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Replay live coverage: Tajh Ross Murder Trial in Linn County District Court
Jul. 16, 2014 9:00 am, Updated: Jul. 16, 2014 6:53 pm
The trial of Tajh Ross, 20, charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Latasha Roundtree, 19, of Cedar Rapids, continues at 9 a.m. today in Linn County District Court.
Join Gazette Reporter Trish Mehaffey for live coverage from the courtroom in the bench or non-jury trial. Followers can provide comments and ask questions during the trial.
Ross is accused of shooting Roundtree as she was a passenger in a car, heading to a party, Sept. 22, 2012. He also faces charges of intimidation with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit a forcible felony and going armed with intent. According to the prosecution, Ross armed himself and fired into the car that night. According to previous hearings for the four other defendants, who have pleaded to lesser charges, Roundtree wasn't the intended target but it was a planned incident.
According to court records, the defense plans to claim the shooting was in self-defense or defense of another.
The four defendants who have pleaded will testify against Ross this week, as part of their plea agreements.
Kenneth Miller Jr. (right) points to the place where he found a handgun on his property in a photograph as he answers questions from Assistant Linn County Attorney Laurie Craig (center) as Tajh Ross (left), who is charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Latasha Roundtree, looks on in Linn County District Court in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday, July 15, 2014. (Stephen Mally/The Gazette-KCRG TV9)
Tajh Ross, who is charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Latasha Roundtree, sits at a table before the start of his trial in Linn County District Court in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday, July 15, 2014. (Stephen Mally/The Gazette-KCRG TV9)
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