Murder charges against two men accused in a 2013 shooting at a North Side gas station were dismissed today when the state's key witness failed to show up for the trial. Michael D. Watson, 22, and Michael J. Henderson, 18, were charged with aggravated murder, attempted murder and felonious assault for the shooting in which one man was killed and another wounded.

Murder charges against two men accused in a 2013 shooting at a North Sidegas station were dismissedMonday when the state's key witness failed to show up for the trial.

Michael D. Watson,22, and Michael J. Henderson, 18, were charged with aggravated murder, attempted murder and felonious assault for the shooting in which one man was killed and another wounded.

A witness who was crucial to the prosecution's case ignored a subpoena and didn't appear as prosecutors and defense attorneys were preparing to select a jury in Franklin County Common Pleas Court.

Assistant Prosecutor James Lowe told Judge William Woods that the witness and his child reportedly were the target of threats.

The judge agreed to issue a warrant for the witness, but denied the prosecution's request to continue the case to a later date, saying the case had been continuednumerous times.He ordered the release of Watson and Henderson.

The case was dismissed without prejudice, meaning the charges can be reinstated if the witness is found and agrees to testify.

Watson and Henderson were accused of shooting into a car outside a Sunoco station at Lexington and 5th avenues, killing Marvin Ector, 26, and wounding Darnell Gammon, 31, on Dec. 23, 2013.

Henderson was 16 at the time of the shooting, but a Juvenile Court judge transferred his case to adult court in July 2014.

Although the witness testified at the Juvenile Court hearing,his decision not toshow up for thetrial wasn't a complete surprise, Prosecutor Ron O'Brien said.

"We had heard that threats were being made againstnot only the witness but the witness's family," he said. "This was the one key witness we needed. In some cases, we can rely on other evidence.But we could not go forward without this witness."





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