Missing a witness, prosecutors drop charges in Portsmouth murder case

PORTSMOUTH — Prosecutors on Friday dropped charges against a man accused of killing another last summer when a key witness didn’t show up to court.

Jevon M. Scott had been charged with second-degree murder in the June death of 48-year-old Dornell Chavous. Scott was scheduled for a preliminary hearing Friday, but because prosecutors were missing a necessary witness in the case, they said their only remedy was to drop the charges — at least for now.

Prosecutors told the judge they intend to bring the charges back — through a direct indictment in Circuit Court — when they have their witness.

Scott’s attorney, Sonya Weaver Roots, declined to comment following the brief hearing in Portsmouth General District Court.

Shortly before 7 a.m. June 11, police were called to the 1100 block of Mt. Vernon Avenue. Chavous, who police said was shot in the torso, died at the scene.

Within days of the shooting, Portsmouth police said they were searching for Scott, who was wanted on charges in Chavous’ death. Scott was arrested more than five months later, on Dec. 1.

Scott also had been facing charges of robbery and using a firearm in the case.

Margaret Matray, 757-222-5216, margaret.matray@pilotonline.com.