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Man gets nine years for New Matamoras shooting

A Belmont County man was sentenced to nine years in prison Wednesday for his role in a February failed home invasion attempt.

Cody Hinkle, 26, of 47393 Centerville Jacobsburg Road, Jacobsville was described by Washington County Prosecutor Kevin Rings as a violent person who deserved a tougher sentence due to the nature of his crimes and his history of violence. The state requested that Washington County Common Pleas Judge Randall Burnworth sentence Hinkle to 12 years confinement in prison.

In February, Hinkle along with accomplice, Robert Lohr, 26, of 817 Grandview Ave., New Matamoras, attempted to enter the home of Lionel Gore, 54, in Grandview Township. Rings said Gore was shot in the hand during the attempted home invasion and was lucky to be alive.

“It was a good thing he was aware and had a pretty good security system,” he said.

Rings said Gore saw the pair with cameras on his property as they approached with guns drawn. As they neared Gore’s front door, Rings said Gore opened the door with a weapon drawn just before shots were fired by all three men.

“We know for sure at least four shots were fired,” he said. “One from Gore, one from Lohr, and two from Hinkle.”

Rings said the pair were attempting to retrieve a handgun that Gore had allegedly stolen from Lohr earlier during a drug deal between Gore, Lohr and his girlfriend. According to Rings, Lohr and Hinkle had ties through a gang they both joined in prison that is known for its acts of violence. He said that even though Hinkle had nothing to do with the initial theft, he answered the gang’s call for retribution.

“If one member feels they have been (wronged) by someone, they will have to face all the gang members,” he said.

Before sentencing Hinkle said that even though he participated in the attempted home invasion, he never intended any harm.

“I did not go in with the intention to kill or hurt that man,” he said. “I’m sorry for what I did.”

Washington County Common Pleas Court Judge Randall Burnworth said he had mulled over Hinkle’s case through the weekend and had trepidation about Hinkle’s lifestyle.

“I have struggled with this case, Mr. Hinkle,” he said. “I have grave concern with the people you associate with.”

Burnworth sentenced Hinkle to six years in prison for the second-degree felony charge of felonious assault, six years in prison for the first-degree charge of aggravated burglary and 30 months each for the third-degree felony charges of tampering with evidence and weapons under disability, to be served concurrently. Burnworth also sentenced Hinkle to three years for the added firearms specification to the weapons under disability charge. That three-year sentence was ordered to be served consecutively, giving Hinkle a total of nine years in prison.

Lohr will be sentenced on Dec. 20 in Washington County Common Pleas Court.

At a glance:

•What: Cody Hinkle sentencing.

•Crime: Botched home invasion in Grandview Township.

•Charges: Felonious assault, aggravated burglary, tampering with evidence and weapons under disability.

•Sentence: 17 years prison for previously listed charges which will be served in six years concurrently. Three years prison to be served for firearm specification under weapons under disability charge to be served consecutively.

Source: Washington County Common Pleas Court

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