Slaying linked to Pagans-War Dogs bar brawl yields 3 guilty pleas

By PAULA REED WARD
TribLive

One of three men charged in a deadly attack on a motorcyclist in White Oak last year that authorities linked to a Washington County bar brawl between motorcycle clubs pleaded guilty Monday to third-degree homicide.

Jacob Baker, 34, of Mount Pleasant will serve 15 to 30 years in state prison for the Oct. 12 attack that killed Kenneth Hayman, 33, of McKeesport.

Two other defendants, Victor Cruz, 28, of Jeannette and Albert Renchko, 38, of Wilmerding both pleaded guilty to lesser offenses in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court in connection with the incident.

All three were sentenced by Judge Simquita Bridges as part of a plea deal with prosecutors.

Assistant District Attorney Matthew Goddard told the court that Hayman was on his motorcycle at the intersection of Jacks Run Road and Lincoln Way around 2:15 p.m. that day when a Chevy Silverado pulled up behind him.

Three men dressed in black and wearing ski masks exited the truck and headed toward Hayman, who got off the motorcycle and ran away, Goddard said. At least one of the attackers was carrying an axe handle.

Hayman pulled out a gun, as did Baker, the prosecutor continued, and they exchanged fire.

The suspects fled, and Hayman collapsed at a nearby Wendy’s. He died from a gunshot wound to the torso.

Goddard said a witness identified the three suspects.

Cruz was driving the pickup truck, while Renchko was the front-seat passenger, and Baker rode in the back.

They conspired to attack Hayman, Goddard said, because they believed he had been involved in an assault in Washington County two months earlier.

The prosecutor described a scheme where the men tracked Hayman, including switching license plates and destroying evidence to cover up their activities.

According to Washington County prosecutors, Hayman was a member of the War Dogs motorcycle club and was an “aggressor” during a bar fight at 40 Bar and Grille in North Franklin on Aug. 17.

Jordan Henderson, a member of the Pagans motorcycle club, was brutally beaten inside the bar after midnight by at least 10 members of the War Dogs, prosecutors said.

The attack included bottles, bats and axe handles.

Ten people were held for trial in that case following the preliminary hearing in January.

Although Cruz made no statement to the court following his plea, both Renchko and Baker briefly spoke.

“I do want to apologize to his daughter,” Renchko said. “That’s a terrible loss to lose your father.

“I do wish the circumstances were different.”

Baker later said, “I’m sorry for what happened. If I could take it back, I would.”

Cruz pleaded guilty to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He was ordered to serve five years probation and 100 hours of community service.

Renchko, who will get credit for more than nine months of time served, was ordered to serve four years probation and 100 hours of community service.

Goddard, the prosecutor, read a statement in court provided by Hayman’s fiancée.

Brittany Koval told the court that Hayman was outgoing and loved being a father.

“In an instant, everything we built together, and everything we built for the future was taken away,” she wrote.

Koval called Hayman her “safe place.”

“He made ordinary days feel special,” she said. “He made me feel loved, protected and cared for.”

When Hayman was killed, Koval wrote, their daughter was just 9 months old.

“As of today, he has been gone for half of her life.”

Their daughter, Koval said, will never have her father at the milestones in her life: her first day of school, graduation or wedding day.

“Those memories were stolen from her before she even had the chance to keep them.”

Hayman’s aunt, Christine McKeone, also addressed the court. She told the judge that Hayman was like a son to her.

“His loss devastated the entire family,” she said.