A West Toledo man accused taking part in an assault and robbery of a man at a central city gas station testified during his trial that he was searching the victim for a weapon — not striking him — at the time of the incident.
Kevin Martin, 24, of the 4100 block of Berwick Avenue, is charged with felonious assault and aggravated robbery — both with gang specifications — and participating in a criminal gang, for his role in the beating and robbery of another man at the Gas & Go, at Cherry and Bancroft streets, prosecutors say.
He took the stand Thursday, and a Lucas County jury began deliberating at about 3 p.m. but broke for the day shortly before 5 p.m. They will continue deliberations on Friday.
If found guilty of both charges, Martin could face up to 36 years in prison.
His co-defendants, DeAngelo Gott, Jr., Shawna Merriweather, and Shantay Saxton, entered pleas this week in the case and will be sentenced at a later date. The male victim was treated for seizures and a brain bleed following the assault.
Prosecutors asked that the man not be identified because of safety concerns.
Martin admitted to previously being a member of the Moody Manor Bloods gang but said he hasn’t been involved in any gang-related activity since he was released from prison in January, 2018, after serving time for burglary and participating in a criminal gang.
“Are you currently a gang member?” defense attorney Jack Viren asked his client.
“No, sir,” Martin replied.
Toledo Police Department Gang Task Force Detective William Noon previously testified Martin was a known member of the Bloods gang that claims territory including and surrounding Moody Manor, a low-income apartment complex located north of Bancroft Street near Cherry Street.
In March, 2012, a member of the gang named Montrese Moore was shot and killed at the Cherry Street gas station during an argument over gang territory. Keshawn Jennings and Antwaine Jones were also convicted of killing 1-year-old Keondra Hooks and injuring her sister Leondra Hooks at the apartment complex.
Mr. Noon said members can be identified through their admissions to gang affiliation, whom they associate with, tattoos, and posts on social media. Many of those indicators — including his Facebook name being his gang nickname, various tattoos, associations, and past conduct — led investigators to believe Martin was still an active gang member.
While testifying Thursday, Martin lifted his shirt for the jury, revealing a stomach tattoo of “Kent Block,” which signifies one of the surrounding streets of the apartment complex. While prosecutors noted none of Martin’s multiple tattoos were altered to show he is no longer affiliated, Martin said he got his first such tattoo at age 14 and its location now would be difficult to cover.
On Aug. 22, Martin and Gott, an admitted gang member, arrived by car at the gas station, where they ran into Merriweather, who is related to Gott. Merriweather then saw Saxton, whom she knew.
Prosecutors say a verbal argument ensued over a gas pump as one of his co-defendants was blocking it. As the victim was walking to the convenience store, Martin says the man spit on Gott — and Gott reacted by punching the man, knocking him to the ground.
Martin said he went to the victim and began reaching for his waistband — checking to see if the victim had a gun — as Martin claimed he saw the victim looking in his trunk prior to the assault. The victim’s pants were completely removed, and he was not armed.
Martin testified he never struck the victim or took anything from him. Rather, it was his co-defendants who assaulted the victim and stole various items from him, the defendant said.
First Published May 9, 2019, 7:29 p.m.
