The V.I. Justice Department has dropped its case against accused contract killer Quasheem Christian because their key witness was murdered and is not available to testify.
Attorney General Gordon Rhea’s motion to dismiss the case without prejudice — meaning it may be brought again — was granted Friday by Superior Court Judge Sigrid Tejo.
Christian faced first- and second-degree murder charges in the shooting death of Chandler “Frenchie” Heath, 31, on Jan. 29, 2023, in the Bolongo Bay area of St. Thomas. Police at the time described it as an “execution-style” killing.
A former V.I. Water and Power Authority employee, Christian was arrested on a warrant that December while on the job in the Estate Mountain area. Jury selection for his trial had been scheduled to begin on June 9.