The Lorain man accused of fatally shooting a mother of four in 2022 was granted permission Jan. 4 by Lorain County Common Pleas Court to add another attorney to assist his legal counsel.
James Lavern Kimbrough III, 36, attended the pretrial hearing in person with attorney Michael Stefanik.
Kimbrough is facing murder charges in the death of Milenna Lopez, 24. His trial date is set for Jan. 16.
During the hearing, Judge D. Chris Cook told Kimbrough and Stefanik, “It’s a little late in the game to ask for assistance.”
“We appreciate the court is holding firm on the trial date,” Assistant Lorain County Prosecutor Chris Pierre told Cook.
Pierre also noted the anniversary of Lopez’s death is Jan. 6 as her family sat behind the prosecutor’s table.
Stefanik argued that Kimbrough is facing “potentially life in prison” and requested assistance due to the voluminous amount of discovery, evidence and motions that have been filed in the case.
Cook advised each party that he wants the trial to be organized.
“I do not want any surprises on either side,” he said.
Pierre assured Cook that the prosecution team is ready to hit the ground running.
Lopez was 24 when she was gunned down Jan. 6, 2022, while taking a break outside the McDonald’s restaurant in Sheffield Village where she was employed.
Lopez left behind four children, two of whom she shared with Kimbrough.
Following Lopez’s death, Kimbrough fled and remained on the area’s most wanted list until his capture at a Lorain apartment April 16, 2022.
Kimbrough pleaded not guilty to one count of aggravated murder; three counts of murder charges, each with different legal specifications; two counts of felonious assault; tampering with evidence; having weapons while under disability and violation of a protection order, which all are felonies.
In 2021, Kimbrough was indicted on charges of aggravated burglary, kidnapping, endangering children and two counts of domestic violence.
In June 2022, a Lorain County grand jury handed down another indictment that included charges of burglary and criminal damaging or endangering.
The three cases are consolidated so each charge can be addressed at one trial.
Prospective jurors were issued questionnaires late last year and were ordered to return the information no later than Jan. 9, court records show.
Kimbrough remains in the Lorain County Jail on a $2,035,000 bond, according to jail records.
Kimbrough also is facing a number of charges in Lorain Municipal Court stemming from the turbulent relationship with Lopez.
