PORTSMOUTH- A Portsmouth man facing multiple counts of murder in the shooting death of a teenager has seen his jury trial set.

Antonio Blake Milar, 24, of Portsmouth, will face a jury during a three-day trial slated to begin Monday, Sept. 30, according to court documents. The trial will be in the Scioto County Court of Common Pleas courtroom of Judge Howard H. Harcha III.

Milar is facing charges in connection with the May 31, 2023, shooting death of a 17-year-old male in the 1500 block of Ninth Street. After a short manhunt Portsmouth Police found Milar hiding in an abandoned burnt-out building in the 1600 block of Sixth Street. He was taken into custody in the early morning hours of June 1, 2023.

Milar is currently lodged at the Scioto County Jail, where he has been held on a $300,000 bond. He was originally booked on charges of murder, aggravated murder, and two parole violations. Upon Milar’s indictment by the Scioto County Grand Jury in July 2023, charges were added.

Milar stands charged with aggravated murder, two counts of murder, two counts of felonious assault, and one count of having weapons while under disability. He was originally scheduled to go to trial in February. The trial is now set to begin at 9 a.m. the last day of September.

Milar has a final pretrial conference set for Thursday, Sept. 12.

Milar is being represented by court-appointed local attorney Shawn Stratton. The prosecution is being represented by Scioto County Prosecutor Shane Tieman and Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Loesch.

Reach Lori McNelly at [email protected] or at (740) 353-3101 ext. 1928. © 2024 Portsmouth Daily Times, all rights reserved