Follow us on

Sunday, May 19, 2013 | 11:30 p.m.

Updated: 4:22 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013 | Posted: 3:08 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013

Jury finds man guilty in connection with Steubenville drive-by shooting

By Kelly CamaroteEric Minor and  NEWS9

STEUBENVILLE, Ohio —


Jurors in Jefferson County found a man guilty on all counts against him in connection with a drive-by shooting in a Steubenville neighborhood.

Antonio Johnson, 23, was found guilty Thursday of attempted murder, felonious assault, improper handling of a firearm and having a weapon under a disability.

The charges stemmed from a July 2, 2012, shooting on Orchard Street. Investigators said Johnson fired 17 rounds from a semi-automatic assault rifle then dumped the gun and ran away. There were no injuries.

The attempted murder and felonious assault charges were intensified with additional specifications that Johnson committed the crimes with a gun, from inside a car and as part of gang activity.

From the start of this case, prosecutor Jane Hanlin asked jurors to find Johnson guilty of the four charges. But she also asked them to find him guilty on three specifications: one for using a firearm, another for the drive-by aspect of the case and the third because Hanlin said the shooting was related to gang violence.

The jury agreed with all of Hanlin's requests.

The trial started Tuesday and more than a dozen witnesses testified for the state prosecution Wednesday. The defense rested Thursday morning without calling a single witness.

"(This is) probably the second gang-specification type case that we've brought to trial and we do that because we want citizens to understand what's happening in the city and we want them to understand it can be stopped. We had some very brave witnesses come forward in this case and cooperate with police and tell us what they knew, and it's a good example of when the community cooperates like that, we can successfully prosecute people and keep them off our streets," Hanlin said.

Jurors heard from the attorneys one last time during closing arguments before heading into deliberations for four hours. The jury reached its verdict around 2 p.m.

The judge set Johnson's sentencing for Monday morning and revoked his bond. Johnson remains in the Jefferson County Jail.

Defense Attorney Steve Stickles said his client will most likely appeal the verdict.

Stay with NEWS9, WTOV9.com and WTOV9 Mobile for continuing coverage.

 

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 

Feb. 7, 2013: Jury deliberating attempted murder case in Jefferson Co.

Feb. 6, 2013: Trial continues for man accused of drive-by shooting in Steubenville neighborhood

Feb. 5, 2013: Jury seated for attempted murder trial in Jefferson County

Aug. 15, 2012: Bond set at $500,000 for attempted murder suspect

Aug. 3, 2012: Anonymous tip helps officials capture attempted murder suspect

July 13, 2012: Police intensify search for attempted murder suspect believed to be armed, dangerous

 

 

 

 

More News

 
 
 

© 2013 Sinclair Broadcast Group. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad ChoicesAdChoices.