06/25/09 — Dudley man sought in October murder

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Dudley man sought in October murder

By Nick Hiltunen
Published in News on June 25, 2009 1:46 PM

James Sanders

Goldsboro police are searching for a Dudley man accused of a murder that happened on Franklin Street in October.

James Sanders, 36, whose last known address was Brewington Drive in Dudley, is currently the only suspect wanted by police in the shooting of Eric Lamont Best of Mimosa Street, who died from his wounds at Wayne Memorial Hospital.

Police have already apprehended Cleveland Ward, 30, also of Dudley, in connection with the shooting.

The victim, Best, had been arrested a number of times by Goldsboro police in recent years, including an arrest for breaking and entering a year ago, trespassing and failure to appear in court. In September of 2007, he was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and carrying a concealed weapon. Later that year he was charged with driving while license revoked and a domestic communicating threats charge.

Those incidents may or may not have anything to do with warrants issued for Ward and Saunders, each on one open count of murder, spokesman Sgt. Chad Calloway said.

Calloway said there is no known connection between those prior arrests and the killing of Best.

Police still have not released information about whom they believe fired the shots that killed Best, although Calloway said, "We think we have a good case, and we think we have a pretty good idea."

The spokesman said it was a "matter of time" before Sanders was caught.

"You know, obviously we don't have a clue (where Sanders is) at this point," Calloway said. "Crime Stoppers periodically gets calls in reference to him, but so far they haven't let to his arrest.

"However, in time it's coming. He can't run forever."