City man guilty of aggravated murder
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WARREN -- A Trumbull County jury on Friday found a Warren man guilty of aggravated murder and other charges in the July 10 fatal shooting of 29-year-old Kardell Lowery at the Hampshire House apartment complex in Warren.
Prosecutors described the crime as a "cold-blooded execution" carried out in retaliation for a prior altercation.
Tyree Brown, 29, faces a maximum penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole and is scheduled to be sentenced at 2:30 p.m. March 10 by Trumbull County Common Pleas Court Judge Cynthia Westcott Rice.
The jury convicted Brown on all counts, including two counts of aggravated murder, two counts of aggravated burglary and one count of having weapons under disability. The jury also found him guilty of firearm specifications tied to each charge, which could significantly extend his prison sentence. The verdict was reached after just 90 minutes of deliberations.
After the verdict, Brown's attorney, Jeff Goodman, expressed disappointment but accepted the jury's decision. He believes there are grounds for an appeal.
"Everything from evidentiary rulings that the court made at the trial regarding various objections and motions that were made to a pretty extensive speedy trial violation motion that was filed just prior to trial. We think those are going to have a significant impact on this case down the road," he said.
"The evidence in this case was overwhelming," Trumbull County Assistant Prosecutor Gabe Wildman said after the verdict. "We're grateful to the Warren Police Department, their detectives and patrol officers for their diligent efforts. Without their hard work, we wouldn't be here today."
Wildman praised the courage of the victims and witnesses who came forward.
"We can't solve these crimes without the public's cooperation," he said. "The victims and witnesses who had the courage to tell their story made all the difference."
Wildman said Brown and co-defendant Michael Williamson forced their way into Lowery's apartment wearing black clothing and latex gloves before shooting Lowery twice while he was in bed with his 9-year-old son.
During the trial, an incarcerated witness testified that Brown had threatened them, saying, "I'm gonna make sure people (expletive) you up in prison," in front of deputies. Wildman cited the testimony as evidence of Brown's character.
Forensic scientist Stacy Viola testified that DNA from both Brown and Lowery was found on pieces of a blue latex glove recovered near the scene. Viola, who has 25 years of experience in forensic science, said the statistical likelihood of the DNA match belonging to someone other than Brown was one in 200 million.
Defense attorney Jeff Goodman challenged the reliability of the DNA evidence, arguing that Brown's DNA could have been transferred to the glove through prior contact and did not definitively place him at the scene. However, Wildman countered that the evidence, combined with witness testimony, firmly linked Brown to the crime.
Forensic pathologist Dr. George Sterbenz, who performed the autopsy on Lowery, described the two gunshot wounds that led to his death. The trial also included emotional testimony from Lowery's girlfriend, Amari Williamson, and her 9-year-old son, who was present during the shooting.
Amari Williamson identified Brown as one of the intruders, though she initially told police she did not recognize the suspects. On the stand, she explained that fear for her safety had influenced her earlier statement.
"I still fear for my safety," she said.
Prosecutors alleged that the shooting was retaliation for a prior altercation in which Lowery had beaten Michael Williamson after Williamson assaulted Lowery's girlfriend. Williamson pleaded guilty in February to voluntary manslaughter and aggravated burglary and was sentenced to 20 to 25 years in prison.