Prosecutors, defense give opening statements in Kettering murder trial

DAYTON — UPDATE @ 12:39 p.m.:

The defense said there”s no dispute Kylen Gregory fired the gun at Bowers’ car.

“Most of what you just heard was true," attorney Jon Paul Rion told the jury in his opening statement.

But Gregory didn't fire the weapon seeking to hurt anyone, Rion said.

[ >> Live Doppler 7 Radar | INTERACTIVE ]

“It wasn't meant to cause harm,” he said.

Gregory is not guilty of murder, but reckless homicide, Rion said.

Gregory “had never shot a gun in his life,” he said.

The shot “was just to send a message,” according to Rion.

UPDATE @ 11:57 a.m.:

Prosecutors say Kylen Gregory fired a gunshot that killed Ronnie Bowers after the defendant and his friends chased the victim’s car down after a confrontation at AlterFest.

[ >> 70 jurors report for murder trial from 2016 Kettering shooting ]

Gregory’s friends “tried to get (Bowers’ friend) to fight and he didn’t want to fight,” Assistant Prosecutor Julie Bruns told the jury. “They left,” she added.

Shortly after, Bruns said, Gregory and four other friends in a car followed Bowers group to the victim's car on Willowdale Avenue in Kettering.

“Ronnie — in an attempt to leave — puts the car in drive and simultaneously a shot was fired” at the car by Gregory, Bruns told the jury in the prosecution’s opening statement.

UPDATE @ 9:50 a.m.:

The jury in the 2016 fatal shooting of a Fairmont High School includes 10 women and two men, court officials said.

[ >> State seeks adult charges against teen in Kettering homicide ]

The panel will be weighing murder and related charges against Kylen Gregory in the deadly shooting of Ronnie Bowers.

The jury was finalized late Monday afternoon as the defense and prosecutors considered a pool of more than 70 prospective candidates, court officials said.

There were two women and one man chosen as alternates for the jury, a court official said.

INITIAL REPORT:

A jury has been selected in the murder trial of Kylen Gregory, accused in the 2016 Kettering fatal shooting of Ronnie Bowers.

The jury is expected to view a scene this morning in connection with the shooting that occurred Sept. 4, 2016 on Willowdale Avenue.

[ >> Teens strike plea deal in Kettering homicide of Fairmont junior ]

Opening statements are also expected this morning.

Gregory is accused of two counts of murder and related charges in the killing of Bowers.

Bowers and Gregory were both 16 at the time of the shooting, Kettering's first gun-related homicide since 2007.

Gregory, 18, is being tried as an adult.

MORE COVERAGE ON THIS ISSUE: