MAHONING COUNTY Jury convicts man in store shooting

Johnson blamed another man, who's already pleaded guilty, for the shooting.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Donterl Jones insisted he didn't fire gunshots into a car at an Oak Street beverage store two years ago.
But a jury believed he did, and convicted him of criminal charges Friday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. Now he's facing just more than 25 years in prison.
Johnson, 31, of North Lane Avenue, was found guilty of three counts of felonious assault and a firearm specification. The eight-woman, four-man jury deliberated about three hours before returning with the verdicts.
Reaction
Sitting with his hands clasped on his lap, Johnson inhaled sharply, then exhaled loudly and began trying to choke back sobs as the verdicts were announced by Judge Jack Durkin.
If Judge Durkin imposes the maximum sentences for each count, Johnson will be imprisoned for 27 years. A sentencing date has not been set.
Assistant Prosecutor Gina Arnaut said Johnson and another man, 22-year-old Rodney Carter of Delaware Avenue, were outside the Six Brothers Drive-Through in September 2002 when they fired gunshots at a car in which two adults and their 18-month-old son were riding.
No people were hit, but the car was shot four times, Arnaut said.
Carter was sentenced to six years in prison in May after he pleaded guilty to charges identical to Johnson's.
In his closing argument Friday, defense attorney John B. Juhasz said Carter was the only shooter and that Johnson was not involved. Juhasz said he will appeal the conviction.
Testimony
Johnson testified during the trial that he'd walked to the store with Carter, even though he doesn't know Carter very well. He said that while he was inside the store buying beer and cigars, he heard Carter outside arguing with someone, then heard gunshots.
One of the victims, Rondell Gardner, testified, though, that he knows Johnson and that he saw Johnson shooting at the car as he drove away from the store.
No reason was given for the shooting.
bjackson@vindy.com