Prosecutor: Suspected Cincinnati nightclub shooter threatened witnesses

Cornell Beckley, left, listens to Common Pleas Judge Steven Martin, during his arraignment at the Hamilton County Courthouse Tuesday. Beckley is scheduled to stand trial next month in connection with the mass shooting at the Cameo nightclub. Beckley, 28, has been accused of paying off witnesses. Court documents say Justin Watson is involved in two of the alleged bribery incidents.
Cornell Beckley, left, listens to Common Pleas Judge Steven Martin, during his arraignment at the Hamilton County Courthouse Tuesday. Beckley is scheduled to stand trial next month in connection with the mass shooting at the Cameo nightclub. Beckley, 28, has been accused of paying off witnesses. Court documents say Justin Watson is involved in two of the alleged bribery incidents. Meg Vogel — The Cincinnati Enquirer via AP

By The Associated Press

Scott Rubenstein, right, talks to his client Justin Watson during Watson’s arraignment in Common Pleas Judge Steven Martin’s courtroom at the Hamilton County Courthouse in Cincinatti Tuesday. Court documents say Justin Watson is involved in two of the alleged bribery incidents with Cornell Beckley, who is scheduled to stand trial next month in connection with the mass shooting at the Cameo nightclub. Beckley, 28, has been accused of paying off witnesses.
Scott Rubenstein, right, talks to his client Justin Watson during Watson’s arraignment in Common Pleas Judge Steven Martin’s courtroom at the Hamilton County Courthouse in Cincinatti Tuesday. Court documents say Justin Watson is involved in two of the alleged bribery incidents with Cornell Beckley, who is scheduled to stand trial next month in connection with the mass shooting at the Cameo nightclub. Beckley, 28, has been accused of paying off witnesses. Meg Vogel — The Cincinnati Enquirer via AP

CINCINNATI >> Authorities say a man facing trial in a Cincinnati nightclub mass shooting that left two people dead and 15 injured received help from a jail inmate to bribe and intimidate witnesses.

Hamilton County Assistant Prosecutor David Prem said Tuesday the bribery allegations against Cornell Beckley, the only suspect charged in the March 2017 Cameo nightclub shooting, and inmate Justin Watson could affect the integrity of the justice system.

Prosecutors say the 28-year-old Beckley, 26-year-old Watson and other unnamed individuals sought to identify witnesses to bribe or threaten them into silence before Beckley’s trial scheduled for May 7. Beckley has plead not guilty to murder and numerous other charges.

Both men pleaded not guilty Tuesday to bribery and obstruction of justice charges. Their attorneys didn’t immediately return messages seeking comment.

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