Published: Thursday, July 19, 2007
Trials scheduled for 4 men charged with assault
YOUNGSTOWN — Four men who allegedly occupied a car from which shots were fired at seven pursuing police officers on the city's East Side two years ago will be tried separately before Judge James C. Evans of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.
The judge ruled Wednesday that the trials will begin with that of Craig Franklin Jr., 19, of Glenwood Avenue, at 10:30 a.m., Aug. 13. The trials to follow will be those of Duniek Christian, 22, of North Garland Avenue; Jumal Edwards, 23, of Woodcrest Avenue; and Brandon C. Jackson, 23, of Truesdale Avenue. All are charged with seven counts of felonious assault with firearm specifications.
In a judgment entry, Judge Evans explained that each defendant would get a separate trial because lawyers for Christian, Edwards and Franklin filed motions for separation and because of prejudicial remarks by a prospective juror that forced dismissal of an entire jury panel at the start of what would have been a joint trial in March.
Christian's lawyer, Thomas E. Zena, said his client's interests would be prejudiced by a joint trial because the prosecution and defense agree that Christian didn't have or try to use a weapon in this case.
"The prejudice to the defendant far outweighs any convenience in the joint trial in this action," Zena argued in his motion.
The chase, which followed the carjacking of a church secretary July 1, 2005, triggered a six-hour manhunt involving a helicopter, a small plane, search dogs and officers from multiple law enforcement jurisdictions. The suspects were arrested the next morning.
More Stories from Sun, Jul 22, 2007
- Organizers expect record attendance at ninth annual Mount...
- Mushroom discovery surprises cops
- Salem High raffles off-road Jeep project
- Staff reunites with 75 alums of hospital's neonatal ICU
- Area Soap Box champion takes 3rd in All-American Derby race
- Biking for Bobbi
- JFS opens new office as lawsuit trial starts
- SCOUTS
