Slain man’s family still seeking justice

By John W. Goodwin Jr.

It has been eight months since the murder of Billy McGeorge.

YOUNGSTOWN — Members of a slain man’s family say they are left wanting justice after the release of three men accused in the November 2008 murder of their relative.

Billy McGeorge, 32, whose last known address was on Parkwood Avenue, was found shot to death in a driveway in the 400 block of West Marion Avenue about 12:25 a.m. Nov. 12. A man who lives nearby heard three shots. Police said the motive for the shooting was an ongoing feud.

It has been more than eight months since the murder, and David Johnson, McGeorge’s brother, said the family has been on an emotional roller coaster that has left them hurt, confused and begging for justice.

Gerald Hardaway, 27, of Ridge Avenue; Dionne Dawson, 26; and his brother, Dewon Dawson, 25, both of West Myrtle Avenue, were secretly indicted and arrested on murder charges in December.

The family then believed that someone would go to prison for the death of McGeorge, but a court ruling earlier this month from Judge Maureen A. Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court dismissed charges against all three men.

The judge agreed with the state’s recommendation calling for the dismissals.

Charges can be refiled against the men, but as of Thursday afternoon, no new or additional charges had been filed.

Defense lawyer Heidi Hanni, representing Dionne Dawson, said the state had to make a motion for the case to be dismissed because of a lack of evidence.

“This was just a poorly put together case,” she said. “There were no forensics, no written statements and no eyewitnesses. They [police] were looking at these guys hoping that by arresting them and indicting them, they would somehow squeal on each other.”

The judge dismissed the charges after Meghan Brundege, assistant county prosecutor, filed a motion to dismiss the indictment, saying the prosecution’s sole eyewitness to the shooting had recanted his previous statements to police.

Brundege declined to comment further on her motion; and Robert E. Bush Jr., chief of the criminal division in the county prosecutor’s office, could not be reached to comment.

Johnson said his family feels an injustice has been done and said the case sheds light on a problem that goes far beyond the murder of his brother.

“We are very upset about the whole situation,” Johnson said. “We feel there was enough evidence to convict these guys. This is the problem with the community; we let people off with these crimes and they are right back out there with similar crimes.”

Johnson said his brother left one son upon his death. He said the boy has had a hard time adjusting to the loss and now spends a lot of time with Johnson.

“It’s rough, it’s really rough on him.”

The dismissal of the charges is not the first time family members have been disappointed in the investigation and arrests concerning McGeorge.

Offering no explanation in court, Judge Sweeney in February reduced the bonds on all three men from $500,000 to $100,000 at the request of the defense lawyers, but she insisted that the defendants must go on, and pay for, electronically monitored house arrest if they’re released from jail, and that the Dawsons must live separately.

Gerald Hardaway remained jailed until charges were dismissed, but the Dawsons were placed on house arrest.

McGeorge’s family expressed outrage outside the courtroom after the judge’s decision to reduce the bond amounts.

Ultimately, Johnson said he hopes police and prosecutors continue to look for whatever evidence is necessary to close the case and bring someone to justice. He said the family hopes it’s not a case that is “just swept under the rug.”

jgoodwin@vindy.com