Trial Begins in Easton Drug Killing

The trial of an Easton man accused of killing a rival drug dealer last summer in the West Ward is under way in Northampton County Court.
  
Naheem Adams, now 21, is accused of shooting George Jeter to death on July 27, 2012.

According to the Express-Times, court documents filed Tuesday in Northampton County Court allege that Adams killed Jeter over a drug dispute, sparked when Jeter apparently sold cocaine to customers who had initially contacted Adams.

Jeter, 28, of S. 14th Street, was shot to death on the 1400 block of Butler Street. According to court documents, a witness saw Adams -- who goes by the nickname "Dot" -- fleeing the scene.

Another witness saw Adams in the vicinity of the shooting before Jeter was killed.  

Jeter's killing was one of six homicides in Easton last year. The others were:

• Matthew Kelly, 20, of Bethlehem, who died following a shooting in April in a West Ward church parking lot. A Northampton County grand jury ruled that the man who shot Kelly, Brian Simmons, did so in self defense.
• William Thompson, 43, who was stabbed to death in July on Ferry Street. Lawrence Gaines was convicted of his murder earlier this year. 
• Ervin Holton, who was shot to death Nov. 23 on W. Wilkes-Barre Street on the South Side. His death is being investigated by a Northampton County grand jury.
  
• Paul Murray, 44, who was shot and killed Dec. 2 near McKeen and Nesquehoning streets. Police are still investigating.
• Andres Ruiz-Avelizapa, 52, who died after being hit by Antonio Ortiz in a fight on the 400 block of Northampton Street on Christmas Eve. Homicide charges against Ortiz are still pending.