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.
Scott died of her injuries a few weeks later. Robinson faces the death penalty if convicted.
His jury trial is scheduled to begin Feb. 3 in Judge Keith Spaeth’s courtroom.
During the brief hearing Tuesday that was expected to be a plea hearing, Robinson’s attorney Lawrence Hawkins III stated his client did not wish to plead guilty with the sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Assistant Butler County Katie Pridemore said that was the state’s last offer, “we are going to trial.”
Robinson’s attorneys declined comment.
Robinson’s August trial was canceled when additional forensic evaluations were ordered to determine his competency for trial.
Robinson’s competency was first questioned in March after a psychologist said he claimed to be “the Supreme Being,” according to court records.
Defense attorneys Hawkins and David Brewer said in the formal motion, “Mr. Robinson was so delusional that Dr. Jenny O’Donnell could could not complete her evaluation. Mr. Robinson claimed to be ‘the Supreme Being’ and made other claims that the court had no power over him.”
After reviewing two additional evaluations, Spaeth declared Robinson competent and set the February trial date.
Credit: Nick Graham
Credit: Nick Graham
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