Fatal Horton Plaza Shooting: Pretrial Motions Due For Accused

SAN DIEGO, CA – Pretrial motions were slated to be heard Thursday in the case of a gang member accused of fatally shooting a decorated Navy pilot and wounding his cousin outside a comedy club at Horton Plaza.

Testimony could begin as soon as next week in the murder trial of Arrow Morris, 41, who is accused in the June 10, 2017, killing of 43-year-old James Celani. Morris, who was arrested two days after the shooting, faces more than 80 years in prison, if convicted on all counts, according to prosecutors.

He's charged with murder, attempted murder, and trying to dissuade a witness from testifying.

According to evidence presented at a preliminary hearing in 2017, Morris was outside the comedy club arguing with his girlfriend about 11:45 p.m. when he allegedly pulled out a gun and shot Celani twice in the head and once in the chest.

Celani was taken to a hospital where he died. His cousin was shot in the leg.

A woman who was in Morris' group inside the club testified that security personnel visited their table two or three times because the defendant's brother kept making disparaging comments regarding a gay comedian on stage.

The witness -- identified only as Jazmyn -- said Morris, his girlfriend Ashley, and his brother walked out of the club after Morris accused Ashley of having romantic feelings toward Jazmyn.

Jazmyn said she went outside and saw Morris rip his girlfriend's purse from her hands and push her to the ground.

As she ran toward the couple, Jazmyn said she saw Morris pull out a gun. After turning to run away, she said she heard four to five shots ring out.

Ashley testified that Morris took off with her car after the shooting and left her and Jazmyn stranded.

Once she got home, she said she lied to police about what she had seen until finally telling officers that she witnessed Morris shoot the victims.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Man Accused In Horton Plaza Murder May Get Trial Date Next Month
• Gang Member Accused Of Fatally Shooting Navy Man To Stand Trial
• Man Accused Of Shooting Navy Pilot Pleads Not Guilty: Horton Plaza Mall Shooting
• Navy Man Killed In Horton Plaza Mall Shooting

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--City News Service