The first-degree murder charge against Tavarious Mathews was dismissed by Christian County Circuit Judge Andrew Self in April.
Mathews was arrested in November for the fatal shooting of Jacorey Majors in a liquor store parking lot near East First Street and North Virginia Street. In March, Mathews’ defense attorney, Doug Moore issued a motion to dismiss his murder charge which Self later approved.
According to a report, while Mathews was attempting to leave the store, a gunfire ensued between him and Majors. A witness who reportedly drove Mathews to the store says Mathews did not initiate the gunfire.
Following the incident, Mathews reportedly fled from the scene and in his ruling Self says that action could be interpreted as guilt, but there could be many other reasons as to why he fled from the scene.
Self says if he did shoot Majors he could have fled due to being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun or he anticipated a retaliation from Majors. Self says Kentuckians have the right to defend themselves and there is not enough evidence to prove that Mathews shot first.
This conclusion led to Self approving the murder charge dismissal. Mathews still faces charges for allegedly being in possession of a firearm and shooting a gun within city limits.