Jurors weigh evidence in Chesapeake motel killing

Jury deliberation began Monday in the murder trial of Deon Cobb, accused of conspiring to rob a friend who was a known drug dealer in a Chesapeake motel room last year.

Cobb, 39, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and attempted robbery for his part in the killing of Cornell Darden - also referred to as Conell Darden in some court documents - on Sept. 14, 2010, at the Budget Lodge on Military Highway. Monday was the fourth day of his trial.

The jury deliberated for about 30 minutes after closing arguments before deciding to return today to consider the evidence.

Using phone records and motel video, the commonwealth's attorney is attempting to prove that Cobb entered Darden's room to buy drugs and 52 seconds later opened the door for another man, who entered gun in hand demanding money. When Darden stood up from sitting on the motel bed, he was shot in the chest and died later at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

Anthony Saunders is charged with shooting Darden and faces a January trial for first-degree murder.