An Atlantic City man accused in a fatal shooting on the overpass near Atlantic City High School will remain in jail.
William Tucker, 52, is charged with murder in the killing of Vaughn Lyons, who was found July 6, shot multiple times in the area of 1400 N. Albany Ave., on the Route 40 overpass leading to the school.
The 43-year-old resident who is known to many as “Wild Bill” was pronounced dead at the scene.
A witness saw Tucker and Lyons get out of an SUV, and then heard several gunshots, according to the affidavit of probable cause previously reported by BreakingAC.
Tucker then got back into the vehicle and Sabrina Hearns Evans drove him back to her Carver Hall apartment, where she packed up several trash bags, according to the report.
The two then fled on the Atlantic City Expressway for Philadelphia, the affidavit states.
At some point, Tucker was driving, according to a summons he received for assault by auto at about 3:20 a.m. Monday on Route 42 northbound in Bellmawr, Camden County.
He admitted to drinking "several vodka shots before driving," according to the affidavit of probable cause obtained by BreakingAC.
His passenger was injured and taken to the hospital, it says. She is not named.
Tucker was issued several motor vehicle tickets at that time as well, including driving under the influence, driving without a license and driving with an open container or unsealed cannabis.
Tucker and Hearns Evans were arrested two days later.
Sabrina Hearns Evans during her first appearance at Central Judicial Processing.Hearns Evans' detention hearing also was set for Tuesday, but was postponed to Friday, at the request of her attorney, Andrew Imperiale, who said he wanted a chance to meet with his client.
Tucker has a criminal history dating to at least 1993, and has eight prior convictions, including three for violent crimes, said Caroline Ladd, an intern with the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office who was arguing the case under the supervision of Assistant Prosecutor Paige Jedlicka.
Tucker’s attorney did not offer a defense, saying he explained to Tucker that there was the presumption of detention in the case, meaning the burden shifts to the defense.
“I don’t believe we can overcome that burden at this time,” said Scott Sherwood, who heads the Atlantic County Public Defender’s Office.
Judge William Miller ordered Tucker held, finding he could be a flight risk due to the possibility of a life term in prison. He also said Tucker would be a risk to the community.
“To have a blatant hit like this and then take off, the risk to the community is too great,” he said.
