A 29-year-old Detroit man has been found guilty of robbing and beating a victim in a parking lot on Wilberforce University's campus, following a two-day jury trial. Anthony D. Lewis was convicted of one count of robbery in connection with the August attack, which left the victim without his phone and hoodie.
According to WHIO TV, the robbery occurred in a parking lot near the front of the university's Alumni Multiplex. The victim told investigators that Lewis approached his parked car and began yelling at him before the confrontation escalated into violence.
Victim Says He Was Attacked Twice at His Car Door
Per the victim's account, Lewis ran to the driver's side of the car, opened the door, and kicked him as he attempted to drive away. The station's report states Lewis then returned a second time, again opening the driver's door, and punched the victim in the face multiple times. During the attack, Lewis took the victim's phone and hoodie, according to the same account.
The Greene County Prosecutor's Office announced that the guilty verdict followed a two-day jury trial, though the article notes that sentencing has not yet been scheduled. Lewis faces a potential 8 to 12 years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000, per the station's reporting.
What Ohio Law Says About the Charge
Robbery convictions in Ohio carry serious penalties depending on the specific statutory violation. Under Ohio Revised Code section 2911.02, a violation of division (A)(1) or (2) of the statute is classified as a felony of the second degree.
Greene County Prosecutor Reacts to Verdict
Greene County Prosecuting Attorney David D. Hayes expressed gratitude to the Wilberforce University Police Department for its work helping keep violence off campus following the verdict. Hayes said there is “no place for this type of violence on our college campuses,” underscoring his stance on the case.
Lewis is expected to return to court for sentencing at a later date, though no date has yet been announced.
