Butler County crime: Capital murder trial set for 2025 in case of Fairfield Twp. woman's fiery death

The capital murder trial of Robbi Robinson who is accused setting a Fairfield Twp. woman on fire remains on track to begin in February despite his attorneys’ request to withdraw from the case after alleged threats from the defendant, court documents show.

Robinson was back in Butler County Common Pleas Court Thursday for a hearing on his competency for trial and a request from defense attorneys David Brewer and Lawrence Hawkins III to withdraw.

The defense team, which by law has to have specific training and certification to represent a defendant who could face the death penalty if convicted, last month again questioned Robinson’s competency to stand trial after a severe tongue injury that let to his hospitalization.

The self-inflicted injury in the jail happened a day after Robinson declined to enter a guilty plea with the sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Prosecutors indicated then there will be no more plea talks and the trial would proceed.

Another psychological forensic evaluation was ordered. After reviewing the results, Judge Keith Spaeth declared Robinson competent. The judge also declined to let the defense attorneys leave the case.

In the motion to withdraw signed by both attorneys, they said a psychologist interviewing Robinson indicated he had made statements that he wanted to “kill and execute everyone including his attorneys.”

The attorneys also said in jailhouse phone calls with his mother, “it was repeatedly discussed that they are not satisfied with counsel, the strategy used and the direction this case has taken.”

“Mrs. Robinson goes on to state that the rest of the family shares the same dissatisfaction. The allegations made during the phone calls are disturbing and demonstrates a break down in communication between attorney and client.” the withdraw motion states.

Robinson was difficult to understand during the hearing because of his tongue injury recovery, but he seemed to deny making the statements. The phone calls were not played in court.

Spaeth denied the request to withdraw. The trial is set to begin Feb. 3 with a final pretrial hearing on Jan. 10.

Robinson, 25, is charged with aggravated murder, aggravated arson and felonious assault in connection with May 11, 2023, incident on Arroyo Ridge Court in Fairfield Twp.

Prosecutors said Robinson filled a container with accelerant, took it to an upstairs bedroom, doused a 50-year-old woman with it and lit her on fire. He also is accused of hitting her in the face, knocking out teeth. The woman jumped out a window to escape.

Brenda Scott was found on fire in her backyard by a neighbor who called 911.