Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

One of four men accused of killing a Chautauqua County couple in their home last spring has taken a plea deal. Steven Todd has pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree manslaughter, and has agreed to testify against his co-defendants, Davide Coggins, Joshua McCormick and Ricky Knickerbocker. Police say the four Elmira-area men broke into the Town of Carroll home of Gordon and Joyce Skinner, killed them, and then set the house on fire. District Attorney David Foley says, even with the plea deal, Todd will receive a lengthy prison sentence. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A trial date has been scheduled for the four men charged in the deaths of a Town of Carroll couple back in April. 34-year-old Davide Coggins and 21-year-old Joshua McCormick, both of Elmira, are each charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Gordon and Joyce Skinner, whose bodies were discovered by first responders after their house had been set on fire. 18-year-old Ricky Knickerbocker and 18-year-old Steven Todd, also of Elmira, are charged with second-degree murder. All four men are also charged with burglary and arson. The trial is scheduled for March 11. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The four men accused of killing a Chautauqua County couple last week were arraigned in county court this morning. Davide Coggins and Joshua McCormick are each charged with first-degree murder, second-degree intentional murder, second-degree murder, arson, burglary and conspiracy. Ricky Knickerbocker and Steven Todd are also charged with second-degree intentional murder. Coggins’ bail is $2.5 million cash. McCormick’s is $2 million. Bail for both Knickerbocker and Todd is $1.5 million cash each. The four are accused of killing Joyce and Gordon Skinner during a home invasion. The Skinners were found dead during a house fire. Pictured, Gordon and Joyce Skinner The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The four men accused of killing a Town of Carroll couple last week have waived their preliminary hearings. 18-year-old Ricky Knickerbocker, 18-year-old Steven Todd, 21-year-old Joshua McCormick, all of Elmira, and 34-Davide Coggins are now scheduled to appear in Chautauqua County Court on Friday for arraignment on murder charges. They were indicted by a grand jury earlier this week for breaking into the home of Gordon and Joyce Skinner and killing them. Their bodies were found during a fire at their house. The four suspects were found the next morning in Elmira. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The four suspects in Wednesday’s double homicide in Carroll, New York, are scheduled to be in court next week, and one of them will be represented by a Bradford native. 34-year-old Davide Coggins, along with 21-year-old Joshua McCormick, 18-year-old Steven Todd and 18-year-old Ricky Knickerbocker of Elmira, were arrested in Elmira Thursday morning after a manhunt. They are charged with two counts each of second-degree murder in connection to the deaths of 66-year-old Gordon Skinner and his wife, 59-year-old Joyce Skinner, who were found by firefighters inside their burning home. All four suspects will be back in Carroll Court Thursday morning for preliminary hearings with their court-appointed attorneys. Bradford native Lyle Hajdu will be representing Steven Todd. During a news conference on Thursday, Sheriff Joe Gerace said law enforcement is certain this was a home invasion that ended up in the deaths of the victims. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947