Judge Craig Hedric sentenced Rayas and Smith to 15 years in prison.
Smith was sentenced to an additional year in prison Wednesday by Butler County Common Pleas Judge Michael Sage for an unrelated breaking and entering charge.
The siblings have been in the Butler County Jail since late July in lieu of a $1 million bond for each. They were arrested two weeks after Baez-Rosa’s death when their family members went to police after hearing them discuss the crime, Butler County Assistant Prosecutor Brad Burress said.
Rayas’ trial was scheduled to begin Monday, Nov. 1. Smith’s was set for Nov. 15.
According to police, Smith and Rayas went to Baez-Rosa’s home in the 800 block of Ludlow to rob him. Burress said Rayas had reason to believe Baez-Rosa had money and would be reluctant to call authorities because of his residential status in the country.
When Baez-Rosa refused to give up his wallet, he was beaten with a baseball bat wielded by Smith, while Rayas demanded cash.
Burress said the victim’s family was consulted and agreed with the plea deal. He added the facts of the case did not indicate Rayas and Smith intended to kill Baez-Rosa.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2168 or lpack@coxohio.com.
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