City man pleads guilty to robbing victim

YOUNGSTOWN -- Jawan Johnson will serve prison time for robbing but not killing Matthew J. Saunders last August.
Johnson, 25, of East Judson Avenue, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated robbery Thursday before Judge Maureen A. Sweeney in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.
Johnson's indictment was amended in order to drop a charge of aggravated murder against him. His bond was revoked, and he will remain in Mahoning County jail pending sentencing.
Co-defendant Marcus Thomas, 20, of East Warren Avenue, is charged with aggravated murder and aggravated robbery. A pre-trial hearing for Thomas is scheduled for Feb. 1.
Saunders, 40, of Youngstown, was found dead in a parking lot at Pyatt and Erie streets on the South Side. Saunders had been shot in the head and was lying on the ground outside his car. Police have said Saunders had arranged to meet a prostitute in the parking lot.