Defendant gets publicly funded investigator
Mar. 15—MERCER — A hearing Wednesday for an Ohio man accused of homicide brought about judge's orders that includes having the court pay for a private investigator for the defense.
Darrell Daurice Harrison, 28, of Campbell, Ohio, is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death April 1 of Jaysun Burns outside a Farrell bar. Harrison has been held in Mercer County Jail since May 23.
Mercer County Common Pleas Judge Ronald D. Amrhein presided over the hearing.
He ordered the prosecution to provide the defense with specific discovery items within 30 days.
In a second order, Amrhein decided that the court would allow the defense to hire a private investigator at $75 per hour, with the total not to exceed $2,500.
The defense had to prove that Harrison could not afford to pay for the private investigator in order for the court to foot the bill, and that was established by a series of questions asked of Harrison by the judge and by his defense attorney, Stanley T. Booker.
Witnesses produced by the prosecution testified in Harrison's preliminary hearing in June that they saw the incident that happened outside of Razzcal's, 802 Roemer Blvd., Farrell.
A witness said they were hanging out with Harrison, drinking and smoking marijuana. The witness said when they went outside, a woman they were with was attacked and they went to help. Burns then came at them in a threatening manner, the witness said.
The witness said he hit Burns four times, and Harrison and another man hit Burns as well. Burns never threw a punch but ran to his vehicle. The witness testified that Harrison shot toward Burns.
A second witness, who knew Burns well, said Harrison and the two people with him attacked Burns. The witness said she saw Harrison reach down like he was pulling out a gun, but she did not actually see him pull the trigger.
Harrison got in his vehicle and drove away. Burns was taken to a local hospital, where he later died.
Mercer County Coroner John A. Libonati testified that Burns was killed by homicide, and that he had a bullet wound to the back. The video shows the victim walking away from Harrison, and Harrison can be seen pointing a firearm at the victim. The video shows a muzzle flash as Harrison discharges the firearm. The victim is then seen falling to the ground, police said.
Harrison's trial date has been set for July 9.
EDITOR'S NOTE: All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty or adjudicated in court.
Follow Melissa Klaric on twitter @HeraldKlaric or email her at mklaric@sharonherald.com
