Kakaris, who has been in the Butler County Jail nearly a year, was sentenced to six years in prison. She pleaded guilty in January to involuntary manslaughter and aggravated robbery and faced a maximum 20 years.
According to prosecutors, Phillip Platt and Kakaris plotted to lure Manies to a First Avenue residence to rob him. They recruited Riccardo Renfro to take part in the crime and when Manies put up a fight, they said Renfro choked him to death.
Last week, Renfro, 20, was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison after being convicted for murder and aggravated robbery following a three-day trial. Platt, 26, also is serving a 15 years to life prison term after his conviction for murder and aggravated robbery in May. Kakaris testified at Platt’s trial.
Renee Manies, the victim’s widow, and his sister-in-law Tracy Plowman spoke before Kakaris’ sentence, as they have prior to sentencing of Platt and Renfro.
Just days before her husband’s death, Renee Manies said she saw bruises on Kakaris — who worked for Manies in his swap shop in Middletown and at an area flea market — and talked with Kakaris about her abusive relationship.
“My husband told me Keri and Phillip needed some work so they could turn their lives around,” Manies said. “They ended up changing our life forever.”
Renee Manies said she now has to be both mother and father to her children.
Defense attorney David Washington said Kakaris was driven by a drug and alcohol addiction as well as an abusive relationship when she “got caught up in something far bigger than her.”
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