Trial set for deaf, mute Akron man

Miss-Delectable · 02-06-2006, 10:09 PM

http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/13805409.htm

A deaf and mute Akron man, 19, charged with murdering a woman and sexually assaulting three others, will stand trial this spring even though he signed to a judge today that he did not understand his attorney.

Jerron Johnson, 19, was arrested nearly three years ago in connection with the crimes, but was declared incompetent to stand trial.

He has spent the past two years learning sign language at a state mental facility to assist his attorneys in his defense.

Summit County prosecutors, based on medical evaluations, believe he is now fit to stand trial.

However, defense attorney Annette Powers contends otherwise. She asked Common Pleas Judge Jane Bond for a hearing that would focus on Johnson's mental condition.

In a pretrial hearing today, Bond asked Johnson if he had communicated with his attorney about the day's proceedings. Through an interpreter, he said no, even though he had just left a meeting with Powers in the back of the courtroom.

Bond accused Johnson of ``selectively'' understanding certain aspects of the legal proceedings and set a hearing date of May 2 to determine his competency.

She also scheduled Johnson's trial for the same day.

Johnson is charged with the Oct. 5, 2001, aggravated murder and rape of Jean Zienka, 45, in her Akers Avenue home.

In addition to the rape and murder of Zienka, the teen is charged with three other crimes: the attempted murder and rape of a woman on Seventh Avenue; an attempted rape and abduction of a woman Oct. 15, 2001, on Johnston Street; and a voyeurism incident involving a 13-year-old girl in February on Winans Avenue.

02-06-2006, 10:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
Miss-Delectable Capt Tony Nelson, Jeannie Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: No.1 Shopping Capital in Australia Posts: 8,693 Blog Entries: 3	Trial set for deaf, mute Akron man http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/13805409.htm A deaf and mute Akron man, 19, charged with murdering a woman and sexually assaulting three others, will stand trial this spring even though he signed to a judge today that he did not understand his attorney. Jerron Johnson, 19, was arrested nearly three years ago in connection with the crimes, but was declared incompetent to stand trial. He has spent the past two years learning sign language at a state mental facility to assist his attorneys in his defense. Summit County prosecutors, based on medical evaluations, believe he is now fit to stand trial. However, defense attorney Annette Powers contends otherwise. She asked Common Pleas Judge Jane Bond for a hearing that would focus on Johnson's mental condition. In a pretrial hearing today, Bond asked Johnson if he had communicated with his attorney about the day's proceedings. Through an interpreter, he said no, even though he had just left a meeting with Powers in the back of the courtroom. Bond accused Johnson of ``selectively'' understanding certain aspects of the legal proceedings and set a hearing date of May 2 to determine his competency. She also scheduled Johnson's trial for the same day. Johnson is charged with the Oct. 5, 2001, aggravated murder and rape of Jean Zienka, 45, in her Akers Avenue home. In addition to the rape and murder of Zienka, the teen is charged with three other crimes: the attempted murder and rape of a woman on Seventh Avenue; an attempted rape and abduction of a woman Oct. 15, 2001, on Johnston Street; and a voyeurism incident involving a 13-year-old girl in February on Winans Avenue. __________________

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