SOUTH TOLEDO INCIDENT

2nd suspect pleads guilty over role in death of gym owner

Robbery plan led to fatal shooting

3/21/2013
BY JENNIFER FEEHAN
BLADE STAFF WRITER
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    Admitting he planned but did not carry out a robbery that ended in the death of a South Toledo gym owner, a Toledo man entered guilty pleas Tuesday in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.

    Chad D. Brown, 35, of 839 Walbridge Ave., pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the commission of felonious assault with a gun specification and aggravated robbery in the death of Joseph Lengel, Jr., 57, owner of CrossFit Intensity Gym.

    Mr. Lengel was robbed of an iPad as he arrived at the gym on Warehouse Road on Nov. 19, then was shot once in the chest. He was pronounced dead at the University of Toledo Medical Center, the former Medical College of Ohio Hospital.

    Brown, like co-defendant Matthew Managhan who entered the same pleas last week, faces up to 25 years in prison when he is sentenced April 30 by Judge James Bates.

    Through questioning by his attorney, Martin Dow, Brown confirmed that Mr. Lengel was not the intended target of the robbery. Instead, Mr. Dow said, Brown had received information that there would be “a large amount of marijuana over on Warehouse Road” Nov. 19, and Brown and another man made plans to steal it.

    Brown confirmed they made arrangements for another man to pull off the robbery, and he supplied a car for him to get there.

    “You weren’t there at the scene, but you later found out the gentleman was confronted by at least one or more of these people that were sent over to get the marijuana, is that correct?” Mr. Dow asked his client.

    “Yes,” Brown replied.

    “And is it also a fact that you had been advised that someone shot and killed the gentleman who was an innocent bystander here?” Mr. Dow asked.

    “Yes, sir,” he replied.

    His plea came one week after Managhan, his longtime friend, was convicted of the same charges. Both originally were indicted for aggravated murder and aggravated robbery, both with gun specifications, but agreed to plead guilty to the amended charges.

    Managhan, 34, of 3417 Anderson Pkwy., also is to be sentenced April 30.

    Also charged in the crime are Devonte Harris, 19, of 1326 Gordon St.; and Jason Kuhns, 31, and Deitrekk Boone, 19, both of 1416 Beecham St.

    Cases are pending against Mr. Harris and Mr. Kuhns; Mr. Boone remains at large.

    Contact Jennifer Feehan at: jfeehan@theblade.com or 419-213-2134.