A case involving an alleged gang-related murder is moving forward.

Five men were arrested in November following the shooting of former R.E. Lee football standout Reginald "Shay" Nicholson.

On Friday, three of them were in court facing gang participation and assault charges. However, they're not all accused of being affiliated with the same gang. Despite that, the judge ruled Jahmain Faqiri, Gregory Baker, and Ricky Parrish will be tried together.

One reason the judge in the case wants to try them together is because of JMU students who are expected to return to Harrisonburg during summer break to testify.

Faqiri is accused of being a member of the Bloods gang. Baker and Parrish are accused of being members of the Crips gang. The Bloods and Crips are typically rivals.

Shortly before the alleged murder, police say a large fight broke out at Hunters Ridge, an off-campus student housing complex in Harrisonburg.

The judge says it would be bad for the witnesses and for the efficiency of the court to try the men separately.

The trial of these men is scheduled to start on June 24 and is expected to last three days.

Faqiri also faces a separate firearms charge. He will be tried on that charge independently of the other two. That trial is scheduled for July 13.

Meanwhile, Zackery Turner, the accused gunman in Nicholson's murder, awaits his trial, which is scheduled to begin May 18.

Demonds Parrish, who also faces gang and assault charges in the case, remains free on bond. He's due in court in April.