YOUNGSTOWN Homeless man charged in slaying of city resident

The shooting occurred after an argument over $400, police said.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A 29-year-old homeless man charged with the aggravated murder of a Youngstown man is in the Mahoning County Jail on $750,000 bond.
Police said Raymond Crites shot John Deiley, 33, of Mayfield Avenue, once in the left side of the head after an argument Thursday afternoon at the 411 Steel St. home of a mutual friend. No gun was recovered, but police suspect Crites used a 9 mm handgun.
Crites was arraigned today by Judge Robert P. Milich of Youngstown Municipal Court on the aggravated murder charge. A preliminary hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. Thursday.
Deiley's family and friends, many of them crying, packed the small courtroom today. When Crites appeared on the video monitor from the Mahoning County Jail, several in the courtroom let out gasps and began crying louder. After the arraignment, a sister of Deiley's fell to the floor outside the courtroom and cried out, "I want my brother back."
What happened
The shooting happened when Deiley went to the Steel Street home of Robert Coleman after learning that Crites was there, said Lt. Robin Lees.
Crites used to rent a room from Deiley, but was kicked out recently after failing to pay $400 to Deiley for living expenses, Lees said. Deiley confronted Crites about the debt, the argument escalated and Crites shot the Youngstown man, Lees said. Deiley also wanted Crites to return a key to his home, his family said.
Coleman told police he turned his back on the two while they were arguing to change the radio station and heard a shot. Coleman told police he then turned around and saw Deiley on the floor with a gunshot wound and Crites running out of the home.
Crites fled the Steel Street home, ran to Hampton Court, and was apprehended in the rear yard at 21 Eleanor Ave., which is near Steel Street, at about 7:15 p.m.
Crites has no violent criminal activity in his past, Lees said.
Previous arrests
But Anthony Farris, assistant city prosecutor, read from what he called Crites' "long prior record" during the arraignment that included arrests for breaking and entering, receiving stolen property, possession of criminal tools, obstruction of justice, drug possession, driving under the influence and driving with a suspended license.
Crites told police that he is homeless. When asked by Judge Milich during today's arraignment where he lives, he listed his parent's home on Radio Road in Austintown.
This is the 10th homicide in the city this year. There have been two other fatal shootings, but the Mahoning County coroner's office hasn't ruled on those deaths. There were 17 homicides in the city by this time in 2002.
skolnick@vindy.com