Jury selection to begin Wednesday in trial of man accused of killing YSU senior

YOUNGSTOWN — It has been more than 18 months since Jamail Johnson, a Youngstown State University senior, was gunned down at an off-campus party, but this week the first of several men charged with his murder will go on trial.

A Mahoning County grand jury indicted Columbus Jones, 23, on a murder charge in Johnson’s death as well as 11 counts of felonious assault with firearm specifications on all counts, improperly discharging a gun into a habitation and illegal gun possession.

Prosecutors and defense lawyer Lou DeFabio, representing Jones, said the trial will get under way with individual questioning of potential jurors Wednesday.

Opening statements in the case will begin in the courtroom of Judge John M. Durkin of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court as soon as 12 jurors and alternates have been selected.

Jones’ trial had been slated to begin today, but was postponed in order for the judge to handle some procedural matters.

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