AKRON, Ohio (Court TV) — An Ohio man accused in the death of a medical assistant is representing himself at trial.
Quinton Nixon, 33, is accused of fatally shooting Toni Westover, 34, on July 25, 2022. Nixon was arrested almost a month later.
Quinton Nixon, who’s accused of murdering Toni Westover, in court. Nixon is a pro se defendant, and the case against him is a bench trial. (Court TV)
Amy Perry, Westover’s sister, told Scripps News Cleveland that Westover and her boyfriend went to an Akron home where an altercation took place, and she was shot. No motive or connection between Nixon and Westover has been reported.
Perry also said Westover texted a friend sometime between 1 and 1:30 a.m., less than an hour before she died, saying: “Something doesn’t feel right. Something feels off.” Westover was gunned down during an altercation sometime between 2 and 2:15 a.m.
Nixon is a pro se defendant, which means he’s acting as his own attorney. Nixon has also waived his right to a jury trial, meaning a judge will decide his fate.
Nixon is standing trial on multiple charges, including murder and felonious assault. He’s facing life in prison if convicted.
DAILY TRIAL UPDATES
DAY 5 – 11/5/24
- The trial of pro se defendant Quinton Nixon will resume Nov. 5.
DAY 4 – 10/9/24
- Nixon questioned responding officer, Detective Danny D’Annunzio of the Akron PD, about the crime scene in the murder of Toni Westover.
- Pro se defendant Quinton Nixon testified in his own defense
DAY 3 – 10/3/24
- The state rests their case-in-chief
- Prosecutors play Quinton Nixon’s interview with detectives, conducted not long after he was apprehended by the Akon PD SWAT team serving a murder warrant in late August 2022, about a month after Toni’s slaying. The irritant effects of the chemical agents used to take him into custody are evident at times.
- Quinton Nixon cross-examines the lead Akron police detective in this case, Edward Hornacek. Nixon’s primary focus during cross seemed to be why Brian Fielders and Adam Wright weren’t also charged with parole violations for being around a firearm (they both testified for the State).
DAY 2 – 10/2/24
- Eyewitnesses Ronald Crew and Adam Wright testified
- Forensic pathologist Dr. Kristy Waite testified that Westover’s cause of death was a gunshot wound involving the base of the neck and torso, and the manner was homicide.
DAY 1 – 10/1/24
- The judge hears opening statements:
- Pro se defendant Quinton Nixon asked the judge to dismiss the case based on vindictive prosecution; he asked to dismiss felony charges for delay of preliminary hearing; and he presented a motion to continue. The judge denied those motions.
- Brian Fielders, the boyfriend of victim Toni Westover, testified about the events leading up to the shooting.
