Man, 23, pleads guilty to robbery

Toledoan faces 11 years in prison for role in Dec. 31 death

9/10/2013

Although he didn’t pull the trigger, a Toledo man admitted in court on Monday that he helped plan the robbery that ended the life of a West Toledo man on New Year’s Eve.

Kevin Brooks, 23, of 3208 Maple St., pleaded guilty in Lucas County Common Pleas Court to complicity to commit involuntary manslaughter in the Dec. 31 death of Brian Minley, 24. He faces up to 11 years in prison when sentenced on Oct. 10 by Judge Dean Mandros.

Brooks said little in court other than to tell Judge Mandros when asked why he was entering a guilty plea, “Because I’m guilty.”

Frank Spryszak, an assistant Lucas County prosecutor, said that as part of a plea agreement, he would ask Judge Mandros to dismiss the charges Brooks originally was indicted on: Complicity to murder, complicity to aggravated robbery, and complicity to aggravated burglary, each with firearms specifications.

Mr. Spryszak told the court that Brooks was not the shooter that night, but had hatched a plan with co-defendant Daquaine Booth to rob Mr. Minley, who Mr. Spryszak described as “a low-level marijuana dealer” who they knew would likely have cash and marijuana on hand.

A third co-defendant, Ashley Hundstrucker, contacted Mr. Minley through Facebook and arranged to purchase some marijuana, Mr. Spryszak said. The three of them then went to the victim’s Berdan Avenue home, where Brooks intended to restrain Mr. Minley while Booth robbed him.

Instead, Booth went in alone, Mr. Spryszak said. Brooks got out of the van they were waiting in to check on Booth when he heard a gunshot, and Booth ran out of the house saying words to the effect of, “He rushed me. He rushed me.” The three fled, Mr. Spryszak said.

Defense attorney John Thebes did not dispute that account.

Ms. Hundstrucker, 23, of 3940 Lockwood Ave., appeared in court prior to Brooks. Her attorney, Ronnie Wingate, said he was trying to negotiate a resolution and was “very close.” Judge Mandros set a new trial date of Sept. 16 for her.

Booth, 26, of 2828 Weber St., is scheduled to go to trial Sept. 30 on charges of murder, aggravated robbery, and aggravated burglary.

Contact Jennifer Feehan at: jfeehan@theblade.com or 419-213-2134.