Matthew A. Cooper, 23, appeared before Common Pleas Judge Robert Davidson for a new sentencing hearing on charges of aggravated burglary and aggravated robbery, along with a firearm specification.

The charges pertained to an April 2005 home invasion, in which Cooper, with assistance of three co-defendants, entered a Grandview Estates home, while armed with a gun and demanded money from the residents.

According to Marion County Prosecutor Jim Slagle, Cooper, who has remained in custody since his arrest in April 2005, pleaded guilty to the charges in 2005 and was sentenced to eight years in prison at that time. Since that time, Cooper has appealed his conviction and sentence through the state and federal courts. In 2007, the federal court ordered that Davidson conduct a new sentencing hearing due to a change in the law which had taken place since the original sentencing hearing.

Cooper appeared before Judge Davidson Monday, with Cleveland attorney Paul Mancino, seeking dismissal of the charges. Davidson denied Cooper’s motion to dismiss and imposed the same eight year sentence which had been imposed three years ago.

Cooper remains in prison in the Mansfield Correctional Institution. He is not eligible for release until 2013.