Trial starts in Thanksgiving Day murder

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Jury selection began Monday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court in the trial of a man accused of beating another man to death last Thanksgiving morning.

Jurors reported to the courtroom of Judge Lou A. D’Apolito to be selected to hear the case against 34-year-old Leo Kellish of Shirley Road, who faces a charge of murder in the Nov. 28 beating death of 70-year-old Dennis Simmons.

Simmons was found in the driveway of his home in the 2400 block of Shirley Road about 3:20 a.m., bloody and naked. Kellish also was at the home, covered in blood and wearing only a pair of underwear, reports said.

When he was arraigned on the charge in municipal court the next day, Kellish tried to say he had acted in self-defense. He also had told police who responded that he had acted in self-defense, police reports said. He also had listed Simmons’ home as his address but also told police he chose to be homeless.

Police said Kellish and Simmons were arguing before the beating that culminated in the death.

Kellish’s lawyer at one time had filed a notice to have his client plead not guilty by reason of insanity. A competency evaluation was ordered by Judge D’Apolito, and the evaluation found that Kellish is competent to stand trial and was sane at the time Simmons was murdered.