6 arraigned on murder charges
10/19/2012Six people facing aggravated murder charges in three unrelated cases will return to Lucas County Common Pleas Court next week after their arraignments were rescheduled Thursday.
Keshawn Jennings, 20, of 244 Wasaon St.; James Moore, 20, of 2037 W. Terrace View St., and Antwaine Jones, 18, of 3145 Cottage Ave., face charges related to the August shooting at the Moody Manor apartment complex that resulted in the death of a 1-year-old girl and injuries to another toddler. The men, each in custody in lieu of $5 million bond, return Tuesday before Judge Frederick McDonald.
The men each face one count of aggravated murder, murder, and improperly discharging a firearm into a habitation, two counts each of attempt to commit aggravated murder and attempt to commit murder, and four counts of felonious assault, each with gun specifications.
Judge McDonald postponed the arraignment to give the men time to determine if they were going to hire lawyers or need them appointed.
The three are charged with crimes associated with the Aug. 9 shooting that resulted in the death of Keondra Hooks, 1, and the wounding of her sister, Leondra, 2, when at least 12 rounds were fired into an apartment at 2225 Kent St.
Also before Judge McDonald was Andrew Goetz of 614 Earl St. and Chaz Jackson of 1158 Clark St., both 28, who are accused of the Oct. 5 robbing and fatal shooting of Jonathan Morris, 22, at East Toledo’s Ravine Park Village. The pair are each charged with one count of aggravated murder, murder, and aggravated robbery, all with gun specifications.
Bonds were set at $1 million for each defendant; arraignments were postponed to Tuesday so they could appear with appointed lawyers.
Jonathon Johnson, 22, of 1657 Vance St., and Leon Jefferson, 28, of 1543 Craigwood Rd., are charged with obstructing justice on accusations of interfering with the investigation by giving false information to police. Johnson was ordered held on a $25,000 bond, Mr. Jefferson on a $15,000 bond. Both will return for arraignment Tuesday before Judge McDonald.
Melody Williams, 48, of 2017 Canton Ave. appeared Thursday in a different courtroom to face charges of aggravated murder and aggravated robbery, each with a gun specification, for the 2011 murder of an acquaintance. Ms. Williams is charged with the death of L.C. Lyons, Jr., whose body was found July 4, 2011, inside his charred home at 5128 Inland Drive. An autopsy revealed he had been shot in the head.
Ms. Williams was appointed an attorney who asked that her arraignment be continued. Judge Ruth Ann Franks ordered a $1.5 million bond and set a Monday court date.
Contact Erica Blake at: eblake@theblade.com or 419-213-2134.