Warren man convicted of gun charge

Warren man convicted of gun charge

Staff report

WARREN

A 27-year-old Bennett Avenue Northwest man convicted of having a gun in a bar where a fatal shooting took place New Year’s Day has been placed on five years probation.

Among the restrictions on Orlonzo Murry will be that he stay out of bars or taverns and adhere to a curfew of 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. through 2018.

He also will be subjected to random drug tests, warrantless searches, undergo a drug/alcohol assessment, comply with any recommended drug or alcohol treatment, obtain a General Education Development degree (GED) and maintain employment.

Murry pled guilty earlier in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court to illegal possession of a firearm in liquor-permit premises.

He was charged following an investigation of the shooting death of Cory Blackwell at the Sunset Lounge on East Market Street.

Police called Murry a “person of interest” in the Blackwell homicide but not a suspect.

Blackwell, 25, of Randolph Street Northwest, was found unresponsive with gunshot wounds in front of the Sunset Lounge, 480 E. Market St., at 2:11 a.m.

Police said they learned gunshots had been fired near the dance floor just before Blackwell’s body was found.

The bar closed shortly after the shooting, and later became a church.

No one has been charged with Blackwell’s death.

If Murry violates his probation, he faces a 36-month prison term, Judge W. Wyatt McKay said.