LISBON — The trial for a Wellsville man charged with aggravated murder in the May 2021 shooting death of Dion McMillon remains set for Sept. 27.

Tyrell M. Travers, 25, Clover Avenue, appeared before Columbiana County Common Pleas Court Judge Megan Bickerton Monday morning for an interim status conference. A final status conference remains set for Sept 9.

During the brief hearing, Bickerton asked if the two attorneys had any issues to discuss or had talked since the last hearing, prompting defense attorney Walter Madison to mention an external hard drive that was supposed to be mailed to him that he didn’t recall receiving.

“This is what I mean by communication,” Bickerton said.

Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Ryan Weikart said the terabyte hard drive had been put in the mail May 9 and contained extensive cell phone records pertaining to the case which the defense will need to review.

Bickerton pointed out that it’s now June 13, more than a month later.

Madison said he had received discovery on the case, just not this particular item. He acknowledged that the prosecution said the hard drive was mailed, but he didn’t have it. He told the judge he’s been tied up in trials in Cuyahoga County and Mahoning County for most of May and didn’t recall receiving the package, but would check his office, saying “we need to track down where it is.”

Bickerton said to get the situation cleared up. She continued Travers bond and said any pre-trial motions need filed at least two weeks prior to trial. Travers remains jailed in the county jail on a $1 million cash or surety bond.

After the hearing, Weikart confirmed having paperwork showing the package in question was received at the correct address in Akron. The address had been confirmed with Madison prior to the hearing.

Besides the unclassified felony of aggravated murder, Travers was indicted on charges murder, also an unclassified felony, and tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony. The unclassified felonies could lead to a 15 years to life sentence if convicted and those two charges also include a firearms specification, which could lead to an additional three years. The tampering with evidence charge also carries a possible three-year term.

McMillon, 26, was found dead in his car from an apparent shooting while the car was parked near Virginia and Mapletree streets in East Liverpool over a year ago. Travers was arrested in Hancock County, W.Va. in January shortly after the indictment was issued.

mgreier@salemnews.net