Published: 2/18/2011 - Updated: 2 years ago

Jury finds Toledo man not guilty of murder

BLADE STAFF

Ray Gott was found not guilty of murder, but was convicted of voluntary manslaughter. THE BLADE/JETTA FRASER Enlarge | Buy This Photo

A Toledo man was acquitted of murder Friday night but found guilty of the lesser offense of voluntary manslaughter for the April shooting death of a man during a fight at a central city apartment complex.

Ray Gott, 48, of 30 West Weber St. was also found not guilty of felonious assault.

Gott was initially charged with murder with a gun specification for the shooting death of Edward Christopher Lee, 35, and with felonious assault with a gun specification for the shooting Sherlon McKenzie, during an April 4 altercation in the parking lot of the Moody Manor apartments.

Judge Stacy Cook set a Feb. 28 sentencing date where he faces up to 13 years in prison.

The jury of nine men and three women deliberated for about 17 hours over two days before reaching a decision Friday. Twenty-three witnesses testified and more than 50 exhibits were presented over the seven-day trial.

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