Raquan Charles McKinstry, presently 19 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was found guilty on June 13, 2017 in Marshall Superior Court No. 1 of Robbery as a Level 3 felony. Judge Robert O. Bowen presided over the jury trial which was prosecuted by Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Tami Napier and defense attorney Thomas Strickler.
The incident occurred on February 29, 2016, when McKinstry came to Plymouth under a ruse to sell an iPhone to a local Plymouth High School student, E.Z. When E.Z. and his cousin met McKinstry in the parking lot at Sears, McKinstry was with two other people in a PT Cruiser. When E.Z. got in the car to exchange his money for the iPhone, a gun was pointed at his face and E.Z.’s money was taken. E.Z. was told to get out of the vehicle. McKinstry and his coconspirators left quickly and immediately. E.Z.’s cousin called 911 and Plymouth Police officers, Shanna Gilmer, Ben McIntyre and Stuart Krynock responded. The case was then investigated by Det. Leo Mangus.
Det. Leo Mangus obtained information from E.Z. and his cousin that identified McKinstry through his Facebook name of “RayRayLilTrapMcKinstry.” McKinstry gave a statement minimizing his involvement and was unwilling to assist police in locating the other two suspects.
McKinstry, age 17 years and 10 months at the time of the offense, was charged as an adult with Robbery as a Level 3 felony by Prosecuting Attorney Nelson Chipman in March of 2016.
McKinstry’s case was tried by Chief Deputy Tami Napier to a Marshall County jury of twelve people from the community. The jury deliberated for nearly four hours in reaching their guilty verdict.
Prosecuting Attorney Nelson Chipman praised the performance of the Plymouth Police Department officers and Det. Leo Mangus. Prosecutor Chipman also emphasized how the prompt investigation and prosecution of violent offenses in our community must be a cooperative effort of police and prosecutors. McKinstry’s sentencing date is currently scheduled for July 13, 2017. Judge Robert O. Bowen will determine McKinstry’s sentence after a hearing in which evidence and arguments will be presented by the prosecutor and the defense attorney.
