Man accused in Paxton attack faces July trial

PAXTON — An Urbana man pleaded innocent Monday to felony charges in connection with an Easter Sunday incident at the home of a couple who minister a Paxton church.

A July jury trial was also scheduled during Monday's preliminary hearing for Daniel D. Cobb, 51, who was charged in Ford County Circuit Court with one count each of home invasion and attempted armed robbery.

A pretrial hearing was set for 9 a.m. June 15.

Judge Steve Pacey last month set bond at $150,000 for Cobb, who remained at the Ford County jail on Monday afternoon. Cobb must post $15,000 to be released.

If found guilty, Cobb faces a sentence ranging from six to 30 years in prison for the home invasion charge, a Class X felony, and four to 15 years in prison for the attempted armed robbery charge, a Class 1 felony.

Public Defender Harvey Welch has been appointed to represent Cobb.

Cobb was arrested April 24 for allegedly entering the residence of the Rev. Jim Wood and his wife, the Rev. DeDe Wood, the co-lead pastors for the Vineyard Church's campus in Paxton.

Cobb, who was allegedly armed with two knives, stabbed the Woods as they struggled to detain him in their home, said Paxton Police Chief Bob Bane. He was apparently trying to steal a guitar the Woods own, Bane said.

Bane said police believe Cobb targeted the Woods, who were acquainted with him through the Vineyard Church's campus in Urbana, which Cobb attends. Pacey has ordered Cobb to have no contact with the Woods and have no presence at the their home or the church's campus in Paxton.

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