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Teen indicted in shooting deaths of two city men

STEUBENVILLE – An attorney representing Kordel Moncreace, 16, of Steubenville, who was indicted for the Jan. 30 shooting deaths of two men, said it will take upwards of three months to bring the case to trial.

Moncreace appeared in a courtroom at the Jefferson County Justice Center on Friday for an arraignment on two counts of aggravated murder, with firearm specifications, and tampering with evidence.

City Police were called around 9:30 p.m. on Jan. 30 to the Heritage Place Apartments, also known as the Market Square Apartments, concerning shots fired.

City Police said Ryan Toson, 21, and Otavius Wilson, 19, both of Steubenville, had been taken to Trinity Medical Center West with multiple gunshot wounds, where they were both pronounced dead.

Moncreace was bound over to adult court on March 6 following a probable cause hearing before Jefferson County Juvenile Judge Sam Kerr.

Jefferson County Common Pleas Judge Joseph Bruzzese Jr. continued Moncreace’s bond at $1 million.

Wellsville attorney Chris Amato, who was appointed to represent Moncreace, entered innocent pleas on his behalf.

Amato told the judge it will take 75 to 90 days to be ready for trial. Amato said he would address bond at further court proceedings, adding he may need the help of an investigator to track down witnesses in the case.

Kimberly Williams of Steubenville, the mother of Moncreace’s girlfriend, said during the juvenile hearing that she was told by Moncreace where a bookbag was thrown and a mask also was located. Williams said she led police to a Dumpster where the bookbag was found, which contained one bullet of the same caliber handgun police believe was used in the shooting. A mask was located in bushes near the apartment complex.

Shannon White of Steubenville testified in juvenile court that Moncreace got into a car he was driving on the night of the shooting. He said Moncreace talked about shooting two individuals but doesn’t remember what Moncreace said as to the reason for the shooting.

Jody Mercer of the Market Square Apartment testified she saw Moncreace in the hallway shortly before the shooting.

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