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Witness IDs Jones, 2nd co-defendant as shooters at deadly party near YSU
YOUNGSTOWN
A co-defendant who turned state’s evidence identified Columbus Jones Jr. and Jamelle Jackson as the shooters who fired a barrage of bullets into a house party near Youngstown State University.
Jamail Johnson was killed and 11 others were wounded Feb. 6, 2011.
Braylon Rogers, 21, formerly of East Lucius Avenue, was a key prosecution witness Friday in Jones’ jury trial before Judge John M. Durkin of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.
Jones, 23, of Cambridge Avenue, is charged with murdering Johnson, a 25-year-old YSU senior, 11 counts of felonious assault, all with firearm specifications, and shooting into a habitation.
Rogers, who grew up in Youngstown, said he was a YSU student when the shooting occurred at the Indiana Avenue house party. However, he said he has been living out-of-state since shortly after the mass shooting.
Rogers testified that he and his co-defendants went to the house party about 2:55 a.m. after having been at a Liberty nightclub earlier that evening.
Rogers said fistfighting erupted after he quarreled with an intoxicated woman who leaned on him at the house party and after he called her a derogatory name. He recalled punching her brother, Danny Williams, in the face when Williams came to his sister’s side.
Rogers’ testimony was consistent with Thursday’s testimony from Williams, a 26-year-old boxer from St. Louis, who was training in Youngstown. Williams said he apologetically told Rogers his sister was “a little tipsy.”
Williams testified his sister hit Jones on his head with the heel of her shoe during the escalating confrontation.
While standing outside the house party, Jones asked for and received his gun from his brother, Mark Jones, another co-defendant, Rogers told the jury.
Columbus Jones then said: “I’m going to air this out,” and began shooting toward the porch, Rogers testified. Rogers explained he interpreted that remark to mean Columbus Jones was going to empty his gun.
As soon as Columbus Jones stopped shooting, co-defendant Jamelle Jackson, who was standing outdoors nearby, also fired toward the house, Rogers testified.
Rogers testified that he carried, but did not fire, a gun that night.
After the shooting, Rogers said he and his co-defendants, including Columbus Jones, whose head was bloodied, went to a LaClede Avenue apartment, where the shooters washed their hands with ammonia to eliminate gunshot residue.
Rogers said police initially jailed him on a murder charge and 11 counts of felonious assault but released him after he implicated his co-defendants.
Rogers pleaded guilty to illegal gun possession, and prosecutors have recommended probation for him in exchange for the testimony he gave Friday.
Rogers awaits sentencing, and the other defendants are scheduled for trial at a later date.
YSU President Cynthia Anderson was again in the courtroom Friday, which was the fourth-consecutive day of trial testimony. The trial resumes at 9 a.m. Monday.