MEMPHIS, Tenn. — One of the two people accused in the murder of a St. Jude researcher is expected to be released for now after a judge’s ruling Wednesday.
Judge Sheila Bruce Renfro said there was no probable cause against defendant Brandy Rucker in the November death of Dr. Alexander Bulakhov.
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Court record show Rucker’s charges of first-degree murder, especially aggravated robbery, murder in perpetration of a felony, attempted murder, attempted aggravated robbery and employment of a firearm in a felony were dismissed Wednesday.
Rucker and co-defendant Marious Ward , both facing murder and aggravated robbery charges, were in court for a hearing Wednesday. Ward, the alleged triggerman, will remain locked up.
Bulakhov, 32, who had recently moved to Memphis for a research job at St. Jude, was shot dead in November in front of his wife and young child in an apparent robbery on Tennessee Street in Downtown Memphis.