Toledo man found guilty on all counts in 2 separate homicides

Traquawn Gibson aces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole

9/26/2013

A Toledo man accused in two separate homicides was found guilty on all counts just after 7 p.m. today following a jury trial in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.

Traquawn Gibson, 19, faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole after he was convicted of aggravated murder in the Nov. 18 shooting death of CreJonnia “C.J.” Bell, 19, and murder, felonious assault, aggravated robbery, and participating in a criminal gang for an Oct. 18 incident in which Deonte Allen, 19, was robbed and shot to death and his friend, Limmie Reynolds III, now 21, also was shot but survived.

Prosecutors contended Gibson shot Mr. Allen and Mr. Reynolds after attempting to rob them in the service of his gang, the Moody Manor Boyz, as they were sitting in a car on Fernwood Avenue. They told the jury Gibson killed his longtime girlfriend, Ms. Bell, a month later because she had broken up with him and knew too much about his gangster lifestyle, including information about his involvement in the Oct. 18 homicide.

The jury deliberated just less than three hours before reaching its verdicts. Judge Ruth Ann Franks scheduled sentencing for Monday.