JONES TRIAL | Three shooting victims testify

JONES TRIAL | Three shooting victims testify

YOUNGSTOWN

Three young women who were shot at a Feb. 6, 2011, house party on Indiana Avenue near Youngstown State University described a chaotic scene when gunfire erupted from outside at 3:40 a.m.

Ebony Michel, who was shot in the foot; Lisette Encarnacion, shot in her left side; and Jamie Ruffin, shot in the hip; testified this morning in the jury trial of Columbus Jones Jr., 23, of Cambridge Avenue.

The women were among about 40 witnesses expected to testify in Jones’ trial in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Jones is charged with the murder of Jamail Johnson, a 25-year-old YSU senior; and 11 counts of felonious assault with firearms specifications; and shooting into a habitation.

The three women who took the witness stand on the second day of trial testimony said people were screaming and falling down as they tried to escape through the front door as shots were being fired through the open back door.

After she heard an argument, Michel testified, “Next thing I know, I just hear gunshots. Everybody started running. People were falling. I remember falling. My boots were overflowing with blood.”

Michel said her brother carried her outside before she was taken to the hospital by ambulance.