Latest Update In The Death Of A.J. Jewell Ex-Fiance To Kandi Burruss, “The Real Housewives Of Atlanta”
Posted on 07. Oct, 2009 by CSS in Fight, Headed for the Clink, Legal Drama, MUGSHOTS., R.I.P., RHW, Real Housewives, Sad
The ex-fiance of “Housewives” star Kandi Burruss was walking and talking after the fight that led to his death.
Initial reports made it seem like Ashley “A.J.” Jewell was left for dead after the fight — which occurred outside of a strip club in Atlanta on Friday night — but law enforcement sources say that wasn’t the case.
Witnesses told authorities A.J. was walking and talking after the fight — and he didn’t even take an ambulance to the hospital, instead hitching a ride with one of his friends.
Suspect Fredrick Richardson is being held without bail and has been charged with voluntary manslaughter.
The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office says A.J.’s body showed evidence of a physical altercation — and they’re trying to determine the extent of those injuries while also looking to see if there “was another cause of death.”
The M.E.’s Office also says contrary to other reports, there were no stab wounds found on Jewell’s body.
Fredrick Richardson is being represented by Atlanta defense attorney Dennis Scheib.
Here’s what the AJC had to say about yesterday’s court appearance:
Richardson, his right fingers in a cast, said little during his first court appearance Tuesday morning.
Coming into the jail courtroom, Richardson waived to his 70-year-old mother and one of three children sitting in the rear, behind a glass partition. He spoke only to acknowledged to the judge that he understood the charges against him and that he had an attorney.
While waiting for the hearing to start, Scheib told reporters Jewell started the dispute with Richardson, the general manager at the club since May.
Scheib said Jewell was stretched out on Richardson’s sofa in his office “with a gun” beside him earlier in the day Friday.
Richardson said to Jewell “‘what are you doing?’ He [Jewell] said ‘I’ve got something for you,’” Scheib said.
According to Richardson, Scheib said, Jewell then pulled back the slide on the handgun.
Later in the parking lot, “A.J. comes out and says ‘I’ve got something for you.’ He takes off his shirt.. and hits Richardson twice,” Scheib said.
The two exchange blows and then Richardson leaves the parking lot. He went to the hospital to have his broken index finger treated. Scheib said. As Richardson was driving out of the parking lot, “A.J. was walking away. He wasn’t beaten to death,” Scheib said.
Jewell died later that night at Piedmont Hospital
“We don’t know what killed him,” Scheib said, complaining that a manslaughter charge is premature.
Scheib said Jewell may have had a health problem that caused his death.
Detectives said the deadly argument apparently came out of a slight and a disagreement over the club.
“They had some words about a business decision,” said Lt. Keith Meadows, head of the Atlanta Police Department’s homicide unit. “It seems like there was a struggle for power over the club.”
Fredrick is due back in court on October 20.
It is going to be very interesting to hear all the facts come out in this case. From the argument Fredrick’s attorney is making, it appears Jewell may have been the cause of his own fate.
On a sidenote: The Real Housewives of Atlanta reunion show was set to tape today-no word on if that has been postponed or how involved Kandi will be.
**AJ’s funeral will be held Friday at the Ray of Hope Christian Church on Snapfinger Road in DeKalb County. The time has not yet been determined. A visitation will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Donald Trimble Mortuary in Decatur.
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“The Real Housewives Of Atlanta” Kandi Burruss Releases Statement Following Death Of Her Ex-Fiance Ashley ‘A.J.’ Jewell
‘Real Housewives Of Atlanta’ Star Kandi Burruss Former Fiance AJ Jewell Murdered.
