Toledoan pleads guilty for role in New Year's Eve murder

9/9/2013
BLADE STAFF

A Toledo man who helped plan a robbery that resulted in the victim being shot to death on New Year's Eve pleaded guilty today in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.

Kevin Brooks, 23, of 3208 Maple St., pleaded guilty to complicity to commit involuntary manslaughter in the Dec. 31 death of Brian Minley, 24.

Frank Spryszak, an assistant Lucas County prosecutor, said co-defendants Ashley Hundstrucker and Daquaine Booth planned to rob Mr. Minley by arranging to buy marijuana from him at his Berdan Avenue home. Brooks went along, he said, to restrain Minley.

Ultimately, Mr. Booth went into the house alone and Mr. Minley was shot during the ensuing confrontation, Mr. Spryszak said.

Brooks faces up to 11 years in prison when he is sentenced Oct. 10 by Judge Dean Mandros.

Mr. Booth, 26, of 2828 Weber St., is scheduled to go to trial Sept. 30 on charges of murder, aggravated robbery, and aggravated burglary. Ms. Hundstrucker, 23, of 3940 Lockwood Ave., is expected to enter into a plea agreement Sept. 16 on complicity charges.