Teens Will Stand Trial For Murder For Killing Classmate At Brothers Birthday Party:

James Duke III (l.) and Jordan Martin

A judge has ruled that prosecutors have enough evidence to try two teenagers charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action for the March death of their classmate.

Prosecutors allege that fights between Jordan C. Martin, 18, and Kody Ray, 17, at Hillcrest High School and Battlefield Mall led to Ray being shot at his 5 year-old brothers birthday party.

Ray had recently moved to the Ozarks from New York.

According to court records, Martin had made threats against Ray, because he was afraid he was a snitch and was going to testify against him in a pending court case. Investigators say that no such case had been filed.

Prosecutors allege that James Duke III, 18, fired three shots that killed Ray-- one in the shoulder and one behind each ear--while Martin waited in a car near the crime scene when the shooting took place.

Kody Ray

Duke told detectives he didn't know Ray, and that he went to the young man's house with a gun he had recently found to settle the beef between Martin and Ray. He said in an interrogation interview that he had heard that Ray had access to weapons and was affiliated with a gang. He said he drew his weapon when Ray rushed to shake his hand because he thought he had a weapon.

Duke and Martin, who have been held without bail in the Greene County jail since their arrests, had their bond set at $1 Million dollars each at today's hearing.

The duo are scheduled to be arraigned in circuit court on Friday May 21st.

UPDATED: Celebration Turns To Tragedy In Springfield:

Kody Ray

A birthday celebration turned into tragedy yesterday (03-21-10) at a home on Chicago Street in Springfield yesterday.

Authorities say that Kody Ray, 17, was transported to a Springfield hospital after being shot at least twice in the doorway of 716 W. Chicago---allegedly by a high school classmate. Ray died from his injuries this morning. The teens are students at Hillcrest High School.

Sources say that a fight at school may have led to the boy's murder after some students were suspended or expelled. Investigators say they are following up on that lead, and others.

Students are out of school this week and a spokeswoman for Springfield Public Schools says that they do not comment on disciplinary issues involving students, but are discussing how to deal with the situation as students return to classes.

Ray had recently moved to the Ozarks from New York.

Witnesses told police that they heard at least four shots come from a house across the street where a party was taking place for a 5 year-old.

None of the five children who were at the birthday were injured. However, frantic children only added to the confusion in the investigation and parents were contacted by authorities to come and pick up the children who were at the celebration.

Police believe Ray was a targeted victim and the shooting was not a random act.

Lt. David Millsap says, "We are continuing to develop leads at this time and have no one in custody connected to the shooting."

James C. Duke, III and Jordan Lee Martin, both 18, have been charged with first degree murder in connection with the killing of Ray.

According to court documents, fights between Martin and Ray at Hillcrest High School and Battlefield Mall led to the shooting. Martin had made threats against Ray, because he was afraid he was a snitch.

Prosecutors allege that Duke fired the shot that killed Ray, but Martin provided the gun and was waiting in a car near the crime scene when the shooting took place.