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After defense attorneys Michele Temmel and John Kaspar met with Judge Charles Pater, Kyles’ trial was set for Nov. 16.
Assistant Prosecutor Kraig Chadrick indicated during the hearing that Kyles had declined a plea deal of life in prison with the possibility of parole after 24 years in exchange for his guilty plea to aggravated murder with a gun specification.
“That has been rejected by Mr. Kyles, and there are no pending offers at this time,” Chadrick said.
Kyles offered to plead guilty to aggravated murder if he received a 20-year prison sentence. Chadrick said that offer was rejected by the prosecution.
Kyles confessed to shooting Stewart, 35, at his Ninth Avenue home, according to court documents. According to a search warrant affidavit signed by Middletown Detective Kristi Hughes, after police found Stewart dead at his home, Kyles was developed as a suspect.
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At the time, Kyles was also wearing a court-ordered ankle monitor for an indictment in a drug case and for participation in a gang. Both indictments were handed down last summer.
Kyles was taken into custody at a Sharon Court address after detectives tracked his ankle monitor, according to court documents.
Middletown police Maj. Scott Reeve said Stewart’s shooting was part of ongoing gang activity. Kyles is believed to be part of the Road Runner gang that has been involved in shootings and homicides in the city in recent years.
Kyles is one of three teens charged in Stewart’s death.
In March, Camron Pawlowski, 17 and who was tried as an adult, was sentenced to prison for 15 years. He pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, aggravated burglary and having weapons under disability with gang and gun specifications.
According to police and prosecutors, Pawlowski and Kyles conspired to rob Stewart. Pawlowski provided Kyles with the gun, according to investigators and court documents.
In February, 15-year-old boy pleaded guilty to murder in juvenile court and was sent to the Ohio Department of Youth Services until his 21st birthday.
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