A Lima man suspected of gang activity asks for two separate trials for his eight charges.

Jamaree Allen's attorney filed a motion to separate Allen's criminal gang charges from the remaining charges and hold two different trials. The defense believes one trial would make the jury prejudice against Allen. The state says it's impossible to separate them in this case because all the charges relate to one another and the case covers a week's worth of events. 

Allen's co-defendant, Eric Wilson Jr. was convicted for the same charges and sentenced to 62 years to 66 years in prison. It's believed Allen took part in the same shooting as Wilson at Wally's Gas Station.

The curtain has been pulled back for jury members in Eric Wilson Jr.'s trial. Lima’s resident gang expert took the stand to close out the state’s case against Wilson.

Before the jury began deliberating they heard from Det. Steven Stechschulte who has advanced training on gangs. He says gangs operate to further there interests, typically by way of violent crimes. He noted, not all people affiliated with gangs are violent people.

The shooting on Cole Street and Edgewood Drive in 2019 stemmed from the killing of Christian Laws, a week prior on June 14, 2019. Stechschulte says Laws was East Side and Jolade “JoJo” Omosikeji is North Side. In fact, stechschulte says he investigated five shootings following the days after Laws death.

It was an unusual morning at the third day of Eric Wilson Jr.'s trial, as the prosecution nears the end of their presentation.

Prosecutors called a firearms expert who was able to test some of the evidence found. Police found 19 bullet casings, two fired bullets, and two hand guns in the house Wilson was arrested in. The expert compared the casings and bullets to the firearms. He says for certain that the bullets and casings came from the two hand guns. Although, they were not tested for fingerprints or DNA so he could not testify as to who fired those guns.

A Lima Police Officer testified about Wilson’s possible gang affiliation. Following Christian Laws death on June 14, 2019 LPD suspected more shootings to follow. Wilson also saw a co-defendant testify against him on Tuesday. Maria Elena-Williams was charged in the alleged crime, but after pleading the Fifth Amendment, the state gave her immunity and her case was dismissed, allowing her to testify without prosecution.

Eric Wilson Jr. is on trial facing eight charges stemming from an alleged shooting on June 21, 2019 around Cole Street and Edgewood Drive. Some of the charges include felonious assault and participating in a criminal gang. Several witnesses that were on Cole Street took the stand to share what they saw. One person found a bullet had struck their home, but didn't know who shot it. Another woman identified Wilson as the man she saw shooting near the old car wash. In openings, the prosecutor tells the jury that gangs are real in Lima and they will see firsthand. The defense believes the lack of proof will find his client innocent.

A man accused of a murder last year agrees to a negotiated plea.

Jolade Omosikeji has pleaded guilty to an amended charge of involuntary manslaughter with a three year firearm specification. His five other charges including murder have been dismissed.

He's pleaded to shooting and killing 19-year-old Christian Laws. It was June 2019 when police found Laws lying in a yard in the 2400 block of Lark Avenue. Police believe this shooting may have sparked the alleged shooting Jamaree Allen and Eric Wilson Jr. are charged with. Omosikeji will be sentenced Sept. 24.

The Lima man alleged to have been part of criminal gang activity decides to represent himself in court.

Eric Wilson Junior has filed to represent himself moving forward in his case. Wilson says he hasn't spoken to his court appointed attorney since his arraignment and feels like he isn't being properly represented. The judge says his attorney his going through some medical issues, but Wilson decided he's better off on his own. He faces 8 charges such as participating in criminal gang activity and felonious assault. A number of charges carry firearm or criminal gang specifications. If convicted he could face a maximum of 87 years in prison. The co-defendant in the case is Jamaree Allen.

Two Lima men were arraigned Thursday for gang charges. 24-year-old Jamaree Allen and 25-year-old Eric Wilson Jr. both plead not guilty to charges relating to criminal gang activity and improper use of firearms. Each of them faces eight counts. The incident allegedly happened on June 21, 2019. Among the charges are participating in criminal gang activity, felonious assault and discharging a firearm on or near prohibited premises.

The Lima Police Department has released the names of two men suspected to be involved in a shooting last week. Eric Wilson Jr. and Jamaree Allen are in custody in connection to the shooting on Cole Street and Edgewood Drive on June 21st. Sheriff's officials tell us 9-1-1 got a call just before 3 o'clock about reports of shots fired. Several people were seen exchanging gunfire in the area. Some of the suspects were seen traveling northeast of the intersection following the shooting.