Co-defendant IDs Jamelle Jackson as a shooter in 2011 murder

AKRON — A co-defendant in the mass shooting that killed one person and wounded 11 others at a house party near Youngstown State University testified this morning that Columbus Jones and Jamelle Jackson fired guns outside the house.

Braylon Rogers, 21, who has pleaded guilty to illegal gun possession in the case, testified that Jones fired first.

“After he stopped shooting, Jamelle starts shooting,” Rogers said.

Jackson, 20, is on trial before a nine-woman, three-man jury for the murder of Jamail Johnson, a 25-year-old YSU senior, and for 11 counts of felonious assault in the Feb. 6, 2011, shooting. Jackson also is charged with shooting into a habitation.

Because of pre-trial publicity, Judge John M. Durkin of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court moved Jackson’s trial to Akron.

Columbus Jones was convicted of murder and 11 counts felonious assault by a Mahoning County jury earlier this year and sentenced to 92 years in prison.

For the complete story, read Saturday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com