MPD to pursue Jan. 1 murder case dismissed at initial hearing

Published 4:01 pm Thursday, March 2, 2017

A Meridian City Court judge ruled Thursday that a suspect in a New Year’s Day murder could not be held on bond until the next available grand jury, releasing the man and forcing the Meridian Police Department to gather more evidence. 

The dismissal, made during an initial hearing for Andre Rashaun Tubbs, does not rule whether Tubbs is guilty or not guilty. It only determines if it is likely he committed the crime.

City Court Judge Robbie Jones determined the MPD did not have sufficient evidence to bond Tubbs for the Jan. 1 murder of Jeffery Pope. The city’s evidence consisted of conflicting statements on Tubbs’ wardrobe and testimony from Tubbs’ associates who said Tubbs carried a 40-caliber pistol. 40-caliber shell casings were found near Pope’s body the night of the murder. The city did not have any forensic evidence, however, because it was still being processed at the state crime lab. 

“We are still going to move forward and present to the next available grand jury and let them decide,” Meridian Police Sgt. Dareall Thompson said. 

In other court action, Jones heard a different case regarding Dan Curtis Barret Jr., who was charged with the murder of David Lee Ragon II on Tuesday night. Barret waived his right to an initial hearing, accepting his $255,000 bond. Barret was also charged as a felon in possession of a firearm.