Toledoan gets 17 years in prison for 2008 murder of woman

4/29/2013
BLADE STAFF

A Toledo man who last year confessed to police he killed a woman in 2008 was sentenced today to 17 years in prison.

Ronald G. Martin, 61, of 2833 Stickney Ave., pleaded guilty March 25 in Lucas County Common Pleas Court to involuntary manslaughter and aggravated arson for the 2008 death of Lynette Lenora Reid, 40.

Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Myron Duhart also ordered Martin to pay $7,000 in restitution.

Ms. Reid’s death initially was thought to be accidental due to a toxic level of drugs in her system, but the ruling was changed to homicide last year after Martin told Toledo police he had strangled her and set fire to the mattress where she lay.

Martin said the two had used crack cocaine at a house in the 1800 block of Nesslewood Avenue, and he became angry because he believed she had shortchanged him in the drug transaction.