Police: Michael Fleming was killed on Cusseta Road, burning car found nearby
Michael Fleming of Columbus apparently was shot and killed at a location on Cusseta Road where a man is accused of tampering with the scene.
Fleming, 34, was found dead about 5:37 a.m. July 10 in the trunk of a burning 2006 Pontiac G6 at Harbison Drive and Head Street but he was fatally shot a mile and half away at 2613 Cusseta Road. The location was identified after Alexander Jackson, 56, was arrested Aug. 3 and charged with tampering with evidence in connection with the death of Fleming.
The Muscogee County Coroner’s Office identified Fleming Monday after his DNA was matched to his parents. The coroner said Fleming died of two gunshots, one to the head and another to his hip.
During Recorder’s Court hearings this week, police said Jackson is accused of cleaning up blood evidence at the scene. He pleaded not guilty to the charge before he was ordered held in the Muscogee County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
A detective has said Jackson was instructed to get rid of the blood and the biological evidence that was left at the scene. An accelerant was poured on the material to dispose of it by fire.
In addition to Jackson, three men are charged with hijacking the Pontiac from a woman on July 9 at 2936 N. Lumpkin Road. They were identified as Darious Jamal Robinson, 18, Marquis Lamar Johnson, 20, and Fredret Shamar Culliver, 17.
Johnson is accused of pointing a gun at the woman at Big Cat Fuels gas station and demanding the car during the carjacking, police said. One suspect grabbed the keys and wallet from the ground after the victim threw down the items and a cell phone . The three men entered the woman’s Pontiac and left, leaving behind the cellphone, police said.
The car was driven to a Circle K at 2102 Wynnton Road and another in Alabama on July 9 . Both businesses were robbed.
The investigation into Fleming’s murder continues.
Ben Wright: 706-571-8576, @bfwright87
This story was originally published August 10, 2017 at 8:12 PM with the headline "Police: Michael Fleming was killed on Cusseta Road, burning car found nearby."