Toledoan gets six months in treatment facility for tampering with evidence in murder case

6/5/2013

A Toledo man who said he was asleep in the car where his friend was shot to death last summer was ordered today to spend six months at the Correctional Treatment Facility in Toledo.

Michael Fizer, 28, of 2361 Hollywood Ave., pleaded no contest in April to one count of tampering with evidence for disposing of a pair of shorts that may have contained blood from the shooting death of La’Sean Robinson, Jr., 29, whose body was found in a North Toledo field last June 10.

Fizer said he had been out celebrating his birthday with friends and was so intoxicated he did not know Mr. Robinson had been shot or what happened that night. He said he got rid of the shorts because he was scared when he found out his friend was dead.

Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Gene Zmuda said it was “hard to believe” Fizer did not hear a gunshot inside the car. He placed Fizer on community control for five years, ordered him to complete 200 hours of community service, and said he must attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and complete any other recommended substance abuse or mental health treatment once he is released from CTF.

Charles McCuin, 21, previously was sentenced to 14 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter with a firearms specification and tampering with evidence in Mr. Robinson’s death.

Xavier Tate, 29, who is charged with tampering with evidence and obstructing justice in the case, has a pretrial hearing June 28.