All charges against Malachi Hargrove, who had been indicted by a grand jury in connection with the armed robbery and murder of Osman Al-Akbar, have been dropped.
Hargrove was released from custody on Nov. 16. He had turned himself into police in April.
Two other men who were arrested shortly after the killing, which took place near Meridian Hill Park in Columbia Heights in August 2011, are still suspected in the case.
Rashid Caviness-Bey has been indicted on armed robbery, murder and related weapons charges. A juvenile male has also been charged in connection with the murder, which police believe was the result of a failed robbery attempt.
In January, the government revealed that the juvenile suspect had told police that he, not Caviness-Bey, was responsible for the killing. According to police, the two had a “lengthy conversation” while they were waiting in adjacent interview rooms, during which each asked the other to “cop” to the crime.
Charging documents for Caviness-Bey mentioned a third suspect, but Hargrove’s name was not mentioned.
Hargrove’s attorney, Sharon Burka, could not be reached for comment. A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to comment on Hargrove’s release because the case against Caviness-Bey is still ongoing. A jury trial for Caviness-Bey is scheduled to begin on Jan. 22.
