'Vicious, Brutal, And Senseless': Suffolk Man Who Killed And Robbed Landlord Indicted: DA

CORAM, NY — A Coram man was indicted on murder and robbery charges after he was accused of beating his landlord to death with a dumbbell and stealing his money in 2020, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said Wednesday.

Albert Coppedge, 49, was accused of killing Kenneth Mitchell, 62, Tierney said.

"The alleged actions of this defendant were vicious, brutal, and senseless," Tierney said. "We will do everything in our power to seek justice for Kenneth Mitchell."

Coppedge and Mitchell were arguing in the backyard of their Coram home just after 11 a.m. Dec. 6, 2020, multiple eyewitnesses told Suffolk police, prosecutors said. Coppedge was seen repeatedly striking Mitchell in the head with a dumbbell while Mitchell pleaded for Coppedge to stop hitting him, authorities said.

Coppedge then stole a large sum of cash from Mitchell's wallet and fled the home, officials said.

Mitchell was pronounced dead at Long Island Community Hospital.

Coppedge returned to the home several hours after the attack and was arrested, investigators said.

Coppedge was arraigned on two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of first-degree robbery earlier this month. He was ordered held without bail during his case. Coppedge is due back in court on July 10 and is being represented by Christopher Brocato.