Marion County Prosecuting Attorney to hold press conference about 2023 homicide

FAIRMONT, W.Va. (WBOY) — Marion County Prosecuting Attorney Jeffrey Freeman is scheduled to hold a press conference on Tuesday at 11 a.m. about a 2023 homicide that has been the subject of local controversy.

Earlier this month, the family of Charles “Duddy” Echols III of Fairmont held their own press conference with the help of activists John Shabazz and John C. Barnett , the founder of True Healing Under God (THUG), saying that they had not been given enough information about Echols’ July 30, 2023 death .

At the time of the incident, the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office told 12 News that the shooting happened in a White Hall home after the resident of the home and another occupant were “surprised” by the person who was shot and that an “altercation” had occurred before the shooting.

But almost a year later, Echols’ family came forward saying that he was not armed at the time of the shooting and had a key and access to the home he entered. The family also said they did not have access to the autopsy report.

Freeman spoke with 12 News after the family’s press conference saying that it’s not correct that the family has been denied access to the autopsy results . Freeman said the family was invited to schedule a meeting to view the autopsy report last month, but that appointment was never scheduled; he said the last time he spoke with Echols’ daughter, Precious, about scheduling that meeting on June 17, but he has not heard back.

While Freeman said he initially wanted to release that information to the family privately, he plans to release it publicly now that “misinformation has been provided.”

When the press conference starts, it will play in the video player above. You may need to refresh this page. This story will be updated when the press conference concludes.

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