2 defendants plead guilty in South Side killing

One by one, something must have clicked in the minds of two of three co-defendants, each facing a murder charge and life in prison at a jury trial.

Before the first witness could be called Tuesday in what was expected to be a weeklong trial, Devon Rashad Kyles, 21, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and aggravated robbery.

A few hours later, Daiquan T. Hughes, 19, did the same, pleading guilty to aggravated murder.

Ray Charles Davis Jr., 29, the sole remaining defendant, sat upright, listening attentively as the trial resumed with several Columbus police officers testifying about the crime scene.

Hughes, 16 at the time, was accused of firing 15 bullets into Brian Malik Woodson, 42, who writhed on the ground and called for help before a final few rounds silenced him on Oct. 31, 2016.

Kyles was complicit and robbed Woodson before the trio went to an apartment in the 4600 block of Refugee Road, police said.

Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Richard A. Frye twice instructed the jury to disregard each plea, to give them no weight in judging guilt or innocence of the remaining defendant( s).

Frye sentenced Hughes to life in prison with eligibility for parole after 25 years.

He sentenced Kyles, 21, to life with eligibility for Kyles parole after 20 years.

Hughes’ attorney, George Leach, said he’d never experienced such a swift dismantling of a case with co- defendants.

“I’ve never had this happen in 17 years of practicing,” he said. “It’s very unusual.”

Relatives of Woodson, a father of three who struggled with multiple sclerosis, spoke directly, and tearfully, to both guilty men before they were sentenced.

“My brother’s gone forever,” said Heather Woodson, Brian’s sister. She called the defendants “cowards.”

“They took my brother for what? We have to live with that.”

Mary Woodson said God has helped her through the loss of her son. “What I hope for you is that you find God, find some peace, because that’s the only thing that’s going to save you.”

Kyles was originally charged with two counts each of aggravated murder and murder, along with aggravated robbery and having a weapon under disability.

The others faced charges of aggravated murder, murder and aggravated robbery.

In addition, Davis was charged with witness intimidation for knocking on doors and telling potential witnesses that they would be next, prosecutors said.

In opening statements, prosecutors noted the callousness of the attack, with the assailants returning up to three times to silence Woodson while he pleaded for help.