Visiting Butler County Common Pleas Judge Matthew Crehan immediately sentenced Renfro to 15 years to life in prison. Renfro waived his right to a pre-sentence investigation.
Last week, co-defendant Phillip Platt, 26, who was convicted of the same charges in May, was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. A second co-defendant, Keri Kakaris, 20, who pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and aggravated robbery in January, is scheduled to be sentenced Monday.
According to prosecutors, Platt and Kakaris — Platt’s girlfriend — plotted to lure Manies to a residence on First Avenue to rob him and recruited Renfro to take part.
But Manies put up a fight and Renfro choked him to death, with Platt also involved in the incident.
Sobbing broke out in the courtroom when the verdict was announced. About 15 of Renfro’s supporters and Manies wife, Renee, as well as his sister-in-law, Tracy Plowman, all clutched tissues. Renfro retained composure.
Renee Manies and Plowman spoke before Renfro’s sentencing showing forgiveness for the young man and sorrow for his family.
“It is just so sad. It is sad for all of us,” Renee Manies said, noting she believes Renfro is sorry for what he did. “I just trust in God that someday something good comes out of this.”
Plowman said she understood that Renfo applied the pressure to Manies neck that took his life, “but I do believe Phillip (Platt) lied to him.”
“I believe most of what happened in that house that day was not planned by him (Renfro),” Plowman said. “I wouldn’t want to see him go to prison.”
Butler County Deputy Coroner Dr. James Swinehart testified Manies died of cerebral hypoxia when blood flow was cut off to his brain, caused by “yoking” or choking from behind.
During statements to police detectives, Renfro demonstrated choking Manies in a “yoking” motion, Assistant Prosecutor David Kash said in closing statements.
Manies was known to put up a fight if confronted, according to police and testimony from his wife. Renfro, who stands 6 feet, 2 inches tall, was brought into the robbery plot to help in case Manies lived up to his reputation, according to Kash.
“The one thing we know is Riccardo Renfro was the weapon of choice that day for Phillp Plat,” Kash said.
The prosecutor pointed to text messages from Platt to Renfro as proof Renfro knew about the robbery plan. He also said Renfro hid in a closet with Platt waiting to ambush Manies at the First Avenue residence where he had been lured with the promise of purchasing drugs from Kakaris. Both men wore masks when they jumped out of the closet and robbed Manies who tried to fight.
But, defense attorney Michael Haas said Renfro was suckered into the robbery by Platt and Kakaris and didn’t know what was going to happen until he was already in the kitchen of the home.
Haas argued Manies’ fatal injuries were caused by Platt kicking Manies and stepping on his throat. Renfro tried to stop the melee, Haas said.
Dewayne McCoy, Renfro’s father, said he understood the law and the conviction, but it found it difficult to accept.
“That’s my son,” McCoy said.
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