Toledo man who lied to police about shooting death avoids prison

4/16/2018

Anthony Rogers

LUCAS COUNTY BOOKING PHOTO NOT B

A Toledo man who was present when a 14-year-old was fatally shot but lied about it to police was placed on community control for three years Monday by Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Lindsay Navarre.

Anthony Rogers, 21, of the 1300 block of Ironwood Avenue pleaded guilty March 2 to attempted obstructing justice stemming from the Jan. 12, 2017, death of Dominique Alexander at the East Broadway home of Leonard Temple.

Temple, 20, is serving an 11-year prison sentence for involuntary manslaughter and a firearm specification for the shooting, which he contended was accidental.

Attorney Martin Dow told the court Rogers had no adult or juvenile criminal record, that he found himself a witness to a crime and was “freaked out.”

“He's just a young guy who got put in an unfortunate situation,” Mr. Dow said.

Judge Navarre said the way Rogers handled the situation was unfortunate as well.

“You had a choice after this tragic event occurred that took a completely innocent life,” the judge said. “You could have taken steps to try to make it better and make sure the right thing happened, but instead you not only looked the other way, but you ran the other way.”

Judge Navarre ordered that Rogers spend 180 days on electronic monitoring, undergo drug testing, and complete 25 hours of community service.

— Jennifer Feehan