Murder trial begins at Midland Theatre
NEWARK – The trial of a Zanesville man accused in the shooting death of a Columbus man in 2019 began at the Midland Theatre on Monday morning.
To socially distance, Licking County Common Pleas Court Judge David Branstool began the trial at the theater. He first explained how court proceedings would work and asked prospective jurors about any concerns they have serving as a juror during the pandemic and whether they had any increased exposure to the coronavirus or any increased risk.
Seated at tables on the stage were Branstool, a court reporter, the defendant and his attorney, court officials, the prosecutors and a witness for the prosecution. Prospective jurors sat spaced out in the lower level of theater seating, with families of the defendant and victim seated in the balcony.
Jury selection for the case began just after 9 a.m. Monday and continued into the afternoon.
Delaney D. Daniels, 27, of Zanesville, was one of two people charged in the
death of 28-year-old Matthew P. Helman, of Columbus, following an incident in August 2019. Daniels was charged with one count each aggravated murder and murder, both unclassified felonies, and one count each aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony; escape, a second-degree felony; having a weapon under disability and tampering with evidence, both third-degree felonies.
Also charged in the case was Brianna K. Lohr, 24, of Heath. She faces one count each of aggravated murder and murder, both unclassified felonies; aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony; and tampering with evidence, a third
degree felony.
Newark police through their investigation reported Daniels and Lohr, who were dating, needed money so Lohr arranged for the victim and his girlfriend to meet them, intending to rob them. When the pair arrived, police said Daniel and Lohr entered Helman's vehicle, where Daniels allegedly pulled out a gun, pointed it at Helman and attempted to rob him.
The agency in court records noted Lohr was with Daniels at the time, saying Daniels shot the victim, then he and Lohr fled the area. Police said they were later located at a house on Mount Vernon Road, where they were detained and interviewed prior to their arrests.
According to Branstool, the trial is expected to take the majority of the remainder of the week. Licking County court records show Lohr's case is scheduled for a change of plea and sentencing hearing next week.