Trials scheduled for 4 men charged with assault

YOUNGSTOWN — Four men who allegedly occupied a car from which shots were fired at seven pursuing police officers on the city’s East Side two years ago will be tried separately before Judge James C. Evans of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

The judge ruled today that the trials will begin with that of Craig Franklin Jr., 19, of Glenwood Avenue, at 10:30 a.m., Aug. 13.

The trials to follow will be those of Duniek Christian, 22, of North Garland Avenue; Jumal Edwards, 23, of Woodcrest Avenue; and Brandon C. Jackson, 23, of Truesdale Avenue. All are charged with seven counts of felonious assault with firearm specifications.

The chase, which followed the carjacking of a church secretary July 1, 2005, triggered a six-hour manhunt involving a helicopter, a small plane, search dogs and officers from multiple law enforcement jurisdictions. The suspects were arrested the next morning.