UPDATE | Aubrey Toney tells jurors he is innocent

YOUNGSTOWN — Jurors in the capital murder trial of a man that began this morning in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court do not have to wonder if they will hear from the defendant.

Aubrey Toney gave the opening statement in his own behalf before Judge Maureen Sweeney, asking jurors to set aside emotion and base their decision on a verdict on the evidence they will hear.

Toney, 33, claims he is innocent of the Sept.. 25, 2010, death of Thomas Repchic, 74, and the wounding of his wife Jacqueline, 74, as they rode in a car at Soouthern Boulevard and East Philadelphia Avenue about 1 p.m.

In her opening statement, Assistant Prosecutor Dawn Cantalamessa said Toney had been feuding with a man who was known to drive a car similar to the Repchic’s maroon Cadillac, and when he found out the man was in the neighborhood, he borrowed an SUV from a cousin, grabbed a .308-caliber assault rifle and waited for the car before firing several rounds into it.

Toney said he was nowhere near the scene of the shooting. He could be sentenced to death if he is convicted.

Testimony is expected to continue this afternoon.

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