Testimony in the murder trial of a Warren teen was interrupted on Tuesday after a man watching the case from the gallery leaped over a banister and lunged at the defendant.

The Trumbull County Prosecutor's office tells 21 News that the incident occurred as the prosecution's second witness was being questioned in the trial of 18-year-old Gavin Roberts.  

The office has identified Destin Gregory as the man who lunged at Roberts. 

  TRUMBULL COUNTY SHERIFF

 

Officials say Gregory allegedly punched Roberts several times, prompting Judge Cindy Rice to recess the proceedings while the suspect was removed from the courtroom.

He was charged with misdemeanor assault and resisting arrest and is expected to be arraigned either this afternoon or tomorrow in Warren Municipal court.

Assistant Prosecutor Gabriel Wildman believes that the alleged assailant is a relative of the victim in the case.

Defense attorney Jeff Goodman says he will move for a mistrial.

After speaking with jurors, Judge Rice ordered the trial to continue with security increased from three to five deputies.

The trial began Monday for Roberts, who is charged with murder, robbery, and burglary in the case involving the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Brice Hilton of Farrell on November 19.

Investigators say Roberts was seventeen years old when he allegedly lured Hilton to Colonial Street and South Feederle to sell a cell phone. Hilton was taken to a hospital where he died from his injuries.

Roberts is being tried as an adult in the trial.