Tuesday, January 18, 2011
YOUNGSTOWN — A jury in the murder trial of Tyrell Ravnell failed to reach a verdict after several days of deliberations as the victim’s mother tells police she is afraid for her safety after perceived threats allegedly from the suspect’s family.
A seven-woman, five-man jury began deliberating Thursday in the murder case against the 21-year-old Halleck Street man, but by 2:30 p.m. today informed Judge Jack Durkin of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court that they were deadlocked and could not reach a verdict in the case. The split was an even six to six for conviction or acquittal.
Ravnell is accused of covering his face with a black rag then approaching Christian Blackshear, 19, of Wirt Street, and another man in the Kirwan Homes housing project in Campbell on June 20. Prosecutors say Ravnell shot Blackshear in the head at close range and ran off after telling the man with Blackshear to leave.
Blackshear’s 45-year-old mother told police she has become a victim of threats made in connection with the case. The woman, in a police report filed Friday, told officers she received several text messages of a threatening nature.
The prosecutor's office say they will retry the case.
For the complete story, read Wednesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com