Man pleads guilty to role in North Toledo slaying

9/28/2006

A second defendant entered into a plea agreement yesterday in Lucas County Common Pleas Court for his role in the death of a 55-year-old man during a robbery in Toledo s north end.

Charles Lowe, 37, of Jerusalem Township pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and aggravated robbery in the Jan. 31 beating of Robert Smead in the 500 block of Austin Street.

Judge Denise Ann Dartt accepted the pleas and found him guilty. He is to be sentenced Oct. 18.

Mr. Smead, who was beaten on the head with a pipe, died Feb. 8 in Toledo Hospital. Andre Rice, 42, a co-defendant in the homicide, was convicted last week of involuntary manslaughter and aggravated robbery. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison.