Santana is accused of killing 17-year-old Dayton residents Devin Henderson and Javier Harrison and firing at a third teenager who survived on Aug. 28. Santana is charged with four counts of murder, five counts of felonious assault and one count of attempt to commit murder.
Judge allows interrogation evidence in Dayton teen deaths case
Henderson was struck twice by gunfire in the back, while Harrison was hit in the back, the thigh and left forearm, according to autopsy records.
Montgomery County Prosecutor Mat Heck Jr. said the teens were shot and killed while trespassing in a vehicle in a detached garage they thought was abandoned at 848 Conners St., where they went to smoke marijuana. The garage is about 40 feet from the house.
Heck said at a press conference announcing the indictment that the teens broke the law by trespassing, but lethal force cannot be used against people who are only committing that offense. He also said the law states that deadly force can only be used in self-defense, defense of another or defense of a person’s home or occupied vehicle.
The case prompted a public outcry by some in the community. Relatives and community members took part in multiple protests and weekly vigils outside the Conners Street home.
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Eventually, the home was destroyed by a suspected arson last year. Before that, someone spray-painted the word “murder” on the front of the residence.
Public defense attorney Michael Pentecost couldn’t be reached for comment this week. Previously, the defense attempted to suppress interrogations done by police with Santana. Those attempts were unsuccessful as a judge said the interviews can be used.
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