City of Richmond

2101 W Main St, Richmond, VA

3:36 AM

Trauma

Argument

Man pleads guilty in fatal Fan fight / Richmond man guilty of involuntary manslaughter in death outside of bar
By Joe Macenka
Times-Dispatch Staff Writer

Friday,May 9, 2008

One young man is dead, another is headed to prison, and more than three months after the crime, authorities have yet to figure out why it occurred.
Robinson D. Hogan pleaded guilty yesterday to involuntary manslaughter for throwing a single punch to the face of Luke Cockey, who fell and hit the back of his head on West Main Street during a confrontation outside a bar in Richmond’s Fan District on Jan. 24.

Cockey, 23, of Henrico County, had multiple skull fractures, brain injuries and significant blood loss. He died the next day.

Authorities said numerous people who witnessed the confrontation were interviewed, but no one can remember exactly what was said to precipitate the fatal punch.

“Because it was closing time and everyone had been drinking, no one is really sure what it was about,” said Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael Hollomon. “This was a tragic death that should not have occurred, no matter how you look at it.”

Hogan, 25, of Richmond, entered his plea in a brief appearance before Richmond Circuit Judge Walter W. Stout III, who set a presentencing hearing for June 27.

Hollomon said authorities have agreed not to seek a prison term of longer than one year. Hogan could have faced up to five years in prison, but Hollomon said Cockey’s family did not want to see the matter go to trial.

“I think at this point they’ve probably reached a certain point in the grieving process,” Hollomon said, “and I think going to trial might take them back a step.”

Hollomon said Hogan and several friends walked out of a bar at Main and Rowland streets shortly after 2 a.m. and encountered Cockey, who had been drinking elsewhere. There was no indication the two knew each other, Hollomon said.

According to the prosecutor, the two exchanged words, but it seemed to end there. A few seconds later, however, Cockey said something else while walking away, and the two wound up face to face. Hogan threw one punch at Cockey, who was standing on the curb with his back toward Main Street.

“According to the witnesses, the victim fell like a tree,” Hollomon said. “The back of his head was probably the first thing that hit the street.”

Hogan remains in custody pending sentencing.