ACCUSED GANG MEMBER ON TRIAL

Survivor recalls robbery that led to friend’s death

9/24/2013

Limmie Reynolds recounted for a jury how he bolted from his car when a gang member put a gun in his face with the warning, “On Kent. Give it up.”

Testifying Tuesday in the trial of Traquawn Gibson in Lucas County Common Pleas Court, Mr. Reynolds, 21, said he took those words to mean the gunman was robbing him and informing him he was a member of the Moody Manor Boyz by mentioning Kent Street.

Asked by Lindsay Navarre, an assistant Lucas County prosecutor, what went through his mind, Mr. Reynolds replied, “Gotta get out of this car, get out of harm’s way.”

He jumped out of his car parked on Fernwood Avenue, ran toward Waverly Avenue, and was shot in the back. His best friend from fifth grade, Deontae Allen, who was in the passenger side of the car, also fled and was fatally shot.

Mr. Gibson, 19, of Toledo is on trial for murder, felonious assault, aggravated robbery, and participating in a criminal gang for the Oct. 18 incident involving Mr. Reynolds and Mr. Allen, 19, and for aggravated murder in the Nov. 18 shooting death of CreJonnia “C.J.” Bell, 19.

Ms. Bell, who had been Mr. Gibson’s girlfriend, was killed because she knew of Mr. Gibson’s involvement in Mr. Allen’s death, prosecutors contend.

Mr. Reynolds told the jury he did not know the gunman, who wore gray sweatpants and a hooded sweatshirt. The hood was pulled over his head, but Mr. Reynolds took note of his “big lips and that mustache,” which were clearly visible to him.

He said he did not initially pick Mr. Gibson’s mugshot out of a police array, but did identify him in a photo array at the police department about two months after the incident.

Mr. Gibson’s attorneys contend that prosecutors’ theory of what happened in the two homicides is not borne out by the evidence. The trial continues today.

— Jennifer Feehan