Man sentenced in assault at Youngstown apartment

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — A man who pleaded guilty to a reduced charge for a May 8 stabbing at an East Side apartment complex was sentenced Wednesday to five years probation in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Michael Cobb, 68, received the sentence from Visiting Judge W. Wyatt McKay on a fourth-degree felony charge of aggravated assault.

Cobb was originally charged with felonious assault, a second-degree felony, for the May 9 stabbing of a man at a Kendis Circle apartment complex.

Cobb has been in the Mahoning County jail since his arrest.

Police were called to the apartment complex for a fight and when they arrived, they found a man bleeding profusely from the arm.

Reports said the victim told police it was Cobb who stabbed him. A witness also told police Cobb stabbed the man.

Cobb told police he was hit first by the victim before he stabbed him. In court Wednesday via video hookup from the jail, Cobb told the judge he was defending himself. He also apologized and asked to be released so he could care for his children.

Cobb has served 145 days in jail while awaiting his sentencing.

Judge McKay said Cobb suffered a head wound when he was hit by a stereo by the victim and that he also has a business he needs to take care of.

Cobb is to stay away from alcohol or drugs as part of his probation and have no contact with the victim.

The judge also said he was imposing a suspended 18-month prison sentence, which will only be served if he violates his probation.

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