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Capital Murder Warrant Issued In Drag Race Death

Monday, January 14, 2008 – updated: 11:32 am EST January 23, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- A Florida man is wanted on a capital murder warrant in connection with the January 13th shooting death of a Huntsville man at an illegal street race in Birmingham.

Birmingham Police said Ladipo Bethea of Gretna, Florida, remains at large today. He's accused of gunning down 26-year-old Anthony Lett. Police said the victim helped to organize the race and was shot in a dispute over a large racing purse of at least $10,000.

Two other race drivers were charged in the death of 29-year-old Lonnie King of Birmingham. Police said King was a pedestrian who was videotaping the race in the Pratt City area. Arrested were 27-year-old Brian Murphy of Elkmont and 32-year-old Yardley Potter of Vernon, Florida.

Video of the race was posted on YouTube.

Murphy was placed in the Jefferson County Jail without bond and Yardley awaits extradition from Florida. The two were also charged with leaving the scene of an accident.

Click below to see video of the race and crash.

Copyright 2008 by WSBTV.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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