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The prosecutor and Michael Miles’ defense counsel agreed to recommend a 20-year sentence as part of a plea deal, but the sentence will be up to a judge.
Tumwater police arrested Miles, a transient, July 21 in connection with the July 5 beating of Ronald Kevin Smith.
Police found Smith lying unconscious on West Lee Street. Smith was in such bad condition that detectives initially couldn’t tell whether he’d been struck by a car or beaten.
Smith remained in critical condition for several weeks at Tacoma General Hospital, then died July 23.
Smith’s son, Rhyan, cried outside court Friday after Miles’ guilty plea. He thanked the Tumwater Police Department and Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Scott Jackson for their work in securing Miles’ conviction.
Rhyan Smith said his father was a gentle man who had waged a long battle against mental illness, and he had recently been released from a hospital at the time of the beating.
He added that he “didn’t know what grief was” before his father’s death and that he was having difficulty putting the loss into words. He said he and his family also are sad for Miles.
“We pray for him,” Smith said of Miles. “We pray for his transformation. We hope that his heart will change.”
A tip from an employee of a fast-food restaurant in the area of the beating led Tumwater police to identify Miles as a suspect, Detective Jen Kolb said. Detectives also found a friend of Miles’ who said Miles had talked about assaulting Smith and stealing Smith’s wallet and phone.
Miles admitted to detectives that he’d assaulted Smith when he walked by him on the street and became “enraged” by a comment Smith made, then began stomping on his head, court papers state.
Miles said he was “highly intoxicated” that night.
Miles’ criminal history includes arrests for theft, malicious mischief, drinking in public and assault.
He initially was charged with first-degree murder and first-degree robbery in connection with Smith’s homicide, but those charges were dismissed in exchange for Miles’ guilty plea on a charge of second-degree murder. Miles’ sentencing is tentatively set for Wednesday.
Jeremy Pawloski: 360-754-5445
jpawloski@theolympian.com
