Youngstown, Ohio — After a swift deliberation of just 90 minutes, including a lunch break, a jury found 21-year-old Leighton Weaver guilty of first-degree murder in the shooting of 42-year-old Lance Louis. The trial concluded on its fourth day in a Lawrence County courtroom presided over by Judge J. Craig Cox.
The decision arrived on Friday amid a courtroom filled with family members of both the victim and the defendant as well as courthouse employees. The verdict also included a conviction for reckless endangerment, setting the stage for Weaver to face a potential life sentence in prison.
The prosecution, led by District Attorney Joshua Lamancusa with Assistant District Attorney Emily Sanchez-Parodi, argued that Weaver had killed Louis over a drug-related debt. Despite presenting no required motive for a murder conviction, the jury was swayed by corroborative evidence including video footage. Notably, this footage was gathered from nearby homes, bolstering the accounts of key eyewitnesses who testified against Weaver.
Weaver’s defense, helmed by Pittsburgh attorney Matthew Ness, challenged the credibility of these witnesses during his dramatic closing argument. He highlighted their criminal pasts, insinuating potential biases and motives for framing his client. Ness contended that one of the witnesses had previously been convicted of falsely incriminating another person.
The tragic incident under review occurred on April 19, 2023, when Louis was fatally shot while sitting in his car. According to the prosecution, Weaver, who had arranged to meet Louis at a residence on Adams Street, approached the vehicle and shot Louis through the window, striking his back. The bullet inflicted fatal damage to Louis’s spinal cord and vital organs. Attempting to flee, Louis inadvertently drove the car into a nearby telephone pole, resulting in a collision that caught the vehicle on fire.
Bystanders at the scene managed to extract Louis’s girlfriend, Crowl, who was asleep next to him at the time of the shooting. She was subsequently hospitalized with severe injuries including a fractured ankle and heel, along with swelling of the brain caused by the impact.
Throughout the trial, the prosecution underscored the consistency and detail of the witness testimonies, which were supported by the video evidence. District Attorney Lamancusa highlighted that these testimonies were freely given, with Joshua Perrine, a key eyewitness, testifying without a subpoena.
As the jury returned with their unanimous decision, Ness requested a poll of individual jurors, none of whom deviated from the group’s decision. Despite being offered options for third-degree murder or acquittal during their deliberations, the jury stood firm on their first-degree murder conviction.
Lamancusa said in his closing argument, “Leighton Weaver killed Lance Louis on April 19, 2023” — a blunt conclusion that echoed through the courtroom as officials began the proceedings for sentencing.
Although the jury has spoken, the layers of this case continue to provoke discussions about the intersections of evidence, witness credibility, and justice in the courtroom.
This report was automatically generated by Open AI. Details, names, facts, and circumstances may be fictional or inaccurately stated. For corrections, retractions, or any inquiries please contact [email protected].