Trending
LISBON -- A jury trial that was supposed to start Monday in the case against Christopher Mills for complicity to aggravated murder, murder and obstruction of justice has been canceled, with the case still pending.
On Friday, Columbiana County Common Pleas Court Judge Scott Washam granted a defense motion for a continuance of the trial date.
"Negotiations are ongoing to settle this matter," the motion by defense attorney Chris Amato said.
County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Weikart confirmed the state had no objection to the continuance.
A status conference hearing was set for 8:30 a.m. March 11.
Mills, 43, Washington Street, Washingtonville, remains jailed under a $1 million cash or surety bond for charges related to the March 3 shooting death of Lisbon resident Rusty Steele.
In recent hearings, the attorneys in the case reported there was no resolution, with negotiations continuing.
Mills was first indicted in April last year for third-degree felony obstruction of justice for allegedly being the driver in the fatal shooting in Lisbon, giving the admitted shooter Michael Blower a ride to and from the murder scene and not reporting the incident to police.
He was then indicted in August for additional charges of complicity to aggravated murder and complicity to murder for his part in Steele's death, alleging he aided and abetted Blower in the murder.
Blower, 32, Salem, entered a guilty plea to murder and a gun specification for killing Steele, with sentencing set for March 22.
Police alleged that the victim was lured out of his girlfriend's house on West Spruce Street by a stranger who claimed to be having car trouble and needed help. Steele was shot when he went outside to start his vehicle for a jump.