Homicide charges were withdrawn today against a North Side man, primarily because a key witness to the slaying has been killed.

Devon Shealey, 22, had been charged in the Sept. 28 shooting death of Jason Brown, 30.

Though the homicide charge was withdrawn, Mr. Shealey remains in custody in the Allegheny County Jail, pending prosecution on charges unrelated to Mr. Brown's death, authorities said.

An eyewitness told police he had been with Mr. Brown outside the victim's apartment building on North Charles Street just off Perrysville Avenue when Mr. Shealey approached and asked to share a marijuana cigarette the two men had been smoking.

The eyewitness, Justen Anderson, 19, told police Mr. Shealey pulled a pistol and shot Mr. Brown, killing him.

A month later, Mr. Anderson was shot dead as he stood in the bedroom of the home he shared with his grandmother in Marshall-Shadeland. A gunman apparently fired the fatal shot from across the street, police said.

Mr. Shealey was arrested and charged with Mr. Brown's killing within 24 hours of Mr. Anderson having been shot.

Police have not confirmed whether Mr. Anderson's killing was directly related to Mr. Brown's.