YOUNGSTOWN Hearing set on motions in the wake of mistrial

YOUNGSTOWN -- Judge John M. Durkin of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court has scheduled a hearing next Tuesday to address new motions in the case of Antwon L. Lanier, whose trial on felonious assault and aggravated robbery charges ended in a mistrial last week.
Lanier, 22, of Kenneth Avenue, is charged with the July 27 felonious assault and aggravated robbery of Elijah J. Jackson, 20, of Magnolia Avenue. Jackson told police he was robbed at gunpoint of $20, then shot in the abdomen by Lanier, with whom he had had an ongoing feud over a woman.
Judge Durkin ordered the mistrial Wednesday, before opening statements were given, because witnesses reported receiving intimidating messages about testifying in the trial. The source of those threats wasn't known.
Also, Jackson showed up for the trial but became sick outside the courtroom. The judge was concerned that jurors who were in the hallway at the time may have overheard deputies asking him if he had taken any drugs.
Defense lawyer James S. Gentile has asked Judge Durkin for evidentiary hearings on four motions: asking for a pretrial determination of Jackson's competency as a witness; dismissal of the indictment under the double jeopardy clause of the U.S. Constitution; a change of venue, based on The Vindicator's reporting on the mistrial; and a challenge of the current jury array.
Trial is now scheduled to begin March 20.