Judge Asked To Reconsider Mob Beating Sentences

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - Prosecutors are returning to court to ask a judge to reconsider the sentences for two men who participated in a mob attack on a Detroit-area motorist in April.

Latrez Cummings got six months in jail, and James Davis was sentenced to a year in jail. Prosecutors say the punishments are too light and don't reflect the severity of the beating on Steven Utash.

Judge James Callahan will hear arguments Friday in Wayne County court.

Utash, a tree trimmer from Macomb County, was in a coma for days after being beaten in Detroit in April. He was driving home from work through a Detroit neighborhood when he got out of his truck to check on a 10-year-old boy who police say darted out in front of his vehicle.

Witnesses said Utash was punched and kicked in the head by a crowd of up to 12 people, including some teenagers.

Utash still is recovering.

Five people pleaded guilty to assault. Attempted murder charges were dropped.

Co-defendant, 30-year-old Wonzey Saffold was sentenced to more than six years in prison, while another -- 18-year-old Bruce Wimbush -- was placed on probation. Saffold got a harsher sentence because of his criminal record.

An ethnic intimidation charge against the youngest defendant, a 17-year-old, was dropped in return for his plea. He's being held in a juvenile rehabilitation facility until at least September.

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