Defendant enters Alford pleas in case of slain Maumee High School student
1/19/2018The last of the defendants charged in a botched robbery that led to the killing of a Maumee High School student and the paralyzing of the victim's friend entered into a plea agreement Friday.
Travis Durden, 33, of the 1500 block of Berdan Avenue entered Alford pleas — not admitting guilt — to complicity to aggravated robbery and obstructing justice before Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Ian English, who found him guilty.
The charges stemmed from the Feb. 22 shooting death of Collin Doyle, 17, and the wounding of Armond Batey, 16. The two were shot in the back while driving away from what investigators called a drug deal gone bad.
Jennifer Liptack-Wilson, an assistant county prosecutor, told the court Durden was part of a group that “set up a meeting with Armond Batey on Feb. 22. Ultimately the goal was to rob Mr. Batey of his property. During the course of this attempted robbery, a deadly weapon was produced and used, resulting in the death of Collin Doyle.”
Durden also lied to Toledo police about his role in the crime and the facts surrounding the Doyle youth's murder, she said.
Durden faces up to 14 years in prison when he is sentenced Feb. 9.
Durden's brother, Tyreese Davis, who was 17 at the time of the incident, previously admitted to delinquency in connection with aggravated robbery and complicity to murder in Lucas County Juvenile Court. He was committed to the Ohio Department of Youth Servies until age 21.
Two co-defendants in the case, Andrew Foster-Martin, 18, and Jermonte Anderson, 20, entered guilty pleas last week.
Foster-Martin, the shooter, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, felonious assault, and aggravated robbery, each with firearm specifications. He is expected to receive an agreed-upon sentence of 25 years in prison.
Anderson, who was driving the car, pleaded guilty to complicity to involuntary manslaughter and complicity to felonious assault. He faces up to 19 years in prison.
Foster-Martin and Anderson also will be sentenced by Judge English Feb. 9.
The Batey youth attended Springfield High School at the time but is now enrolled at Woodward High School, according to a spokesman for Toledo Public Schools.
Contact Jennifer Feehan at jfeehan@theblade.com or 419-213-2134.