Case withdrawn against Greensboro man accused in shooting: Police, DA say he had an alibi
The attempted homicide case lodged against a Greensboro man was withdrawn on Thursday after police learned he was out of state at the time of the shooting.
State police filed charges against James Lewellen III, 28, alleging he took part in a Tuesday shooting in Franklin Township, Greene County.
Greene County District Attorney Brianna Vanata said Lewellen visited state police Thursday morning when he saw his name listed as one of two men wanted in connection with the shooting.
“I heard from the state police that they investigated into where he was at the time of the shooting,” she said. “He has an alibi. I know that he willingly went and spoke to them.”
Numerous people, including his grandmother and grandfather, placed him elsewhere at the time of the shooting, said his mother, Rhonda Lewellen of Greensboro.
At the time, she said, he was mowing the lawn at an apartment in Morgantown, W.Va.
“He has five witnesses to say he was not (at the scene of the shooting),” she said. “I am very grateful for that. But whoever the person was that said it was him, I think maybe they need to be charged.”
A witness at the scene of the shooting had identified Lewellen as the man who accompanied the suspected shooter, Jonathan Trump, 24, of Maidsville, W.Va., according to court filings.
Trump’s whereabouts were still unknown as of Thursday afternoon. Police said he is considered armed and dangerous.
Vanata and state police Trooper Kalee Barnhart said the actual identity of the man who accompanied Trump is unknown.
Police alleged Trump shot Justin McElroy, 25, of Carmichaels, at the Wayne Village apartment complex in Franklin Township Tuesday afternoon in a dispute over a dirt bike. He is charged with attempted homicide and conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, the same charges that were withdrawn against Lewellen.
McElroy was shot in the femoral artery in his right thigh, police said.
He was taken via a medical helicopter to Ruby Medical Center in Morgantown, W.Va. Barnhart said he remained in stable condition Thursday.