Lorain man gets life in prison for 2021 Elyria murder (UPDATED)

A Lorain man accused of shooting and killing a man following an argument in downtown Elyria in September 2021 has been sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to murder, robbery and related felony charges. Lorain County Prosecutor J.D. Tomlinson announced Thursday that county Common Pleas Judge James Miraldi sentenced 29-year-old Raython Fields, formerly of Randall Street in Lorain, to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 21 years. Fields also was labeled a violent offender. If ever released from prison, he will be required to register his address with his local sheriff's office annually for at least 10 years. Prior to sentencing, Fields pleaded guilty to four felonies: murder, aggravated robbery, tampering with evidence, having weapons under disability and three firearms specifications. In doing so, defense attorney Mike Stepanik said, Fields took responsibility for his actions. He called it a "sad case." "Those of us in the courtroom today saw one family that has to wait 21 years for any hope of their loved one coming home, and another family that has lost that hope forever," Stepanik said. "It was an extremely sad day for everyone involved." The case had been scheduled to go to trial on Monday. "Raython Fields needlessly took the victim's life, leaving his family forever without a loved one," Tomlinson said in a news release. "I hope that the successful prosecution of Fields allows the victim's family to continue their healing and that it shows to the community that gun violence is unacceptable." Fields was charged with killing 20-year-old Yadiel Torres, shooting him in the head in the 300 block of Broad Street in downtown Elyria shortly before 2:30 a.m. on Sept. 3, 2021. Fields and Torres got into an argument, and Torres ran away. As he did, Fields opened fire and one shot hit Torres in the head, killing him. Fields then ran away. Elyria officers responding to a reported shooting found Torres dead on the sidewalk in front of the Boost Mobile store at 356 Broad St. Police said Torres had walked out of Bugsy's Speakeasy at 348 Broad St. after it closed that morning. Fields was arrested less than a week later by Elyria police, state and federal agents and booked on a murder charge. The Elyria Police Department, in particular Detective James Homoki, "thoroughly investigated the case by obtaining a significant amount of surveillance video, phone records, and business records," Tomlinson said in a news release. Assistant prosecutors Chris Pierre and Matt Kern prosecuted Fields. "I want to thank my assistant prosecutors, our office's victim advocates, and the Elyria Police Department for all of their diligent work in bringing Fields to justice," Tomlinson said. He said Fields is the seventh defendant convicted of murder by his office since 2021 and the 27th defendant ordered to register as a violent offender upon release. Also at sentencing, Miraldi gave Fields credit for 563 days served behind bars awaiting trial, and ordered him to pay restitution of $2,565.23, according to court records. Contact Dave O'Brien at (440) 329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com. Follow him on Twitter @DaveOBrienCT.