Opening statements in Nasser Hamad trial to begin today

Staff report

WARREN

Opening statements in the Nasser Hamad aggravated-murder trial are scheduled for today in Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge Ronald Rice’s courtroom.

Hamad, 48, is charged with two counts of aggravated murder and several counts of attempted aggravated murder in connection with a Feb. 25 shooting at his house on state Route 46 in Howland.

Police and prosecutors say Hamad fired at five people as they were getting ready to leave his house after a fistfight that took place there. Joshua Haber, 19, and Josh Williams, 20, were killed. Bryce Hendrickson, 20, John Shively, 17, and April Trent-Vokes, 42, were injured.

Police said the confrontation was related to an ongoing feud between Hamad and several members of his girlfriend’s family. His girlfriend (Bryce Hendrickson’s mother), Tracy Hendrickson, is slated to testify during the trial.

Bryce Hendrickson was on the witness list for the trial, but he died Sept. 30 at a residence in McDonald. Police suspect he died of a drug overdose.

Jury selection in the Hamad trial wrapped up last week, and jurors took a tour of the crime scene Friday.

If convicted of some of the charges, Hamad could face the death penalty.