The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Adults plead not guilty in murder case
The three adults charged in connection with an Elyrian man’s murder pleaded not guilty March 15 during their arraignments in Lorain County Common Pleas Court.
Kajaun Anderson, 18, of Elyria, is facing charges of aggravated murder with two gun specifications, murder with two gun specifications, aggravated robbery with two gun specifications, robbery with two gun specifications and tampering with evidence with a single gun specification.
Anderson’s attorney, Jenifer Berki, said he is not waiving his right to a speedy trial at this point.
Berki said she would like to be heard by the court on the issue of reducing his $1 million bond once she has reviewed discovery in the case.
Anderson is scheduled for a pretrial at 10 a.m., March 27.
Jeffrey P. Miraldi, 20, of Elyria, is facing charges of involuntary manslaughter with two gun specifications, trafficking in drugs with two gun specifications, three counts of tampering with evidence with gun specifications, a single charge of tampering with evidence without a gun specification, possession of drugs with a gun specification and permitting drug abuse.
A pending motion modifying Miraldi’s bond was not discussed at the hearing
and will be taken up during his first pretrial scheduled for May.
Jenna Turner, 19, of Middleburg Heights, is facing three counts of tampering with evidence with gun specifications on each count.
Turner’s bond was continued. She also has a May pretrial.
Anderson, as well as a 17-year-old Oberlin teen and 16-year-old Elyria boy, are accused of shooting the 19-year-old Cody Snyder, of Elyria, while attempting to rob him, Turner and Miraldi during a marijuana deal.
The two juveniles are charged with single counts of murder and two counts of aggravated robbery.
During pretrials for both March 14, a hearing was scheduled to decide whether they will face trial as adults. The hearing is April 18, according to court documents.
Miraldi, son of Lorain County Common Pleas Judge John R. Miraldi, is accused of instructing Turner to leave University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center, 630 E. River St., where the pair had driven the wounded Snyder for treatment.
According to police, Miraldi told Turner to take Snyder’s phone, a bookbag containing marijuana and a firearm Miraldi had borrowed for protection during the deal. The firearm has not been recovered.
Because the younger Miraldi is connected to a county judge, all of the cases will be prosecuted by Micah R. Ault, associate assistant attorney general, and Christian H. Stickan, senior assistant attorney general.
The cases are being heard by visiting Judge Robert Brown who was appointed by the Ohio Supreme Court.