Jury selection underway for two men charged with East Side homicides

YOUNGSTOWN — Jury selection is underway in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court in the trial of two men accused of a string of murders on the East Side dating back to 2011.

Seventy five jurors reported to the courtroom of Judge John M. Durkin to be selected to hear the cases against Michael Austin, 22 and Hakeem Henderson, 24, who face several charges, including four counts of aggravated murder.

The two were indicted in March 2013 in the slayings of Adam Christian, 23, former leader of the Vic Boyz street gang, and Raymond “Remel” Hayes. They were killed Nov. 13 and 16, 2011, respectively, on the East Side.

The pair also face charges for the September 2012 death of Ryan Slade, 20, and Keara McCullough, 19, who were found shot to death in a car on Benford Lane, also on the East Side.

Four others are indicted with Henderson and Austin for some of the same crimes. All six people also face charges of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, which an indictment says consisted of selling drugs and committing murders and attempting to commit murders.

Authorities said all six were part of a drug ring that made more than $1 million in profits when it operated and also shot at several other people.

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