Murder charges filed in September stabbing

Associated Press - November 18, 2009 4:04 PM ET

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) - Second-degree murder charges have been filed against a Dubuque man in connection with a fatal stabbing during a Labor Day melee.

Jerel L. Wright has been held in the Dubuque County Jail since his arrest on an attempted murder charge in the stabbing of 23-year-old Derrick Tye. He was arrested Tuesday for the murder of 24-year-old Jermaris West.

For weeks, police said there was a chance they'd file homicide charges against Wright.

Wright was first charged with stabbing Tye in the head and upper back during the fight. Joseph Wright of Chicago also is charged with attempted murder because prosecutors said he aided and abetted his brother.

The brothers are scheduled to go to trial on the attempted murder charge on Dec. 7.

If convicted of murder, 19-year-old Jerel Wright would face up to 50 years in prison.

Information from: Telegraph Herald, http://www.thonline.com