Lexington man pleads guilty to 2024 murder, faces 20 years in prison
A Lexington man could face 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to a 2024 murder involving an attack using landscaping supplies.
Roger Wiley, 57, pleaded guilty to a charge of murder for the July 2024 death of Charles McDowell at Labor Works on Old Georgetown Street in Lexington.
Wiley was originally charged with murder and second degree assault. The assault charge was later amended to fourth degree assault as part of the plea negotiations, according to an April 27 filing.
Lexington police detective Josh Phillips previously testified Wiley used a large piece of landscaping timber with screws and nails attached to the end of it during the assault.
The detective said surveillance footage shows Wiley hiding behind a tree approximately 10-15 feet away from McDowell before sneaking up to the victim and beginning the assault.
A bystander tried to intervene in the assault and suffered cuts to the hand, leading to the assault charge. Phillips said he advocated for the bystander to receive medical treatment but they declined.
Surveillance footage captured the entirety of the incident, according to Phillips. Multiple witnesses provided statements to police which matched the events caught on video camera.
Witnesses also provided a description of the Wiley, and he was found near the scene, according to Phillips. He was detained and brought to police headquarters for an interview, where he confessed to the assault.
In the interview, Wiley claimed McDowell had a knife, but no weapon was recovered at the scene after officers searched the area, according to Phillips.
Wiley’s sentencing is scheduled for June 18.
