Murder suspect guilty of firing at home

YOUNGSTOWN -- Prosecutors had no witnesses or physical evidence to prove William Aponte shot and killed Deandre Edwards June 29, but they believe Aponte knows who did.
Aponte, 43, of Liberty Road, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to improperly discharging a firearm at or into a habitation, a second-degree felony. Sentencing is set for 9:30 a.m. Dec. 16.
Judge R. Scott Krichbaum said he allowed Aponte to plead guilty to the lesser charge because prosecutors said they could find no witnesses nor any evidence through forensic testing to prove Aponte shot Edwards. Judge Krichbaum said prosecutors need Aponte's testimony to make a case against another person.
Aponte was to go on trial today in Judge Krichbaum's court. Aponte was re-indicted Monday on a charge of aggravated murder, two counts of felonious assault, a charge of improperly discharging a firearm at or into a habitation and firearms specifications on all counts.
Aponte could have been sentenced to life in prison if a jury convicted him of aggravated murder.
Police said Edwards died around 11:55 p.m. June 29 at St. Elizabeth Health Center, about 30 minutes after police found Edwards shot in the back in the 1300 block of Grandview Avenue on the city's East Side.