YOUNGSTOWN — Though Monday was the long-awaited day when the Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office expected to receive DNA test results in the Rowan Sweeney killing, prosecutors said a gag order prevents the office from discussing the results outside of court.
Gina DeGenova, Mahoning County assistant prosecutor, said the order “prohibits us from discussing it with anyone.” She noted, however, there are pretrial hearings next week for two of the men charged in the case — Kimonie Bryant, 25, and Brandon Crump Jr., 19.
Bryant’s hearing is 2 p.m. Nov. 15 before Mahoning County Common Pleas Court Judge Anthony D’Apolito. Crump’s hearing is 2 p.m. Nov. 16, also before D’Apolito.
The gag order, imposed by D’Apolito, does not prohibit discussion of the evidence during hearings in the case.
Bryant and Crump are charged with aggravated murder and other offenses that could result in the death penalty if convicted. Prosecutors and D’Apolito have said during hearings there is question as to whether Bryant or Crump was the person who walked into the Perry Street home on Sept. 21, 2020, and killed Sweeney, 4, while also shooting four adults in the home, including the boy’s mother, Alexis Schneider.
Both men are believed to have been involved in the killing, according to law enforcement, who have cited cell phone data indicating both were tracked to the home at about the time of the shootings.
The gunman was wearing a hooded sweatshirt pulled up around his face, and some witnesses who originally identified Bryant as the shooter later identified Crump. A third man authorities say was involved in the crimes and also could get the death penalty is Andre McCoy Jr., 22, who has not been located since he left the hospital. He is one of the four adults who was shot along with Sweeney.
I have been writing professionally for over 20 years and have a deep understanding of the psychological and emotional elements that affect people. I’m an experienced ghostwriter and editor, as well as an award-winning author of five novels.