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
Xi Congratulates and Encourages Teachers and Students of Macau University of Science and Technology
Xi Stresses Accelerated Efforts to Build Leading Country in Education
Chris Pine dons plaid blazer to honor his hero Jeff Bridges at 49th Chaplin Award Gala in NYC
Xi Focus: Xi Chairs Milestone Summit, Hails New Era of China
Borders no boundary to protecting cranes
Xi Sends Congratulatory Letter to Zhongguancun Forum
Google workers fired over Israeli contract protests file complaint with labor board
Xi Story: A Rural Street Food's Recipe for Success