Man acquitted in past armed robberies found guilty

Credit: Dothan City Jail

Cordarius Hill

By: Matt Elofson | Dothan Eagle
Published: August 18, 2010
Updated: August 19, 2010 - 4:56 PM

A jury has acquitted a 21-year-old Dothan man who was facing an armed robbery charge, marking the third case in which he was charged with armed robbery, but not convicted.

However, Cordarius Hill could still face some prison time.

A Houston County jury returned a split verdict for Hill, finding him not guilty of one armed robbery, but convicting him for another.

Assistant District Attorney David Atwell said the jury deliberated for about an hour before returning their verdict.

Atwell said prosecutors tried Hill for aiding and abetting several other people in the robbery of two individuals on the same night in separate parking lots earlier this year. Atwell said the evidence in the cases included how Hill served as the driver of the vehicle involved in both robberies. Four other people were charged with armed robbery for their alleged involvement.

Authorities charged Hill with the robbery of a woman in the parking lot of the northside Wal-Mart, and later another robbery at an apartment complex in Kinsey. The robberies happened within an hour of each other.

Atwell said the jury found Hill not guilty of the robbery at the Wal-Mart parking lot, and guilty of the robbery in Kinsey.

Attorney Terry Bullard, who represented Hill, said the jury's split verdict left him shocked.

"On the Wal-Mart one he was not there, and we had three witnesses testify he was not there," Bullard said.

Bullard said the defense didn't contest his client's presence at the second robbery.

"Our contention was he didn't have any knowledge of the robbery," Bullard said.

Bullard said his client plans to submit his notice of appeal in the case.

Circuit Court Judge Larry Anderson will sentence Hill on Sept. 3. Hill faces 10 to 99 years or life in prison for the class A felony crime of first-degree robbery.

Bullard said he plans to seek the minimum punishment at his client's sentencing hearing next month.

"We expect we'll have some witnesses to testify on his behalf," Bullard said. "We want the minimum sentence, and of course we're going to apply for probation."

Atwell said he plans to ask the court for a 99-year prison sentence at the sentencing hearing. Atwell said Hill will remain held at the Houston County Jail until he's sentenced.

"I'm pleased that he was convicted of course," Atwell said. "I'm thinking a very high sentence is in order."

Hill was found not guilty earlier this year of an armed robbery at the Hardee's restaurant in Headland in 2007.

Hill has also been charged with armed robbery on two other occasions, both in connection to crimes at Movie Gallery stores. However, he was found not guilty on one of those charges, and the second was dropped.

Man acquitted in past armed robberies found guilty

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