AKRON — Guilty. That was the decision announced by a jury Thursday morning in the case of Kenan Ivery.
Ivery, 36, was convicted of nearly all charges against him, including the aggravated murder of Akron police officer Justin Winebrenner.
Ivery stood emotionless as he listened to the verdict, which was read at 11 a.m. After all counts were discussed, Ivery was handcuffed and placed back in his courtroom seat.
Jurors found Ivery guilty of the following charges:
Aggravated murder – a special felony with a death penalty specification and two firearm specifications.
Two Counts of Murder – special felonies with firearm specifications.
Two Counts of Felonious Assault – felonies of the first degree with firearm specifications.
Two Counts of Attempted murder – felonies of the first degree with firearm specifications.
Four Counts of Felonious Assault – felonies of the second degree with firearm specifications.
Having a Weapon Under Disability – a felony of the third degree.
Carrying a Concealed Weapon – a felony of the fourth degree.
Illegal Possession of a Firearm in a Liquor Permit Premises – a felony of the third degree.
The sentencing phase of the trial is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m Tuesday Oct. 20 in Judge Alison McCarty’s courtroom.
The potential sentences for aggravated murder are death, life without parole, and life with parole after 20, 25, or 30 years in prison.
The charges stem from November 2014 when gunfire erupted at Papa Don’s Pub on East Market Street in Akron. The shooting happened when Winebrenner and another off-duty officer, David Eisele, attempted to take a gun from Ivery inside the bar.
Witnesses testified Ivery was agitated and was asked to leave the bar. He returned, claiming he was retrieving food he had left.
Surveillance footage shows Ivery re-entering the bar and looking down at his waistline, where he concealed a gun.
When Ivery brandished the weapon, Winebrenner and Eisele approached him. A scuffle ensued and Winebrenner was fatally shot as he and Eisele pushed Ivery toward the door.
Four people were struck by bullets.
Ivery claimed he feared for his life that night. He said he felt threatened when he was approached by “three big white guys” and did not want Winebrenner to take his gun.
Ivery fled the bar after the shooting. He said he ran because he dropped the gun and was afraid someone would pick it up and shoot him in the back. He was caught by K9 units in a field less than one mile from the bar.