randomErr's Journal: Nephew charged in death of aunt

Nephew charged in death of aunt
Suspect allegedly abetted drug heist

By CHRISTINA HALL
BLADE STAFF WRITER
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Date=20020926&Category=NEWS02&ArtNo=109260047&Ref=AR

The nephew of a central Toledo woman shot fatally last month at a duplex she owned on Batavia Street was charged yesterday with his aunt's death.

Toledo police issued warrants for Vincent Daniels, 26, of 2462 Parkview Ave., charging him with involuntary manslaughter and of aggravated robbery. He was not in custody last night.

Andrea Daniels, 35, of 324 Batavia, died Aug. 1 of a single gunshot wound about 30 minutes after the incident in the lower unit of the duplex at 348 Batavia, authorities said.

The charges are based on Vincent Daniels' planning of and participation in the robbery of his aunt. Narcotics trafficking played a role in the underlying motive for the robbery, investigators said.

Police Lt. Rick Reed said Vincent Daniels is believed to be one of the two masked men who burst through a back door of the two-story duplex and confronted Ms. Daniels and a male acquaintance. One man had a handgun; the other, a shotgun.

The acquaintance escaped by jumping through a living room window. Ms. Daniels was shot in the back, and the bullet went through her right lung, according to the Lucas County Coroner's Office.

Court records state that when the suspects entered the house, Ms. Daniels and a man were engaged in a drug transaction. The suspects took money and drugs - namely, cocaine - that belonged to Ms. Daniels and the man.

The court documents state that Vincent Daniels later admitted to someone his role in the incident and to taking the drugs and money. He also admitted that he was involved in a conspiracy to rob the man who brought the drugs to the duplex, the records state.

The court records state that Vincent Daniels told someone that he and the victim had formulated a plan to rob a drug dealer with whom the victim was to make a drug transaction. He told the person that the victim, Ms. Daniels, was supposed to be shot and receive a minor injury to make the robbery appear more legitimate, records state.

Vincent Daniels served nearly five months for a drug possession conviction. He was released on parole in May, 1999.

The investigation into Ms. Daniels' death is continuing. Investigators anticipate charging additional suspects.

Lieutenant Reed said he has been aware of the community's concern over the number of homicides that have occurred this year. He pointed out that police have charged suspects in all but one of the six homicides that have occurred since Aug. 1.