After a tense five-day trial, a Scioto County jury has delivered guilty verdicts against two of the teens accused in the savage Walmart stabbing that left a local teenager fighting for his life.
Jury Delivers Its Decision
Jurors deliberated for hours before finding Waylon Cooley, 18, of Portsmouth, guilty on 16 of 17 counts, including attempted aggravated murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, aggravated robbery, felonious assault, and conspiracy. He was acquitted on one count of tampering with evidence.
Co-defendant Trinida Castro, 18, of Franklin Furnace, was also convicted on 10 counts, including felonious assault, kidnapping, aggravated robbery, robbery, conspiracy, and two counts of tampering with evidence. Castro was acquitted of several of the most serious charges, including attempted aggravated murder and attempted murder.
A sentencing date has not yet been set for either defendant.
A Case That Shocked the Community
The case stems from a January 28 ambush near the New Boston Walmart, where prosecutors say Cooley, Castro, and two others—Shelby Broughton and Zander Daniels—lured a friend to the shopping plaza under the pretense of buying shoes for someone in need. Instead, they allegedly set upon him, stabbing and robbing him, then leaving him bleeding in the parking lot.
The victim was airlifted to a Columbus hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery and ultimately survived.
The attack stunned Scioto County residents for its violence and betrayal, with all four suspects barely out of high school at the time.
Co-Defendants Flip Before Trial
Earlier this fall, two of the co-defendants struck plea deals.
Shelby Broughton pleaded guilty on October 27 to felonious assault, kidnapping, aggravated robbery, and conspiracy, avoiding the top attempted murder charge.
Zander Daniels followed suit, entering a plea on October 31 to aggravated robbery, kidnapping, tampering with evidence, felonious assault, and conspiracy. Sentencing for both will take place after Cooley and Castro’s cases conclude.
What’s Next
With two defendants convicted and two others awaiting sentencing, this case marks one of the most chilling examples of teen violence Scioto County has seen in years.
Both Cooley and Castro remain in custody, and their sentences could span decades once the court sets a date.
And now, the jury has made its judgment clear: they will be held accountable.