Burglar in East Toledo shooting gets 8 years

7/11/2008

One of two men charged with forcing their way into an East Toledo home and shooting the man who lived there was sentenced yesterday to eight years in prison.

Jesse Garcia, 23, of 1028 Greenwood Ave., was sentenced to five years for an aggravated burglary conviction and three years for a related gun specification. Lucas County Common Pleas Court Judge Charles Doneghy ordered that the sentences be served consecutively.

Judge Doneghy also sentenced Garcia to four years in prison for a felonious assault conviction, but ordered that time to be served concurrently.

Garcia entered Alford pleas to the charges June 23. Yesterday, Judge Doneghy dismissed a charge of attempted murder and a gun specification attached to the felonious assault charge. In an Alford plea, defendants don't admit commission of a crime, but plead guilty because they decide it is in their best interest. It is treated as a guilty plea.

Garcia and his cousin, David Randall, 27, of 1531 Remington St., were arrested after forcing their way into a home in the 600 block of Berry Street on March 30. Authorities said Garcia had been in an altercation earlier that night with the victim's son, Kerry Trester, Jr., and that he picked up his cousin on his way to resume the fight.

Kerry Trester, Sr., 42, was shot in the chest when he answered the door. Randall pleaded guilty June 23 to aggravated burglary. His sentencing was continued until Aug. 5.