Firebombing pair sentenced Wednesday

MARION - The prosecution praised the sentences handed down by Common Pleas Judge Jim Slagle at the end of the firebombings case, as they met or exceeded their office's recommendation.

On Wednesday, Robert Gervin received an 18-year sentence, while Cordarius Jones was sentenced to 10 years. Both men are from Detroit.

Gervin received a longer sentence, County Prosecutor Brent Yager said, because he took his case to trial and there was stronger evidence — in the form of three witnesses — linking him to a firearm during the May 31 attacks.

"Mr. Gervin made us go through the task of doing it (proving his guilt and) would never take any responsibility," Yager said. "One thing Mr. Jones did, although I don't think he was truthful with everything he was telling us, he did take responsibility for his actions by pleading."

Prosecutors were prepared to recommend a seven-year sentence for Jones if he was cooperative during the trials, but returned their recommendation to nine years after feeling he did not cooperate. At the sentencing hearing, Slagle tacked on an additional year but could not be reached with questions about the ruling.

Officials said Gervin and Jones were both involved in attacks on two houses, at 412 E. Farming St. and 291 Maple St., by throwing Molotov cocktails inside to create a fire before shooting at people inside early in the morning. The motive is believed to be linked to a previous dispute at a bar or after-hours party from shortly beforehand, according to police statements and court records.

Both men were apprehended by city police, who had them in custody within 24 hours. A witness had been able to identify the make and model of a car used to leave, police said, and a car matching that description was found hours later with a strong gasoline odor and tape matching the bottles used in the attack.

Jones was tracked to an apartment at Twin Lakes Drive, and a search warrant at the location nabbed Gervin, who officials said was caught with a bag containing 2.2 grams of crack cocaine and 1.4 grams of heroin. That led to an additional pair of felony drug convictions in October.

In an interview after the conviction of Jose Valdez Jr., Yager pointed to the Valdez case, this one and a conviction last week against Chicago man Durain Land, one of six people charged in a local heroin and cocaine ring, as a sign that his office is putting away "heavy" traffickers in narcotics.

shickey@marionstar.com

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Twitter: @SpenserHickey