FERGUSON CASE GOES TO GRAND JURY - Accused Of Freas Murder In Spencer

(07/16/2003)
A case against Dreu Ferguson, Jr., 27, of Spencer, who has been charged with killing his neighbor, will be presented to the Roane County grand jury on September 23rd.

Magistrate Denver Gandee Jr. ruled yesterday there was probable cause to continue the case.

Spencer City Police have charged Ferguson with shooting and killing William Freas, 29, on Freas' front porch on June 11. He was caught the following day in Indiana. Police Chief Gary Williams testified at the hearing that Jeremy Starcher was an eyewitness to the shooting and Donald Norris, a neighbor, saw Ferguson run from the Freas residence and drive away in a car.

Starcher testified he was sitting on the banister of Freas's porch when Ferguson, who lived across the street, came on the porch carrying a rifle.

He said Ferguson made a comment about something being stolen from his residence and fired a shot into the air, and Starcher jumped off the high porch and ran down the sidewalk to Cooper's florist shop where he asked that 911 be called.

He reportedly looked back to see Ferguson point the rifle at Freas's and fire it.

Ferguson faces another murder charge in the death of his infant son. His wife, Jessica Ferguson, is also accused of the murder.