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YOUNGSTOWN -- Jurors in the aggravated murder trial of Robert L. Shelton on Tuesday watched security videos of the chaotic scene at the Brothers of Power Classic Cars Club on Logan Avenue, where three men were shot to death Feb. 9, 2020.
Shelton, 46, of Lithonia, Ga., is charged with aggravated murder with a gun specification, murder, being a felon in possession of a weapon and tampering with evidence in connection to the early morning shooting of Dymond D. Ortello, 34, outside the North Side after-hours club.
Police said Ortello's brother Daniel, 31, and Charles Pullen, 37, shot each other to death inside the club.
Jurors heard from Youngstown Police detective Sgt. Michael Cox, who was called out that morning as an extra detective investigating the shootings.
Cox said he was assigned to gather security video from the bar and the nearby Logan Avenue Gas Mart, where Shelton reportedly ran to after the shooting. He was arrested two days later.
The videos showed different angles of the chaotic scene of the shooting and interior and exterior shots of the gas station.
Under cross examination by defense attorney Lynn Maro, Cox said the videos of the bar showed a lot of people "hanging out" and carrying weapons inside and outside. Cox said a video at the gas station shows the defendant going in and taking off his sweatshirt.
A report states officers arrived at the shooting scene within one minute of the call and saw about 100 people trying to get away. Victims were taken to St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital by ambulance and private vehicle.
During his opening statement, defense attorney Thomas Zena said it won't be disputed his client shot Dymond Ortello, but Zena said the defendant did it in self-defense.
"The first thing he hears is shooting and then sees his friend lying on the ground," Zena said, adding Pullen was shot 10 times at close range with four in the area of his face and neck.
Zena said from the conversations Shelton had earlier in the bar with Dymond Ortello, Shelton "knew he was next."
"He was scared for his own life," Zena said, describing the defendant's thoughts when he saw his friend's gun on the floor. Zena said Shelton picked up the gun to make a dash for his car in the parking lot.
"He had the gun solely for the purpose of defending himself," Zena said.
A police report stated two officers were 30 to 40 feet from Shelton when he shot Dymond Ortello in the parking lot.
Assistant Prosecutor Patrick Fening, in his opening statement to the jury, claimed Shelton intentionally killed Dymond Ortello.
"This was not an act of self-defense," he said. "Focus on the testimony and judge its credibility."
Also testifying Monday morning was Denise Young, 24, of Youngstown, the sister of the Ortello brothers, who said she last saw Dymond at a birthday party for her son on Feb. 8, 2020. She said the he was like a dad to her.
"He was serious, protective and sometimes goofy. He liked to joke a lot," she said.
The case will continue today before Mahoning County Common Pleas Judge Maureen Sweeney. It's expected prosecutors will complete their case Thursday.