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11 witnesses take stand in Turner murder trial

TESTIMONY BEGINS — A Jefferson County Common Pleas Court Jury heard from nearly a dozen witnesses on Tuesday in the first day of the aggravated murder trial of Donnell I. “Rida” Turner, 24, of Steubenville. -- Mark Law

STEUBENVILLE — Eleven witnesses took the stand Tuesday in a Jefferson County Common Pleas courtroom during the first day of the aggravated murder trial of Donnell I. “Rida” Turner, 24, of Steubenville.

Turner is charged in the shooting death of a rival gang member and injuring two others with gunfire on April 9, 2017, in the Labelleview section of the city.

Several witnesses said they saw Turner drive past the victims on Maryland Avenue shortly before the shooting, but the teens who were injured in the shooting couldn’t identify Turner as the shooter.

Turner is charged with the shooting death of Tyshawn Jett, 15, of Steubenville. Kyler Petteway, 14, of Steubenville was shot in the buttocks, and Christian Frazier, 17 of Steubenville was shot in the elbow. The shootings happened in an alley in the area of Ridge Avenue and Carnegie Street.

Turner was indicted on single counts of aggravated murder and murder and two counts of felonious assault. Those charges contained a gun specification. Turner also was indicted on a charge of tampering with evidence.

Turner is a member of the Nike gang and the shooting victims are members of the Grape Street gang, according to Prosecutor Jane Hanlin, who noted both gangs posted rap songs on social media antagonizing each other.

A teenage girlfriend of Jett testified that Turner drove past a house on Maryland Avenue, where Jett, Petteway, Frazier and several girls were sitting on the steps. The witness said Jett told her something was going to happen.

The girl said she was affiliated with the Grape Street gang. She took the stand with two articles of clothing with the Nike symbol. Defense attorney Steven Stickles asked her about the clothing and she said it was “just clothing.”

The girl’s older sister, who was on the steps, said she had tried to talk to Jett, Petteway and Frazier about getting out of the gang and changing their lives.

Petteway testified about being shot in the buttocks on Carnegie Street and running to the nearest house, which was located in the 1400 block of Ridge Avenue. He said all three victims were members of the Grape Street gang.

Frazier testified next and denied he was a member of the gang.

Petteway said he saw a person dressed in dark clothing and then saw the “sparks” as the gun was fired. He noted there have been problems for years between the two gangs.

Petteway said he wasn’t worried about Turner at that time because Turner had treated him with respect in the past.

Petteway on Tuesday was in handcuffs and shackles. He is being lodged in the juvenile detention center facing charges that he allegedly shot three females on Jan. 12 in the 100 block of North Seventh Street. A hearing has been scheduled for May 8 in juvenile court to determine if his case will remain in juvenile court or be bound over to adult court.

City Police Patrolman Wes Crawford testified he responded to the April 9, 2017, shooting. Crawford said he was approached by a female at the scene who named “Rida” as being involved.

Patrolman Mark Rogers reported he found 13 spent shell casings at the scene.

Testimony is expected to continue through Thursday.

(Law can be contacted at mlaw@heraldstaronline.com.)

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