Jury finds James Hudson Jr. guilty of murder

YOUNGSTOWN — A seven-man, five-woman jury has found James A. Hudson Jr. guilty of murder with a firearm specification in the Aug. 13, 2008, slaying of JaJuan Robbins on the city’s South Side.

The jury reached its verdict this afternoon after deliberating for 5 1/2 hours at the end of a trial that began April 22. Visiting Judge Thomas P. Curran of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court presided over the trial.

Police found the body of Robbins, 20, whose last known address was on Pasadena Avenue, on a bedroom floor at 2803 Cain St., several hours after his death.

Prosecutors said Hudson, 33, of West Ravenwood Avenue, was the doorman at the Cain Street drug house, where he argued with Robbins, beat and killed him, mutilated his body and nearly decapitated him.

The coroner said Robbins, who suffered three gunshot wounds to the head, died of multiple gunshot and sharp force injuries. The coroner ruled the death a homicide.

Hudson faces 19 years to life in prison when Judge Curran sentences him at 10 a.m. Thursday.