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No Bond For Suspect In 'Housewives' Ex-Fiance Slaying

A man who worked at a strip club where the former fiance of one of the "Real Housewives of Atlanta" TV show died after a scuffle has been ordered held without bond on a voluntary manslaughter charge.

Magistrate Sylvia McCoy ordered Frederick Richardson held in the death of Ashley "A.J." Jewell, who died at a hospital after the fight Friday night.

Richardson's attorney, Dennis Scheib, tried to persuade the judge to dismiss the charges because no cause of death has been determined.

Jewell was engaged to Kandi Burruss, the newest member of the Atlanta housewives cast, until August.

Atlanta police believeJewell was killed over a lack of respect at a strip club.

Investigators told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Jewell was a part owner of The Body Tap Club in the 1200 block of Marietta Boulevard in Atlanta.

Richardson, an employee at the strip club, was charged with voluntary manslaughter after Jewell died after a fight in the parking lot of the strip club.

“They had some words about a business decision,” Lt. Keith Meadows, head of Atlanta Police’s homicide unit told the newspaper. “It seems like it was a struggle for power over the club.”

Richardson is being held at the Fulton County jail after being treated at Grady Memorial Hosptial for injuries he received during the fight with Jewell.


SLIDESHOW: Atlanta Housewife's Fiance' Killed After Strip Club Brawl

Atlanta police told Channel 2 Action News that Jewell received a severe head injury during a fight at The Body Tap Club.

"It appears he was involved in an altercation in the parking lot and he received a severe blow to the head," said Meadows.

Richardson was charged with voluntary manslaughter.

Jewell was the former fiancé of Atlanta "housewife" Kandi Burruss, the newest cast member of the hit reality show, “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” and is coping with Jewell's tragic death. Jewell also appeared regularly on the show.

Frederick Richarson

Frederick Richardson

Burruss posted a message on her Twitter page Saturday expressing how the incident has left her devastated.

"I could never in a million years imagine this happening. Please pray for A.J.'s children ... that's who i'm the most concerned for. I'm about to give my swollen eyes some rest now. I just wanted to say thanks two everyone for their prayers," said Burruss.

Burruss is asking for privacy during this very difficult time.

Burruss, an award-winning singer-songwriter and former member of the ’90s R&B group Xscape, has had numerous disagreements with her mother on the show regarding her relationship with Jewell.

"Ed and I have grown fond of A.J. and Kandi and we all have become friends. We are very saddened by the news of A.J.'s sudden passing and can't imagine what Kandi is going through," said Atlanta "housewife" Lisa Wu-Hartwell.

Police said they have not determined a motive for the brawl, but the investigation is still under way.

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