CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - Authorities are searching for an accused murderer who shed his electronic monitoring bracelet and disappeared while free on bail.
The Post and Courier of Charleston reports that Travaris Walker was free on $125,000 bail after being charged in the fatal Dec. 19 shooting of 25-year-old Marquis Rashad Richardson in Lincolnville.
While awaiting trial this week, prosecutors say the 29-year-old Walker stretched the monitoring bracelet out of shape, slipped it off and took off.
Walker's bail has been revoked and a warrant issued for his arrest.
Nicknamed "Smurf," Walker also faces charges for cocaine trafficking and alleged crimes. Prosecutors say Walker killed Richardson while trying retrieve property he believed the victim had taken from him.
Charleston authorities are pushing for better oversight of electronic monitoring after several recent escapes.