2 sentenced to life for murder of CrossFit owner

2 sentenced to life for murder of CrossFit owner

In handing down life sentences Tuesday for two men involved in the robbery  and murder of a South Toledo gym owner, Lucas County Common Pleas Judge James  Bates said the scheme was an ill-fated one.

“I hate to use the expression you might have been ‘the brains’ behind this  particular robbery because I don’t think there was a lot of brains being  utilized — selecting the wrong person that was supposed to be robbed, then  murdering the person as a result of the robbery — 2 co-defendants but you kind  of organized it,” he told Jason Kuhns. “You were there. Two other people  actually physically accosted the victim. Both of them had guns. You knew they  had guns, and the foreseeability of someone being killed was quite evident.”

Kuhns, 32, of 1416 Beecham St. pleaded guilty April 23 to murder in the Nov.  19 shooting death of Joseph Lengel, Jr., 57, outside CrossFit Intensity Gym in  South Toledo. Judge Bates said Kuhns would be eligible for parole after serving  15 years in prison.

Judge Bates also sentenced Devonte Harris, 19, of 1326 Gordon St. to life in  prison with eligibility for parole after 25 years.

Harris, who pleaded guilty April 26 to aggravated murder in the case,  responded “no” when asked whether he wished to make a statement.

His attorney, Donald Cameron, reminded the court that his client was much  younger than the other men involved in the foiled robbery.

He said Harris was not involved in the planning, and that it was “more of a  spontaneous thing” for him that went way beyond what Harris ever could have  imagined.

Kuhns told the court he was “deeply sorry,” adding, “I regret not being able  to stop them.”

Diana Lengel told the court she and her late husband would have celebrated  their first wedding anniversary Tuesday.

Instead, she said, “I once am again reminded of the death of my husband, my  best friend, my protector, my soul mate. Joe’s family — his children,  grandchildren, and friends — are also mourning the loss of this wonderful,  strong, but kind and gentle man.”

Already in prison are two co-defendants who helped plan the attack: Matthew  Managhan, 34, of 3417 Anderson Pkwy. and Chad D. Brown, 35, of 839 Walbridge  Ave.

Each was sentenced April 30 to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to  aggravated robbery and involuntary manslaughter in the commission of felonious  assault with a gun specification.

The fifth suspect in the case — Deitrekk Boone, 19, of 1416 Beecham St. — remains at large. Investigators say he took part in the robbery armed with a  handgun.

Judge Bates said after sentencing Harris that while it was not his practice  to do so, he felt compelled to recognize Toledo police for conducting a “remarkable investigation.”

“Had a number of things not occurred, had a different detective been assigned  to this case, it potentially could have gone unsolved,” the judge said. “My  compliments to the Toledo Police Department for their investigation as it  relates to this case.”

Read more at http://www.toledoblade.com/Courts/2013/05/15/2-sentenced-to-life-for-murder-of-gym-owner.html#6rSW8VG12QZJ2CtA.99