Staff photo / Ed Runyan Jillian L. Russell, 41, formerly of Youngstown sits during a hearing Wednesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court during which Judge Anthony D’Apolito found her not guilty by reason of insanity in the April 12, 2020, killing of Marcus D. Turnage, 38, of Kent, at Russell’s home in Youngstown. At left is her attorney, Walter Madison.

YOUNGSTOWN — Judge Anthony D’Apolito of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court has found Jillian Russell, 41, formerly of Youngstown, not guilty by reason of insanity in the April 12, 2020, killing of Marcus D. Turnage, 38, of Kent, at Russell’s home on Lakewood Avenue. It was Easter.

The judge read from his ruling Wednesday in which he summarized the four-year-long case and the multiple evaluations carried out on Russell in reaching his decision. He found that Russell committed the aggravated murder and murder for which she was accused, but she “did not know the wrongfulness of her actions.”

The next step is for another evaluation to be carried to determine the next steps of her care and a hearing for the judge to rule on that.

The Forensic Psychiatric Center of Northeast Ohio in Austintown will determine if Russell is a mentally ill person subject to a court order, and if so, to determine the least restrictive commitment alternative for her. According to state law, that commitment must be “consistent with the treatment needs of the defendant and public safety,” the judge said.

D’Apolito said he finds probable cause that Russell is “a person with mental illness subject to court order, schizophrenia, and thereby issues a temporary order of detention.”

Russell was taken back to the Mahoning County jail to await her next hearing at 10:30 a.m. June 18. She has been detained continuously either in the county jail or in a state mental hospital since the killing.

The judge summarized the testimony at a hearing May 3 that was heard to provide the judge with evidence on the ruling he made.

One witness was John Allen Jr., 25, son of Russell, who also knew Turnage. He testified that he was with his mother, Turnage, and Allen’s girlfriend.

Turnage, “who had been a friend of the family for quite some time,” and he “came over to visit,” the judge said. Allen said he heard his mother and Turnage talking in the living room, then heard possibly two gunshots.” He ran outside with his girlfriend and mother.

Youngstown Police Detective Rick Spotleson was the other witness. He testified that when he arrived at the home, he was advised by another officer that Russell “had to be restrained,” “was screaming ‘You guys know what you all did, and you all are going to be my son’s slaves, pave the streets with silver and gold,'” the judge said.

A recorded interview Spotleson conducted with Russell shortly after the killing, showed that Russell stated “matter-of-factly that she had to kill Mr. Turnage before he killed my son,” the judge said.

“She told officers Mr. Turnage was a very close friend of hers and that God would resurrect him. She said she heard the hissing in Mr. Turnage’s voice and that God told me to do it. God told me it had to be done. She said Mr. Turnage was a threat to her son.” The judge continued, “She said she loved Mr. Turnage but didn’t feel bad for killing him.”

According to Vindicator files and court records, Judge Renee DiSalvo of Youngstown Municipal Court ordered a competency evaluation for Russell, then 36, in May of 2020 while Russell’s murder case was still in municipal court.

DiSalvo deemed Russell incompetent to stand trial July 30, 2020. But on April 1, 2021, she deemed Russell “restored to competency” and competent to stand trial.

Russell’s case was bound over to a county grand jury, and she was indicted April 1, 2021, on aggravated murder and murder.

Russell’s attorney in June of 2023, Walter Madison, filed a not guilty by reason of insanity plea in the case, and D’Apolito ordered a forensic examination of her.

Dr. Jessica Hart of the Forensic Psychiatric Center of Northeast Ohio in Austintown evaluated Russell Aug. 8, 2023, regarding Russell’s mental state at the time of the killing. Hart found that Russell did not show signs of a mental defect, “but she did present with symptoms of a severe mental disease and substance abuse disorder,” the judge said. She knew the wrongfulness of her actions at the time of the offense.

Dr. John Matthew Fabian also evaluated Russell, and “diagnosed Ms. Russell with qualified, specified schizophrenia, psychotic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, other specified depressive disorder as well as cannabis use disorder, opiate use disorder and Xanax use disorder,” the judge said.

Assistant County Prosecutor Katherine Jones read a statement from Flora Turnage, the victim’s mother. It read, “It has been a long four years for my family, myself and Marcus’ family.”

It added, “His children have to grow up in this evil world without him to protect them. Mental illness is overlooked. Get the help you need before you destroy another family’s life because as you stated in the video, you would do it again,” the statement said. “He was your friend and your son’s friend. God knows the truth. I love my son. Today’s verdict won’t bring him back. I hope you get what the law allows to the fullest. May God help you.”

Have an interesting story? Contact Ed Runyan by email at erunyan@vindy.com. Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, @TribToday.