Man sentenced to life in prison for role in fatal shooting

10/28/2005

A Toledo man who prosecutors said acted with another man in killing Randy Johnson during a robbery in front of Jackman Elementary was sentenced yesterday to life in prison.

Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Charles Doneghy sentenced Jason Simons, 23, for the murder of Mr. Johnson on June 7, 2004, in the school parking lot, 2010 Northover Rd.

A jury found Simons guilty Oct. 7 of complicity to aggravated murder and complicity to aggravated robbery for his role in the shooting death.

Judge Doneghy also imposed a consecutive, five-year sentence for the aggravated robbery. He will be eligible to seek release from prison on parole in 23 years.

Bradley Zasada, 21, who was with Simons when Mr. Johnson was shot, entered into a plea agreement and was sentenced last week to 18 years in prison. He entered a guilty plea to involuntary manslaughter in September.

Michael Loisel, a Lucas County assistant prosecutor, said Simons and Zasada were drinking and doing drugs at a mobile home in North Toledo when they left the residence to find someone to rob and happened to encounter Mr. Johnson, who was walking his two dogs.

Mr. Johnson, 47, of Oldham Drive, was shot twice in the chest and robbed of money and a personal stereo that he was wearing.

Judge Doneghy said the actions were totally senseless and completely unnecessary in that the crime was committed to obtain money to buy alcohol and drugs so the defendants could continue their partying.