Police: Lafayette man murdered by robber was actually tempted to Flora for sex through matchmaking software

FLORA , Ind. — authorities bring energized a Lafayette people with murder after the guy robbed and battered a guy while using the a woman’s matchmaking software to set up for gender in Flora final Wednesday, relating to documents.

Throughout the day of Summer 16, Flora Police Sgt. James Bishop was actually called to investigate a study of an intruder throughout the 100 block of eastern Clem road in Flora, according to a probable influence affidavit submitted Monday.

Here, owners advised Sgt. Bishop they found an “unresponsive severely hurt black colored male with a distressing real problems for his face” to their home couch, relating to affidavit.

The guy, identified as Willie Lee Smith Jr., ended up being transported to IU fitness Arnett Hospital before being flown to IU Methodist medical facility in Indianapolis for additional therapy, relating to authorities.

Smith’s automobile was discovered left close by with his automobile points and droplets of blood located on the surface near his automobile. A receipt for a $120 withdraw from a Lafayette ATM has also been discovered at the scene from 1:05 a.m. June 16, in accordance with the affidavit.

Inside his automobile, authorities located a notebook with Smith’s mobile phone number, but would not discover bank card or budget when you look at the vehicle or on Smith, which directed detectives to believing Smith got robbed and assaulted near his car, based on the affidavit.

Throughout research, police recognized one from safety footage and recognized three folks that could possibly be associated with the theft, Shianne Brooks-Brown, Matthew Troyer and Tyrone Leftridge, based on the affidavit. The affidavit highlights be not clear as how three had been recognized through protection footage and at what instances, but mentioned authorities at one-point organized a conference with Leftridge.

Leftridge consented to talk with police, and told all of them the guy planned to lure Smith to Flora, it got another people who assaulted your, after 1st doubt any involvement, before ending the talk with authorities, in line with the affidavit.

While talking with Brooks-Brown, authorities learned Leftridge informed her, “not to talk to the police because he had completed one thing worst that early morning,” in accordance with the affidavit. Police after that detained Leftridge.

While lined up inside Carroll state prison the very next day, Leftridge also known as Kayla Clement and shared with her he “hit the guy with a baseball bat because he had a blade,” in line with the affidavit.

Based on the affidavit, Leftridge would-have-been conscious the call is watched as a caution is actually starred suggesting both parties at the outset of the decision.

Authorities then talked to Brooks-Brown again, according to research by the affidavit, and she admitted Leftridge got put the girl cellphone to arrange a gathering between Brooks-Brown and Smith on an online dating application also known as MeetMe, unfamiliar to Smith.

Brooks-Brown advised authorities she and Leftridge moved outside as he obtained an email from somebody visiting satisfy your when Leftridge advised Brooks-Brown the guy would definitely pay to possess sex together for $80, in accordance with the affidavit.

Brooks-Brown advised Leftridge she was not a “prostitute and had not been attending have sex,” she informed authorities Leftridge mentioned he in the offing on concealing close by and watch Brooks-Brown and Smith.

Brooks-Brown persisted to share with police when Smith emerged she chatted with Smith throughout the road before Smith left in a garage near where Leftridge was actually covering, according to the affidavit.

Smith and Brooks-Brown discussed outside their automobile in which he demonstrated he had become mentioning with her on social media marketing and “he was expecting to have sex together,” based on the affidavit.

The affidavit notes Smith “touched this lady, was not impolite and she wouldn’t see any gun such as for example a knife in his give.”

Brooks-Brown advised authorities Leftridge arrived running and struck Smith double from inside the mind with a baseball bat, where Smith dropped to your ground, based on the affidavit.

Brooks-Brown escaped, but advised police she after spotted Leftridge with $20 expenses, a budget another cellphone, according to the affidavit.

Smith, 55, died saturday day and an autopsy determined his demise was actually triggered by dull power shock to your head and ruled a homicide, according to research by the Marion County Coroner’s workplace.

Leftridge, 22, of Lafayette, has become faced with murder, robbery resulting in major actual damage and aggravated battery, according to the production.

Brooks-Brown has also been faced with murder and robbery resulting in really serious bodily damage, based on a release by the plant Police Department.

Leftridge stayed incarcerated Monday during the Carroll district prison on a $500,000 relationship, according to research by the release.