Opening statements Tuesday in trial involving string of East Side homicides

YOUNGSTOWN

A jury was selected Monday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court in the trial of two men accused of a string of homicides on the East Side dating back to 2011.

Opening statements will be Tuesday in the courtroom of Judge John M. Durkin as jurors 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 in the September 2012 killings 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 in some of the same crimes. All six people also face charges of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.

Read more about the cases in Tuesday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.