Chesapeake man guilty in 2010 hotel slaying

CHESAPEAKE

A Circuit Court jury found Deon Cobb guilty Tuesday of first-degree murder in a Chesapeake motel room killing last year, even though he did not pull the trigger.

The jury, deliberating on the fifth day of the trial, reached a verdict after about two hours.

Cornell Darden died after being shot in the chest Sept. 14, 2010, in a room at the Budget Lodge on Military Highway. Cobb did not fire the gun and said there was never an intent for Darden to be hurt. The law, however, holds him responsible for setting up the robbery and for whatever happened during the robbery.

In addition to the murder count, Cobb was found guilty of attempted robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, use of a firearm in commission of a robbery and use of a firearm to commit murder. The jury recommended a 34-year sentence.

According to testimony, Cobb, 39, entered Darden's motel room around 9 p.m. and 52 seconds later opened the locked door and allowed another man to enter with gun in hand demanding money. When Darden stood up from sitting on the bed, he was shot in the chest and died later at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

Anthony Saunders, also accused of first-degree murder, goes on trial Jan. 23. He is accused of being the shooter.

Just after the killing, Cobb voluntarily gave his cellphone to police and allowed a detective to interview him. In a recording of the interview shown in court, Cobb repeatedly changed his story as Detective James Thomas showed him photos and phone records that contradicted his original account. After three hours of questioning, Cobb's status went from witness to suspect, and he was arrested.

"Every time he was confronted with a piece of evidence, he changed his story," Commonweath's Attorney Ann Poindexter told the jury during closing arguments.

Text messages saved on Cobb's cellphone and recorded by the phone company showed Cobb was in contact with Saunders several times before and after the shooting. One text message from Saunders to Cobb asked him to "wipe that draw off 4 me." Saunders believed he may have opened a drawer in the motel room looking for money, according to testimony.

After the verdict was announced, Darden's 17-year-old daughter, Jakemia James, said her father had remained in touch and been good to her over the years.

"Even if he did sell drugs, he did not deserve to have his life taken away, and we love him," she said.

Jeff Hampton, (252) 338-0159, jeff.hampton@pilotonline.com