Two teens found guilty in beating and robbery of a Penford employee last year

Two Cedar Rapids teens were convicted Thursday by a Linn County jury of beating and robbing a man last January and each face a mandatory 25 years  in prison.

Vincent Connors, 18, and Ethan Ayers, 19, were found guilty after a jury deliberated about 5-1/2 hours Thursday after a three day trial. Two others, Christopher Curley, 18,  and Tray Finn pleaded guilty to first-degree theft and willful injury for their part in the robbery.

Connors, Ayers and the others robbed Matthew Dostal, a Penford employee, who was walking home about 2:30 p.m. along 1st Street SW on Jan. 3, 2010.

Dostal testified he was first approached by Connors who brandished a weapon and demanded money. Ayers then got involved and helped Connors beat and stab Dostal in the side and back with a knife, according to testimony. Connors was found with a butterfly knife and another knife with a 6-inch fixed blade.

Dostal suffered serious wounds, which badly damaged his ribcage and continues to cause him pain.

The attack happened in the front yard of 1300 1st St. and the homeowners of that residence stopped the beating when they came outside and scared the attackers away, according to trial testimony.