Reagan Tokes trial: Judge follows jury recommendation, sentences Brian Golsby to life in prison without parole

Summer Cartwright, Kevin Stankiewicz
Wed, 21 Mar 2018 19:21:56 +0000
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Brian Golsby walks into the court room of the Reagan Tokes trial on March 7. Credit: Kevin Stankiewicz | Editor-in-Chief

Judge Mark Serrott agreed with the jury’s recommendation Wednesday, sentencing Brian Golsby to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Golsby was convicted March 13 of kidnapping, raping and murdering Ohio State student Reagan Tokes last February.

Eight members of the jury voted in favor of giving the death penalty to Golsby, however the group of 12 total could not come to a unanimous sentencing decision regarding his death, according to a member of the jury who spoke to the media. The jury did, however, unanimously decide a sentence of life in prison without parole.

Though it was not the sentencing the prosecution was hoping for, Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien said after the jury’s sentencing that he and the Tokes family respected the decision.

“The good news is, I think for us, is Mr. Golsby will die in prison,” he said, adding the family and prosecution will not be “mired in 20 years of post-conviction litigation” that could pair with a death penalty sentence.