Moving-Day Murder Charge After Fatal Altercation In Somerset County: Prosecutor

MANVILLE, NJ — A Flemington man was charged with murder after police say he got into a fight with a Manville man while helping him move on Thursday, said Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald.

Samuel C. Coggins, 30, of Flemington, was charged with first-degree murder of Augustine Garcia, 50, of Manville, said McDonald.

On Thursday just before 3 p.m., a 911 call reported an assault outside a home on North 12th Avenue in Manville with an unconscious man, according to the release. Read More: Homicide Under Investigation In Manville

Manville Officers found the unresponsive man, later identified as Garcia, suffering from a severe head injury and started life saving measures before emergency medical personnel arrived. Garcia was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The 911 caller identified Coggins as the person involved in the physical assault of Garcia. Coggins remained at the scene, said McDonald.

An investigation found that Coggins was at the home to help Garcia and an unnamed resident with moving from the home. Coggins then assaulted Garcia while outside in the driveway of the home causing injuries that led to the death of Garcia, according to the release.

The investigation is ongoing. A post-mortem examination will be performed by the New Jersey Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the cause and manner of death.

Coggins was charged with first-degree murder and taken to the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Anyone with information relating to this incident is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-575-3300 or via the STOPit app.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

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