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CHICAGO (AP) — First-degree murder charges were dropped Monday against one of four teens accused in the brutal beating of a Chicago honor student that was recorded in a cell phone camera video.

Eugene Bailey, 18, of Chicago, was arrested Sept. 26, two days after 16-year-old Derrion Albert was killed during a fight after classes let out at Christian Fenger Academy High School on the city’s South Side.

Prosecutors dropped the charge Monday with little explanation.

“While the charge against Bailey was brought in good faith based on witness accounts and identifications, additional information has developed during the ongoing investigation that warranted dismissal of the murder charge against Bailey at this time,” the state’s attorney’s office in Cook County said in a statement.

A spokeswoman for the office declined to elaborate, saying the investigation is ongoing.

Bailey spoke to reporters briefly as he left the Cook County Jail on Monday evening, thanking Jesus for his release and expressing remorse for missing Albert’s funeral while he was in custody.

“I just want to give a shout-out to Derrion’s family, his mother and grandmother,” he said. “And I’m sorry I couldn’t attend his funeral. He was a good friend of mine.”

A woman who answered the phone at Bailey’s home number hung up when contacted Monday for comment.

Bailey’s family has maintained his innocence, saying the Fenger senior wasn’t at the fatal fight and police misidentified him in the video.

Three other teens still face charges in the melee: Silvonus Shannon, 19; Eugene Riley, 18; and Eric Carson, 16. All are being held without bail. Their next court date is Friday.

A cell phone video shows a group of people striking Albert with boards and kicking him as he lay on a sidewalk. Albert, who was a sophomore at Fenger, has been described by police as an innocent bystander caught up in the fight.

Albert’s death and the disturbing footage of the beating quickly attracted the attention of President Barack Obama, who sent Attorney General Eric Holder and Education Secretary Arne Duncan to the city to meet with Fenger students, parents and administrators. Duncan, the former chief of Chicago Public Schools, said Fenger would receive an emergency grant of about $500,000 for counselors or other programs.

Federal officials also promised support for efforts nationwide to fight youth violence.

In Chicago, Mayor Richard Daley has introduced plans to add more police officers at schools and funding for after-school programs.

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Tags: Black On Black Crime, Chicago, Derrion Albert
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  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Da_J_Rok/ Da_J_Rok

    So how and why did he get arrested if he wasn’t at the fight, and where are the eyewitnesses?

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/trisha_369/ trisha_369

    IM WITH YOU-Da_J_Rok-I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THAT ANSWER,TOO THAT QUESTION?

  • http://tmottgogo.com/?p=13512 TMOTTMedia » Charges Dropped Against Teen In Derrion Albert Killing

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  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Kountry_Mayne/ Kountry_Mayne

    There aint gonna be no witnesses. all they have is that recording. You know how black folks are… dont snitch. That sounds completely ignorant. saying nothing at all is just as bad as telling a lie. People dont want to put them selves and their families at risk by telling who it is that did what afraid that people might come after them which i can understand because the police sure wont protect you and move you out of the area to a new location and change your name. But still its just the priciple of the fact. You gon let some one you know sit there and get beat or shot and not say anything? Id rather die standing up for what i believe in then standing in silence and die as a coward.

  • http://tip.lakyo.com/charges-dropped-against-teen-in-derrion-albert-killing-news-one/ Charges Dropped Against Teen In Derrion Albert Killing | News One — Tip to Make money

    [...] Originally posted here: Charges Dropped Against Teen In Derrion Albert Killing | News One [...]

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