This is an undated contributed photo of Dimitri Coleman, 29, of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, who was fatally shot on ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä’s West Side early on May 25, 2024. Shown here with him are his daughter Eastyn Coleman, 3, at left, and son Romeo Coleman, 5, at right.
Numbered evidence markers sit beside shell casings near where Dimitri Coleman, 29, of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä was fatally shot, on May 25, 2024, in the area of 480 Railroad Ave. on ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä's West Side.
Numbered evidence markers sit beside shell casings near where Dimitri Coleman, 29, of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä was fatally shot, on May 25, 2024, in the area of 480 Railroad Ave. on ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä's West Side.
CHRISTOPHER MILLETTE | Gazette-Mail
The victim of a January homicide on Elizabeth Street in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä “possibly assisted†in setting up the unsolved May 2024 homicide of Dimitri Coleman, a ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Police detective said in court Friday.
Detective Joshua Mena testified at the preliminary hearing for Joshua Robert Scales, 34. Police say Scales shot Ethan Chic-Colbert, 34, on Jan. 26.
Investigation
Under questioning, Mena told Magistrate Brent Hall about the investigation that led to Scales’ arrest.
Mena said Scales was identified as the driver of a stolen Hyundai Sonata that was parked next to Chic-Colbert’s rental Toyota Camry in a parking lot at 410 Elizabeth St.
According to the criminal complaint, Scales arrived in the lot around 3:12 a.m. Chic-Colbert pulled in around 3:36 a.m. A few minutes later, Scales drove away, parked and walked back to the parking lot where he shot Chic-Colbert, who died at the scene, according to the criminal complaint.
Mena said 15 shell casings were found at the scene.
A confidential informant led to the identification of Scales, who was known as Smoove to this informant.
Scales’ defense attorney, Ashley Lockwood, asked Mena if there was a relationship between Scales and Chic-Colbert. Mena said the phones of the two men did not have any communications with each other.
This is an undated contributed photo of Dimitri Coleman, 29, of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, who was fatally shot on ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä’s West Side early on May 25, 2024. Shown here with him are his daughter Eastyn Coleman, 3, at left, and son Romeo Coleman, 5, at right.
Courtesy photo
However, Mena said Scales was friends with Coleman, 29, who was fatally shot on May 25, 2024, in the area of 480 Railroad Ave. on ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä’s West Side.
Coleman’s homicide is unsolved. Witnesses told police the suspected shooter “walked up to the victim, grabbed him by his neck, and shot him multiple times.â€
Mena said Chic-Colbert may have helped in “setting up†Coleman’s homicide. He said the January shooting by Scales was possibly related to “revenge.â€
After hearing from Mena, Hall stopped the hearing, saying he found probable cause Scales had committed the crime. The case will be presented to a Kanawha County grand jury.
Scales is currently incarcerated at the South Central Regional Jail with no bail set.
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