4 years, 3 months ago by Scott Hardy
Joseph Coffman turned down in attempt to overturn verdict
The Illinois Supreme Court won't consider an appeal of the 2015 murder conviction of an Arizona man, who stabbed his half-brother to death inside a vehicle while on Interstate 72 in Pike County in 2014.
Pike County State’s Attorney Zachary Boren released news of the denial of an appeal by Joseph Coffman on Monday. Coffman’s conviction by a Pike County jury for the 2014 stabbing death of Dennis Coffman was upheld last year by the Illinois Court of Appeals. Coffman's conviction was then appealed to the Supreme Court. Boren, who prosecuted the case, said the Supreme Court informed the Appellate Court of its' decision last Tuesday. Coffman is currently serving a 45 year sentence in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Boren says that additional appeal options, including post-conviction petitions, are available.
In Illinois, those convicted of first degree murder must serve one hundred percent of the sentence.
