BY ANDY GARDNER
North Country This Week

CANTON — Murder charges against a Richville man have been dropped, according to St. Lawrence County District Attorney Gary Pasqua.

John Anson, 30, had been charged with second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon in the May 4 death of Justin Massey, 40.

“At the time on Tuesday evening (May 4), we believed those charges were appropriate based on the information we had. Based on further investigation and a review of physical evidence, it became apparent those charges weren’t appropriate for Mr. Anson any longer,” Pasqua said.

He still faces a second-degree assault felony charge and is released under probationary supervision.

Now, Charles Anson, 51, of Richville is charged with second-degree murder and making a false written statement. He is being held in the county jail in Canton without bail, Pasqua said.

“These things are fluid. As of right now, these are the most appropriate charges,” the DA said. “Law enforcement is continuing to work leads in the case and interview witnesses and gather evidence.”

Deputies responded Tuesday, May 4 around 2:30 a.m. to a reported burglary at 580 County Route 18 in DeKalb Junction and discovered Massey’s body with a gunshot wound.

Also charged was 25-year old Kayla Briggs of DeKalb Junction. She was charged with tampering with physical evidence, felony.