Teen to be tried for murder as an adult

— A 16-year-old boy will be tried in Superior Court for murder after fatally shooting another teenage boy at a Rossville residence where adults and teens were drinking alcohol.

Matthew Joel Durham was arraigned Monday in Juvenile Court, where it was decided that he will be tried as an adult for the murder of Christopher Colby Estes, also 16.

Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson said that at about 10:45 p.m. on June 8, deputies arrived at 710C Shelly Lane and found the lifeless body of Estes. He did not live at the Shelly Lane address.

An investigation revealed that a group of people were gathered on the porch when Durham pulled a firearm from his backpack, aimed and fired a shot that killed Estes.

Wilson said Durham and Estes knew each other but there was no evidence to indicate the two argued prior to the shooting.

Once the shot was fired, Durham fled the scene.

Durham’s mother brought her son to the Department of Juvenile Justice in LaFayette the following afternoon. Durham was arrested on June 9. Possible charges could be filed against the adults for providing alcohol to minors, the sheriff said, adding that alcohol was a contributing factor to the incident.

catoosawalkernews.com tem and Clark is filling Miller’s vacant Post 2 seat.

www.calhountimes.com