Murder Charge Filed Against 73-Year-Old Ex-Con
VAN BUREN TWP. (WWJ/AP) - A 73-year-old ex-convict has been charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of a man in western Wayne County.
Ken Coskie, of Belleville, was arraigned Friday on charges of a first-degree premeditated murder, felony firearm and being an habitual offender in the death of 44-year-old Eric Williams. Bail was set at $1 million, but Coskie only has to post $100,000 if he wants to get out of jail. He's due back in court on April 23.
The charges stem from a shooting that happened around 8 p.m. Wednesday near a home on Michigan Avenue and Denton Road, in Van Buren Township, that Coskie had recently been evicted from.
It wasn't immediately clear what prompted the shooting. Williams' body was found after police responded to a report of shots being fired. Coskie was detained at the crime scene and eventually placed under arrest for the shooting.
Medical examiners said Williams suffered a 12-gauge shotgun blast to the torso. Coskie and Williams have been described as "acquaintances" who would sometimes drink alcohol together. According to reports, they only knew each other a couple of weeks.
Williams' stepdaughter, Megan Delaney, says his death is puzzling, adding that he "was like a big teddy bear."
The Michigan Corrections Department says Coskie's criminal record goes back as far as the 1950s. He was discharged from parole in 1974. According to reports, his rap sheet includes breaking and entering, unlawful use of an automobile, prison escape and assault with intent to rob while armed.
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