YOUNGSTOWN Trial begins for man accused in 3 deaths

By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The trial of a city man accused by police of killing a 21-year-old pregnant woman and her 4-year-old son during a robbery began Monday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.
Lawyers began the two- to three-week process of selecting jurors to hear the case against Anthony Anderson, 24, formerly of Kenneth Street. He is charged with three counts of aggravated murder and one count each of attempted aggravated murder and aggravated robbery.
Anderson could be sentenced to death if convicted of the aggravated murder charges.
A co-defendant, 23-year-old Kevin Calwise of Woodside Avenue, was convicted by a jury of the same charges in March 2000 and is serving three consecutive life sentences. Prosecutors said he could testify against Anderson.
Jury pool: After questioning the initial pool of 70 prospective jurors last week, Judge R. Scott Krichbaum excused six from service for various reasons. The remaining 64 are being questioned this week by assistant prosecutors Timothy Franken and Jay Macejko and defense attorneys Louis DeFabio and James Gentile.
They must select 12 jurors and four alternates for the trial, which is expected to last about a week.
The trial was originally to begin in January, but had to be postponed because Franken became ill.
Shootings: Police and prosecutors say Anderson shot and killed LaShawnda Aziz, who was pregnant, and her 4-year-old son, DeShun Moreland, in a robbery at their home.
Aziz's fetus also died, and her daughter, Brea Aziz, was shot but survived. The little girl, who was 3 at the time, is among potential witnesses to testify for prosecutors.
Calwise testified during his trial that he and Anderson went to the home to rob a man who lived there.
When they discovered the man was not home, Anderson opened fire on the woman and children, then turned his gun on Calwise, ordering him to shoot DeShun. Calwise said he pointed his gun toward the boy and fired once but did not think he hit him.
Also convicted: Jamar Prieto, who prosecutors say provided the gun Anderson used and also drove Anderson and Calwise to and from the scene, has pleaded guilty to his role and is also expected to testify against Anderson.
He pleaded guilty to four counts of complicity to attempted aggravated murder and one count of complicity to aggravated robbery. Prosecutors have recommended that he be sentenced to six years in prison, though he won't be sentenced until after Anderson's trial.
bjackson@vindy.com