Michael Jordan pleads innocent in 2013 murder of Ahmir Lee

Freda Spencer — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 11:01:57 -0500

Michael Jordan, 27, pleaded innocent Monday to the 2013 murder of Ahmir Lee.

A grand jury indicted Jordan with first-degree murder and unlawful possession of a weapon on Friday, February 20, following a year-long police investigation. He was arrested the next morning.

Accompanied by defense attorney Lefteris Travayiakis, Jordan spoke with a blanket draped over his face in court on Monday.

Lee was shot to death in the Copley Square area on Aug. 22, 2013. According to Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Hickman, witnesses reported hearing shots around 11 p.m. on Boylston Street. They then saw Lee run from the Trinity Park area and collapse from a gunshot wound in the street in front of Burger King.

Others saw Jordan fire three shots towards Lee from the sidewalk in front of Trinity Church, according to the Statement of the Case filed by Hickman. Witnesses watched on as Jordan fled from the church area, walking to Clarendon Street where he got into a car and drove from the scene.

Jordan's arraignment took place at 2 p.m. in front of Magistrate Paul D. Wilson, and was attended by many of Lee's family and friends, including his mother, cousins, and girlfriend.

"Today is the day we finally get some closure," Asia Strong, Lee’s longtime girlfriend and the mother of his two daughters, said before the arraignment. "I feel privileged and I finally have some peace."

Strong said she has never seen or heard of Jordan and wants to know why the murder was committed.

"He was not a hateful person. He was like a big teddy bear," Strong said. She described Lee, who was 22 at the time of his death, as loving, outgoing and goofy, and most of all, a great father.

Jordan is being held without bail and is expected back in court for an initial pretrial conference on Tuesday, April 14, at 2 p.m. before Judge Jeffrey A. Locke.

No arrests yet in fatal shooting of Ahmir Ariel Lee

Zack Sampson — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 19:24:27 -0500

Homicide detectives are continuing to investigate the shooting of Ahmir Ariel Lee, 22, who was killed at about 11 p.m. on Aug. 22, 2013 on Boylston Street near Copley Square, a spokesman for the Suffolk County district attorney's office said.

Lee was a father of two who lived in Boston, according to an obituary. At a vigil in September, Lee's mother told The Boston Globe that she felt as though her son's case had been brushed aside and was not receiving adequate attention.

A police spokeswoman told The Globe that homicide detectives were seeking the public's help in identifying Lee's killer.

Immediately after the shooting, the police department reported that officers were looking for a black man wearing a blue Hawaiian-style shirt in connection with the shooting.

See a press release from the Boston Police Department below:

Death Investigation in the area of 553 Boylston Street
August 23, 2013

At about 11:08 PM, Thursday, August 22, 2013, officers from District 4 (Back Bay) responded to a radio call for a person shot at 553 Boylston Street, Back Bay

Upon arrival, officers located a male victim suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to Boston Medical Center with life threatening injuries and later pronounced deceased.

Homicide detectives are actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident. Anyone with information is encouraged to call detectives at (617) 343-5619.

Community members wishing to assist this investigation anonymously can do so by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1(800) 494-TIPS or by texting the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463). The Boston Police Department will stringently guard and protect the identities of those who wish to help this investigation anonymously.

Ahmir Ariel Lee | Homicide Watch Boston

Michael Jordan pleads innocent in 2013 murder of Ahmir Lee

No arrests yet in fatal shooting of Ahmir Ariel Lee