[7/17/04]Charges have been dropped against three of the eight people who were arrested in the slaying of a Vicksburg man nine days ago.

Jimmie Renee Felix, 21, 313 Pleasant Valley; George Deon Scott, 24, 503 Dabney Ave.; and Tameka Washington, 18, 427 Pittman Road, were released by city police, spokesman DaVon Grey said Friday.

All three had been charged with accessory to capital murder in the July 8 shooting death of Christopher Cage, 44, 727 Adams St., Apt. 1. A hearing was held Thursday before Judge Frank Vollor in Warren County Circuit Court. Five remain charged.

Police have identified Zachary Conner, 19, 127 Bazinsky Road, Apt. 210, as the accused shooter. He and two others, Jamaal Bell, 20, 727 Adams St., and Keon Hatchett, 17, 2907 Oak St., remain charged with capital murder.

Jessie Watson, 23, 2823 Acadia St., and Tashiba Williams, 19, 147 Elizabeth Circle, remain charged with accessory to capital murder.

Vollor set bond for one, Watson, at $10,000, and he has been released, jail records show. The others remained in the Warren County Jail Friday.

Cage’s body was found by Vicksburg Police at 12:04 a.m. July 9 on Fayette Street near Cherry Street. Autopsy results showed Cage died of multiple gunshot wounds to the upper body.