Moody Manor suspect set to testify at trial

6/21/2013

One of three Toledo men charged in the fatal shooting of a 1-year-old girl at the Moody Manor apartment complex is expected to testify in the trial of his two co-defendants, which is to begin Monday.

A plea agreement has been reached between the Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office and James Moore, 21, of 2037 W. Terrace View St., Common Pleas Judge Frederick McDonald said during a pretrial hearing Thursday.

“My understanding is that Mr. Moore is going be a witness at the trial,” the judge said at a hearing for co-defendants Keshawn Jennings and Antwaine Jones. “A plea bargain has been reached with him, and he will not be on trial.”

Mr. Moore along with Mr. Jennings, 21, of 244 Wasaon St., and Mr. Jones, 19, of 3145 Cottage Ave., each were indicted on one count of aggravated murder, murder, and improperly discharging a firearm into a habitation, two counts each of attempted aggravated murder and attempted murder, and four counts of felonious assault, each with gun specifications.

The charges stem from the death of 1-year-old Keondra Hooks and the wounding of her 2-year-old sister, Leondra. Keondra was shot once in the head when at least 12 rounds were shot into an apartment at 2225 Kent St., where she and her sister were sleeping. Leondra was shot in the chest but survived.

At the prosecutor’s request, Judge McDonald on Thursday dismissed two counts of attempted aggravated murder and one count of attempted murder against Mr. Jennings and Mr. Jones.

What deal Mr. Moore had reached with prosecutors was unclear. His attorney, Stevin Groth, confirmed that his client was “in a position to take a plea,” but said that likely would not occur until after the trial.

Andy Lastra, an assistant Lucas County prosecutor, told the court he expects the trial to last about two weeks. The state expects to call nearly 30 witnesses.