Man confesses robberies of 2 slain teens

By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Before two 16-year-old boys were shot to death, a small amount of marijuana, a little cash, maybe, and a pair of shoes, maybe, were taken from them, city prosecutor says.
"It never ceases to amaze me," City Prosecutor Jay Macejko said of the motive for two murders.
Macejko spoke to reporters Tuesday after the municipal court arraignment of Devron L. Pinkard Jr., 18, of Park Vista Drive. Judge Robert P. Milich set bond at $500,000 for Pinkard, who is charged with two counts of aggravated robbery.
The prosecutor said Pinkard gave a full confession to the robberies that preceded the shooting deaths of Troy Barlow of Breaden Street and Jaimie Helms Crum of Cornell Street, both 16. The victims, both shot in the head, were found behind a vacant house at 1630 Park Vista on May 20.
What happened
Initially, Pinkard and Adrian M. Sims, 16, of West Marion Avenue turned themselves in to police to face murder charges. The charges were filed against Sims in juvenile court; he is expected to be tried as an adult.
Macejko said the case took a drastic turn last week with the finding of the murder weapon and Pinkard's confession to the robberies. The city prosecutor said he is deferring to the county prosecutor's office on whether Pinkard should face murder charges.
Macejko said Pinkard was present when Sims shot both victims to death.
Pinkard had been held in the Mahoning County Jail on a charge of intimidation of a victim/witness. Macejko said that charge has been dismissed.
Another case
In February, Pinkard was indicted in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court on charges of aggravated robbery and kidnapping with a firearm specification. He had been free on $15,000 bond. The case is set for trial June 7.
The robbery took place in January at McGuffey Road and Dryden Avenue, close to the Gillam and Associates' office. A driver told Annie Gillam, wife of Councilman Artis Gillam Sr., D-1st, that he'd just been robbed and the suspect was walking away.
The Gillams' 42-year-old son, Arnold, walked with the robbery suspect, later identified as Pinkard, until police arrived.
meade@vindy.com