By Ray King
Formal charges have been filed against a Jefferson County man accused in the shooting death of another man in March.
Stephen Peterson, 41, is accused of capital murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm in the death of Willie Purifoy whose body was found in a house at 2702 S. Ash St., on March 21 and was pronounced dead at the scene.
During a court hearing Wednesday, Jefferson County District Judge Kim Bridgforth read the charges against Peterson.
According to a probable cause affidavit from Detective Sgt. Keith Banks, a witness told police Peterson and Purifoy had been arguing over a woman at Rally’s and when they got to the residence on Ash St., Peterson and Purifoy “did drugs together” and when the witness walked out the back door, the witness heard a gunshot.
The witness said Peterson walked out the back door and said he shot Purifoy. The witness also said Peterson had a gun but he did not see what kind it was.
Peterson was not interviewed because he asked for an attorney.
