Charges dropped against man on trial for murder, robbery after witness refuses to testify

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Charges against a man on trial for first degree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon have been dismissed.

Maleec Myers was on trial for his alleged involvement in the death of 21-year-old Elijah Windham.

Windham was shot at the Harbor Ridge Apartments on December 29, 2021. He died from his injuries on January 5, 2022.

A jury was selected in this trial on Tuesday of this week and the presentation of evidence began Wednesday. An essential witness who was necessary to prove the defendant’s participation in this crime refused to testify after being ordered by the court to do so, a press release stated.

He had earlier given a full statement to police identifying Myers as one of the perpetrators of this crime.

Due to the insufficiency of the remaining admissible evidence, the state dropped the charges.