Judge to rule Wednesday on new trial for convicted killer

YOUNGSTOWN — Mark Aaron Brown will know in about 24 hours whether he will be given a new trial or put to death next month as scheduled.

Judge Maureen Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court has heard two days worth of testimony in Brown’s request for new trial based on newly discovered evidence. The defense team rested its case today after a failed attempt to bring in another witness on Brown’s behalf.

The state did not present any witnesses during the two-day hearing.

Judge Sweeney said she would rule on the motion for a new trial by noon Wednesday.

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 on Elm Street and shot Salman, the store’s owner, and Al-Turk, a clerk working in the store.

For the complete story, see Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com