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LISBON -- The two weapons cases against convicted killer Justin Givens remain set for jury trials next week.
Givens, 28, formerly of Salineville, appeared in person Thursday before Columbiana County Common Pleas Court Judge Scott Washam for a final status hearing. In both cases, he's charged with first-degree felony possession of deadly weapons while under detention.
The indictments alleged he possessed a razor blade and a piece of copper fashioned into a weapon while incarcerated in the county jail, awaiting trial on a murder case. The razor blade incident occurred Oct. 26, 2022 and the copper weapon incident occurred April 4.
"We're not resolved, your honor," defense attorney James Wise said.
County Assistant Prosecutor Tammie Riley Jones also said there was no resolution and advised she had not received discovery from the defense and needed it since the first trial is Monday. Discovery is any evidence to be used at trial. Wise said he had no discovery to provide.
The jury trial Monday is for the case involving a razor blade and the jury trial Jan. 11 is for the copper weapon.
Givens had to be transported back to the county from prison where he's serving the sentence he received last year for the murder of Mary Ann McGuire on March 18, 2022 at her Depot Road home.
He filed an appeal with the Seventh District Court of Appeals to challenge the sentence of 23 years one month to possibly life for murder, a gun specification for using a gun to commit the offense, grand theft when the property is a firearm or dangerous ordnance, two counts of tampering with evidence, aggravated possession of drugs, endangering children, improper handling of firearms in a motor vehicle, and another endangering children charge. The improper handling and second endangering children charge stemmed from a Dec. 26, 2021 traffic stop when he had a firearm in the vehicle with children present.
He remains at the county jail while the trials remain pending.