Harris’ attorneys have said he is not mentally fit to be given the death penalty. They wanted to delay his trial and suppress his confession to Hamilton police. Butler County Common Pleas Judge Greg Stephens denied all three.
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“He clearly comprehended the concepts of the deaths of the two victims, as well as the potential consequences he could potentially face, at one point even attempting to bargain his situation with Det. Webb before providing information,” Stephens wrote in his decision on the death penalty. “With these tactics, as well as the constant insistence of proving his innocence with the gunshot residue test and fingerprinting, defendant demonstrated a good level of sophistication about dealing with the events and the implications for him.”
Credit: NICK GRAHAM / STAFF FILE
Credit: NICK GRAHAM / STAFF FILE
Michael Grevious II allegedly paid Harris, 25, of Columbus, $5,000 to kill Orlando Gilbert after a shootout in July 2016 at the former Doubles Bar. Investigators said Harris, Tony Patete and Melinda Gibby on Aug. 3 came to Hamilton and gunned down Gilbert and Todd Berus.
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Patete, the front-seat passenger of the truck driven by Gibby, allegedly opened fire with an AK-47 multiple times, according to court documents.
Harris’ two-week trial is set to start Oct. 23. Gibby pleaded guilty in August to avoid the death penalty. She faces 30 years in prison. The trials for Grevious and Patete have been continued until early next year.
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