Lima teen pleads guilty, agrees to testify in death

8/10/2004

LIMA, Ohio - The second of four Lima men charged in the fatal shooting of Robert Lee Starks in March pleaded guilty yesterday to reduced charges.

Leonard Hutchins, 18, had been indicted for murder and aggravated robbery. He pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and robbery. He faces 9 to 11 years in prison when he is sentenced in Allen County Common Pleas Court Sept. 24.

Hutchins also agreed to testify against two remaining co-defendants, Dominique Hairston and Thomas Johnson. A third co-defendant, Jesse James Hardy, 20, entered into a plea agreement in the case in June.

Mr. Starks, 19, was shot after opening the door of his Pine Street home March 22.