Wheelman testifies in murder trial

By Ed Runyan

The victim died from multiple gunshot wounds, including one that pierced his heart, lung and liver.

WARREN — Michael Ahladis, 24, says he dropped off two friends at an apartment in Howland, including Oryan Miller, 20, so they could commit a “real quick” robbery.

But the target, Cameron Murray, 21, confronted the two intruders, leading to a shootout that killed Murray and wounded Ahladis’ friend, Delshawn Scrivens, 25.

Scrivens, 25, of Wood Street Southwest, later died from gunshot wounds police think he received while committing the murder-burglary.

Scrivens had planned the robbery and arranged to have the back door to Murray’s apartment left open, Ahladis said Monday during testimony in Miller’s trial in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.

Ahladis, Scrivens and Miller are from Warren. Murray had recently moved to Howland from Warren.

Miller is charged with complicity to murder and two counts each of complicity to aggravated burglary and complicity to aggravated robbery.

If convicted, Miller could spend at least 15 years to life in prison.

Ahladis picked up Scrivens about 9 a.m. the day of the robbery, Dec. 23, then picked up Miller about 10:30 a.m., Ahladis said.

The three friends talked about committing the robbery while riding around in Ahladis’ father’s pickup truck, went to the Bazetta Wal-Mart to buy ski masks and gloves for the robbery, and each man had a gun with him in the truck, Ahladis testified.

“There was supposed to be no one there,” Ahladis testified under questioning by Chuck Morrow, an assistant county prosecutor. “We was supposed to go in there real quick.”

The three intended to steal marijuana and cash and split it three ways, Ahladis said.

Ahladis, who had driven to a Burger King a short distance east on East Market Street while the robbery was going on, tried to call Scrivens’ cell phone when he noticed Murray driving toward the apartment, but Scrivens didn’t answer.

After a call from Scrivens, Ahladis returned, picked up Scrivens and Miller and took them to a friend’s house. From there, Scrivens and Miller went to separate hospitals. Scrivens died from his injuries. Miller suffered only a gunshot wound of the buttocks.

While driving away from the apartment, Miller told Ahladis that Miller had shot Murray and that Murray had shot Scrivens. Miller also told Ahladis that he had gotten rid of his handgun by leaving it behind the apartment.

The weapon, which police say was the one that killed Murray, was later recovered by Howland police.

Ahladis said he agreed to testify against Miller in exchange for a prison sentence of 13 to 23 years but added that he wrote letters to Miller while the men were in separate areas of the Trumbull County Jail, giving Miller advice on defense strategy.

“I knew he was young. I knew he didn’t know much about the law. I was trying to explain what’s going on,” Ahladis said.

Dr. Humphrey Germaniuk, Trumbull County coroner, testified that Murray died from multiple gunshot wounds, including one that pierced his heart, lung and liver.

Another gunshot appears to have entered his forearm then passed into his neck, while a third shot passed through an area in his back under his right arm.

The trial resumes today with cross-examination of Ahladis by Miller’s defense attorney, Sarah Kovoor.

runyan@vindy.com