Man accused of murdering Oxford teen assigned $1 million bail
(Tyler Murphy Photo)
NORWICH – A Smithville man facing murder charges was placed on $500,000 cash bail or $1 million bond Monday, after the defense made a request in Chenango County Court.
Cody D. Coleman, 18, of Smithville is accused of shooting his former girlfriend, 16-year-old Amelia Wakefield of Oxford, with a 16 gauge shotgun at about 6:45 p.m., May 3, at 136 Water Street in the Town of Smithville. He is charged with second degree murder, criminal use of a firearm and criminal possession of a weapon.
Before he was assigned bail Monday Chenango County District Attorney Michael Ferrarese said Coleman had a loaded gun near the victim's head before she was killed.
"The gun was in the room with the safety off, ready to fire," said Ferrarese. "Forensic scientists said the gun was less than three inches from her temple before it was fired."
In court Ferrarese asked for at least $1 million in bail and said Coleman was a flight risk and had prior convictions as a underage youth.
"We're asking for no less than a million dollar bail in this case," said Ferrarese.
He said Coleman could be sentenced to 25 years to life behind bars if convicted on the top charges.
Chenango County Public Defender Zachary Wentworth asked the court to set a bail Coleman could afford.
"Since the time of Mr. Coleman's arraignment he has been remanded without bail due to a violation of probation matter," said Wentworth. "He is no longer being held on that, so he's asking the court to set some kind of bail in this case."
Ferrarese said neither of Coleman's parents would be fit to house him if he were to be released on bail which also adds to him being a flight risk.
Chenango County Court Judge Frank Revoir Jr. set bail at $500k cash or a $1 million bond, and told Coleman that he was concerned for his safety.
"I have concerns for his own safety," said Revoir. "This is a high profile case evidenced by the number of people in this courtroom."
Chenango County Sheriff Ernest R. Cutting Jr. said results from forensic evidence and other pieces of information indicated to investigators that the death was not an accident.
“As we got into the investigation a couple stories changed. Also, we got forensics back confirming the direction we are on,” said Cutting. “At that point it changed from a death investigation into a homicide investigation.”
Officials said when police arrived there were at least two other people inside the home. The sheriff identified them as the victim’s boyfriend and boyfriend’s mother.
A few days after the death investigation began Coleman was charged with violating his probation in Smithville Town Court and placed in the Chenango County Correctional Facility without bail.
“This has been very upsetting for the community," said Cutting. "To lose such a vibrant young lady is a terrible, terrible thing."
Cody D. Coleman, 18, of Smithville is accused of shooting his former girlfriend, 16-year-old Amelia Wakefield of Oxford, with a 16 gauge shotgun at about 6:45 p.m., May 3, at 136 Water Street in the Town of Smithville. He is charged with second degree murder, criminal use of a firearm and criminal possession of a weapon.
Before he was assigned bail Monday Chenango County District Attorney Michael Ferrarese said Coleman had a loaded gun near the victim's head before she was killed.
"The gun was in the room with the safety off, ready to fire," said Ferrarese. "Forensic scientists said the gun was less than three inches from her temple before it was fired."
In court Ferrarese asked for at least $1 million in bail and said Coleman was a flight risk and had prior convictions as a underage youth.
"We're asking for no less than a million dollar bail in this case," said Ferrarese.
He said Coleman could be sentenced to 25 years to life behind bars if convicted on the top charges.
Chenango County Public Defender Zachary Wentworth asked the court to set a bail Coleman could afford.
"Since the time of Mr. Coleman's arraignment he has been remanded without bail due to a violation of probation matter," said Wentworth. "He is no longer being held on that, so he's asking the court to set some kind of bail in this case."
Ferrarese said neither of Coleman's parents would be fit to house him if he were to be released on bail which also adds to him being a flight risk.
Chenango County Court Judge Frank Revoir Jr. set bail at $500k cash or a $1 million bond, and told Coleman that he was concerned for his safety.
"I have concerns for his own safety," said Revoir. "This is a high profile case evidenced by the number of people in this courtroom."
Chenango County Sheriff Ernest R. Cutting Jr. said results from forensic evidence and other pieces of information indicated to investigators that the death was not an accident.
“As we got into the investigation a couple stories changed. Also, we got forensics back confirming the direction we are on,” said Cutting. “At that point it changed from a death investigation into a homicide investigation.”
Officials said when police arrived there were at least two other people inside the home. The sheriff identified them as the victim’s boyfriend and boyfriend’s mother.
A few days after the death investigation began Coleman was charged with violating his probation in Smithville Town Court and placed in the Chenango County Correctional Facility without bail.
“This has been very upsetting for the community," said Cutting. "To lose such a vibrant young lady is a terrible, terrible thing."
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