4 sentenced in kidnapping of Atlanta lawyers

Four men have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms in the kidnapping of two Atlanta lawyers who were held for 13 hours before their rescue by police.

Four men wearing bandanas seized David Deganian and Herman Hoying as they left an East Atlanta bar on July 1, 2007. The victims were stuffed in a car trunk but used cell phones to alert their families and police.

Atlanta police tracked down two of the kidnappers using the victims’ bank cards at the Mall West End. One suspect then told them where to find the victims in an Atlanta duplex.

DeKalb County Superior Court records show the defendants entered guilty pleas in late August to kidnapping, armed robbery, aggravated assault and weapons charges.

Judge Robert Castellani sentenced Christopher Martez Maddox to 22 years in prison. Christopher McFarland and Christopher Todd each received 17-year sentences. Christopher Philpot was sentenced to 15 years.