Davide Coggins
MAYVILLE – The trial of the Elmira man accused of being the leader in the 2013 Carroll double homicide is now underway in Chautauqua County Court.
On Tuesday both district attorney David Foley and Public Defender Ned Barone made opening statements in the case against Davide Coggins, who is facing two counts of first degree murder, arson and several other charges. The charges are related to the grisly murders of Gordon and Joyce Skinner of Carroll, whose remains were found by volunteer fire crews responding to a fire call at their Wheeler Hill Rd. residence the morning of April 17, 2013.
Following an investigation, Coggins and three other men were arrested by authorities. An investigation accused the four – all from Elmira – of breaking into the Skinner’s home and stabbing the couple then setting their house on fire.
The three other men have all reached plea agreements with the DA’s office in exchange for testifying against Coggins.
According to an article in today’s Post-Journal, Foley explained that Coggins is the one who planned the home invasion and burglary and convinced the three others to also take part.
Meanwhile, the defense is making a case that there is no physical evidence that points to Coggins and instead is saying the three other individuals have teamed up to say that Coggins was the mastermind. Barone also criticized Foley for making a plea deal with the three other individuals.
Several witnesses also testified, including an investigator with the Sheriff’s office and a first responder with the Frewsurg fire company. All witnesses provided details of what had happened the morning of April 17 that led to the discovery that the Skinners had been murdered.
The trial will resume Wednesday morning in Chautauqua County Court.
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