Robbery-homicide trial under way

The victim was likely lured to the robbery scene by phone, police said.

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — Jury selection began Monday and will continue this morning for one of several suspects in a March 17 robbery and homicide.

Reginald Gilchrist Jr., 26, of Mistletoe Avenue, is on trial on murder and aggravated robbery charges in the shooting death of Demar L. Flores.

Flores, 18, of Eliot Lane, was shot multiple times in the driveway of 54 Rutledge Drive and later died of his injuries at a hospital. The Rutledge Drive house was deliberately set ablaze while nobody was home March 18.

Opening statements by prosecuting and defense lawyers will be today after the jury views the crime scene. The trial is before Judge Maureen A. Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Police said their investigation pointed to a planned robbery, with Flores being lured to the house on Rutledge by someone who called him.

Also charged with murder and aggravated robbery in this case are Sarah L. Beck, 38, of 54 Rutledge Drive, and Charles E. Smith Jr., 30, of East Florida Avenue. Hassan Merriweather, 22, of 54 Rutledge, is charged with complicity to aggravated robbery. The cases of Beck, Smith and Merriweather are still pending.

Police said Smith saw Flores’ car pull into the driveway and knew when to spring the robbery and that conflicting statements from witnesses drew detectives’ attention.

The night of the homicide, Beck told police she was talking to Flores in her driveway when he was shot.

She and Merriweather told police two suspects approached from the rear yard, one of them demanding money before shooting Flores in the back as he ran.

The first police officers on the scene found Flores on his stomach in the driveway, with Merriweather leaning over him. At the time, Merriweather told police he had been in the passenger seat of Flores’ car.

Police, however, said Merriweather was already at 54 Rutledge when Flores pulled into the driveway.

The car Flores was driving had bullet holes on its driver’s side. Four casings were found near the house and driveway.