Murder Charges Will Reportedly Be Dropped Today Against Fenner

Murder and attempted murder charges against former University of North Carolina football star Derrick Fenner will be dismissed by Prince Georges County, Md. authorities today, according to a published report.

The Washington Post reported in Monday’s editions prosecutors decided last week to drop the charges against Fenner following a hearing before Prince George’s County Circuit Court Judge Jacob Levin.

Alexis Revis, a spokeswoman for the state’s attorney, confirmed that pretrial motions in Fenner’s case would be heard today at 9 a.m.

Fred R. Joseph, one of Fenner’s attorneys, told the newspaper he could neither confirm nor deny whether the charges would be dismissed against his client.

Having the murder charges dismissed would not affect drug and handgun charges brought against Fenner after he was stopped by a county officer last April who allegedly found 25 bags with traces of cocaine in his jacket and a handgun under in his car.

Fenner, 20, was indicted last June on charges in the shooting death of 19-year-old Marcellus Leach last May 23 during a drug turf battle at a Hyattsville, Md., apartment complex. Fenner was also accused of attempting to kill a 17-year-old youth.

Leach died after suffering a fatal head wound.