Trial date set for retired trooper James Coughlin and wife after drowning at Dedham graduation party
BOSTON – A trial date has been set for retired Massachusetts State Police trooper James Coughlin and his wife Leslie, almost two years after Alonzo Polk drowned in the pool of their Dedham home during a graduation party.
On Wednesday, a Dedham District Court judge set an April 3 trial date for the case.
A jury will likely be tasked with deciding if the couple is guilty of reckless endangerment and serving alcohol to minors during the party in 2021.
"At this point my clients want to get it resolved. It's a terrible tragedy. They're anxious to get this resolved because frankly they're getting harassed at their home," defense attorney Brian Kelly said.
Polk, who was 17 years old, was pulled from the family's backyard pool and died several days later.
Kelly argued earlier this year, when he tried to get the reckless endangerment charges dropped, that Polk was not drinking alcohol. The attorney said Polk was thrown into the pool by a friend who did not know he couldn't swim.
On Wednesday, Kelly was asked if a plea agreement was possible.
"We'll entertain any discussions from prosecutors. In the meantime, our clients don't want to be harassed at their home in the wee hours of the morning," Kelly said.
Polk's family was also in court on Wednesday. They said they don't want a plea agreement and are glad the case is going to trial.
"We're happy there was a trial date set we entered this knowing it was going to be a long road," said Roshawn Drane, Polk's brother. "At this point we just hope what justice means for us and what justice means for Norfolk County means the same thing."
