Pottstown man sentenced for role in disturbance
NORRISTOWN >> A Pottstown man faces several years of court supervision in connection with a disturbance at a borough residence during which authorities alleged he placed others in danger with his conduct.
Comese Yonnell Robinson, 23, whose last known address was in the 500 block of High Street, was sentenced in Montgomery County Court on Wednesday to three days already served to 23 months in the county jail in connection with an August 2016 incident in the borough.
Judge Risa Vetri Ferman also ordered Robinson to complete two years’ probation following parole, meaning Robinson will be under court supervision for about four years. Robinson also must complete 100 hours of community service in Pottstown.
Robinson pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of recklessly endangering other persons and simple assault. A no contest plea is not an admission of guilt but is an admission that prosecutors have sufficient evidence to convict.
Earlier this year, Robinson pleaded guilty to the charges. However, Robinson was permitted to withdraw that plea on Wednesday and, in the alternative, enter the no contest plea, essentially admitting that prosecutors could prove that he got into an argument with others and with his conduct placed others in danger of serious bodily injury by physical menace.
In an arrest affidavit, Pottstown police alleged Robinson brandished a gun during a disturbance in the 300 block of Jefferson Avenue.
Assistant District Attorney Richard Bradbury Jr. argued for a jail sentence of up to three months for Robinson.
“He knowingly put someone in fear of serious bodily injury,” Bradbury argued.
But defense lawyer Sarah Hudson, on behalf of Robinson, argued for a probationary sentence, which was allowable under state sentencing guidelines.
Hudson argued Robinson suffered “significant events” during his childhood and is in need of mental health rehabilitation. Hudson suggested incarceration would be overly punitive.
“I think Mr. Robinson knows there are consequences for his actions,” Hudson argued.
Robinson told the judge he wants to be a good role model for his two children.
Ferman said she considered background reports and mental health evaluations in fashioning the sentence. The judge acknowledged Robinson had a “traumatic past” but did not reveal the details that were contained in confidential presentence reports.
“You are at a crossroads right now in your life. You’ve had bad things happen to you in your life that were not the fault of your own,” Ferman addressed Robinson, referring to events in his childhood.
Ferman ordered that Robinson be placed under mental health supervision by probation officials and that he undergo a psychiatric evaluation and comply with all recommendations for treatment. Robinson also must complete an anger management counseling program.
“You are the one who has to put the work in. Mr. Robinson, it’s up to you now. I wish you good luck,” Ferman addressed Robinson.
According to police reports, an investigation began about 9:30 p.m. Aug. 17, 2016, when Pottstown police were dispatched to the 300 block of Jefferson Avenue for a disturbance and a report that one of the subjects involved was armed with a gun, according to the criminal complaint. Robinson, according to police, inserted himself in a disturbance between several others outside a Jefferson Avenue residence.
A male victim told police that as he was dealing with the disturbance, Robinson “pulled out a small black handgun from his waistband and pointed it at him,” according to the criminal complaint filed by Pottstown Police Officer Corey Pfister.
A relative of the victim subsequently unleashed pepper spray on Robinson and others who were standing near him, police said. Robinson and the others left the scene in several directions, police said.
Other charges of aggravated assault, person not to possess a firearm, carrying firearms without a license and terroristic threats were dismissed against Robinson.