A second man pleaded guilty last week to the 2003 murders of an Ohio State student and two other off-campus residents.

Kayla Hurst, an OSU student, Aaron Grexa and Eric Hlass were robbed and murdered by three suspects in Grexa and Hlass’s East 11th Avenue home on July 22, 2003.

Rodell Rahmaan pleaded guilty May 17 to three counts of involuntary manslaughter, three counts of kidnapping and aggravated burglary and robbery, said James Lowe, assistant county prosecutor.

Todd Bensonhaver pleaded guilty in March to the same charges and now the prosecutors, Lowe and Federal Prosecutor David Devillers, will use testimony from both Bensonhaver and Rahmaan against Vernon Spence, the man accused of pulling the trigger.

Spence has been charged with aggravated murder for shooting the three victims, The Lantern reported earlier this month. His trial is set for July 11, 2005.

“They only got manslaughter because they were going to rob the house and Vernon shot all three of them,” Lowe said.

The prosecution has made negotiations with Bensonhaver and Rahmaan to testify against Spence, saying that he did the shootings, Lowe said.

The victims were tied up and shot, execution style, said Rufus Hurst, a lawyer and father of the OSU student who was murdered.

“There is no sugar-coating it. These young people were executed,” he said.

Hurst has been at every trial as the men have been prosecuted.

In the courtroom last Tuesday, he said he had a range of thoughts, coupled with feelings of anger and pain. He also said he is relieved that the matter is proceeding and that the perpetrators will be accountable for their conduct.

“There is nothing at all to be happy about,” Hurst said. “But I am satisfied with the arraignments that the prosecutors have made.”

He said he is willing to accept Rahmaan and Bensonhaver’s truthful testimony so that the conviction of Spence is more likely, he said.

Being a lawyer himself, he said, probably gives him more comfort because he knows the system and the process so it is easier for him to tolerate.

It has almost been two years since the murders but it does not make the trials any easier for Kayla’s family, he said.

“I am not at all surprised it has taken this long. It is a very tough case to get to prosecution,” Hurst said, speaking about the nature of the trials. “It is very frustrating but it has gone just as quickly as it could in an intelligent manner.”

Both Rahmaan and Bensonhaver will be back to court on Aug. 19 to receive their sentences, said Lowe.

The long process is hard for every one involved, Hurst said.

“I can’t get Kayla back,” he said. “But I can damn sure stand by while these individuals are prosecuted.”