Suspects charged in murder

Published 12:34 am Tuesday, October 4, 2011

NATCHEZ — Less than a week after local authorities reduced charges previously filed against a suspect in the August shooting outside the Natchez Mall, two other men are now facing murder charges.

Latravis K. Clay, 21, 104 Dumas Drive Apt. A, and Datarrius Matthews, 18, 303 Watts Ave., were charged with murder in connection with the Aug. 27 death of Walter Washington. They are being held without bond until arraignment. Natchez Police Chief Mike Mullins said.

Mullins said a patrol officer picked Clay up Monday near Dumas Drive. Mullins said Matthews turned himself in to police.

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A third suspect, Lee Raymond Smith, Jr., 18, of Beaumont, Texas is also wanted. Mullins said police do not believe Smith is currently in Natchez.

Mullins said Clay, Matthews and Smith allegedly acted in concert with each other to murder Washington.

Venisha Noble, 22, No. 9 Winston Hill, was charged with accessory after the fact to murder Friday in connection with the mall shooting. No bond has been set for Noble.

Charges against the original suspect in the case, Brandon Christopher Collins, were reduced last Tuesday to accessory after the fact to murder. Collins was originally arrested on charges of murder in connection to the mall shooting.

Mullins said the murder investigation is ongoing and no further details could be provided.