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LISBON -- A continuance has been granted for the aggravated murder trial against Justin Givens, with the new date set at 9 a.m. July 18 in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court.
Judge Megan Bickerton granted the defense request for more time with no objection from the prosecution. A final status hearing was set for 10 a.m. June 26.
Defense attorney Damian Billak ended up undergoing two back surgeries this winter and noted the voluminous amount of discovery or evidence provided by the state, asking for more time to prepare. He also said that his situation has limited his discussions with his client.
He said the murder trial won't be one or two days and he has discussed the situation with Givens, who he said understands the reason for the motion to move the trial date.
County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Weikart said he understands the reasoning for the continuance. He asked that the trial be put on the schedule as soon as possible.
Givens, 28, whose last known address was Salineville, was indicted last year for multiple charges related to the March 18, 2022 shooting death of Mary Ann McGuire at her Depot Road home. The charges include unclassified felonies of aggravated murder and murder for allegedly causing McGuire's death, along with two counts of grand theft when the property is a firearm or dangerous ordnance, both third-degree felonies, two counts of tampering with evidence, both third-degree felonies, aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony, endangering children, a first-degree misdemeanor, and two firearm specifications.
The jury trial for an unrelated traffic case involving an endangering children charge against Givens remains set for 9 a.m. April 25 before Bickerton. The traffic case dates back to a December 2021 traffic stop for charges of improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, obstructing official business and the endangering children charge.
A change of plea hearing remains set for 8:30 a.m. Thursday in a weapons/attempted escape case against Givens before Common Pleas Court Judge Scott Washam. The charges stem from a rifle found in Givens' vehicle following the March 18 shooting and his attempt to fake an injury in the hopes of being taken to the hospital where he could try to escape from jail a week after the murder.
mgreier@mojonews.com