A trial has begun in the case of a Manhattan man facing charges in connection with an alleged event involving aggravated robbery and stolen marijuana this past July.Trey Campbell, 21, appeared in court Thursday, April 23 in Riley County District Court as Senior Deputy County Attorney Barry Disney called several witnesses to the stand to testify.
The state first called upon Ty Suggs, 21, of Manhattan, who is also facing charges of aggravated robbery and conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery in connection with the event. Suggs has made an agreement with the state to dismiss the robbery charge in exchange for a guilty plea to the conspiracy claims and a testimony against Campbell.
Suggs testified that he received a call from Campbell last July asking if he wanted to partake in a robbery after setting up a “fake” drug deal with the help of friends. He claimed the two didn’t have a set plan, but were picked up by two high school students from Wamego to be transported to an apartment where they intended to steal the marijuana under the guise of an actual purchase. Suggs said he knew upon entering the car that Campbell had a firearm, and subsequently decided to pick up a BB gun from a friend.
According to Suggs, after the two were dropped off and entered the apartment, the marijuana was produced and displayed for them. Suggs and Campbell then began discussing prices with the dealer, Hudson Philip, for the eight ounces he intended to sell, at which point Campbell stood up and flashed the gun from the waistband of his pants. Although Suggs stated Campbell’s gun was never pointed at anyone, a later testimony from Philip alleged that Campbell pointed the gun at Philip’s rib cage before demanding the marijuana and leaving the premises.
Other witnesses called to give statements included detective for Riley County Police Department Joe Ehrlich who helped conduct the investigation of the incident, and Angel Romero, 18, who provided transportation to the robbery.
