Tahj Billberry (left) and Chris Jamison (right)
Marion County State’s Attorney Tim Hudspeth says three who were arrested in connection with a February armed robbery and battery at a rural Salem home have been released without being charged.
Hudspeth says the decision was made after the sheriff’s department completed follow-up discussions with the alleged victims and found them unwilling to cooperate with prosecutors. As a result, he said it became clear proving the allegations would be problematic.
Centralia Police had arrested 19-year-old Tahj Billberry of North Hickory in Centralia, 18-year-old Chris Jamison of Natures Lane in rural Salem, and a 17-year-old Centralia male juvenile at the request of the sheriff’s department on the pending charges.
Marion County Sheriff’s Department reports indicate the three were among five who were believed to have entered a room of a home on Natures Lane where a 21-year-old Marion woman and a 16-year-old Centralia juvenile girl were sleeping. The original complaint said the woman was battered and held at gunpoint while her pockets were searched and a watch stolen.
Hudspeth says it was his understanding the woman later got the watch back.
