Judge Denies Donte Parker II New Trial Request
The court upheld a guilty verdict for the 25-year-old in a 2024 Lorain shooting case.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Violence
Judge Raymond Ewers denied a motion for acquittal and a new trial for Donte Parker II following his conviction on murder charges. Parker was found guilty by a jury in September for his role in a 2024 shooting on West 14th Street in Lorain.
Why it matters
The ruling clears the path for sentencing after the defense argued that the state provided insufficient physical evidence. Prosecutors countered by relying on cellphone records and eyewitness testimony to secure the conviction.
Donte Parker II faces sentencing on October 29, 2026, following his conviction on 19 total charges. He also faces legal proceedings in four additional pending criminal cases.
The players
Donte Parker II
He is a 25-year-old defendant currently awaiting sentencing after being convicted on multiple felony counts.
Raymond Ewers
He is the judge presiding over the criminal proceedings at the Lorain County court.
Scott Smith
He is the defense attorney who filed the unsuccessful motion for a new trial.
Leonard McCall Jr.
He was the 39-year-old victim killed during the shooting incident on West 14th Street.
Lorain County Prosecutor's Office
This government agency is responsible for bringing the criminal charges against the defendant.
The details
The defense motion filed by Scott Smith contended that the case lacked critical physical evidence like DNA or fingerprints. The court ultimately rejected these arguments, allowing the jury's September verdict regarding the death of Leonard McCall Jr. to stand.
Timeline
November 25, 2024: Leonard McCall Jr. was shot and killed.
September 9, 2026: A jury returned a guilty verdict against Donte Parker II.
September 28, 2026: Defense attorney filed a motion for acquittal.
October 19, 2026: Judge ruled to deny the motion for acquittal.
October 29, 2026: Sentencing hearing is scheduled to occur.
Legal Context
The court's decision follows established standards set by the Ohio Rules of Criminal Procedure governing motions for acquittal when evaluating if sufficient evidence exists for a jury verdict. This process reflects the rigorous evidentiary hurdles required to challenge a jury's determination in local violent crime cases.
The conclusion of this trial brings a level of closure to the 2024 shooting on West 14th Street. Residents can expect continued judicial focus on the case as the sentencing phase approaches.
The takeaway
The court's denial of the motion reinforces the weight placed on circumstantial evidence in criminal trials. Legal observers often note that the absence of physical evidence does not preclude a conviction when other data points like location tracking are present.
What happens next
Donte Parker II is scheduled to appear for a sentencing hearing on October 29, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on local criminal proceedings, visit Violence.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chroniclet.
