Kevin West murder trial under way

YOUNGSTOWN — Kevin L. West meant to kill Delbert Jones in 2008, the prosecutor’s office said, but West’s lawyer said the case against his client is built upon unreliable testimony from questionable witnesses.

West’s murder trial got under way today with opening statements from attorneys and witnesses for the state in the courtroom of Judge Maureen Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. The trial continues Thursday.

West, 23, of Youngstown, is charged with aggravated murder and being a convicted felon in illegal possession of a weapon.

He is accused in the August 2008 murder of Delbert L. Jones, 22, of West Indianola Avenue, who was found face down in a field adjacent to his home with several gunshot wounds to his back. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

For the complete story, read Thursday's Vindicator and Vindy.com