A Saint James, Long Island man described as a “maniac” has reportedly shot and killed his ex-wife and her boyfriend on Wednesday night. He is pleading not guilty to two charges of second-degree murder.
Double murder shocks a community
Daniel Coppola, 50, a New York man, is facing charges for allegedly shooting and killing his ex-wife, Kelly Coppola, same age, and her boyfriend, 53-year-old Kenneth Pohlman, in their Brasswood Road home in Long Island.
Former couple’s teenage daughter in a nightmare scenario
The couple’s 15-year-old daughter was in the car outside the house when the murders took place, unaware of the violence occurring inside. Her father had asked her to leave the residence.
What authorities believe
Daniel allegedly called his daughter to ensure she was out of the house before entering and shooting Kelly and Kenneth. It was around 11:30 p.m., and some say that the victims were already sleeping.
911 calls get frantic
After the murders, the daughter called 911 when her father threatened to commit suicide, leading police to arrest Daniel at his Head of the Harbor home. Her friends also called authorities when she had stopped answering them.
Pohlman’s brother sees jealousy as a possible motive
Kenneth Pohlman’s brother, Tom Pohlman, claims Daniel was a jealous ex-husband. He says the man was displeased with the happiness Kelly found with Kenneth and had previously made threats.
Tom told local media: “He was a jealous ex-husband. My brother made [Daniel’s] ex-wife happy, and he was not happy about that… When they first started dating a year ago, there were numerous, there were numerous threats. She brought the best out of him; he brought the best out of her. They were very happy.”
A family in crisis
Kenneth Pohlman was a father of three, and his death has devastated his family, especially as two of his children had already lost their mother to cancer 17 years ago.
His daughter, Brianna Pohlman, told The Daily Mail: “My dad would give you the shirt off of his back even if he never knew you.”
What’s next for Daniel Coppola?
Daniel Coppola has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder and is in custody as the investigation continues. He could spend the rest of his life in prison.