JUVENILE SUSPECT IN TWO COLUMBUS MURDERS AND MADISON COUNTY TRAVELCENTERS OF AMERICA CRIME SPREE INDICTED

Posted on 1/16/2014

Defendant:

Prosecutor Ron O’Brien announces today that the Franklin County Grand Jury has returned an indictment against Devonere Simmonds, age 17, for five counts Aggravated Robbery with Specification (F-1), two counts Aggravated Murder with Specification (unclassified), two counts Murder with Specification (unclassified), two counts Attempted Murder with Specification (F-1), two counts Felonious Assault with Specification (F-2), and one count Having Weapon While Under Disability (F-1), for a total of fourteen counts.  The indictment alleges that on July 21, 2013, Simmonds was involved in a week long crime spree that began with the shooting death of Quinten Prater, age 22, who was shot to death inside a vehicle parked on Lilley Avenue where James Norvett, age 21, was also seriously injured during the shooting.  The indictment further alleges that on July 24, 2013, Simmonds was involved in the shooting death of Imran Ashgar, age 34, who was a clerk at the Convenient Plus Food Mart on E. Livingston Avenue.  Nathaniel Brunner has already been indicted for Aggravated Murder and Aggravated Robbery in that case.  Further alleged is that three days later on July 27th, Simmonds exited the TravelCenters of America truck stop at Rt. 42 and I-70 just east of London in Madison County where he and and the same  accomplice, Nathaniel L. Brunner, age 18, approached William Rudd, age 39, who was pumping gas into his vehicle.  The two teens demanded his car, shot him in the head, and took his vehicle.  Both Simmonds and Brunner were arrested in Dayton the next day.  “If convicted of these charges, Simmonds could be sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole,” O’Brien stated.  The case will be assigned to Judge Horton who has already been assigned the Brunner case.  Arraignment for Simmonds will be next Tuesday, January 21st, 2014 at 1:30 pm in courtroom 2A at 345 S. High Street.