The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Lorain man sentenced to life for fatal shooting
A 29-year-old Lorain man was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted in Lorain County Common Pleas Court in connection with the 2021 fatal shooting of a 20-yearold man in Elyria.
Raython Fields, formerly of Randall Street, was sentenced by Lorain County Common Pleas Judge James Miraldi to life behind bars with parole eligibility after 21 years, according to Lorain County Prosecutor J.D. Tomlinson.
Fields fatally shot Yadiel Torres on Sept. 3, 2021, outside of a bar in the 300 block of Broad Street in Elyria as he ran away following an argument between the two, Tomlinson said.
Fields shot Torres in the head, killing him, then fled the scene.
“Raython Fields needlessly took the victim’s life, leaving his family forever without a loved one,” Tomlinson said.
“I hope that the successful prosecution of Fields allows the victim’s family to continue their healing and that it shows to the community that gun violence is unacceptable.”
During earlier court proceedings, Fields pleaded guilty to murder, with a firearm specification; aggravated robbery, with a firearm specification; having weapons while under disability and tampering with evidence, also with a firearm specification.
Miraldi also designated Fields a violent offender meaning, if he is ever released from prison, he will need to register his address with a Sheriff’s Office every year for at least 10 years.
Assistant Prosecutors Chris Pierre and Matt Kern handled the prosecution.
“I want to thank my assistant prosecutors, our office’s victim advocates and the Elyria Police Department for all of their diligent work in bringing Fields to justice,” Tomlinson said.
The Elyria Police Department and Detective James Homoki investigated the case by obtaining a significant amount of surveillance video, phone records and business records.
Fields was arrested Sept. 7, 2021, and held at the Lorain County Jail where he remained throughout court proceedings on a $1 million bond.
Fields is the seventh defendant convicted of murder by the Lorain County Prosecutor’s Office since 2021, and the 27th defendant ordered to register as a violent offender, Tomlinson noted.