'He did it.' Jury views video of shooting at Jackson Township motel parking lot

CANTON ‒ Jurors watched surveillance footage Tuesday of a man pulling a firearm from his waistband and firing at another man.

County prosecutors say the shooter is Cortez Watson, who is on trial for the June 26 slaying of 35-year-old Canton resident Tyrone Barboza at the Rodeway Inn in Jackson Township.

Watson is charged with murder, felonious assault and having weapons under disability. He has pleaded not guilty.

More: Rodeway shooting coverageVictim identified

Watson's trial began Tuesday after Stark County Common Pleas Judge Frank Forchione ruled witnesses called by the defense may not address Barboza's past "bad behaviors."

Prosecutors filed a motion ahead of the trial asking the judge to exclude that testimony. Defense attorney Samuel Shamansky argued it was necessary to allow the witnesses to share their knowledge of Barboza in order to help prove Watson acted in self-defense.

Forchione ruled witnesses could not discuss Barboza's past but the defendant would be able to tell jurors about his past dealings with Barboza.

Defense attorney: Cortez Watson acted in self-defense

In opening statements, Assistant Prosecutor Michael John told jurors they will be able to see with their own eyes the defendant seen on surveillance cameras at the motel firing the gun at Barboza.

"The evidence will show you this is not a case of whodunit," he told the jury. "Evidence will show you it is a case of he (Watson) did it."

Shamansky, in his opening remarks, told jurors the state would have them believe the case is cut-and-dry but the defense team would prove that Watson acted in self-defense.

"We will prove in no uncertain terms this dissident violent, gun-totting criminal who, on not one but two occasions, brandished a firearm at Watson just weeks before (his death) and one occasion shot at him. I'm going to prove that to you."

Testimony began with Jackson Police Officer Jeffery Aynes describing what he saw when he arrived at the Rodeway Inn.

Jurors also got to view Aynes' body camera footage, which showed him approaching a man lying on a sewer grate in the parking lot. Blood could be seen pooling.

Family members quietly fought tears as the footage was played in the courtroom. Many looked away.

Aynes told the jury he wasn't sure how the victim was hurt and he began to assess his injuries while trying to advise other officers. He was unsure if the scene was safe.

Surveillance video from the scene

He told jurors he reviewed surveillance footage and was able to observe a man, later identified as Watson, shooting the victim. He was also able to see Barboza running after he was shot.

On the video, Watson is seen with other people, including his girlfriend Kristy Carr, around the barbecue grill.

After firing the gun, Watson was seen on camera entering the motel room and then leaving. Watson and Carr got a taxi and left.

The pair were located the next day at Carr's sister's home in Canton. Aynes testified that police recovered the clothing that Watson was wearing in the video at his mother's Canton home.

Jackson Township Detective Lucas Shanklin, who is assigned as an agent with the Stark County Sheriff's Metro Narcotics Unit, told jurors he arrived and helped secure a motel room until a search warrant could be obtained.

During a search of the room, a pistol was located underneath a wall air-conditioning unit, which was hidden partially by a chair.

Shanklin testified he also was involved in a search of another room rented by Carr and one rented for the victim.

No weapons were found in either of the rooms, he said. He also noted no weapons were found on Barboza.

Testimony continued throughout the day Tuesday and will resume Wednesday.

Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com

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