Highland Square shooters plead not guilty

Deshawn Stafford and Ehmani Thomas, 2 men indicted in connection to the fatal shooting of Timothy Hutchinson, of Wooster, in Akron’s Highland Square neighborhood, each pleaded not guilty at their respective arraignments.  24 year old Stafford pleaded not guilty to a list of charges, including murder, felonious assault, having weapons under disability, and drug charges. Stafford $3 million bond was continued.  his pretrial hearing is set or February 4th. Thomas pleaded guilty to charges that include, involuntary manslaughter, voluntary manslaughter, and reckless homicide. Also having weapons under disability.  Thomas’ half million bond was continued, and he is scheduled for a pretrial on January 7th.    On October 5th, Akron police responded to West Market Street around 1230am for a reported shooting, and found 25 year old Hutchinson with  a gunshot wound.  He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.  Investigators determined that Hutchinson was caught in the crossfire between the 2 shooters.