WARREN — A Warren woman and a Struthers man appeared in separate cases Tuesday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.

In the first case, a Warren motorist accused of running over and killing 36-year-old Jesaree Harris was denied a motion to allow for the court to pay for an independent expert. That expert would review the police investigation into the death of Harris in which Kenyana Pennock, 36, stands accused.

Pennock is accused of running over Harris on Nov. 6. The initial charge of felonious assault against Pennock was upgraded to murder after Harris died six days after being struck.

Pennock appeared alongside attorney David Engler, who made the request for a $3,000 expert on the grounds that Pennock was unable to afford one on her own.

Judge Andrew D. Logan instead ruled that because Pennock was able to afford legal counsel, she should have the financial means to hire an expert.

Her attorney said that they’ll have to raise the funds in order to do so.

SECOND MURDER CASE

The second court hearing involved Christian Chaney, 18, of Struthers, who is being tried for his role in the Feb. 5 home invasion turned shooting death of Adam Spaid.

A plea deal is said to be in the works between the defense and the prosecution that could come as early as next week.

Chaney is charged with two counts of aggravated murder, aggravated burglary and aggravated robbery — all with specifications that a firearm was used in commission of a crime.

Chaney, at the time of the incident, was 17 and is being charged as an adult for his role in the slaying of Spaid. Earlier this month, Ronieque Requel was found guilty after an hour of deliberations by a Trumbull County jury for his role in the same case.

Requel’s charges included two counts of aggravated murder, one count of aggravated robbery, one count of aggravated burglary, one count of not being allowed to have a weapon and one count of intimidation — all with firearm specifications, plus one count of receiving stolen property.

Chaney will face an Oct. 23 jury trial.