A special prosecutor dismissed a first-degree murder charge against Calvin Atchison on Thursday, telling the court they could no longer prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case stretches back 26 years, to when police discovered the body of 30-year-old Velma Tharpe at 12th Avenue North and Meharry in North Nashville.
Police believe Tharpe was a sex worker who was beaten to death, strangled and sexually assaulted…