Trial begins of man accused of providing gun in teen's death
CHICAGO (AP) — A trial is underway of a Chicago man accused of providing a gun to his niece that was used to kill a 14-year-old girl.
Donnell Flora is charged with murder and attempted murder for allegedly giving the then 14-year-old the loaded gun used in the April 2014 death of Endia Martin. The shooting occurred as Flora's niece and the intended target were engaged in a fight sparked by an ongoing dispute on social media. Flora's now 16-year-old niece is awaiting trial on murder charges in Juvenile Court.
In an opening statement Tuesday, Assistant Cook County State's Attorney Athena Farmakis said Flora's actions went "way beyond being irresponsible."
Defense attorney Patrycja Karlin said her 27-year-old client, who was paralyzed from the waist down in a 2012 shooting, "didn't want anyone to get shot."