This story was updated with new information.
A 32-year-old Akron man is facing life in prison after Summit County jurors found him guilty on May 26 of shooting 24-year-old Ontario Bradley.
Jurors handed down the verdict after a week-long trial that saw Martinez Williams argue self-defense.
He repeated this claim after the verdict, telling the judge that Bradley attacked him.
“The jury obviously got it wrong. I didn’t murder him. I had no choice but to defend myself,” Williams said, telling the judge he found caselaw that he believed would prove his innocence. “Tario was my friend. I didn’t mean to kill him. I didn’t mean it. I don’t deserve a life sentence.”
Summit County jurors found Williams guilty of murder, felonious assault, tampering with evidence and two three-year firearm specifications. Summit County Common Pleas Court Judge Tammy O’Brien found him guilty of having weapons under disability.
Represented by attorneys Amanda Bizub, Seneca Konturas and Edan Konturas, Williams will be sentenced at 1 p.m. on June 1.
Goodyear Heights shooting
The shooting occurred in the early morning hours of May 31, 2025, inside an apartment on Darrow Road in Akron’s Goodyear Heights neighborhood.
Summit County prosecutors said that as Williams attempted to “aggressively” remove a partygoer, Bradley intervened. That’s when Williams fired his gun twice, fatally striking Bradley once. Williams fled the scene.
When Akron police arrived at an apartment complex at about 3:42 a.m. on May 31, 2025, they found Bradley with a gunshot wound to the torso. After providing emergency first aid, Bradley was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Williams turned himself in to Akron police the next day.
Bryce Buyakie is an Akron-based reporter who covers the courts and public safety for the Beacon Journal. He can be reached by email at bbuyakie@gannett.com or on X @bryce_buyakie.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron man found guilty of shooting, killing Ontario Bradley
Reporting by Bryce Buyakie, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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