Atlanta ( CNN ) A judge , declaring he was n't `` comfortable '' with seven-year prison terms given earlier to three educators in the Atlanta Public Schools cheating scandal , on Thursday reduced their sentences to three years in prison . `` I 'm not comfortable with it , '' Fulton County Superior Court Judge Jerry Baxter said of the sentences he handed down to the three defendants April 14 . `` When a judge goes home and he keeps thinking over and over that something 's wrong , something is usually wrong . '' Tamara Cotman , Sharon Davis-Williams and Michael Pitts also were ordered Thursday to serve seven years on probation , pay $ 10,000 fines and work 2,000 hours in community service . Baxter had come under fire from some community leaders for giving prison sentences to eight teachers and administrators who stood trial and were convicted of racketeering . They 'd been accused of taking part in an effort to raise tests scores at struggling schools by erasing wrong answers and putting in correct answers . Outside of court , Benjamin Davis , the lawyer for Cotman , questioned the judge 's rationale in handing down heavy sentences a few weeks ago . `` I had never seen a judge conduct himself in that way , '' he said . `` What was going on with Judge Baxter ? '' Davis-Williams said she was pleased judge Baxter changed his mind . Her attorney , Teresa Mann , added , `` We are happy . We are elated that judge Baxter took the opportunity to reflect . '' Cotman , Davis-Williams and Pitts , all school reform team executive directors , got the harshest sentences during an April 14 hearing : Seven years in prison , 13 years of probation and $ 25,000 fines . Baxter said of his change of mind : `` I 'm going to put myself out to pasture in the not-too-distant future and I want to be out in the pasture without any regrets . '' During the earlier sentencing hearing , Baxter was frustrated when defendants did n't admit their guilt . `` Everybody knew cheating was going on and your client promoted it , '' Baxter said to an attorney representing Davis-Williams . At one point he said , `` These stories are incredible . These kids ca n't read . '' At a press conference held April 17 , most of the convicted educators insisted they were innocent . `` I did n't cheat . I 'm not a racketeer , '' said Diane Buckner-Webb , a former elementary teacher . All defendants sentenced to prison have appealed and are out on bond . The lower prison sentences given to other defendants -- ranging from one to two years -- have not been reduced . Prosecutors said the cheating is believed to date back to 2001 , when scores on statewide aptitude tests improved greatly , according to a 2013 indictment . The indictment also states that for at least four years , between 2005 and 2009 , test answers were altered , fabricated or falsely certified . Michael Bowers , a former Georgia attorney general who investigated the cheating scandal , said in 2013 that there were `` cheating parties , '' erasures in and out of classrooms , and teachers were told to make changes to student answers on tests . Bowers said he heard that educators cheated out of pride , to earn bonuses , to enhance their careers or to keep their jobs . Of 35 Atlanta educators indicted in 2013 , more than 20 took a plea deal . Twelve educators went on trial six months ago , with 11 convicted and one acquitted on April 1 . Of the 11 convicted , two took a deal in which they admitted guilt , waived their right to appeal and received much lighter sentences . One defendant was giving birth during the sentencing phase not been sentenced . On Thursday , Baxter urged the defendants to engage in community service while they 're appealing . He said that might lighten the punishment if the convictions are upheld . The judge said he was tired of dealing with the Atlanta Public Schools cheating scandal , which he referred to as `` this mess . '' `` I 'm ready to move on . So , anyway , adios , '' Baxter said , and ended the hearing .
`` I had never seen a judge conduct himself in that way , '' defendant 's lawyer says . A judge reduces prison sentences for 3 educators in the Atlanta Public Schools cheating scandal . Comment: