Death row inmate has hearing for new trial

YOUNGSTOWN — Mark Aaron Brown has been on Ohio’s death row for nearly 16 years, but new testimony from two old witnesses could land Brown a new trial.

Judge Maureen Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court heard testimony today from two men who, as juveniles, testified against Brown during his trial. Both men had much different accounts of Brown’s crime than that told to the court 16 years ago, but prosecutors say the men are being less than truthful.

Brown is scheduled to die Feb. 4 for killing Isam Salman and Hayder Al-Turk in a North Side convenience store in January 1994. Brown, 21 at the time of the murders, was high on drugs when he entered the Midway Market and shot Salman, the store’s owner, and Al-Turk, a clerk working in the store.

Myzelle Arrington, a then 15-year-old juvenile in trouble with the law, testified against Brown during the 1994 trial. Arrington, now 31, says he lied on the stand in 1994 primarily to gain favor with prosecutors in regard to his own legal troubles.

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