A Jackson 19-year-old who said he shot and killed a man who had constantly bullied and robbed him is free of a murder charge after a Hinds County grand jury didn't indict him.

Kentarus Christmas was released from the Hinds County Detention Center late Tuesday.

Christmas was charged with murder in the Nov. 10 shooting death of Michael Smith, 21, of Jackson outside a business off East Fortification Street.

"The Lord was working with me. He knew that I wasn't some troubled child out there doing wrong. He stood behind me," Christmas said Tuesday after being released from jail.

But Smith's grandmother, Luezina Smith, said the grand jury's decision not to indict Christmas sends the message that, "If you're afraid, you can go out and kill someone."

Luezina Smith said Christmas should face a murder charge in her grandson's death.

"He shot him down from behind and stood over him and shot him more times," Luezina Smith said.

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