NEWARK — Lee Anthony Evans, charged with killing five teenage boys in Newark nearly 32 years ago by luring them into an empty house then burning it down, is due in court this morning. Evans, 57, was supposed to appear in court for a probable cause hearing Tuesday to determine whether there is enough evidence to keep him in...
Lee Anthony Evans, 56, of Irvington appears in Superior Court in Newark last March.NEWARK — Lee Anthony Evans, charged with killing five teenage boys in Newark nearly 32 years ago by luring them into an empty house then burning it down, is due in court this morning.
Evans, 57, was supposed to appear in court for a probable cause hearing Tuesday to determine whether there is enough evidence to keep him in jail, but it was rescheduled for today. Attorney Michael Robbins included Evans’ health concerns as part of a motion to dismiss the case, which was filed today in Superior Court in Newark.
He said Evans is in deteriorating health and suffering from acute anxiety
The other man charged in the killing, Philander Hampton, 53, has implicated Evans in the crime.
His statement to police, made more than a year ago, will be handed over to Robbins today for the first time.
In seeking the motion to dismiss, Robbins said his client has not been indicted more than three months after his arrest, and that there is no physical evidence to link Evans to the crime.
A grand jury is hearing the case and should vote on whether or not to indict Evans and Hampton on July 9.
The two men were arrested in March for the Aug. 20, 1978, killing. They are charged with murder and arson for luring Melvin Pittman, 17, Randy Johnson, 16, Ernest Taylor 17, Alvin Turner, 16, and Michael McDowell, 16, into an abandoned house then setting it on fire. The bodies were never found.
Robbins said Evans’ pre-existing medical conditions have worsened, and his "health has deteriorated seriously based on his confinement." Robbins would not elaborate on Evans’ health problems.
Previous coverage:
• Newark man says he was with 5 Newark teens the night they were killed
• Contrasting portraits emerge for 'Big Man' accused in slaying of five Newark teens
• Full coverage of 1978 murder case of five Newark teens
| Melvin Pittman's Family Speaks |
| Police arrest two men for decades old Newark murders |