Suspects accused in fatal shooting extradited

Published 5:00 am Saturday, December 20, 2014

    Meridian police on Friday extradited 32-year-old Leroy Lamont Lewis and  53-year-old Payton A. Bailey from their hometown of Montgomery, Ala., to Meridian to face charges in connection with the Monday shooting death of Reondricus Rogers.

    Lewis is facing charges of murder, aggravated assault and use of a deadly weapon. Bailey has been charged with accessory after the fact to murder and accessory after the fact to aggravated assault.

    Their initial court appearance is slated for next week. Meridian Municipal Court Judge Robbie Jones on Wednesday set bond for Lewis at $1.25 million. Bailey’s bond was set at $500,000.

    Rogers, a Meridian resident, was fatally shot in the 800 block of 25th Avenue shortly after 6 p.m. Lauderdale County Coroner Clayton Cobler said either a .22 caliber or a .25 caliber handgun was used in the shooting. Another person was wounded during the shooting incident.

    Meridian Police Department Detective Dareall Thompson said the motive for the shooting is not known at this time.

    Meridian detectives were able to tie the suspects to the Montgomery area based on phone records, clues found at the scene and eyewitness accounts.

    Police in Montgomery helped detain Lewis and Bailey.