RICHLAND COUNTY — Two Mansfield men have recently been indicted on multiple murder charges by a Richland County grand jury.
Cyrus J. Ellerbe, 22, faces multiple indictments, including murder and felonious assault for the shooting deaths of two men.
Ellerbee was allegedly part of a dispute between two gangs in Mansfield led to a shooting at an 810 Ferndale Ave. party that killed two people and wounded four others on Oct. 27.
The murder charges stem from the fatal shootings of Brandon Collins, 18, and Jarmel Boyd, 17.
Ellerbe’s photo was picked from a police-arranged photo array by a male juvenile who attended the party, according to Mansfield police Sgt. Jered Kingsborough, who testified during a hearing in Mansfield Municipal Court.
According to previous Richland Source reporting, Kingsborough reported multiple guns were fired at the residence that evening. He said shell casings from a 9mm handgun and also a .22-caliber firearm were found at the scene, both inside and outside the house.
Richland County Prosecutor Jodie Schumacher told Richland Source on Wednesday her office alleges Ellerbe fired shots both inside and outside the Ferndale Avenue residence, including from a vehicle.
“There was additional evidence located where we believe we can demonstrate — where we allege — shots were fired from both locations,” she said.
A juvenile, age 17 at the time of the shooting, has also been charged in the case, said the prosecutor, adding an appropriate motion has been filed asking the delinquent be bound over for trial as an an adult.
She said the Richland County Prosecutor’s Office filed the motion for mandatory bindover of the juvenile on Jan. 29.
Schumacher could not confirm if the juvenile is currently in custody.
Jones’ charges include murder, tampering with evidence
Ja’Vontae Jones, 22, is facing multiple indictments, including four murder counts from a double-homicide inside a moving car in Mansfield in June 2023.
Jones is charged with the June 8 murders of Jonathan Ash, 18, and Nathan Carroll, 18, both of Mansfield.
A warrant for his arrest was issued Dec. 14 by Mansfield police. According to Mansfield Municipal Court records, his last local address was 161 Arthur Ave.
Jones was apprehended Jan. 10 by members of the U.S. Marshals Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team at a home in Columbus on the city’s southeast side.
Jones faces four murder counts due to the amount of times he struck the two victims — each shot equalling one count, said Schumacher.
“We have indications that each victim was struck twice,” she said.
Schumacher said “continuous investigation” helped law enforcement, along with her office, identify Jones as the suspect.
“There was some digital information that became available, as well, that ultimately supported the probable cause on the indictment,” said the prosecutor. “And sometimes it takes time to develop that.”
If convicted on all counts, Schumacher said Jones faces a maximum sentence of 77 years to life in prison, adding there could potentially be “additional legal arguments” made to lessen a sentence.
January indictments
Also, the following people were indicted by a Richland County grand jury in January.
— Touby A. Frazee, 49, illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto the grounds of a specified governmental facility, aggravated possession of drugs, possession of a fentanyl-related compound (2 counts)
— Neil E. Copeland, 37, illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto the grounds of a specified governmental facility, possession of cocaine, possession of a fentanyl-related compound
— Cory L. Griffith, 28, domestic violence
— Dustin Williams, 32, aggravated possession of drugs
— Elizabeth Eichelberger, 44, aggravated possession of drugs
— Danielle R. Limpach, 37, aggravated possession of drugs (2 counts), possession of drugs (2 counts)
— Dalton A. Richards, 33, possession of cocaine
— Andrew R. Inman, 35, illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto the grounds of a specified governmental facility, possession of a fentanyl-related compound
— Ronald L. Bays, 46, theft
— Timothy G. Oyer, 44, possession of a fentanyl-related compound
— Ryan K. Addington, 35, possession of a fentanyl-related compound, aggravated possession of drugs (2 counts)
— Taylor Rhodes, 25, trafficking in cocaine, possession of cocaine