5 things to know about this week’s Middletown teen murder trial

Gonnii White, 17, of Middletown, is on trial this week charged with murder with the specifications he used a firearm and was participating in a gang at the time of the shooting death of Joseph Davis, 17.

Here are five things to know about the trial.

READ MORE: Both sides agree this Middletown teen shot and killed another teen. The question is: Why?

Background on the alleged murder

White was charged with murder after he allegedly shot and killed Joseph Davis, 17, of Middletown, on May 29, 2018 near the corner of Woodlawn Avenue and Garfield Street.

Assistant Prosecutor Mike Hon described the shooting scene as “chaotic” and there was “a lot of confusion.”

Middletown police officer Luke Agee said he was patrolling near University Boulevard and Central Avenue the night of the shooting and he arrived on scene “very quickly.”

There were about 50 people near the body of Davis when Agree arrived on the scene, he testified.

When officers arrived, one woman was rendering CPR to Davis. He was transported to the hospital where he died.

Davis was shot four times

Hon said the autopsy showed Davis was shot four times. He was shot in the buttocks, thigh, right side of his back and in his neck, Hon told the jury in his opening statements.

Defense says shooting was in self defense

During opening statements, defense attorney Tim Upton told the jury of seven women and five men he will prove the shooting was in self defense and the defense of others.

Prosecutor: Shooting was gang related

The shooting was the result of two Middletown groups feuding for two days, Hon said. The fighting began on Memorial Day at Douglass Park, continued the next night at Hill Avenue Market, and ended when Davis was killed, Hon said.

White is charged with murder with the specifications he used a firearm and was participating in a gang at the time of the shooting death of Davis.

White is being tried as an adult after the case was bound over to Common Pleas Court by Juvenile Court Judge Kathleen Romans.

Trial returns Wednesday

After taking Tuesday off, the murder trial continues at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday in Butler County Common Pleas Court. Judge Noah Powers told the prosecution and the defense attorney to be on time because he wants to more the trial forward. Hon said he expects to call several witnesses Wednesday and Middletown Detective Kristi Hughes is expected to be the final witness.

About the Author