43
Testimony begins as 3rd man goes on trial in 2015 shooting death
Other two defendants convicted, serving lengthy sentences
By Joe Gorman
YOUNGSTOWN
Steve Yacovone, an assistant Mahoning County prosecutor, told jurors Jawonn Hymes, 26, wanted to kill 33-year-old Thomas Owens because Owens accidentally shot and killed Hymes’ uncle in 2004.
Testimony began Wednesday before Judge Lou D’Apolito of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. Hymes is the last of three men accused in the November 2015 shooting death of Owens, who was in a parked car on the South Side.
Hymes’ lawyer, Stanley Booker, said there is no evidence his client ever harbored any animosity toward Owens. He added there is no evidence to suggest that after 11 years Hymes suddenly picked that evening to exact revenge on Owens.
Police accused Hymes, along with Leonard Savage and Jason Heard, of following a car Owens and other men were in after it left a Glenwood Avenue bar en route to West Myrtle Avenue on Nov. 14, 2015. Police collected shell casings at the scene from two different weapons.
No one else in the car with Owens was killed. Owens was shot in the thigh and the back of the head, Yacovone said.
Savage and Heard were both convicted of complicity charges before Judge D’Apolito and are serving long sentences. Yacovone made it a point to explain to jurors about the complicity charge, saying they could find Hymes guilty of that charge if they find Hymes helped aid or plan Owens’ death.
Yacovone said the three were at a bar when they saw Owens accompanied by three men. The prosecutor said Hymes, Savage and Heard made preparations there to kill Owens.
Booker said there was a fourth man with Hymes, Savage and Heard that evening, and prosecutors failed to mention that man. Booker also said there was never any report of trouble between Owens and his group and Hymes and his group.
Jurors visited the crime scene before opening statements. The case was set to start Tuesday, but it was delayed a day because a juror failed to show up. The juror was found later Tuesday, and the trial began Wednesday.