NEW ORLEANS -- There's no excuse for dropping charges against a 17-year-old accused of killing a drummer, New Orleans Police Superintendent Warren Riley said of the district attorney's office.

David Bond is the teenager charged in the death of Dineral Shavers, who played with the Hot 8 Brass Band.

"That case is a clear-cut as it can be. There should be no way out for Bonds. There are too many people who saw that incident," Riley said.

District Attorney Eddie Jordan dropped the murder charges against Bond because the mother of a witness refused to let her child testify -- but Riley said his investigators have already located other willing witnesses.

"We've already contacted one, who is willing to testify," Riley said.

Nakita Shavers, Dineral Shavers' sister, said she has teamed up with Crimestoppers to produce reward money to persuade more witnesses to come forward. She said she's putting fliers promoting the reward in the Treme neighborhood where Shavers was shot and killed.

But Riley said those who come forward don't want to come alone.

"And I understand that person, if you have five or six witnesses, 'Why am I the only to testify?' So, we're trying to work that and get some other witnesses to come forward as well," Riley said.

Jordan said Friday that it was inappropriate for Riley or anyone else to discuss active cases still under investigation.

But Jordan has found himself under intense scrutiny over the past week: Several local leaders blasted his management of the district attorney's office, in particular after he dismissed charges against Michael Anderson, the suspect in five slayings.

New Orleans Councilwoman Shelley Midura sent out an open letter Thursday, asking Jordan to resign.

The mayor stopped short of saying Jordan should resign, but he said the situation "may get to that."