West Ashley Man Charged in Downtown Murder

Three people have been charged in a murder committed around 1:40 a.m. Monday on North Romney Street according to the Charleston Police Department.

West Ashley resident Samuel Smiley, 21, of Ashley River Road, is charged with accessory before the fact to murder, according to a police statement. Smiley was on probation on a weapons charge at the time, and was taken into custody on Tuesday at a residence on Honeysuckle Lane.

Also charged in the case are Javon Brown, 21, of North Romney Street, Charleston, and Jane Elaine Freeman, 20, of Murray Drive, Hanahan.

Brown, who was also on probation for a strong armed robbery charge, is accused of murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime. He was arrested Tuesday afternoon in North Charleston, Police said.

Freeman is charged with accessory before the fact to armed robbery, according to the police statement.

Police allege Brown shot a male victim near 129 Romney St. during an attempted robbery early Monday.