Man gets probation for trafficking but faces murder trial

By John W. Goodwin Jr.

The man will be back in court in March.

YOUNGSTOWN — A city man has been placed on probation for dealing drugs, but he is still waiting his day in court to face charges in a 2009 double-murder.

Lorenza I. Barnette, 28, of Lora Avenue, appeared Thursday before Judge Lou D’Apolito of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court for sentencing. Barnette previously had pleaded guilty to trafficking in drugs.

He was indicted in August and charged with three counts of drug trafficking. The indictment says Barnette, on three separate dates in 2009, attempted to sell heroin on the city streets.

Two of the attempted transactions took place within 1,000 feet of a school, police said.

Barnette also is facing more serious charges of aggravated murder that could land him on Ohio’s death row if convicted.

Judge D’Apolito said a pre-sentencing investigation suggested that Barnette be placed on probation for the drug charges based on his history and risk of recidivism.

The judge said it is important to note that Barnette is innocent of murder until and if he is found guilty in a court of law.

Judge D’Apolito sentenced Barnette to three years’ probation. He must serve the first year of the probationary period in the county jail, where he already is awaiting trial on the murder charges.

Barnette is set to go on trial March 22 before Judge D’Apolito on two counts of murder with death-penalty specifications, two counts of kidnapping, two counts of aggravated robbery, and arson.

Barnette is charged with the Aug. 11 deaths of Jaron L. Roland, 20, of Fairmont Avenue, and Darry B. Woods-Burt Jr., 19, of the city’s North Side.

Roland and Woods-Burt, who were described by family members as inseparable cousins, were found inside a burning car on West Avenue.

Both men were bound with duct tape, and bags had been placed over their heads.

Dr. Joseph S. Ohr, forensic pathologist and deputy county coroner, determined that both men died of suffocation and made a preliminary ruling of homicide. No stab or bullet wounds were found on the victims.

Barnette was arrested without incident by the Mahoning Valley Violent Crimes Task Force mere hours after he was indicted in the 2900 block of Roosevelt Drive, Liberty, shortly after he left a nearby apartment complex.

jgoodwin@vindy.com