Jurors to visit crime scene in August ’08 South Side slaying

The victim suffered three gunshot wounds to the head.

staff report

YOUNGSTOWN — Jury selection has begun for the trial of James A. Hudson Jr. in the Aug. 13, 2008, slaying of Jajuan Robbins on the city’s South Side.

Hudson, 33, of West Ravenwood Avenue, is charged with aggravated murder, aggravated robbery and abuse of a corpse with firearm specifications.

The trial began Wednesday before Visiting Judge Thomas P. Curran of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, and jury selection continues today.

Once a jury is chosen today, jurors will visit and view the exterior of the boarded-up dwelling at 2803 Cain St., where police found Robbins’ body several hours after his death.

The owner of the home is believed to be in California and can’t be found, the judge said in a judgment entry.

Opening statements from prosecuting and defense lawyers are set for Friday morning, and the only witness this week will be a county coroner’s office representative testifying for the prosecution. Additional testimony will be next week, the judge said.

Prosecutors claim Hudson was the doorman at the Cain Street drug house, where he argued with the 20-year-old Robbins, beat and killed him, mutilated his body and nearly decapitated him. Hudson faces a possible life prison term if convicted of the aggravated murder charge.

The coroner said Robbins, who suffered three gunshot wounds to the head, died of multiple gunshot and sharp-force injuries. The coroner ruled Robbins’ death a homicide. His last known address was on Pasadena Avenue.

The case is being prosecuted by Dawn Cantalamessa, Jennifer Paris and Michael McBride, assistant county prosecutors. John J. Limbian is the defense lawyer.