MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Charges of second-degree murder, kidnapping, and assault have been dismissed for a man originally accused in a July 2023 murder in southwest Memphis. However, Nakial Betts did plead guilty to one count of possession of meth.
According to court records, the more serious charges were dismissed due to a "lack of prosecution." Court records also show Betts was sentenced to 30 days with time served after pleading guilty to the drug charge.
Nakial Betts was charged with second-degree murder in the death of Charles Mitchell on Monday, July 31, 2023. Charges of especially aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault were added Wednesday, Aug. 2. Then on Thursday, Aug. 3, more charges were added for drugs that were found during his arrest, according to the court affidavit.
Memphis police said they got a call around 12:30 a.m. Monday, July 31, 2023 about a shooting on the 4800 block of Manson Rd. Investigators said someone got into an argument with Charles Mitchell and shot him, according to a witness. Shortly after, police said the suspect put Mitchell's body into a truck and drove away, police said. According to MPD's original report, the witness identified Betts as the shooter in a photographic lineup.
Around five hours later, officers said they responded to a man down call at Melwood and Bonwood and found Mitchell lying dead on the side of the road with a gunshot wound.
Police said they found Betts at the 2700 block of Airways Blvd. and drove him to the MPD Homicide Bureau for further investigation. According to the original affidavit, investigators claimed Betts confessed to shooting Mitchell during a fight and then dropping his body off on the side of the road.
