Staff report

WARREN –The attorneys in the Willis L. Smith murder case met with Trumbull County Common Pleas Court Judge Cynthia Wescott Tuesday to discuss the status of the case, resulting in another hearing being set for 11 a.m. July 7.

The parties discussed the case, including plea negotiations, but Smith was not brought to the courthouse to attend the hearing in person.

Smith, 18, is indicted on aggravated murder with a gun specification and tampering with evidence. Prosecutors say the actions of Smith and co-defendant Ashaud Johnson, 19, resulted in the death of Da’Mar McKinney, 16, of Youngstown, late Feb. 11 by firing guns out the door of the Packard House apartments on Mahoning Avenue — where Johnson had been living.

Johnson was convicted at trial of aggravated murder, two gun specifications, as well as two counts of tampering with evidence and one count of receiving stolen property. Johnson was sentenced 31 years to life in prison last week.