Long Island Man Admits To Beating Landlord To Death With Dumbbell: DA

RIVERSIDE, NY — A Coram man has admitted to beating his landlord to death with a dumbbell and then swiping his wallet, Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney said Wednesday.

Albert Coppedge, 49, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter for killing 62-year-old Kenneth Mitchell in 2020.

“This defendant’s guilty plea does not take away the pain of the loss that Mr. Mitchell’s friends and loved ones have endured," Tierney said. "I hope that this resolution allows them some closure for this horrific act of violence."

"I want to thank our prosecutors for securing this conviction, as well as the Suffolk County Police Department for their investigation in this case," he said.

On Dec. 6, 2020, shortly after 11 a.m., multiple people saw Coppedge and Mitchell arguing in the backyard of their home in Coram, and Coppedge was later seen wielding a dumbbell and then repeatedly striking Mitchell in the head while Mitchell was pleading for him to stop, prosecutors said.

Coppedge then took Mitchell’s wallet and removed a large sum of cash before fleeing the property. Mitchell was taken to Long Island Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to prosecutors.

Several hours after the attack, Coppedge returned home where he encountered law enforcement, and he was placed under arrest, prosecutors said.

Coppedge is due back in court for sentencing on Jan. 26.

In a statement to Patch, defense attorney Christopher Brocato of Central Islip, said Coppedge was involved in "an unfortunate and regrettable altercations that resulted in the death of his landlord."

Coppedge was initially charged with second-degree murder.

"After an extensive investigation by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office, he pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of manslaughter in the first degree," he said. "Today, Mr. Coppedge took responsibility for his actions and is prepared to pay his debt to society."