MIDLAND, Texas -- Police are holding under a $50,000 bond a 17- year-old youth in the death of former professional football player James Zachary.
Zachary's body was found early Tuesday in a back alley in Midland, where he was born.
Officers said his head was bleeding, but he managed to tell them that he had been attacked by several men.
Zachary, 36, was taken to a hospital emergency room, where he lapsed into unconsciousness and died a short time later. His body was sent to Dallas for pathology tests.
On Wednesday, De-Vann Stewart, 17, of Midland was charged with murder in the case.
Zachary spent eight years in the Canadian Football League, playing with Montreal from 1980-84 and with Edmonton from 1985-87.
When he became a free agent in 1985, Zachary went to the Washington Redskins, but was released after the final exhibition game.
The 6-2, 265-pound Zachary played high school football in Midland and college ball at Texas A&M.
