NKyTribune staff
A Cincinnati man who attempted to hijack a car from the Radisson Hotel in Covington got more than he bargained for.
Kelly
Bayliss Trevor Kelly faces 20 years in prison after entering a guilty plea to Robbery 2nd Degree and Persistent Felony Offender 2nd Degree Monday.
According to a release from the Kenton Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office, Kelly approached an Indianapolis man who was in town for his child’s soccer tournament in March.
An unknown man, later identified as Kelly, asked the Indianapolis man for the time. When the man answered, Kelly punched him and a struggled ensued.
Kelly attempted to enter the car, but was stabbed by the victim with a utility knife.
Kelly fled and the victim called police from the hotel. Kelly was apprehended when he collapsed as a result of his wound at a nearby service station.
Kelly was indicted in May, but took a plea, rather than face a jury in a trial scheduled to begin Tuesday.
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Emily J. Arnzen is recommending a 20 year prison sentence.
Kenton County Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders said such a violent attack is unusual in areas frequented by tourists.
He had a message, however, for others from Cincinnati planning to commit crimes in Northern Kentucky.
Sanders
“Cincinnati’s thugs should take note their criminal behavior won’t be tolerated on this side of the river,” Sanders said. “Northern Kentucky makes up 20 percent of all tourism in Kentucky because we’re a safe, fun place for families to visit, and we intend to keep it that way.”
Final sentencing is scheduled for April 2.
The Kenton County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office issued the following release regarding the incident.
“On February 11, 2019, Baylis Trevor Kelly, 52, of Cincinnati, entered a guilty plea to Robbery 2nd Degree and Persistent Felony Offender 2nd Degree. Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Emily J. Arnzen is recommending a 20 year prison sentence. Final sentencing is scheduled for April 2, 2019 before Kenton Circuit Judge Kathleen Lape.
Covington Police were called to the Radisson Hotel at 7:00AM on March 11, 2018 for an assault report. A 40 year old Indianapolis man who was in town for his child’s soccer tournament, told officers he left the hotel to start his vehicle when an unknown man approached and asked for the time. After the victim answered, the man punched him in the face and a struggle ensued.
During the struggle the attacker attempted to enter the victim’s Jeep Cherokee SUV. The victim produced a Gerber utility knife from his pocket and successfully defended himself by stabbing the attacker in the torso. After being wounded, the would-be car-jacker fled North across the parking lot. The victim drove his vehicle to the front door of the hotel and called police. The victim gave police a description of his assailant and advised he would be wounded. Officers noted the victim suffered minor injuries and was visibly upset.
Shortly after the call to the hotel, Covington Police were called the nearby Speedway gas station for a subject bleeding who had collapsed inside the business. Officers found Baylis Trvevor Kelly on the ground bleeding heavily.
Kelly was rushed to University of Cincinnati Medical Center where he underwent surgery to repair a collapsed lung and other internal injuries. Officers who responded to the gas station quickly noticed Kelly matched the description of the robber broadcast by officers at the hotel. Officers also found a trail of blood from the hotel parking lot to the gas station where Kelly was found. Detective Corey Warner obtained a warrant for Kelly’s arrest and upon release from the hospital, Kelly was transferred to jail in Ohio before being extradited back to Kentucky.
Kelly was indicted by the Kenton County Jury in May, 2018 for Robbery and 2nd Degree Persistent Felony Offender based upon prior felony convictions in Ohio. Facing a trial date on February 12, 2019, Kelly elected to plead guilty rather than face a jury. Asst. Commonwealth’s Attorney Emily Arnzen is asking Judge Kathleen Lape to send Kelly to prison for the next two decades.
