A judge ordered Christopher Fields held Friday for an unlawful possession of a firearm, but not the second-degree murder charge MPD arrested him for Wednesday.
Devar Battle was found with gunshot wounds on Sept. 28, 2013, in the 3000 block of 30th Street Southeast at around 12:40 a.m. He later died at a local hospital.
According to court documents, MPD suspects Fields in Battle’s death. In a police interview, Fields denied both his involvement in the shooting and having a gun that night.
During Fields’ presentment, Judge Karen Howze made it clear that Fields has not been charged with murder and told both defense and the government to exclude the events of the murder and focus on a witness’ recounting of Fields’ possession of a gun, which ultimately led to her decision.
Documents say, a witness told police Fields was “flashing a handgun” in front of people and that Battle had an altercation with Fields before his death.
Referring to charging documents, Judge Howze said, “There are some problems here,” before ruling. She added: “This is extremely confusing.”
Fields is scheduled for a preliminary hearing September 22 at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Frederick Sullivan.
A copy of charging documents are below:
