Security increased in and around Trumbull court as capital murder case starts today
UPDATE: In the Kashaun Williams murder trial before Judge Ronald Rice, a jury pool of about 40 people has been qualified. At 9 a.m. Thursday, the normal voir dire process will commence. Court officials expect that a jury of 12 will be selected by the end of the day with alternates… Opening arguments and testimony will still begin Monday morning, Nov. 6.
STORY FROM MONDAY: Security measures in and around Trumbull County Common Pleas Court will be significantly increased this morning due to a capital murder case starting in Judge Ronald J. Rice’s Courtroom.
What is the capital murder case?
Kashaun Williams, 30, of Warren, was indicted in a special Trumbull County grand jury report charging him with two counts of aggravated murder; and one count each of attempted murder, felonious assault, kidnapping, aggravated burglary, having weapons while under disability, receiving stolen property and assault on a peace officer. The first six charges carry specifications of aggravating circumstances, repeat violent offender and committing the crime using a firearm.
A jury pool of about 130 will report to the courtroom of Common Pleas Judge Ronald J. Rice who expects jury selection to take all week. Testimony in the trial itself should begin the week of Nov. 6.
Police identified Williams as the suspect who they say killed 34-year-old James Chapman in the 600 block of Lener Ave. SW on April 2, 2023. A 23-year-old woman with a gunshot wound also was taken to the hospital with injuries.
The aggravating circumstances carry the death-penalty level punishment because two or more people were targeted and other felonies were committed in the act of the aggravated murder, according to court officials.
Williams is a repeat violent offender, according to court records, because he was convicted twice of felonious assault — once in 2017 and again in 2019 — in Trumbull County. He also was prosecuted on an aggravated robbery as a juvenile.
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This story was originally published October 30, 2023 at 6:58 AM.