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Trial of Na'Kia Crawford's alleged killer begins in Akron

The case dates back to June 2020 when Crawford was shot and killed while driving with her grandmother.

AKRON, Ohio — The trial is underway for Adarus Black, the man accused of killing 18-year-old Na’Kia Crawford more than two years ago in Akron.

Opening statements in the trial took place on Wednesday morning. 3News was planning to stream trial live, but the court is not permitting live coverage online.

Black, who is being held on a $1 million bond, was captured in Atlanta back on Feb. 8 after a 20-month manhunt in connection with the June 14, 2020, shooting.

Authorities say the incident happened as Crawford was driving home with her grandmother after visiting a bank when she was shot while sitting in her vehicle near West North and North Howard streets. She later died at Akron City Hospital.

Akron native LeBron James brought national attention to the case, calling for justice on social media in the days after the incident.

"Somebody know something for sure,” he posted with #JUSTICE4Nakia.

"I feel like a little justice has been served, but it's not going to bring my niece back," Crawford's aunt told 3News at the time of Black's arrest. "She was smart, outgoing, she was just a lovely person."

Black was 17 at the time of the deadly shooting. Court records show his 20th birthday arrives next Wednesday.

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Editor's note: Video in the player above was originally published in a previous story on Feb. 10, 2022.

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