Jury deliberates in trial of man accused of killing Cleveland mother while she held her baby

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The jury in the trial of the 21-year-old Cleveland man accused of shooting a young mother began deliberations Tuesday.

Dennis Coates' trial began on September 16 before Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Judge Maureen Clancy.

According to Cleveland Police, Dennis Coates murdered 23-year-old Dimesha Wright on December 14, 2023, at approximately 3:30 a.m. in the area between East 185th Street and Harland Avenue.

According to court documents, Coates fired an AR-style rifle through the front door of the home.

According to police, Wright was holding her seven-month-old baby when she was shot. The child was not injured.

Coates has pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated murder, murder, aggravated assault, attempted aggravated murder, attempted aggravated assault, attempted murder and child endangerment.

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