Man Convicted Of Carjacking Woman Who Was In Labor

An armed carjacker convicted of robbing a pregnant Annapolis woman while she was in labor faces a possible life sentence.

A federal jury on Wednesday convicted Cornell Louis Robinson, 44, of Washington, D.C., on charges related to the armed carjacking of a couple on March 2, 2014. The victims were about to get into their vehicle on Copeland Street in Annapolis when they were confronted by several men, including Robinson, says the U.S. Attorney’s office.

The memorable trip to the hospital began about 4:30 a.m. as Robinson, co-defendant Devery Kelley of Glen Burnie and others approached the couple as they were getting into their car. The male victim fled from the car and called the police.

Robinson and Kelley were both armed and forced the woman at gunpoint to accompany them to an apartment building nearby, demanding money, witnesses testified. The woman repeatedly told them that she was in labor and did not have the key to the apartment, only the car key.

Robinson and other robbers took her, continuing to hold her at gunpoint, and tried to get her to open an apartment. The woman again told the robbers that she did not have a key to the apartment. When it became clear that she could not get into the apartment, Robinson took the key to the car and left in her car.

The robbers, driving the stolen car, were followed by Annapolis Police. On Tyler Avenue, Robinson and Kelly got of the car and ran away, but were arrested nearby.

Robinson faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison for carjacking; a maximum of life in prison for possession and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence; and a maximum of 10 years in prison for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon.

No sentencing date has been set for Robinson, who remains in jail.

Kelley, 25, of Glen Burnie, previously pleaded guilty to his role in the crime and will be sentenced on Aug. 12. He also remains detained.