Opening statements began Wednesday morning in the death penalty trial of Michael Grevious II.
Grevious, 25, is charged with aggravated murder for the retaliation shooting that followed a shootout at the former Doubles Bar in Hamilton’s West Side. If found guilty, he faces the death penalty.
Grevious is also charged with felonious assault and having weapons under disability for violence at the bar.
MORE: Hamilton man’s death penalty trial moves forward; no plea offered
After the Doubles Bar shooting, Grevious recruited Zachary Harris to kill Orlando Gilbert for $5,000, according to prosecutors.
Here's what defense attorneys and the prosecution told jurors this morning during opening statements:
Brad Burress, Butler County assistant prosecutor:
We are here today because this defendant (Grevious) solicited others to hunt down Orlando Gilbert, Burress says., "Orlando Gilbert that day was the victim of a paid hit." @journalnews
— Lauren Pack (@LPackJN) April 18, 2018
Shooting happened in broad daylight in the middle of the afternoon. Bystanders tried to render aid to the men. @journalnews
— Lauren Pack (@LPackJN) April 18, 2018
Two days after the Doubles Bar shooting, Grevious made a call from jail
— Lauren Pack (@LPackJN) April 18, 2018
Implicating a call to get people from Columbus to come to Hamilton for the hit, according to Burress. @journalnews
They drove around to may places, including Joyce Park where Gilbert was coaching little league football, Burress says @journalnews
— Lauren Pack (@LPackJN) April 18, 2018
"But there were to many people in Joyce Park to get the job done," Burress says. Followed him to LaRosas for a birthday party with his mother. They lost him in the dark. @journalnews
— Lauren Pack (@LPackJN) April 18, 2018
Defense attorney David Washington:
Defense attorney David Washington is now giving opening statements. Washington says Grevious was not on the other end of the phone when talking with Harris, @journalnews
— Lauren Pack (@LPackJN) April 18, 2018
Washington, the crime was sickening. "But Michael Grevious did not pay anybody." @journalnews
— Lauren Pack (@LPackJN) April 18, 2018
No evidence that Michael Grevious was involved with death of Gilbert @journalnews
— Lauren Pack (@LPackJN) April 18, 2018
Seven others, including three also charged with a capital offense, have all had their cases heard and are serving prison sentences.
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