Weapons take the stand in trial over triple killing in Youngstown

YOUNGSTOWN -- The only witness in the Robert L. Shelton aggravated murder trial Wednesday was Greg Miller, a crime scene investigator for the Youngstown Police Department, who testified to the collection of weapons, bullet shell casings and other other evidence at the Brothers of Power Classic Cars club on Logan Avenue early Feb. 9, 2020.

That is where police were called to a "chaotic scene" that involved about 100 people fleeing in vehicles from the North Side establishment after two men fatally shot each other inside the club and a third man was shot to death in the parking lot.

Shelton, 47, is charged in the killing of Dymond D. Ortello, 34. Ortello's brother, Daniel Ortello, 31, also died, apparently at the hands of Charles Pullen, 37, who also died, officials have said.

The questioning of a crime scene analyst typically takes a long time, as prosecutors establish a laundry list of facts -- such as where guns were found, where bullet shell casings were found -- and establish a chain of evidence. That means describing who found evidence, who photographed it, who collected it and who .delivered it to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation to analyze it.

Among the pieces of evidence he discussed was a rifle that was found in a Chevrolet Malibu at the club, a handgun found underneath a Jeep and a sweatshirt found at Logan Avenue Gas Mart a short distance north of the club, where Shelton reportedly ran to after the shooting. He was arrested two days later.

On Tuesday, Youngstown police detective Michael Cox testified that video at the gas station shows Shelton entering the gas station and taking off his sweatshirt.

In opening statements Tuesday, one of Shelton's attorneys, Tom Zena told jurors there is no dispute over whether Shelton shot Dymond Ortello, but Zena said Shelton did not commit murder because he fired in self defense.

The trial resumes this morning. If convicted of aggravated murder, Shelton could get a life prison sentence. He also is charged with murder, being a felon in possession of a weapon and tampering with evidence.

Miller also answered many questions posed by Lynn Maro, another of Shelton's attorneys.

She asked Miller to explain to the jurors terms such as gun "clip" or "magazine. "shell casing" and what direction shell casings typically go when they leave a gun.

Miller also testified that he recovered nine bullet shell casings and three bullets or "projectiles" inside the club.

The attorneys also asked Miller how many photos he took (176), and Miller explained that that number was higher than normal because of the shootings having three crime scenes -- the bar, the parking lot and the gas station -- and because he had to take photos of the basement of the club because of possible "code issues" with the basement.

He was referring to problems found with the support beams in the basement that suggested structural problems with the building that were later corrected before the club was allowed to reopen.

erunyan@vindy.com