Toledo man convicted of complicity gets 15 to life

Alexander Osley was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for murder and 10 years for aggravated robbery.

A Toledo man was sentenced to life in prison Monday after being found guilty late Friday of being an accomplice in the shooting death of an East Toledo resale shop owner.

Alexander Osley, 26, of 402 Daniels Ave. was convicted by a jury of complicity in the commission of murder and aggravated robbery. He was acquitted of an alternate count of aggravated murder as well as gun specifications.

Monday, Judge Ruth Ann Franks sentenced him to 15 years to life in prison for complicity to murder and 10 years for aggravated robbery. She ordered the sentences be served concurrently.

Evidence presented at Osley’s four-day trial showed that it was Osley’s cousin, Luis Osley, of Toledo, who pulled the trigger that ended the life of William “Lamar” Carswell. But although he was not the gunman, Osley served as the lookout during a robbery at the Main Street Exchange and so aided in the crime, authorities said.

Mr. Carswell’s brother, James, spoke to Judge Franks prior to the sentencing. He noted that his brother’s killer was already behind bars and asked the judge to consider the fact that Osley wasn’t the gunman.

Judge Franks ordered the mandatory term of life but ordered the second robbery sentence to be served concurrently, making Osley first eligible for parole in 15 years.

Luis Osley was sentenced to 23 years in prison Sept. 23 after entering an Alford plea to one count each of aggravated robbery and involuntary manslaughter, with gun specifications. In an Alford plea, a defendant maintains his innocence but acknowledges the court has enough evidence to convict him.

The deal was reached after his cousin withdrew a previous plea agreement that would have included testifying against Luis Osley.