A registered sex offender could face the death penalty after he was convicted Tuesday of raping and killing an Ohio University Student.
On what would have been Reagan Tokes 23rd birthday, her family members wept in court as a Franklin County jury found Brian Golsby of the then 21-year-old.
At the time she was killed, Reagan was just three months from receiving her degree in psychology from the university.
Sentencing for the 30-year-old, who pleaded not guilty, will begin on Friday. If it is ruled the murder was premeditated he could receive the death sentence.
On what would have been Reagan Tokes 23rd birthday, her family members wept in court as a Franklin County jury found Brian Golsby of the then 21-year-old
Prosecutors said Golsby kidnapped Tokes after she left work on February 8, 2017. Over a two hour period he raped her and then forced her to withdraw $60 at automated teller machines, according to the Toledo Blade . Tokes’ body was found naked at a park in Grove City, which is about 10 miles southwest of Columbus. He is pictured in court as the verdict is announced Tuesday
At the time she was killed, Reagan was just three months from receiving her degree in psychology from Ohio State University. She is pictured far left with her family
The guilty verdict came after jurors in Columbus deliberated for more than five hours.
Prosecutors said Golsby kidnapped Tokes after she left work on February 8, 2017.
Over a two hour period he raped her and then forced her to withdraw $60 at automated teller machines, according to the Toledo Blade.
Tokes’ body was found naked at a park in Grove City, which is about 10 miles southwest of Columbus.
During closing arguments, Assistant Prosecutor Jennifer Rausch called what happened ‘every woman’s nightmare.’
She told the jury he ‘kidnapped her. He robbed her. He raped her, and then he executed her.’
And as she was speaking, Reagan’s younger sister Makenzie placed her head in her mother’s head, as if seeking comfort.
‘All the puzzle pieces fit,’ Rausch said during closing arguments, referring to all of the evidence that placed Golsby with Tokes’ in the hours she went missing.
GPS data showed he was at the same location with Tokes for more than two hours. Tokes’ DNA on the gun he used to shoot her twice in the head, and his DNA was found on her body and in her car.
Golsby was also seen driving Tokes’ car after her murder, and confessed to two people close to him – his six-year-old daughter’s mother Jennifer Nickell and a woman he called ‘sis’ Brittney Stepp.
GPS data showed he was at the same location with Tokes for more than two hours. Tokes’ DNA on the gun he used to shoot her twice in the head, and his DNA was found on her body and in her car. Pictured is her work, where she was kidnapped
Golsby had just been released from prison, where he was being held for attempted rape. He was staying at a halfway house, and wore a GPS ankle bracelet that wasn’t being tracked in real time.
Police later used the device’s data to retrace his steps.
The Defense attorney has contended that, because he was wearing the ankle bracelet, he can’t have planned her death ahead.
She admitted that Golsby shot Reagan, but said his wearing the GPS device and driving around after her murder in her car shows he wasn’t smart enough for it to have been premeditated.
The defense claims he was scared when he decided to kill her.
The difference in if the murder was first or second degree will result in a different sentencing – and if it is proved he planned out the murder he could receive the death sentence.