Court Dismisses Murder Charge Against Man in Brother's Death

The highest court in Massachusetts has upheld the dismissal of a murder charge against a man charged along with his brother with killing another brother, finding that prosecutors violated his right to a speedy trial.

Nickoyan and Timi Wallace were charged in the 2000 killing of Tasfa Wallace in Boston. They fled to Rhode Island, and were later indicted on federal charges in the armed robbery of a Providence gun store.

Nickoyan Wallace was arrested days later, but Timi became one of New England's most wanted fugitives until his 2004 arrest.

Both brothers sought dismissal of the murder charges because of yearlong delays in the case.

The Supreme Judicial Court on Tuesday dismissed the murder charge against Nickoyan, but refused to dismiss the charge against Timi, citing his years as a fugitive.