Judge Dan Polster reduced Samuel Mullet Sr.'s sentence from 15 years to 10 years, nine months, after an appeals court reversed defendants' hate crime convictions in the case. Seven other people with time left to serve also saw their sentences reduced.
Federal public defender Edward Bryan said he disagrees with the way sentencing guidelines were applied and plans an appeal.
"By the time this appeal has been heard, Mr. Mullet will probably have spent another year in prison beyond the period of time that he should have spent," Bryan said. "This is a man who will turn 70 years old on his next birthday."
Bryan said prosecutors have been overzealous, and said Mullet should receive credit for time served and walk free.
U.S. Attorney Steven Dettelbach said he was pleased with the new sentence.
"We're happy that the judge still saw fit to sentence the defendants to very significant terms of incarceration for their violent acts," he said. "Sam Mullet's going to jail for 11 years, and deservedly so."
