YOUNGSTOWN Tension came before gunfire

The case is being tried before a judge, not a jury.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Prosecutors say Pernell Harrison shot 36-year-old Ada Hill in the chest after an evening of stewing over unexpected guests and arguing over what to watch on television. Harrison told police that the gun fired accidentally when he dropped it on the floor.
The 40-year-old Oak Street man is on trial in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, accused of killing his girlfriend in the basement of their home in 1998. The trial is in the courtroom of Judge James C. Evans. The judge will rule on Harrison's guilt or innocence because defense attorney Charles Dunlap opted against a jury trial.
Witness's testimony
Britt Lightner of Columbus, formerly of Youngstown, testified Monday that she, her brother, sister and uncle visited Hill the night of the shooting.
Lightner said she and Hill were close friends since childhood. She was in Youngstown to visit her mother in November 1998 and decided to visit Hill before going back to Columbus. Harrison was not home when they arrived.
Lightner said Hill was concerned that Harrison would be angry if he came home and found the two men, especially Lightner's brother, in the house.
She telephoned Harrison to let him know who was at the house so he would not be surprised, Lightner said.
Hill feared Harrison would think Lightner's brother, Charles Lightner, had come to see her, which was not the case, Britt Lightner said. Hill wanted to head off any potential problems by alerting Harrison of the man's presence in advance.
Britt Lightner said Harrison got home about a half-hour after speaking to Hill on the phone.
"Pernell had a real funky attitude that night," she said, noting that he seemed suspicious of why Charles Lightner was there.
Argument
Harrison and Hill then argued because he put a football game on television while she wanted to watch a movie.
Charles Lightner said he walked outside because he sensed mounting tension and wanted his sisters to follow him out so they could leave. Instead, Harrison followed him outside and accused him of being disrespectful by whispering to his wife.
When Charles Lightner denied that, Harrison said he would "take care of" Hill as soon as the Lightners left, Charles Lightner said.
Police say the Lightners left the house around 8 p.m., and Hill was shot within minutes afterward. There were no eyewitnesses.
bjackson@vindy.com