Justin Anthony Thurman
The Hamilton County District Attorney’s Office Cold Case Unit has charged Justin Anthony Thurman with the 2012 murder of Leslie Townsend.
Thurman is being sought after the Hamilton County Grand Jury issued the indictment on Tuesday.
The charges against Thurman include first-degree felony murder and attempted especially aggravated robbery.
The fugitive division of the Chattanooga Police Department and other law enforcement agencies are participating in the search.
Leslie Townsend, 25, was shot and killed on Oct.
8, 2012, while sitting in a parked car on E. 14
th Street. The initial investigation led to the arrest of Shermaine Menifee for Townsend’s murder. However, the DA’s office later dropped the charges because of insufficient evidence.
The Cold Case Unit later took up the case and, after reviewing the case file, determined that there was enough evidence to link Thurman to the murder.
A warrant has been issued for Thurman’s arrest and officers are actively looking for him in this area.
Anyone having any information on Thurman’s whereabouts is urged to call the Cold Case Hotline at 423-209-7470, or the Chattanooga Police Department at 423-698-2525.