In a case gripping the Portsmouth, Ohio area, Aden Greene’s trial came to a conclusion on Friday with a verdict being issued. The 18 year old, 17 at the time of the conflict, was found guilty of murder for the 2023 shooting incident that unfortunately resulted in the death of Nathaniel McQuinley. A young man fondly referred to as Nate. The verdict marks the end of a tragic chapter for the community and surrounding areas. This tragedy began with a confrontation between the two young men, leading to 20 year old McQuinley’s death.
The Incident and Nathaniel McQuinley’s Death
The fatal incident occurred in the early hours of July 29, 2023, when Greene and McQuinley, both teenagers, attended a local house party. The pair were involved in a dispute that escalated into violence. The confrontation took place at a house party located in Rigrish Addition. According to court testimonies, Greene attended the party, being hosted by recent high school graduates, while the parents were away, armed with a .45 calibre handgun.
Witnesses recounted seeing the young man showing it off throughout the course of the evening on July 28. Many of the witnesses also noted that the 17 year old was drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana while at the event. An argument, late into the night, kicked off between Aden Greene and another partygoer over another juvenile being pushed into a pool on the property. Witnesses consistently stated that a brief physical altercation ensued, followed by the individual walking away.
At that time, Greene pulled out the gun, “racked” one into the chamber and pointed it at the back of the partygoer’s head. Nathanial McQuinley intervened at that point, stricking Greene in the head with what many claims was a beer bottle. The shooter quickly levelled the gun on Nate and fired multiple shots. The young man suffered three gunshots at that time. The fatal shot entered the rear of his right shoulder, according to the pathologist, and made impact with both the young man’s lungs and heart. The pathologist further stated that the wound was not survivable. Nate was pronounced dead at the scene of the incident.
The Trial of Aden Greene
The defendant, 18 at the time of his trial, was charged with six felony counts, including two counts of murder and four counts of assault. Greene was charged via a complaint filed in Scioto County Juvenile Court on August 1st. The trial took place in the Scioto County Courthouse of Common Pleas. Along with the filing, the prosecutor’s office requested that Aden be tried as an adult for the shooting. As the case proceeded through the juvenile court system, it was decided on October 24th that the accused would indeed face his trial as an adult.
The case was sent to the General Division, where, during litigation, the accused filed a notice of intent to claim self-defence. The case went before the court and jury on July 22nd. Prosecutors presented 23 witnesses over a four-day period and introduced more than 100 exhibits into evidence. The denese called two witnesses along with the defendant himself.
On the stand, Aden Greene openly admitted that he fired the shots but claimed that he did so out of fear he would be killed. He testified that many people were armed at the party that night, a claim refuted by every witness who spoke under oath. The defendant further claimed that he was struck multiple times, also refuted by witness testimony. He went on to admit that he fled the scene, heading to Cinncinati, while also disposing of the weapon shortly after the incident occurred.
The Verdict and Sentencing
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The jury in the case unanimously rejected Aden’s claims of self-defense. The defendant was found guilty of Nathaniel McQuinley’s murder, two counts of felony assault with regards to McQuinley, as well as another partygoer struck by a bullet in the leg. He was found not guilty of a felony assault related to a grazing that occurred on another patron’s hand during the conflict. Aden Greene was then sentenced to life with no possibility of parole for 27 years.
The Path Forward
The case has had a major impact on the Portsmouth community, igniting conversations about such things as youth violence, the availability of firearms, and the need for better conflict resolution education. The loss of Nate McQuinley, described by friends and family as an intelligent and promising young man, has left an emptiness that will be felt by everyone who knew him and will never be filled.
As Greene begins his sentence of life, the community continues to come to terms with the case’s bigger implications. There have been outcries from the residents for increased efforts to address the base causes of youth violence. The people want more robust programs and mental health resources to be made available. The hope of those impacted by this entire chain of events is that by addressing these issues, future incidents like the death of Nathaniel McQuinley will be prevented.
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