Accused Norristown killer has his jury
NORRISTOWN >> One of two Norristown men accused in connection with the shooting death of a 17-year-old boy in the borough six years ago will place his fate in the hands of a jury this week.
Omar Terrell “Odie” Massenburg, 24, formerly of the 1400 block of Tremont Avenue, showed no emotion on Monday as a jury of six men and six women was selected in Montgomery County Court for his trial. Four alternate jurors, three men and one woman, also were selected to hear testimony in the case.
Massenburg faces charges of first-, second-, and third-degree murder, firearms not to be carried without a license and possessing instruments of crime in connection with the alleged March 18, 2011, gunshot slaying of D’Ravious “Ray” Dawkins at the intersection of West Oak and Noble streets in Norristown.
Judge Thomas P. Rogers ordered jurors to return to court Tuesday morning at 9:15 a.m. to hear the opening statements of the lawyers. The trial is expected to last about four days. Assistant District Attorney Lauren Heron and co-prosecutor James Price are prosecuting the case while Massenburg is represented by defense lawyer Francis Genovese.
A second man, Ryan Stanford Lee, 24, formerly of the 500 block of East Moore Street, Norristown, also faces murder- and conspiracy-related charges in connection with the crime. But Lee will face a separate trial later this month.
Massenburg and Lee were charged after an extensive investigation. After Dawkins was killed the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office offered a $5,000 reward in April 2011 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the teenager’s death.
According to authorities, the investigation relied on seven cooperating witnesses, eyewitnesses, cellphone analysis and other investigative information.