Montgomery man convicted of robbery gets sentenced reduced

MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) - A Montgomery man has learned that he will now spend at least 14 years less in prison.

On Wednesday, the judge overseeing the case reduced the sentence for Devonte Cobb, who was recently convicted of a robbery that occurred in 2014.

The hearing lasted less than 30 minutes. After both attorneys spoke, along with the victim's mother, Judge J.R. Gaines modified the sentence to 21 years in prison, instead of the 35-year sentenced that was originally handed down to Cobb earlier this month.

According to the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office, Cobb robbed a 23-year-old Montgomery man at gunpoint in November, 2014. The victim, who had a legally owned gun, struggled with Cobb, and ultimately shot him in the shoulder. The victim got away and called 911. Cobb was arrested a short time later.

Cobb's attorney argued that due to his age, and what he claimed to be a harsh sentence for the crime, the sentencing should be reduced. The district attorney's office, however, believed otherwise, saying Cobb continues to blame the victim and has yet to learn his lesson.

Judge Gaines ultimately ruled to reduce the sentencing from 35 years to 21 years.

Although disappointed with the ruling, the deputy district attorney reiterated 21 years is still a long time and hopes the sentence sends a strong message.

"I hope the criminals in our community have learned that we don't play around. When you commit these crimes, the Montgomery Police Department is dedicated to investigating them, the district attorney's office is dedicated to prosecuting them as harshly as we can, and the judges are giving hard sentences," said Ben McGough, deputy district attorney for Montgomery County. "In the other hand, I hope the victims of crime realize street justice is not the way to go, bring it to us, bring it to the police department, bring it to the DA's office and let us do things the right way."

Everything else with the sentencing, such as restitution, stays the same.

The victim was not physically injured during the robbery.

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