Trial set for fourth suspect in fatal shooting

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WILMINGTON — The last of four murder suspects has trial dates set.

Clinton County Common Pleas Judge John “Tim” Rudduck scheduled Christian Terry’s four-day jury trial to begin on Oct. 27.

Terry is one of four men charged in relation to the shooting death of 23-year-old Layne Hall of Blanchester in January. Terry was charged along with Kevin Noe, 21, and Corey Ruffner, 22, both of Wilmington, and Joshua Lee Williams, 18, of Xenia. All currently incarcerated.

The other three suspects have four-day jury trials scheduled. Williams’ will begin on July 28, Noe’s on Sept. 1, and Ruffner’s on Oct. 20.

Terry — along with Noe and Ruffner — was charged with alleged murder, involuntary manslaughter, and robbery.

Williams faces a murder charge.

Clinton County Prosecuting Attorney Richard “Rick” W. Moyer alleges Williams was being robbed and, although it is not alleged that Terry, Noe, nor Ruffner purposely killed Hall, it is alleged they were part of a robbery attempt against Williams that ended in Hall’s death.

Moyer indicated that if Terry, Noe and Ruffner had not taken part in initiating a robbery, the alleged murder would not have occurred. The indictment indicated that Williams “did purposely cause” Hall’s death.

The incident took place at about 8:30 p.m. Jan. 21 in a parking lot of Brownberry Drive in Wilmington. Wilmington police officers went to the scene on a report of gunfire. Hall died of a gunshot wound to the upper chest, according to a law enforcement affidavit.

Court documents allege Hall, as well as Terry, Noe, and Ruffner, all rode together in a car to meet someone at the Brownberry Apartments parking lot in Wilmington. Allegedly after the four arrived, the person they were to meet pulled up in a car, and after that is when the gunfire occurred.

According to the investigator’s affidavit, Terry was allegedly in possession of a firearm registered to him. Terry advised police he “always carries a firearm for protection” according to the affidavit.

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By John Hamilton

[email protected]

Reach John Hamilton at 937-382-2574

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