MPD marks fifth homicide
arrest in less than a month

By by Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
March 23, 2003
A Meridian man was charged with murder Saturday in the shooting death of Lefrance Chandler, 29, who died at a local hospital after being shot in the chest at a Meridian apartment complex.
Billy Burage Jr., 25, of Meridian, was being held in the Lauderdale County jail on $50,000 bond.
The arrest marks the fifth made in connection with alleged homicides in Lauderdale County in February and March two murder charges and a manslaughter charge in Meridian, and a murder arrest and an accessory after the fact of murder arrest outside the city limits.
In all, five people have died violently in less than a month.
Meridian police said the shooting happened around 1:15 p.m. Saturday at Western Garden Apartments at 107 71st Place.
Harper said when police arrived at the scene, they found Chandler lying on the ground. Chandler was transported to a local hospital, where he died. Harper said Burage surrendered himself to the police.