Trial over meth deal killing to start Friday

ANGOLA, Ind. (WANE) - The trial of a man who shot and killed another man over a meth deal will begin Friday, according to our partners in news, KPC.

Zao Garth Burrell, 25, of Angola, is facing a felony murder charge after police say he shot and killed Brent Donbroski over a meth deal on June 3, 2012. A manhunt for Burrell ensued after the shooting.

According to KPC, Burrell is also charged with Class A felony attempted murder for allegedly shooting at a police officer while fleeing the scene of the shooting, Class C felony carrying a handgun with a prior felony conviction and Class A misdemeanor carrying a handgun without a license.

For an unknown reason, police said Zao shot Donbroski in front of seven other people and then left the scene with his father, Danny and friend, Michael Forrester in Donbroski’s car.

After the three dropped off Donbroski’s car in Williams County, Ohio, they returned to the home in Fremont around 6 a.m., where a pursuit with police ensued. When the pursuit ended, about a quarter of a mile east of County Road 1.50 near Columbia, Ohio, police said Zao got out of the vehicle, started shooting at the officer and then ran off.

Air and ground units from multiple agencies, including SWAT and K-9, were used in the search for Burrell. Police found him later that day.