GOSNELL, Ark. — Murder charges against an 18-year-old have been withdrawn after prosecutors said he had nothing to do with the death of a young girl.
Christopher Sowell was charged with the first degree murder of Jessica Williams who was killed in August 2013.
Her body was found in a ditch near her home.
Sowell, who rode the same bus as Williams, admitted to killing the little girl, but then pleaded not guilty in court.
Sowell confessed to choking Williams on a bridge southwest of Gosnell. He said he then threw her into the water below the bridge and walked away.
At the time, police said Sowell was infatuated with Williams and made advances toward her.
While investigating the murder, Freddie Sharp, 29, was arrested, tried, and eventually sentenced to 25 years in prison for raping Williams.
Today, prosecutor Scott Ellington said evidence that came out during the rape trial showed Sowell did not commit the murder and his statement did not match with scientific evidence.
In a statement, Ellington said, “My office, the Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office, and the Arkansas State Police will continue to work on this matter in pursuit of justice for Jessica, the Williams family and the good people of our community.”