Jury Hears Murder Trial In Death Of Man Who Responded To Craigslist Ad In West Oak Lane
By Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A Philadelphia Jury is hearing the murder trial of a Willow Grove man in connection with a series of crimes that allegedly used Craigslist as bait.
Two years ago, 27-year-old Daniel Cook of Williamstown, New Jersey spotted an ad on Craigslist for an all-terrain vehicle in Philadelphia. He and two friends drove to the West Oak Lane section of the city to check out the ATV.
Prosecutor Guy D'Andrea says the victim was led to a side street of Walnut Lane by the defendant, Thomas Coffee. Prosecutors say within seconds he allegedly tried to rob Cook and then shot him in the back. D'Andrea says it was immediately fatal.
Two witnesses are expected to testify that they too were lured to similar meetings just days before Cook's murder based on Craigslist ads to either trade dirt bikes or firearms for a motorcycle. D'Andrea says they were terrorized and robbed at gunpoint.
His defense team deferred giving an opening statement and testimony got underway.