St. Paul teen sentenced to 16 years for beating
A St. Paul teen was sentenced Tuesday to 16 years in prison for his role in the August beating of Ray Widstrand.
Cindarion Butler, 17, was sentenced by Judge Joanne Smith for his role in the beating in St. Paul's East Side. A jury convicted Butler in January on one count each of first-degree assault and first-degree aggravated robbery.
The stiff sentence reflects the fact that Widstrand was particularly vulnerable after being knocked down and out in the first blow and then kicked for several minutes, Ramsey County Attorney John Choi's office said in a statement.
Widstrand was reportedly passing by a fight outside a party Aug 4. When he tried to intervene, he was assaulted by a group of youths. He suffered severe and potentially fatal brain swelling, according to the complaint.
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Police said they found Widstrom's blood on Butler's shoe, an apparent indication he'd kicked Widstrom while he lay unconscious in the street. Four young men were charged in the assault. One was acquitted in November, another pleaded guilty in October.
The last certified juvenile defendant in the case, Charles Redding, is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday afternoon. He was certified to stand trial as an adult in February.
In an interview last October, Widstrand said he forgave his attackers.
MPR News reporter Tim Nelson contributed to this report