The man accused of setting a woman on fire pleads no contest; murder trial planned

On November 27, 2024By Pranco

BUTLER COUNTY, Ohio – A February murder trial in Butler County Common Pleas Court for a Fairfield Township man accused of setting a woman on fire is scheduled after Robbi Robinson rejected a guilty plea deal Tuesday that would take death off the table.

Robbi Robinson, 25, does charged with aggravated murder, aggravated arson and assault for the May 11, 2023 incident on Arroyo Ridge Court. Robinson was arrested as he attempted to leave the scene.

Prosecutors said Robinson filled a container with accelerant, took it to an upstairs bedroom, doused the 50-year-old woman with it and set her on fire. He is also accused of punching her in the face and knocking out her teeth. The woman jumped out of a window to escape.

Brenda Scott was found on fire in her backyard by a neighbor who called 911. Scott died from her injuries a few weeks later.

Robinson faces the death penalty if convicted.

His jury trial begins Feb. 3 in Judge Keith Spaeth’s courtroom.

During the brief hearing Tuesday, which was expected to be a plea hearing, Robinson’s attorney Lawrence Hawkins III said his client wanted to plead not guilty with a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Assistant Butler County Prosecutor Katie Pridemore said this was the state’s latest offer: “we’re going to go to trial.”

Robinson’s attorneys declined to comment.

Robinson’s trial in August was canceled when additional forensic evaluations were ordered to determine his competency to stand trial.

Robinson’s competency was first questioned in March after a psychologist said he claimed to be “the Supreme Being,” according to court documents.

Defense attorneys Hawkins and David Brewer said in the formal motion: “Mr. Robinson was so delusional that Dr. Jenny O’Donnell could not complete her evaluation. Mr. Robinson claimed to be ‘the Supreme Being’ and also claimed that the court had no power over him.”

After reviewing two additional evaluations, Spaeth declared Robinson competent and set the trial date for February.