Delaware drops murder charges against one, indicts another for perjury

In custody since his 2011 arrest, a Wilmington man once accused of murder is now free.

Prosecutors in Delaware had no other choice but to drop murder, attempted murder and firearms charges against 32-year-old Medford Holmes last Friday, after their witness recanted earlier statements he made about what happened two years ago.

Initially, Abdullah Talib-Din told police Holmes shot him multiple times while he was standing on the sidewalk in the 2800 block of North Jefferson Street on April 27. Caught in the crossfire, Antonio Smith, 35, was also shot; he died. Talib-Din testifed that Holmes was the shooter during trial, but the jury could not reach a verdict resulting in a mistrial last October.

The state decided to retry Holmes this year, however, Talib-Din now says Holmes was not the shooter. Consequently, Talib-Din, 32, is being charged with perjury and lying to law enforcement.

“The criminal justice system depends upon the good citizens of our state reporting crimes and following through with their civic duty to testify truthfully,” state prosecutor Kathleen Jennings stated. “When an individual lies to police or testifies falsely it undermines the foundation of our legal system.”

Making an example of Talib-Din, the state warns witnesses who deliberately lie to impede future investigations will result in prosecution.