case and about charging Phelps, according to the motion to dismiss the case filed by the state.
The DA “told the police there is not currently sufficient evidence to charge Mr. Phelps for the homicide of Mr. King,” the motion states.