Judge grants state's motion to dismiss murder charges against two men

YOUNGSTOWN — Two men who had been facing the possibility of life imprisonment are free.

Charges were dismissed today against Aaron Sherrod, 22, of Stockbridge, Ga., and D’Metri Lee, 21, of Idlewood Avenue.

Sherrod and Lee were charged with the Nov. 18, 2007, aggravated murder, aggravated robbery and kidnapping of James E. Dow, 28, of South Lakeview Avenue, and felonious assault against a friend of Dow’s, who survived after he was shot in the hip on the same day.

Judge John M. Durkin of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court dismissed the charges after the prosecutor’s office requested it.

“We filed a motion to dismiss without prejudice because we do not believe there is sufficient evidence in the case to secure a conviction,” said Paul Gains, county prosecutor.

For the complete story, see Friday's Vindicator and Vindy.com