Two suspects plead innocent in murder case

YOUNGSTOWN -- Two people pleaded innocent Wednesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to charges stemming from a September 2002 homicide on Parkview Avenue.
Kevin Anderson, 20, of Mabel Street is charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated murder. Tamika F. Lightning, 23, of Parkview Avenue is charged with aggravated murder, aggravated robbery and conspiracy to commit aggravated murder.
Both were secretly indicted in January by a county grand jury. They were arrested Tuesday and were arraigned Wednesday before Judge R. Scott Krichbaum. The judge ordered them to be held without bond until a bond hearing is held with Judge James C. Evans, who will preside over their cases.
Police say Anderson, Lightning and 24-year-old Donteill M. Grant of Youngstown are responsible for the shooting death of 57-year-old Jefferson Smith Sr. at Smith's Parkview Avenue home in September 2002. Authorities believe it was drug-related.
Grant also was secretly indicted last week, and he pleaded innocent at his arraignment Tuesday.